Mr Benjamin Khazi from Libya
who went by 'Ben' we are taught
when wanting to loosen his load
if ever he were caught short
designed a camping commode
as a potentially preferable portable place
to park his portly posterior
then had them manufactured en masse
with a motive quite ulterior
for he turned his thought into gold
altho' on a whim yet going out on a limb
more than several such stools were sold
which aptly were named 'Khazi' after him
At birth, Benjamin Button was old and gray.
He lived his life backward, or so they say.
Did he make fewer mistakes because
his past is what his future was?
The Benjamin that I know is, like the Biblical
Character, the YOUNGEST of 8 sons. For the last
Year, I have sensed that there is something that
I am supposed to impart to Benjamin. I have not
Concluded what that impartation is, but I will begin
By sharing an acrostic poem bearing his name.
8888888888888888888888888888888888888888
BELIEVERS do not have room for doubt and fear
EVERY door is an opportunity to explore and excel
NEVER say never, but rather, forever say, "I can"
JUSTICE may condemn me, but Christ pardons me
ANTICIPATION explodes within and makes me wait
MANY are called; few are chosen; most refuse
I can do all things through Christ
NOTHING shall be impossible to those who believe
Just as the elements within our lives are inevitable to intercede
There are also uncontrolled forces that have to circle the world
Pride, envy, gluttony, lust, sloth, wrath, and greed
These 7 deadly sins are sold more than the blooded diamonds and pearls
With prayer and faith I stand next to my mother.
And with undoubted submission I'd give anything for my sister.
I'll forever go to war for and with my brother.
But ever since Cain killed Abel, family's have killed, and killers get richer.
Lord when you gather your souls back please grant us your mercy
Grab our hearts with the inner core of your palms.
We drink from a cup but Revelations still leaves us thirsty.
Deliver me like the light you spoke of in the beautiful book of Psalms.
Wash the pain, suffering, and betrayal from our flesh.
Let your light dry away the history of grieving within tears.
Invite me to throw away my sins as I ask with all my chest.
And forgive man as I will forgive myself when your flood crosses near.
Well, I listened to Benjamin Zephaniah,
And I kept my young turkey alive.
We had a really good blast last Christmas,
With hip-hop and reggae and jive.
We opened our presents real early,
Taking selfies and having a laugh.
I bought Turkey some really cool trainers,
And he bought me some gloves and a scarf.
Then we ate a lovely fat dinner.
I cooked him organic green beans.
We had rice and peas and coleslaw,
With a gigantic mountain of greens.
After, we played a game of Scrabble.
I won 'cause I hate losing at games.
I sang him a number of carols,
Played charades, guessing celebrities’ names.
We watched movies until we got tired,
And then tried to enjoy the King's Speech.
We couldn’t resist Christmas pudding,
With a dollop of ice cream and peach.
I’m glad my turkey’s alive for Christmas.
I’ll invite him again and again.
And I’ve also joined Turkeys United,
‘Cause now Turkey and me are best friends.
But there’s one thing I forgot to mention,
Which you may think a little absurd:
I thought he was one of the talking turkeys,
But this turkey didn’t even say a word!
(Ode to Benjamin Zephaniah’s Talking Turkeys )
"Three may keep a secret if two of them are dead," ... quote by Benjamin Franklin
If the three are still left breathing would you fear what might be said, for when you hear the truth of this, all secrets be at risk, will opportune all freedoms aim to raise those penniless.
To save your life, you must heed words for they will serve you best, twas the dark lord who had written you, your present interest. You'd outlast two that Shady knew and brought them back, plus test.
Which he will sit to judge at trial, cometh that hour he set; three souls for him, your life--you get, and to all, we have outlined, are the needed facts, to which, my friend, to that you'll do your best.
In summation, I gathereth,
three souls he will get,
mentioning their untimely deaths.
My inner art be facts,
coursing throughout my veins,
I will accomplish this here task
known to me by that name
--the Beastmaster. Alas,
my eyes answered my guess--
me'lord; Keeper of Hell's Gate ...
~ I pass.
His charm.
His physique.
His humor.
All things that a girl would love.
All things that would make a girl obsessed.
That’s exactly what happened to me.
I got obsessed, I fell in love.
Little did I know,
I was in love with the devil.
They say the devil comes as your greatest desire.
Mine was love, and he used that.
He brought this boy into my life,
made me fall in love, get obsessed,
get attached,
just to have him break my heart.
I begged him to never leave me,
but the devil doesn’t bargain.
Especially with a weak little girl,
who only wants to be loved.
A Benjamin Franklin puppet walked into our living room.
He wanted to use our computer, in particular, needed to zoom.
I said to my husband “what do you think?”
“I believe he is lost,” he said. This is not a skating rink.
Because Benjamin Franklin Puppet had put on some skates.
He was zipping and slipping around our hoes and garden rakes.
But why are they in your living room? A snoopy neighbor said.
This is not easily answered, so I went back to my bed.
A little moon for Benjamin
For Benjamin the moon
Which casts itself upon his face
Tonight when it is full
In a magic transformation
That illuminates, in depth
A purer form of innocence
A finer state of grace
And wisdom’s inspiration
That poets can embrace
For here the gaze of wonder!
For here the look of awe!
For here the eyes enraptured
By what they see afar
And uttering but these few words
In a simple, boundless phrase
“The moon, the moon”, in rapt exclaim
Is all he needs to say –
For nothing brighter shines tonight
Than the moon that shines beyond
Except the eyes of Benjamin
For whom the moon belongs –
BENJAMIN BLUE
Benjamin Blue lost his shoe.
He called to his mother, “What should I do?”
His mother said, “Look under your bed”
But as he did, he bumped his head!
His father said, “Look under your chair”
But all he found was dust and hair.
His brother said “Look in your room, behind your door “
But dirty socks just covered his floor.
Benjamin Blue sobbed for his shoe.
“I will never find it, what will I do?”
His sister in the garden sat with her cat, then smelled something gross
screaming, "YUC, WHAT IS THAT?”
(She was known to be rude and kind of a brat)
"Benjamin" she hollered, "I found your shoe”
He knew she was right, when she shouted, "PEE U!"
He was my former student,
In whom I found not a dent.
On the day he took the leap
I’d seen a knotted crowd weep:
Way back 1998
While Service Allowance did wait...
Passers-by he’d shocked with stereo:
A yelling one for “Cheerio,”
His reason ‘Quite Earth-Shaking:
“One could sleep off, no waking!”
He had me killed Ten times with smiles
And did me indulge no wiles…
Benjamin with no girlfriend,
Which I warned him to just end,
Whereupon he tried him to please
And replied next week with ease...
By me made to understand
He has to farm my own land
And he gave A Quick Alright
“I know tomorrow will be right.”
Owned cheeks I could swear puffy
And occupied a room stuffy
Or had he been asthmatic
And his attack automatic?
Not your fault Bright Light went dim:
You rest in peace Benjamin.
Benjamin
Attended a Quaker school only African-American, interested in Mathematics and mechanics, clocks, and astronomy
Lover of ... the stars, planets and creator of 1st Almanac
Who feels ... pangs and pains from his chronic alcoholism
Who would like to see ... he design the lay out for the Capitol Building
and White House published first to publish Almanac
Resident of ...Baltimore Maryland
Banneker
6/15/2022
Written words by James Edward Lee Sr. ©2022
Benjamin Buffalo came on my tele show
For he had written a book
The world’s oldest Buffalo with tales of long ago
Gave a retrospective look
I asked Benji Buffalo, here’s what I’d like to know
Did you know Buffalo Bill
He said let the record show that I’m a Buffalo
Listen to this if you will
Bill was a nice ’en but he herded Bison
His rope never wrapped around me
For Bison were smaller, us Buffalo, taller
But each of us need to roam free
On one lucky pass he slapped me on my ass
He did have a very warm hand
Back then I was thicker but not a lot quicker
It turns out I’m sporting his brand
God helps those who help themselves
Hidden here a kernel of truth: "no free lunch!"
But if I seek a shelter in real or fancied homelessness
"A stitch in time saves nine," - not my bikini (thanx a bunch)
I wished to improve on my character so,
I looked for a model to go by.
I studied the habits of men great and tall,
For one who seemed perfect in my eyes.
Men of fine profile and manly physique,
Were the first ones to cross my inspection.
First also dismissed for their physical charms,
Seemed all they had worth admiration;
And those who had money and power were wont,
To flaunt their importance and style.
An hour or two in this comp'ny could last,
A person a long, long while;
And so I explored yet another route,
The highway to high education.
Perhaps here I would find the virtuous man.
One worthy of my adulation.
I read through the tomes of scholars and scribes,
Philosophers, poets and statesmen,
And I never found a doctrine more sound,
Than the one left behind by Ben Franklin.
Sub Categories
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.