Bashful Poems

Bashful Soup Tureen

The bashful soup tureen stayed silent
Watching the impolite eaters slurp their soup
Their mouths were on the rim of their bowls
They were slurping in the most annoying ways

Aren’t you going to say something? The cat asked.
Soup tureen wanted to, but was fearful, 
Afraid her input would be shunned,
And she might be disrespected if she spoke.

Not yet, she said to the curious cat.
Why don’t you say something?
I am afraid of humans, the cat replied.
I let them give me kibble and that is it.

Bashful Birds Cry

I wonder whether the birds I watch
mind being watched?
Do they wonder what the hell 
the bird watchers are looking at so intently,
with such devotion to the census?
Or wonder what are the itchy twitching bewitchers
are carrying in their camera bags?
Can there be no privacy for flimsy shy flutterers?
Why can't the twitchers leave us be
to flock and gaggle free of the
unwelcome stares of
the watching wardens?

The Bashful Rose

That rose is hidden 
 admirers  wonderings
Will find her bashful

A Sincere Expression of Gratitude From a Normally Bashful Guy

i have my bad habits
you accept them all
i have my imperfections
you see them as rare art
you smile at me as i put the last of the ornaments on the Christmas tree
i do not deserve you
the True Blessing for me is that you adamantly disagree

i made some bad decisions
you shrug your shoulders and say 'don't we all?'
i am not wise with my money
you smile at me as i put the Mom's Favorite Star on top of the Christmas Tree
i am not worthy of you
the True Blessing for me is that you passionately disagree

i am my own worst enemy
you open your arms and your heart to offer friendship
i am the president of the construction of my problems
your smile at me as i plug up the brand new lights radiantly beautifying the Christmas Tree
i do not have the potential to be anywhere near your esteemed presence
the True Blessing for me is that YOU WILL ALLWAYS FOREVER DISAGREE,
and i will humbly and sincerely Thank God for You until my time on this earth is done

Bashful Foliage

bashful as dawn breaks
It's about to start raining~
leaves sputter in joy

Bashful Beauty

Eyelashes 
  Batting in bashful style 
    Like the dance of weeping willow leaves

Sculpted nose 
  Crafted in perfection 
    Double caves in a sheer rock mountain 

Rosy lips 
  Tender in lusciousness 
    Juicy strawberries dipped in pure cream

Vibrant eyes 
  Framed in deep mystery 
    Ebony gems enclosed in pearl shells


02.20.2021

For Joseph May's "Images in parallel" contest

Bashful Billy

Said Bashful Billy
To this pretty young filly
"Can I give you a peck on the cheek?"
Said the pretty filly
To Bashful Billy
"Yes, but first there's something I seek!"

Well, Bashful Billy
Really had no clue
What this filly was asking him for
So he whipped out a frog
From his colourful togs 
Said, "If that's not enough, I have more!"

"No! No! Silly Billy!
That's not what I mean
Want you to do magic tricks for me!"
"It is told you can bake
 A great Birthday Cake
While balancing a hot cup of tea!"

"Well, yes if you wish
So then may I kiss
The tender young cheek that I yearn?"
"Well, not quite so fast
There's a thing I must ask
That you teach me a trick I may learn!"

Well Billy agreed
To teach this young filly
A trick that he knew she would love
With a wave and a shake
Of his magical cape
A pink cloud came down from above

Although they were hidden
You knew she was smitten
Bashful Billy had won her young heart
Riding into the sunset
With love a sure bet
You knew they would never part!

A Shy Teenager

a shy teenager
coaxed to try on pink lipstick~
breaks into a smile



Submitted on May 31, 2019 for contest  WRITING CHALLENGE 5, MAY 2019 SENRYU sponsored by DEAR HEART  -  RANKED 3RD

Bashful Writer

The Bashful writer

He had been into a bookshop a few weeks ago 
had asked the manager if he could place his books there,
yes, that was ok just bring me the books the manager said.
When he had asked the shop was empty, now it was full
of people and he was too shy and nervous, waited outside
for the shop to be empty.
He was a man of little self-confidence perhaps his work
was not good enough to be sold, he had been refused
so often when sending a manuscript through the net.
In a café, he had a glass of red wine to lessen his anxiety,
it helped, but the bookshop was closed for lunch when 
he came back, he had lunch came back but the shop
decided it didn`t want more English written work,
“Come back in January,” the shopkeeper said.
He took the bus home knowing well he would not come
back for more humiliations.

Bashful Rudolph

When asked why his nose was so red
Young Rudolph looked bashful and said:
'One kiss from a doe
Sets me all aglow;
I blush from my hooves to my head!'

08/12/18

Haiku - Bashful

~   daylight... due her nap -


               kissed the bashful sea's rough cheek... 


                              as he blushed crimson   ~





~ 3rd Place ~  in the "Haiku No Titles Theme Nature" Poetry Contest, Mick Talbot, Sponsor.

The Blues of a Distantly Bashful Benchwarmer

innocent flirtation can be a dangerous game
yet and still i play it in the hopes of it coming to fruition
distance can be the merciless foe of a love so desired
though now she is with him, the connection we have still shines in our replies and reactions
though i am now with her, the way we clicked before still radiates brightly in our tonalities and our hidden arousals
time is still a distant cousin unseen till the lottery of reality hits home
reality is still an unpredictable stalker till the sweepstakes of the here and now throws its unfortunate confetti
flirtation in the secret admission of guilt can be a hopeless waste of energy
nevertheless, i participate in every aspect of the game hoping for the trophy oh so far away from my grasp

Bashful Warrior

Why afraid of war
When you have fearless gear  
Attacking like the brave
Sending lives to the grave

Brave warriors to the ants
Mimosa pudica to elephant
You are loving peace
While killing innocents

You want to win the battle
When you do the bombing
You don’t fight the mountain
But only from the mole hill




I love you peace. Let’s sail together. Layag Sug
Purple Coach, City of Widow
12 April 2015. 3:41PM.

Bashful

anonymous card
passionate cowardice words
a valentine wish

asking for a date
benevolent gallantry
one kiss too many

tensed on one knee
proposal of love
will you marry me please?

Bashful Billy

Said Bashful Billy
To this pretty young filly
"Can I give you a peck on the cheek?"
Said the pretty filly
To Bashful Billy
"Yes, but first there's something I seek!"

Well, Bashful Billy
Really had no clue
What this filly was asking Billy for
So he whipped out a frog
From his colourful togs 
Said, "If that's not enough, I have more!"

"No! No! Silly Billy!
That's not what I mean
Want you to do magic tricks for me!"
"It is told you can bake
 A great Birthday Cake
While balancing a hot cup of tea!"

"Well, yes if you wish
So then may I kiss
The tender young cheek that I yearn?"
"Well, not quite so fast
There's a thing I must ask
That you teach me a trick I may learn!"

Well Billy agreed
To teach this young filly
A trick that he knew she would love
With a wave and a shake
Of his magical cape
A pink cloud came down from above

Although they were hidden
You knew she was smitten
Bashful Billy had won her young heart
Riding into the sunset
With love a sure bet
You knew they would never part!

© Jack Ellison 2014

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