Best Afflicting Poems
I called to the winds of autumn
As they wrapped up the dying year;
"Oh stay for a moment and tell me
Of answers I need to hear".
Who is the rival of prudence
Who is the merchant of crime
Who closes the eyes of beauty
And steals the hours of time?
Who brings the winter to age
From the springs of the fountain of youth
Who is the companion of sorrow
And destroys the justice of truth?
Who's the apprentice of Satan
The Prince of the Power of Air
Whose appetite is transgression
With more than enough to share?
Who weakens the power of the great
Who slaughters the wisdom of wise
Who brings the honest and gracious
To depths that others despise?
The winds of autumn now answered
With a voice like a phantom call
"It's an evil afflicting so many
Who drown in the drink alcohol."
This is the spell of the devil
Who casts his net from hell
An addiction with power to destroy
Gathering all who are caught in its spell
For his net will gather the unwary
To beguile lost souls with his breath;
This is the destruction of lost dreams
That perish in the arms of death
Categories:
afflicting, life, lost, autumn, lost,
Form:
Rhyme
There was a time.
There was a time
When your fabled dreams
Seemed honest
A time when
Your open arms
Coated in dented silver and tainted dreams
Understood my Size 12 shoes
When the world seemed to be against you
Yet, still,
Your blunt eloquence welcomed me home
Then, your “rainbow”…
…shat
t
er
ed
Your heartbeat became an arrhythmia of petulant theatrics.
Your topaz coated spit
Released from refilled white-out bottles,
Brushing away quartered moons of an iridescent shame
A copycat of robotic muses
Infringing upon your pedestal,
Turned loud mouth, afflicting broken tongue
The “Stalin” of a messenger’s wit,
You raised your voice to a poignant sky!!!
And, as if Yahweh cured your muted disorders,
EVERYBODY HEARD YOU!!!
Including me
That was your goal…
…excluding me
From incipient edge, I witnessed you,
A turpentine puddle in front of a confessional booth
On a melancholic Thursday morn,
With ripened glares to avoid your hallways
Tangled, dangling pacifiers as your doorbell
...
There will come a time.
There will come a time
When social feeds will deprive your vexing smile
Of validation
Where ignorant heartbeats will awaken
Through lyrical epiphanies
To see your “rainbow”
As a faded, stolen crayon
Where flirtatious dialect from withered accomplice
Licks cubic zirconium’s aftertaste
Forgetting that karma doesn’t tolerate one-night stands
For me, that time is now.
Then, I knew who you were.
Now, I know who you are.
You are not what you say.
A false advertisement in Sunday’s illiterate paper…
…with erased verbatim amongst your mirrored peers
Remembering how you falsified truth’s smile
Dire requests for empathetic warmth of our yesterdays
Yet, my Agnostic coat could never be thick enough
For your saturated, dual face
©Drake J. Eszes
Categories:
afflicting, life, slam,
Form:
Free verse
Assaulting me! The darkness comes to be
in devil’s guise. Phantom haunts my mind;
in sleep paralysis I cannot flee -
insanity bleeding through ruined rind.
I’m humbled now and at your merciless
whims and words afflicting by your whipping
cruelty I’d endured and what of this -
stranglehold of fear that is so gripping.
The trauma it inflicts does overwhelm
in present as it did in madness past,
as Hypnos slips me blackened nightmare’s realm
my sanity becomes a lone outcast.
Stalking specter and there’s no protections,
I’m the victim with my mind in confines,
house of mirrors broken your reflections;
antagonistic mania still shines.
My life with you; you’re still inside my head,
though self-destruction chose as your fare-well.
Subconsciously you infiltrate with dread
as incubus revenge becomes my Hell.
Susan Ashley
September 23, 2018
*Hypnos: the ancient Greek god of sleep*
Categories:
afflicting, abuse, dark, dream, evil,
Form:
Rhyme
My First Five Poems
Silhouetted against the backdrop of Central Park,
the Black Magic Woman brazenly frolicked in the dark,
"Do you know me?” she cryptically asked,
steel gray eyes peering from behind a gruesome mask.
Agitated and running out of patience and time,
she ranted and raved looking anything but sublime.
Responding to the summons of the eclipsing mid-day sun,
she melted into the mystical tableau that had begun
Emerging naked as the day she was born,
wearing only sprigs of white Baby’s Breath that adorn
her hair, she danced under cover of the darkness at noon,
with wild abandonment before falling into a swoon.
Dazedly, I wondered would I be able to recall this story;
but with useless pen in hand, only blank pages could I see,
as from my mind, she had erased all memories of her and me.
She had deliberately stolen my gift of words that day
leaving me expressionless with nothing to say.
Afflicting me with the accursed spell of writer’s block,
all clues were forgotten, as I struggled to unlock,
the portal to my creative mind, and then
hopefully, unleash my muse to write once again.
While her secrets are still buried deep within the dark gloom,
perhaps, one night it’ll all return with the eclipse of the moon.
*** Note - The titles of my first 5 poems are in bold above: Writer’s Block; Do you know me; The Darkness at Noon; Patience; and Frolicking in the Dark
09-11-2015
Categories:
afflicting, dark, fantasy, write,
Form:
Rhyme
a well crafted necklace
surrounds your neck
(long
smooth
inviting)
delivers subtle accusations
of adultery…
…cannot be faithful,
only you alone must endure
these constant
passing’s by of tempting selections;
forced still
head down
layered
like a deck of cards hopes for a queen,
curses the joker.
slowly i pull back your fastened ribboning
the very fabric that hides
your forbidden fluid, ceremonial aroma
floats orchids across the breeze
plucked perfectly from your long stem
to pour all of you
fulfills
all of me...
selfish me!
scent trembles
excites my senses
eyes seduced to closure,
your taste never alien…
no longer forcing away your temptation
firmly grasping
caressing your thin waist
exiling premature hesitation
lifting,
tilting,
our mouths become one
pouring every ounce passionately
a want that cause angels to turn,
afflicting the harvest moon to blush.
swishing you around my tongue
leaving a masque of satisfaction
(clouds losing breathe)
exhaling slowly
looking into your eyes
pleasant is this longing
(smoke barrels, oak crates, blackberries)
passing one simple statement:
“I am thankful for bottles of Merlot”
Categories:
afflicting, happiness, imagination, passion, satire
Form:
Free verse
Being the source of our good health
we regard as valuable wealth
Your power can smite illness’ pain…
Lord, let healing from cancer reign.
Accepting grim diagnosis
we strive hard for hope’s prognosis
midst lifestyle-change and best cure's grain…
Lord, let healing from cancer reign.
Along our physical ailment
affecting heart’s predicament
we seek Your touch, granting peace-gain…
Lord, let healing from cancer reign.
Despite our afflicting sickness
causing miserable weakness
wellness-grips in Your strength remain…
Lord, let healing from cancer reign.
While battling for survival quest
our trust’s stage ascends to faith crest
praying midst supplication strain…
Lord, let healing from cancer reign.
Anchored steadfastly by Your light
fighting despair and sorrow’s blight
we tread on victory terrain…
Lord, let healing from cancer reign.
Rejoicing for those cancer free
we thank Your aid with praise degree
upon vessels that do not drain…
Lord, let healing* from cancer reign.
*Malachi 4:2 But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth…
June 8, 2021
1st place, "Cancer Ivy" Poetry Writing Contest
Sponsored by Chantelle Anne Cooke; judged on 7/1/2021.
Categories:
afflicting, cancer, christian, faith, god,
Form:
Kyrielle
Keep smiling all the time !!!
Trials and troubles and despairs are unavoidable
Until one sleeps in the cold embrace of a quiet cellar
Never mind the tribulations that continue returning
Don't lay down your arms while smiling all the time.
It is in the nature of life, problems keep on haunting
Never ever get jammed by setbacks that keep visiting
Stand up firm and face the predicaments squarely
Maintain your while smiling all the time.
The distress may be physical or psychological
Afflicting the physical entity or the mental
Bear the hurt calmly for nothing is permanent
Gird up your loins while smiling all the time.
Not to lose sleep and protest the state of affairs
Let things and events happen at their own pace
For there shall be light at the end of the tunnel
So continue the march while smiling all the time.
Life is factual and not be taken inconsiderately
It is to be lived with joy and cheer constantly
Facing all agitations or tensions optimistically
Clutch the Lord tightly while smiling all the time.
Categories:
afflicting, cheer up, courage, imagery,
Form:
Light Verse
MY MOTHER-IN-LAW IS POISONING ME!
I think my mother-in-law is poisoning me.
The electric range is smelling strange,
She tests the smoke detector by cooking everyday....
Now the entire kitchen is acting deranged.
Semolina at 3:30,
Mercury hits 120 degrees!
Nausea and stomach cramps are rising in me,
Red-sauced tripe is afflicting me.
Outside it's now Celsius 43 degrees.
Now Bulimia is what I see,
I have to stay for tea,
Yes, my mother-in-law is poisoning me,
There's much to said for ...
D.I.V.O.R.C.E!!!!!
Categories:
afflicting, break up, change, cheer
Form:
Free verse
Harrius Tubman
Harriet Tubman was my Great Great Great times Eight Grandmother
Trying to Free The Mind of my Brothers
Cause Our Eyes is Covered
From this Blindfolded Structure
of Vampires, Demons, & Witches
Rituals, Sacrifices, for Riches
Lucifers Music is Enrichened
Using His God Given Instruments for Demolition
Releasing the Spirits
All seeing Eye of the Pyramids
Illuminati Card Game Predictions
Predicting World Events Foretelling it's Existence
Esau hates Since Genesis
Against his Brother to Afflicting
Oppression on his Brother without Forgiveness
They Eyes and Mind stay Attentive
to Lies Instead of Wisdom
Locked in the Devils Prison
Jesus last Words IT IS FINISHED
False Prophets
Make Profits
off the Gospel
Reciting the Apostles
Ain't Scared of these Serpents
I was Breeded for the Purpose
to be speak the Sermons
as the Servant
the Prince Once on the Heavens Throne
left the Heavens Abode
To Expose these Foes
on the Underground Railroad
to the Path of the Gold
for the Soul
Salvation
Revelations
Judgement is Waiting
Categories:
afflicting, deep, gospel,
Form:
Free verse
The sun now sheds tears,
Making the sky, less fenced
Inputting in me, strong hell
Harvesting on earth, ill sense
I was a snapping camera,
Now I am the major general
Making the problem my sitting throne
Housing with me, odious loans
I advise with great caption,
Making you believe my fake action,
And causing your heart to be well textured
The pains now are not to be mere mentioned
If your heart was a ball,
Then I have kicked it to the wall
If joy was water,
Then I have stained it with what I utter
You say, "love is blind"
Now it has gotten your heart dined
Now I made you sit and cry
Cry and you hope to see the light at last
I have caused your heartbroken,
Afflicting and making you more sodden
Now I miss you and even your cuddles
I plead, yet it seems like great mumbles
It is all my fault,
But I waited and fought
Yes I said your heart tastes like salt
Now it seems Peter prays for more preys
It seems I am here to prey
Forgiveness, at last, I pray
Your heart, have I slain
Your trust, have I stained
Our beginning was a tale
Its future bills were my taste
The presence now is so much a distaste
I hope to grant you peace at the tail
I have caused you, a lot of havoc
Hindering down, all your handwork
Putting you in a detrimental plight,
Now you hope to see the light
To you now, I am a Jericho
To my territory, you are the feitico
All of these, a nightmare scenario
I wish to wake up from such an impure role
At first, your heart I proposed,
State of Tranquility is supposed
Happiness, we hope to uphold
But now, our love is dearly opposed
I have made wet the floor,
Now I must be at fault
Happiness, I hope to bring forth
Although, I promised but I flopped
I fought, now I broke my limbs
My wisdom to you now dims
Now you look at me and my sins
And say, "I shouldn't have loved you the way I did"
Categories:
afflicting, anxiety, betrayal, confusion, heartbreak,
Form:
Dramatic Monologue
DREAM ON
I dream on, from my dome to my chest
to my toes and to the tips of my palms.
We dream on, in the land of the free,
but where freedom comes at a cost and
sacrifice for others the achieve their dream.
I dream on, flying over an icy mountain top,
To the sweat taste of lemon drops,
To the cool relief of mist burning over a
desert black top as I brain storm lessoning
to heart beat of my favorite song.
We dream on, from the top of
lonely tropical island hill top
to the sit and the smell of a breath
taking Forrest and to a falling
sun afflicting a shining sea
that is the best part of the day
I rather spend ending enjoying with a beautiful
woman... the sit and the breeze.
Poetry by Keith K. Relf
Categories:
afflicting, adventure, beach, black african
Form:
Lyric
It was a good day, a Sunday going to church day.
The sun was a brilliant glow.
The weather was agreeable, a welcoming change from the brutally brisk weather we been having.
True Vine Baptist Church looked magnificent under the strength of the sun. It's red bricks gleamed and the turret with a white cross on top crowned the gray roof. Beautiful rainbow stained glass windows were both consoling and inspiring to me.
The interior of the church was opulent, yet simple, as contradictory as this may seem.
So much fellowship love greeted me at the door, and I felt at home.
Being a creature of habit, I sat in my usual chair in the back of the church.
As a deeply entrenched introvert, not the type of person who like to be noticed or called out, although the holy spirit, which is a constant tenant there, often makes me out of a liar.
I opened the program and was glad to see that Pastor Sherline Melvin was delivering the sermon.
Women are heavily designed with complexity and deep emotions, and I am sisterly connected to this wonderful woman who had allowed herself to be a willing vessel of God.
The divine message ; how to kill your Goliath was spilled fluently from her lips unto the congregation with clear metaphors, that gripped the conscious. Powerful, pounding and personal testimony was incorporated into her sermon and it left a bruising effect on the encephalon.
Oh how clear it is that her faith is unfaltering and steadfast against afflicting storms.
It was an Alegre moment.
It was a good day, a blessed day a Sunday going to church day.
Author Mary E.W. Stephenson
Written as a church dedication and documented.
Categories:
afflicting, dedication,
Form:
Narrative
A debauchery seed into an arid soil was the start of you.
Although your roots spread deep and wide in this uninspiring
patch of earth.
The growth of your trunk is stunted by a loveless life.
The sap of you is diseased with obsession and narcissism.
Your thorny branches are gnarled and grow many thorny gnarled branches
that bear small hard bitter fruit that falls to the ground and feeds the worms.
In your dotage years, the earth and the sun and the way things went
rotted you completely.
The memory of you is afflicting, yet heartening.
copyright 2017 Looking At The Light From The Bottom Of The Lake
Categories:
afflicting, metaphor,
Form:
Free verse
Nostalgic of my Mom’s death…
… almost two decades ago…
then of my Dad’s demise---
--- in 2019---
here am I gripped with blest serenity
knowing that they both are with the Creator
by virtue of their faith in the Saviour
Who promised wondrous eternal life
to those that put their trust in Him---
the Way, the Truth, the Life.
Reminiscing those agonizing moments…
here am I thankful to God
for assuaging the afflicting pain
I had to battle with:
grief, separation-anxiety, loss.
Looking back…
here am I, having moved on
cognizant that death is a reality
to face with courage
an inevitability to expect midst hope
since it is just a temporal goodbye
along “till we meet again” blissful reunion.
Today…
here am I striving to empathize earnestly
prayerfully sympathizing with the bereaved
testifying that death is a divine milestone
affirming this Scripture’s truth:*
“We are confident, I say, and willing rather
to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”
*2Corinthians 5:8
April 5, 2023
9th place, "Death of a loved one" Poetry Writing Premiere Contest
Sponsored by Unseeking Seeker; judged on 4/5/2023.
Categories:
afflicting, blessing, christian, death, faith,
Form:
Dramatic Monologue
Seeing others doing harmful things,
excessively drinking and using hard drugs,
I say this road is the wisest one
a very prudent individual could ever take,
hoping that nobody will lay flowers
on that spot, where a horrible crash may occur.
Perhaps I've been too cautious...
when it comes to save what I hold most precious,
not afflicting useless pain on my body;
only praying to God to safeguard me.
This afternoon, I visited my niece Crystal in Elmurst Hospital,
as she and her four friends were involved in a bad accident;
the driver, who had a legal alchool level in her blood, crashed
into a light pole last Sunday morning; were they all drinking?
That's a mere speculation, but this kind of behavior is common
among teenagers; Asia, the driver of the car, is into a coma slowing improving.
Crystal has a broken leg and fractured pelvis, begging nurses for help;
and she is in acute pain and can hardly breath. Elisabeth is on a respirator...
due to a blood clot traveling to her lungs; the other two girls have minor injuries.
What does it take for irresponsible drivers not to be under the influence....
avoiding the mourning of a dear one, or even losing their own life?
Not many folks will heed this message...until they face death,
and nothing can be done to prevent them from diying.
Trongs of visitors crowd the hall, to inquire about their condition;
they hear their agony and are unable to help...ah, if they ever could!
So will you take that path which is the wisest one to avoid a possible tragedy,
or continue defying fate until its awfully late to enjoy a full life?
Their parents are as helpeless as I, but our faith makes hope grow...
that these kids will finally understand that a second chance is not given to all.
This horrible accident happened in Woodhaven, Queens, NY on August 15, 2010.
Categories:
afflicting, caregiving, death, family, father,
Form:
Free verse