Frozen Dreams
Poverty
with a view
Wilderness
in the stew
Icebergs set
aflow
Desolation
row
Every day
a choice
Searching for
that voice
The one
to set me free
And melt
— this frozen dream
*****
This Day Forward
Giving up
on tomorrow
Rechristening
today
The blessings
before me
As presence
they lay
Regret is for
losers
Of which
I’ve been one
But from
this day forward
Today
zero – sum
*****
Door #3
We don’t write
to uncover
what’s right or what’s wrong
We write
to discover
— ourselves
*****
Bottom Line
Writer’s write
as dilettante’s talk
Writer’s write
and poseurs they squawk
Writer’s write
with dandies in tow
Writer’s write
— so others may know
(Dreamsleep: June, 2026)
My heart is bleeding and seething, bashed, broke, and battered
All confused because I can't discern what mattered
"You love me; you use me
Don't hate me; don't choose me"
We needed a break
From our repeated mistake
My stomach lurches butterflies aflow
Because doesn't his smile just glow
My glass heart screamed "he's looking over there"
Deep inside I felt something tear
My mind split in two
Not sure who is who
My mind's got all twisted
My heart's gone ballistic
Not sure how I missed it
But I swear something's different
Everything turned back and went
Their own peculiar way
I’m about to forget
What I thought to say
Blues are punishing for war
Reds are punishing for peace
Still I walk through my old door
Using my old bunch of keys
Between a rock and a hard place
I am used to be
I would like to be amazed
Tell me what to feel
I’ll be listening in awe
Wash me with your summer rain
Love to hear your words aflow
Can you please say it again.
In the ring, under blazing sun,
Stands the bull, fierce, on the run.
I, the matador, with focused eye,
Face the beast, no room to sigh.
Cape unfurls, in this daring show,
Dance begins, hearts aflow.
Muscles tense, each move I plan,
Facing danger, the fearless man.
The bull charges, a force untamed,
I sidestep quick, unashamed.
Cloak and sword, tools in hand,
Against this beast, I take my stand.
Crowd's cheer echoes, a distant sound,
In this arena, where strength is found.
In this clash, a story told,
Of courage, honor, both so bold.
In the fight of horn and might,
We duel on, into the night.
Matador's tale, in this grand land,
A warrior's heart, hand in hand.
I sinned against my body exceedingly so
I’m ashamed, I feel like a nobody
Everyday, I see people succeeding though
The temple of God is in everybody
I need endurance and patience
I also need self-control and guidance
I love my enemies and everyone at least
At least I will be celebrating this year’s Feast
All alone…
The assembly of righteous loved ones
Makes me happy and glad times tons
The assembly of godliness in our congregation
Makes me feel gratitude in its spiritual sensation
Our community’s calling is amazing
I held on to these deceitful desires and now, I’m letting them all go,
So, reap what you sow
I’m forgiving my trespasses, grazing
In my own maze of resentful, remorseful fires aglow
The rivers of radiance aflow
You’ll see me on my webbed waterbed, nightdreaming and stargazing…
I have a longsuffering heart
I am not going to fall apart
I will remain in the assembly of the wise
I will gain happiness and plenty of highs
Even if I am “ALL alone”,
God is my backbone…
Please don’t postpone
A phone call from God Most High or you’ll surely be on your own
NARRATIVES
sources
of
principle
so
evident
sagas
of
speech
in action
particularised
species
striking
figurative
virtual
&
effacing
a prescence
with
a steady
purpose
in
faded metaphors
intent
in aflow
to hinge
attention
&
define
a measure
to emerge
impromptu
casual
multi-layered
elaborate
yet
simple
&
subtle
insistently
implicit
NOTE:THIS IS AN OPEN(organic) FORM VERSE using spaces&breaks without grammatical symbols ,the ' open' relies upon 'the one breath limitation' & so inherently requires the 'reader' (reciter) to input and responds thus making this enigmatic form a two way interplay & interpretatIon unique to the moment& changing according to mood is inherently variable.
Copyright © Brian Strand
I sail ashore a silent war
Shattered regret all the more
Angst sinks deep down ashore
Isolated like remnants of hatred to the core
Lonesome as a lazy lion in the streets of nothingness
And suddenly…
Sadness sweeps over me solemnly
Hushed sounds of revenge and envy sends vibes of virtuous vanity inside us all
Oceans between us and mountains among us
Rage rips us apart
Engaged in effulgent reveries
And I seek remedy
Shake off the tension from off our bones of all-alone
Imagine a world of woefulness melting into the Kingdom of Bliss
Living life with longevity and lament in mind for some odd reason
End the fear leaning against my every side and angels are on every angle, so watch out for them, for they will protect us with miracles and gifts
Neglect the wretched wolves of the deep unknown and seek the doves of delight
Tranquility will conquer over dangerous waters aflow and blasphemy for show
Weep no more and paint sunny smiles upon our faces of glorious grace
Anger will no longer linger around us and happiness will be our truth-trainer
Really bound to be sailing ashore on rivers and oceans of unremitting desire
Sad, but too true,
No one waits for me and you,
Lo, but hark!
Washing's there in the dark,
In the morning glow,
Washing suds are soon aflow,
Yes, women of the world,
Washing still waits for every girl!
It's midday right now (I’m frozen in boredom kingdom…give us tragedy in reverse, my beautiful sunrise and I’m your dazzling sunset)
Listened to music online (All night and day, I’ve been up…It’s a gift or a curse – life is like a criminal, mistaken for a nurse)
Happiness aflow…(gladness aglow, yes, we all know – sing with joyousness in every verse…It’s 12:00 PM and I’m not suicidal, but I put to death nostalgic negativity 'n delusional distress)
Sun is shining and the wind is blowing during the day
Moon is dimming, along with the stars of silver and grey
I want you to stay next to me...kiss me and embrace me today
I don't want to labeled or be self-labeling myself...I'm so gay, not led astray
By disarray and discouragement...I'm alive in your bees' hive of dismay
At least it's not 12:00 AM
If it was, I would give a damn
I was made for you and it's true - doncha have a clue?
You think I'm joking, right? Well, I'm telling you it's true
Sitting here all alone
Getting lost in my head
Wandering off in the fields of your game
Soaked by the pouring rain of your lies
Burned by the pain spreading like a wild fire
Silent tears aflow speeding down to lakes
I am left stranded on the brink of drowning
alone
Lost in my dark world
Dwelling on the past
Letting anger boiling in my heart
My mind is on fire spitting harsh words
I am miles away from forgiving
Time speeds away and tomorrow becomes today
Still you are rewinded in my head
And time and again sitting in my own pool of tears
Never realized how much precious time had slipped away stealing a piece of me into damnation
I am hurt
I am broken
I am sad
And I am worn out
So today I am going to care for me
I am forgiving you to fade out of my mind
From this day on you are a memory of a well learned lesson
Today I am walking with my head up
and smile like I just received a box of Macadamia chocolate
I am free and I'm gonna love me more
Peace out...
Smile
Akkina R Downing
6-20-17
Flightless Old Birds
I spill ink upon a most sadden page
life of youth was once all the rage
Good times were to readily be had
even a dull day was not all that bad
For each new morn brought renewed hope
nothing, nothing seem beyond our scope
This ink sets in its newborn form
tired words seem to be my new norm
A whisper and a cry rarely ever call
newborn days of hope I can not recall
Why does time eat thus at my soul
when more livin' was always my goal
Looking back I see ink spilt' long ago
the energy was quick the heart aflow'
Deep energetic words jumping all about
laughter and joy always loudly rang out
Love was rampant always in the mix
secret night moves our passionate fix
O' youth why venture so far astray
yes , you just had to have it your way!
Robert J. Lindley, 2-04-2016
note: Time, we always pray for more .
Yet after life abundant we sometimes regret
having had too much . For memories of our youth
beckon and shout.
We then feel old, alone and so left out.
Then we ramble and write tired old words.
Looking to the skies as flightless old birds!
Young they are ...
Thoughts rushing
Words, now in play.
Penned preenly between the lines...
Thoughts set down
Words, meaning more than they say.
Spoken dreams not yet uttered...
Thoughts cascade
Words, set in a certain way.
Life, Love, Nature, and Truth...
Thoughts aflow
Words, in rhythmic array.
Their voices heard through the eyes...
Thoughts concise
Words, to spend this day.
Oh, to keep the harmony...
Thoughts revealed
Words, the Poets' trade
Memories so fondly savored
Sad times forgotten in the race
Closely holding moments favored
That were once so common place
Whisper thrills swift fingered riffs
Linger ghosting in my mind
Soft melodic intermingles
Nostalgic stroking intertwined
Sweet bravado overcomes us
Leaning in to touching minds
Words aflow in rushing reason
Like leaves within their blushing season
While harvest time unwinds
Thus we try to stem the flow
Holding to each other so
Singing softly as we go
Of times too long ago
(friend wrote a melody....this is a too trite try at words)
it was all so sudden,
that he got hurt,
she had not even time enough,
to ponder how hurt affected them,
they drifted apart,
like twigs aflow in a stream,
suddenly a gust of realisation,
brought them together,
that flow aimlessly they must,
why not together taking care.
Looking for the formal definition, structure, and history of this poetry form? Visit the Poetry Dictionary entry below. Then return to explore how PoetrySoup members bring the form to life through their own poems.