Also Ran Poems | Examples

Lemming

I’m as pragmatic as a lemming
The most important day I missed
Stayed in my hole cause it was raining
Didn’t want my destiny to meet
And probably she thought the same
Had mixed me for another one
Who craved to get his lemming fame
Like other lemmings also ran 
Towards the beauties of blue sea
Each tried to keep up with a horde
But they’re no different from me 
As from the other beasts I heard.

Metamorphosis

What is a man,
Who can tell,
A master plan,
An empty shell,

A force of good,
A source of bad,
A thought he should,
A wish he had,

A volunteer,
To help us out,
Should we appear,
To be in doubt,

Or set us free,
To leave the nest,
If liberty,
Will serve us best,

And should he fold,
For lack of pay,
And then behold,
A  brighter day.

He stops to think,
And then reflect,
Upon the brink,
Of circumspect,

What is a man,
But flesh and bone,
An also-ran,
Who died alone,

Or Superman,
Who won the peace,
To make the man,
A masterpiece.

Big Red

Where fire’s rage
no flame unfanned
The cinch retightened
no also ran

As horns go silent
the gate is dropped
 On victory’s path
his legend cropped 

Unbridled passion
distraction flees
A trophy hails
as reins go free

The end in sight
where roses wait
Ablaze in glory
— outrunning fate

(Paris Kentucky: June, 1986)

IF ONLY YOU KNEW

Your sultry sensual look I still embrace
As I think of those mesmerizing violet eyes,
My heart then quickens and starts to race,
If only you knew what you still do to me.

Whose fault was it that sad sad night,
When you spoke those unjust words,
Was it meant for me to run away in fright,
If you only knew, how much I still love you.

Maybe it was me, or perhaps it was you began 
An argument that was bitter, that left me mad,
But  know that when you ran away, I also ran,
If you only knew that I could never forget you.

You dazzled me, with your graceful, swan like neck,
Frolicked with your cleavage, your creamy breasts,
Rising and falling, knowing I desired, needed you,
If only you knew that you were the soul of my heart.

I ran after you to catch you, but I was too late,
The rain was pouring you tripped, hit your head,
I picked up your lifeless body, it was your fate,
If only you knew your death was the end of me.

Written for Silent One's contest
However Not Entered as the stipulated number of poems was met.

To Which Image Should We Cling

I am but one now, and not another prior
Never before have I trodden this path
Never before have I lived this hour
I need not do the history or the math

If my history consisted of endless days
If my distant past revealed a different me
I'd be, not human, but divine and amazed
I would not need a savior to set me free

My purpose, built-in with destiny; set with attention
My future status will be far more than 'An also ran'
My origin was formed with precision and intention
Moreover, my past was not happenstance but planned

To a past that never was will I not CLING
My existence is not a multiple-choice test
Never upon a fantasy will I place my being
But upon much surer promises, I will rest

So, with certainty, I CLING to the image-maker
I am neither puzzled by fate nor by the lottery
I was created by one who is a promise keeper
I am nestled in the bosom of the Almighty

Winter

Am I but the stirring of a seasoned stew
The madness of a game that summer threw

Hard edge of a canyon wall at dawn
Towering above a trembling, speckled fawn

Must I be a raging lion or timid lamb
Contending for the prize of also ran

As I must outduel Winter’s feigned chagrin
Until it screams OK, all right, you win

So bear with me and kiss me as I go
And take with me the curse of bearded snow

And First Place Goes To --

The body houses the soul
        that is its primary role

     But with all of the body's demands
        the poor soul is an also-ran

Head and Heart

The measure of a man?
Does his heart expand?
Is he a man who can,
Or simply, 'An also ran?'
Is he able to understand?
Is his head above the sand?

Whispers of Mortality

The earth remembers
  every September
    The dawn of Time
    fateful, sublime

  Six days of Creation
  singular innovations
    Last is Man
    land's also-ran

  Lips part, mortality
  whispers the earth

Almost

I have always been an Almost
Almost handsome almost ugly
almost a genius almost a fool
almost very good almost very bad
almost successful almost a failure
often an ‘also ran’
I guess most of us can tick all those boxes
I figure it’s not so bad to be an ‘almost’
better than being something you can never live up to
better to be free of someone else’s label
much better to make a goofy grin in a 2-way mirror
and wink

Laziness Is the Mother of Gloominess

Never remain lazy and lose the chance
Be brisk and active to acquire success
When you just relax without any efforts
Your golden dream cannot be realized

If you remain passive with no dreams
You may come out as an also-ran man
Instead, if you move Heaven and Earth
Success will come to you by searching

Never limit your genius by surrendering
Think high and confidently enter the deal
Great rewards, you will reap definitely
Narrow not your mind by allowing fear

You win by taking steps with deep faith
Your success lies in your own hands
At times you may be standing on it
Due to its nearness, you may overlook

Giving up is an easy job that can be done
To you, now I ask, What is the use of that?
Just saying "no" and then staying damn idle
Will it bring any growth or mirth or glory?

My dear soul, take my word and think
Let us not rust by taking indefinite rest
Let us use all our faculties well to excel
Contributing usefully for World's welfare.

An Existential Curiosity

I have given up on the divinity of man
For in fulfillment’s race I’m an also ran

I’ve suited up, prepared to play
Sat on the bench many a day

Driven by the insanity
There was hope in sanctity

As the horsemen of my soul
Rode in search of being whole

Thundering hooves and flowing manes
Pursue their shadows in cold rains

As I sit and percolate
Struggling to meditate

1/2/2023

An Existential Curiosity
Edward Ibeh

It's Curtains For Me

Six months from now and it's curtains for me
I'll crash through the barrier of 88
I'll officially be old and crotchety and senile
Pablum after my morning pee

Oh for the days had no trouble getting dressed
Now I forget my darn Jockeys
Don't wanna share this bod with anyone else
Everything's become kinda floppy

Once had tight abs... now who am I kidding
The tightest my abs get now
Is when I try bending down to tie up my laces
At times feel like a pregnant cow

I grunt and strain and been known to curse
Saying bad things like, “holy heck"
Can remember those real naughty old phrases
Like “go to blazes” or “pain in the neck”

Guess six months won't make a hugh difference
I'm pretty well ready for the pasture
One thing I've noticed since reaching “maturity”
Time seems to be going a lot faster

So here's some advice for all you young'uns
Enjoy life while you still can
Before you know it, the darn jig will be up
And you'll just be an also ran

Marriage May Help Or Damage

ian, rajkumar
Marriage has lots of benefits
And also serious drawbacks
A wise man at last decides
The best for him always

When you induct a soul
You must be prepared
Elaborate thinking is
Absolutely necessary

One must have the power
To withstand financially,
Emotionally and physically
Marriage is a happy burden

Morals have to be maintained
Dilemma must be shunned
Attachment must be there
Also ran marriages turn bad

Marriage adds surely children
May be an asset or a liability
If we show deepest affection
Our peace of mind is secured

Marrying to please the society
Is no doubt highly suicidal
Staying alone surely prevents
Confusion in many cases

They Also Ran

Ever since the world began
there were those who 'also ran.'
Not for them the highest grades,
not for them great accolades.
Mediocrity rarely shatter.
That they ran is what most matters.

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