Best 2015 Poems
Veteran’s Day - 2015
This day
all flags
shed
bloodied shadows
upon
sacred soil
dotted
with stilled crosses.
This day
parades
weary soldiers
smile
at the few who line the streets
march
to familiar cadence
salute
flag’s half mast history
weep
as Taps resounds
across
each generation’s tears.
This day
Peace
will solemnly descend
upon those
who kept her safe.
John G. Lawless
11/5/2015
Before I knew the day, the time
He’d die,
I came home to him,
My little smile, knowing he’d
Be there, he was always there
Always aware I was his
Defender, his reminder that
Some of us were willing to believe
In his war with intruders
Intruders who were often invisible
Yet, unmistakably real
Like the thunder he accepted
With trembling heart, fear concentrated
It seemed almost a tangible thing,
Even as he squirmed from the peace
Of my arms, where there was
More love that a heart can bear,
Love rushing to his rescue,
When life didn’t seem to care
He knew me when I smiled and
When I cried, saw the darkness
Bipolar draws over the mind,
The soul, and the gentle that a prayer leaves
Behind, he knew me like I know
He would have died to protect me
From the pain of his passing
A pain that embraced me with lasting
Grief, permanent memories
A yearning for the four soft paws,
The echo of howls, the affectionate
Licking, gentling even the worst of doubts
With assurance that love is always
The way to bring music out of the clouds,
Poetry out of the whines,
Breathing hope into the moment
Just before yesterday becomes the memory
That silences the dark
Whispering joy to the heart
Who evokes – his little expression
When stroking him restored some semblance
Of the grace that has always shown me
The truth in his eyes, warm and caring,
Glowing with affection that comes to life
In those whose destiny is service
To those of us who hear the song they sing
Before their hearts grow wings!
I give thanks that this difficult year has come to an end
My father is now at peace with his lord
Our lives have been turned upside down
Nothing will ever be the same again
I am on the threshold of a brand new year
And look forward to brighter days ahead
Sponsor: Carol Eastman
Contest: Giving Thanks for 2015
31st December 2015
G od’s love and all the things He’s given me:
I ntelligence, abilities, free will,
V im for living life, the poetry
I nside me, for the muse is with me still!
N ew life that I’ve been lucky to see grow
G randchildren who keep me on the go!
T he list of what I’m thankful for goes on:
H ealthy fun activities I do,
A nimals I’ve kept as pets - now gone,
N ature, movies, food, the friendships true,
K indnesses shown to me, and the last:
S ouls I’ve loved both now and in the past.
Written 11/20/12
but it applies to every year that I am alive.
birds sing sun rises
how wonderful the world is
dreaming in your love
How do I begin to express my gratitude
For the many blessings bestowed to us in 2015?
So many prayers were answered, that left me in awe
Of the unlimited power of the Divine and the Angels
Who have helped with every request no matter how large
Or small. They are my guiding light, always by my side.
I am most thankful that my husband was saved from
The brink of death with constant prayer and faith.
"Anything is possible with God", were my repeating
Lines to myself and others, and thankfully indeed it is!
Health is wealth and I am so thankful for that blessing.
I hold in my heart great gratitude for all my family and
Friends who prayed for us to have Divine healing.
I hope they know the power they gifted us in prayer.
We feel very wealthy indeed to have such help in need.
I am thankful for all my poetry friends who also said
Prayers for us and encouraged us with their support
And beautiful poetry that inspired and gave us hope.
2015 ended with us both looking forward to 2016!
Mahalo (thank you) to all who have been such a blessing.
Connie Marcum Wong
Jan. 10, 2016
Thanks for 2015
Year Two Thousand Fifteen appeared phenomenal
bestowing new meaning in life on novel arrival
of my granddaughter Arianna to draw
God's blessing to my daughter and son-in-law.
Daughter of my heart received me on June morning
in the airport with her pretty daughter smiling
on her lap, the cute little angel
giggling like ringing of jingle bell.
I glanced, enchanted and stretched hands to her.
She just plunged on me as if too familiar.
So-long forgotten reminiscences brought me shower of charms
I felt as if daughter of my heart returned back to my arms.
Thanks to the year Two Thousand Fifteen
for great reward of granddaughter to win.
I am overwhelmed to be a grand parent
to watch a bud to bloom in beauty and scent.
01/09/2016
Giving Thanks for 2015 Poetry Contest First Place
Sponsor Carol Eastman
DECEMBER 2015 - "For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown, in which we glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when He comes?" 1 Thessalonians 2:19
This year America waits,
With great anticipation.
For peace, love and joy,
Throughout the nation.
Christians are under attack,
For what is in their heart.
Hatred fills the air,
Our nation torn apart.
Death in our schools,
Murder on the streets.
Hurry, Jesus, we pray,
Before their goal is complete.
Freedom Religion,
A promise written true.
Not it's only if you follow theirs,
Christians know not what tio do.
We read more every day,
How we must suffer for His Cause.
Evil ones in control,
they pass the laws.
There was a time in history,
It was so long ago.
God sent His Only Son,
To teach us how to go.
In a humble stable He was born,
Written Word said it would be.
People given a reason to believe,
Praised Him in songs of victory.
We are lost without His son,
The Bright Star for all to see.
Please give us another sign,
To set Your People free.
RAYMOND V. MORGAN
I’m Andrea, a visitor to earth,
and I'm a Virgo; astrologically,
stability has ruled me since my birth.
A gentle, mellow earth girl here you see.
(Andrea Dietrich)
...and heart she opened wide
The placid hue her eyes were born
A flirty blue, her eyes
Romantic eyes, with whisper of soft lavender for one
the breeze blew in
She clung to life and pondered soberly
beyond what they had endeavored yet to do.
Her vision was an eagle's
She could see the roads along the shore
someone motionless
She felt no wrath, but peace engulfed her
She embraced her soul's release.
...................................................
New snow, beneath the moon and stars, falls with grace.***
*** Everything is taken from Andrea's poems. It's a tribute.Love Andrea
Remember Me
Memorial Day Tribute 2015
A soldier gives his life in battle his spirit is set free.
His body finds a grave his soul cries remember me.
Remembering this moment that I first met my doom.
Remember me, a baby forming in my mothers womb.
Remembering first steps I took remember times I fell.
Recall my dreams of heaven and each moment spent in hell.
Remember mountains that I faced before I answered duty's call.
Climbing trees and skinned up knees I dreamed I'd climb them all.
Remember times of courage lessons learned and lessons taught.
Remember me for good times before my last fight was fought.
Remembering your freedom and that freedom don't come free.
I ask so little in return when asking you remember me.
Not a body in a grave somewhere, a wooden cross stuck in the dirt.
A sister or a brother too with U.S.A. stitched on my shirt.
Remember so it's not in vain the life that now is through.
Remembering the blood that spilled still runs red white and blue.
Edwin C Hofert
E-ven though she's been gone lo these many years,
D-id I tell her I loved her enough as I fight back the tears.
I-often think I'm the most blessed of men upon this earth,
T-hat God in His wisdom chose her to give me birth!
H-ow I cherish the many happy memories we did share,
M-ost of all her beautiful smile and crown of silvery hair!
A-nd I know that God placed upon her head a star-studded crown.
E-xemplary was she as she served her family with great renown!
(26 March 2015)
(I was unable to type each first letter in bold type)
Some say our love has been blind,
but love Endureth many things.
Our struggles all came with gifts,
gifts that were at times hard to see,
they made us stronger you and me;
And yet, we are still you and me.
Now reaching a milestone in our lives,
together we are working as a family;
as parents still teaching our children,
as children caring for our parents.
Wondering about what will be next,
it does not matter because I love you.
Our love has been transforming,
and as long as we are hand and hand,
I am happy to be together forever.
Happy Valentine’s Day Baby!
Edward J. Ebbs - 02/11/2015
Cymbals and fireworks crisp and crescendo through the
black of night past the chrysanthemums displays
for the year of the Goat begins.
from the mainland Chinese tourist arrive
red cars, red money, red clothes, flame with wishes for
prosperity as displays descend
over Victoria harbor in Hong Hong.
pray the ghosts leave with the noise
and peace and prosperity descend
hang your red lanterns
paste red animals on your windows
pray the ghosts of years past leave in peace
sparklers
rockets
firecrackers
Technicolor displays animate the streets
pyrotechnics fill the air, shopping markets overflow
as unattainable commodities get packed back
to Xian, Beijing and Shanghai -
powdered milk dreams - a luxury attainable here
replace the rush to gunpowder displays
smoke coats the metal heavy air
as the crowds disperse for
a dumpling morning
parading creatures of past and present
awe and delight
Lion dancers snake, kick, drum,
feet beat to the gong in hong hong
and all of China
In the fifties, just a lad
Cheering locals with me Dad
2nd tier, watch 'em play,
Mannion, Peacock, Clough and Day
Swinging 60s, working man
Got the fever, diehard fan,
3rd division, hear the moans,
Fernie, Irvine, Gibson, Jones
70s and flying high
Set 'em free and watch 'em fly
Goals galore and endless thrills,
Souness, Maddren, Boam and Mills
80s now, heartache, gloom
Dying dreams, impending doom,
Bright young lads dispel those cares
Parky, Mowbray, Cooper, Pears
Nineties riches all around
World class players, brand new ground
Things get better, things get worse,
Boksic, Rava, Juno, Merse
Noughties came we won a cup
Sadly down then followed up
Prognosis not looking good,
Southgate, Alves, Mido, Flood
Banners out now Aitor's here,
Time for hope and time for cheer
Hopeful how this one will end
Nugent, Clayton, Downing, Friend
Got it done, got it right,
With the big boys, the top flight,
Staying strong, see this through,
Gaston, Gibbo, Fabio, N'sue.
Paid me dues, done the miles,
Shed the tears, worn the smiles
Shook me 'ead in despair, praise
Times I've had on BORO DAYS.
The Great Race June 6,2015
Dress is unimportant.
At least today.
I can arrive at the local bar and grill
in old gardening jeans and t-shirt.
We'll order a mid-afternoon sandwich.
But the main reason is not to eat
(though their sandwiches are fine),
it's to watch the Belmont Stakes.
We can't call ourselves horse racing fans –
we know almost nothing about horses or racing
and have never bet a dime.
But the excitement around a possible
Triple Crown winner is irresistible.
We're keeping our fingers crossed
that American Pharaoh,
winner of the Preakness and Kentucky Derby,
triumphs.
Why are we not watching the race at home?
No cable TV. We miss a lot of major sporting events
that we once effortlessly watched –
tennis, golf, basketball, baseball, football.
Tournaments which determine the best of the best
used to be available on the internet.
No longer. It's pay to watch now,
and we're too cheap to pay.
So it's off for a beer, snack, and the great horse race ...
And an historic race it was.
Not since 1978 has there been a Triple Crown champion –
a long dry period between winners.
American Pharaoh won handily, running with grace and endurance.
The horse seemed pleased.
The jockey was thrilled.
The trainer was delighted.
And the owners excited.
It's a strange sport though.
The horse did all the work,
while the jockey, trainer and owners
got all the credit.
Those in the know praise the brilliant trainer.
Evidently he is, along with the horse, the best of the best.
Celebrations surely meant champagne all around
and an extra bag of oats for American Pharaoh.