Best Alerted Poems
You have raided my night again,
as the burst of a sudden storm,
sneaking into my loneliness,
at the most unexpected hour,
plunging me into swirls of pain
too deep for expression,
leaving me in utter disorientation.
I now drift aimless with muddled thoughts,
through the dingy avenues of the past,
never once able to sever the chord,
that binds me so tight to those memoirs,
exposing me to torrid heat
with my soul, burning down….
like a piece of smouldering coal.
Sleepless are my nights.
Dreamless are my days.
Like the sundown shadows growing bigger,
with every stride I take,
the farther I move, the closer you follow.
Can I convince you ever again,
I never meant any harm to you.
How wearily have I watched the flies,
lured by the dazzling light,
char into diminutive specks of black,
by the scorching tongues of flame.
Still, why did I let you burn,
in the flame of my accursed passion?
You were like a flower admired from afar,
afraid of even the gentle breeze coming near,
lest it might jolt the delicate frame,
and shake the petals down, sooner than due.
Yet vulnerable turned the moment,
when all of a sudden, it started to rain.
Like a child, eager to play in the puddles,
you ran out into the pouring rain.
All soaked through and through,
You came in…. awhile my gaze,
rested on the filmy fabric,
seductively clinging to your curves.
Then, that wild surge…. beat me down.
And Alas! Under a magnetic pull,
surrendered your fragile self with ease.
At that moment of self-abandonment
looted off all that you held chaste.
Never surmised, you were crying,
when I felt your cheeks, so wet.
Now I know, it was agony,
not ecstasy that I, then, beheld on your sentient face!
You refused to respond to my calls.
Unanswered went all my anxious queries.
Like a hibernating toad,
to some dark underground cave, you slid.
Abruptly, alerted on call,
by an alien sound, far from familiar
I hastened to the casualty ward,
and saw you lying limp,
with drops of blood, still dripping down
from your slashed wrist,
staring at me with an open mouth!
As I watched you lying still
with your eyes refusing to flutter,
I knew my world tottering below,
and my heart, set ablaze,
into a funeral pyre.
The travelling circus arrived in town
I bought some tickets for my family
We got there early for the matinee
At the entrance was a scary sad clown.
*
Like the scary sad clown who in the night
Would come and terrorize me in my dreams
Mom would be alerted by my loud screams
And stay beside me until the morns light.
*
For fifty years it has stayed in my mind
He had a white face with evil black eyes
Red striped trousers; a killer in disguise
In my mind they were evil of some kind.
*
The show began with the flying trapeze
We all got seated in the front row seats
They dazzled us with death defying feats
Forgot the clown and felt more at ease.
*
In the interval though; the clowns appeared
They were laughing and doing stupid things
Realized now that they were human beings
I just laughed and my demons disappeared.
Written 19th august 2019.
Writing Challenge 2, August 2019 - Enclosed Rhyme - Poetry Contest.
Sponsored by Dear Heart - Wiishkobi Ode.
In the saloon gambler Milton, rose from his leather chair to speak
And said we need to make changes for the good of Soup Creek
He read all the meaningful proposals to the townsfolk out loud
And those meaningful proposals were well received by the crowd.
A stranger sat in the corner looked like he'd just got outta bed
Stood up and disagreed with everything Milton had said
He'd totally misunderstood Milton's honourable intention
The situation became tense and you could feel the tension.
There was an icy deadly silence then over by the far corner
Stood saloon girl Jenna looking mean, and cradling a Winchester
There was a mad stampede, as folks tried to get out the door
The stranger carried on ranting and at gambler Milton he swore.
Someone had alerted Sheriff Koplin and he was soon on his way
Then entered the saloon approaching the stranger, and had this to say
"Soup Creek is a very peaceful town and we aim to keep it that way
And if you don't like how we run things then you'd best be on your way"
Then from the back door of the saloon, entered four other deputies
Dave the Texas ranger, saloon girl Tania and the blacksmith called Rees
Undertaker Tom needed business, he was hoping the stranger they'd kill
And then headed off with a pick and shovel, to his office at Boot Hill.
The stranger was outnumbered and knew he wouldn't win
And handed the Sheriff his gun who said "I'm taking you in"
The Sheriff at gunpoint walked the stranger over to the jail
And told him" I'm locking you up and don't think about bail"
Meanwhile Tom up at Boot Hill was sweating digging a grave
Then heard someone hollering it was the Texas ranger Dave
Tom looked up and Dave told him "you won't be needed today
But Sheriff Koplin is generous and you'll still get your days pay"
"Gambler Milton is in the saloon later and he's holding a big party"
Tom threw his shovel in the grave and said "sounds good to me "
They both mounted their horses and then headed back to town
And they arrived back in Soup Creek as the sun was going down.
Written 16th August 2022
WHAT IF Written Pre-Pandemic
What if a rigid thinking, extremist group
Decided to do something about Planet Earth’s
Over-population,
I mean let’s just think about this, fantasy
Of course, Just a vivid imagination!
What if they wanted to eradicate and eliminate
At least fifty per cent of humans’ world wide
And the ‘HOW” would leave nowhere to hide.
The secret would purposefully be let to leak,
So that chaos would reign, terror would spread,
People would freak!
Traversing from one side of the globe
To the other, Armies and Air force alerted,
Governments, Presidents and Prime Ministers,
Appeasing and trying to calm hysteria,
A killer cerebral virus, a very aggressive malaria,
To be released the news headlines said,
Within days millions will be dying or dead!
What if fifty per cent of the rest of world
Were told would be allowed to live,
People then going into frenzy,
Who was to stay alive and who was to die?
What if this extremist group succeeded
And brought this horror to fruition,
What a demon like, despicable ambition
What if?
Think of the film Inferno
That virus was caught just in time,
And so the hero prevented an
Inhumane crime!
The White Stallion Arrives
The White horse came in so very fast
with purpose and great deeds to last
Arriving in a spirited tour de force
evil alerted, took notice of course
Sitting upon its huge, stalwart back
knight ready for any vicious attack
Dark forces were quickly sent to meet
the fighters to engage and deadly greet
Stallion knew the lay of the dark land
also the power of the warrior's hand
Racing to meet Evil and deadly foes
with courage only the brave knows
Warrior with sword of truth in hand
slew hundreds in the demon band
The charging stallion knew his job
slay those whose aim was to soul rob
As the enemy lay in forced disarray
the white stallion reared up to bray
A signal he was in tune with his knight
that he knew victory was soon in sight
When the last dark beast met its fate
sun was about to rise and not to late
The knight planted the victory flag
as he slew the last flying demonic hag
As sun and its glow lit the waiting sky
White stallion flew into the bye and bye
Echoes blasted back a victorious sound
promising Hope would always be around
Robert J. Lindley, 04-25-2015
Note:
New poem , based very loosely upon my poem titled , A Golden Steed Gallops.
Hope you may enjoy this one....
So very often I have come across
Bewildered hedgehogs running at a loss
On which direction best to wend their way
Through the dense traffic, much to their dismay.
Or heard the tweeting of a baby bird
Sprawled in discomfort, hungry, maybe hurt
Beneath the branches where its siblings rest
Inside the comfort of their cosy nest.
I’ve been alerted to the feeble cries
Of a poor kitten which I localize
Trapped by its collar to a prickly hedge,
Stuck in a bundle on a narrow ledge.
My heart is fragile, feels for those in need
These helpless creatures I would surely heed.
For the same reason I could not be blind
To people’s problems – willing to be kind.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"A Little Kindness Never Hurts"
A contest hosted by Brenda Chiri
Placed 1st
© 7th December 2018
***
Spring comes early,
when you live on a farm.
There's new born life,
and sounds in the barn.
Silas, the rooster,
was clucking and crowing.
Come! Come! See,"
"I have something worth showing."
The hens were gossiping,
and clucking a song.
Running to see,
Whatever was wrong?
The horses were alerted,
the sheep were too.
The cows in the fields,
you can hear their "M-O-O-O-S".
Now that the animals,
have all gathered round.
"Tell us, Mr. Silas,"
"Whatever have you found?"
Before this charming old rooster,
could make a sound.
You heard the cries in the corner,
Oh! were they loud!
Up popped a head,
as cute as can be.
Oh! No, I think that,
maybe there's three.
It seems that the farmer's Collie,
by the name of Miss Kate.
She had her puppies in the barn,
last night around eight.
"Oh! Miss Kate! Your puppies,
are as precious as can be."
"Whatever will you name them,
"Your litter of three".
"Thank you! Very kindly,"
"Please! meet my pack of three. "
"Willa, Grace, and little Elliot Kate,"
"I'm as proud as I can be of my little family."
The animals left, happy,
and wished them all well.
Except for Mr. Silas,
he has a new story to tell.
Yes, spring comes early,
when you live on a farm.
There's new born life.
and sounds coming from the barn.
July 2019
Standard contest, A Brian Strand Structured
sponsor, Brian Strand, Judged 03/05/2022
~~ 1st ~~
'Twas a dark and stormy night on that dark and stormy night!
HMS Blunderbuss plied the billowing seas just off the Isle of Wight!
Able Seaman Steer manned the helm when dead ahead he saw the light!
He woke the snoozing Officer of the Deck to apprise him of their plight!
Captain Ironbottom (who happened to be in the 'head') was duly alerted!
He dashed to the bridge in his drawers to ensure that disaster was averted!
"By jove!" he cried, "Her Majesty's ships turn aside for no one, I say!"
He grabbed the radio, "Ahoy there! Turn east 15 degrees! Out of my way!"
From out of the ozone a voice retorted, "Suggest you turn west 15 degrees!
I'll not change course for anyone, so heed my warning if you please!"
"This is Captain Ironbottom of the HMS Blunderbuss!" he thundered back!
"I know the rules of the road! Turn now or I'll see you hung from the rack!"
Able Seaman Steers' eyes grew as large as saucers knowing not what to do!
Communication between the captain and the mysterious light was turning blue!
As the distance narrowed between them, neither would give a nautical mile!
The white-knuckled Officer of the Deck was turning pale with a sickly smile!
"This is Captain Ironbottom again! Are you challenging Her Majesty's might?"
"Yes sir" was the reply, "You see, this is the light house on the Isle of Wight!"
Today the mighty HMS Blunderbuss rusts upon the Isle of Wight's rocky shoal.
Captain Ironbottom faded into oblivion due to the folly of his last patrol!
Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired
© All Rights Reserved
Twas the Eve of this Christmas,
We were traveling far,
When in the dark sky
I noticed a bright shining star.
I imagined the Manger,
Where Jesus was born,
Were alerted to danger
As the road signs did warn.
The bright star we followed,
Far above in the night
In my mind’s eye saw Shepherds,
And Three Kings giving us light .
Listening to joyful Carols,
Each one we both sung,
As we neared our destination,
Heard church bells being rung.
We noticed a small church,
Standing all on it’s own
A midnight mass in progress,
Singing heard from it’s dome.
We went in and watched,
A nativity in play,
The Christ child was born
It is now Christmas Day.
Competition Entry
Sponsor: Eve Roper
Date 2021/12/30
My name is Spenser
No dog is denser
I'm not well smarted
But I'm big hearted
If you was hurted
I'd be alerted
And I'll come racing
To lick your facing.
From the moment we met
he'd treated me like a princess
I was young and naive
flattered by his attention,
misinterpreting it as a forever love
Mum took an instant dislike to him
She said he was like a chameleon
and I should be wary of his dark side
but I was too loved up to listen or too much in love
In fact, it only made me want him more
Within a month
I'd moved into his flat
Swapping girly nights out
for cosy nights by a blazing fire
He revamped my wardrobe
threw out my sexy dresses
preferring me to wear jeans
Mum used to ring me
but he told me to ignore her
said she wanted to split us up
I deleted her number from my phone
Friends stopped calling me
I always said I was too busy
One night I burned the pizza
and he went ballistic
A black rage engulfed him
His eyes flashed as dark as coals
and his fists pummeled me
like a volley of cannon balls
Vivid, violet bruising covered my body
He couldn’t see the scars in my heart
and I doubt if he'd have cared
He begged for forgiveness,
said it would never happen again
Like a fool I believed him
I even blamed myself for ruining dinner
Next morning, I put on a long-sleeved blouse
painted on a smile and went to work
It was then the cycle of abuse began
Verbally, he’d fly into a rage
sometimes over the slightest thing
Then, physically which ended up
with him using me like a punching bag
One night, he went too far
grabbed a hammer and beat me
neighbours heard my screams
and alerted the police …
Hours later, I woke up in intensive care
Mum was sitting by my side
a look of sadness in her eyes
instead of one that implied, "I told you so"
I only wish I had listened to her
As he shuffled toward me I cringed.
Ripped clothes and shoes with flapping soles had alerted me.
I could actually see his sunken cheeks and lips clamped tight.
What was he thinking?
Me, dressed just so. Fancy hair, eyes aglow.
What was he thinking?
My purse clenched tightly.
Do I cross to the other side?
What was he thinking?
Suddenly it came to me,
flooding both my mind and my heart.
I am so very sorry.
I almost forgot that you are as human as I.
I am so sorry.
One thing for sure, apparently you are the stronger one.
I am sure I could not live the life you must.
What was I thinking?
It being a holiday, with friends, I went to chill out
In a gregarious company, partying was sheer fun
After a heavy booze, my first-time experience,
I fell flat, plunging into deep sleep and dreaming away
In my dream, I sailed away
Over the tame waters of a tranquil bay
And landed in a magic isle
Never set foot before by anyone alive
A pleasant retreat of birds and beasts
Far removed from world’s dust and heat
A tropical island with a magical spell
Hidden away at Nature’s veiled breast
The sky was rent with songs of birds
The air, smelling of odors sweet
Here and there were exotic blooms
Bird of Paradise, Plumeria and jasmine
I roamed frivolously from end to end
Of that enchanted land of idyllic charm
With twining creepers and tall growing grass
Proclaiming aloud of a perennial spring
My heart leaped in euphoric delight
My senses alerted in ecstatic thrill
My feet moved in an explorer’s gait
After the treasures stashed in its caverns deep
I rambled relentlessly through untrodden paths
Feasting on the marvels, my eyes could catch
Arching trees framing a leafy roof
And fruits, ripe and raw, hanging from every bough
As Nature, thus unveiled her bounty before,
My fancy, unfettered took to wings.
I loved my sway over that fairy land
With treasures galore that none could claim
But how suddenly loomed an unwelcome thought
That dampened my spirits and stole my joy
“Will I ever be able to see my folks
To be enmeshed once more in a warm embrace”?
Longingly I looked for a ship skimming the sea
To carry me back to my native land
To get united with all my loved ones
To live a life ever, as lived before
Like a marooned sailor, desperate, as I cried
To alert the ship that sailed away
I heard distinct my husband’s anxious query
“Darling, what made you scream so loud”???
As if the house had landed on a witch’s vavavavoom,
the door’s ajar, and my boy had alerted me…
surely tornadoes increase the velocity of speed
of a mom, to zero in on, a three year old.
Forget the broom. Hear the prophet speak
of pleasant things. The boundary has fallen
in pleasant places. If ignored the blessing
clears at the speed of light, taken
from the bright eyes of infinity. Listen to the kid,
not the seven dwarfs, nor the munchkins…
“Mom, come here.” The witch’s broom, stored away.
Clearly, at this point, you think me a witch! C’mon!
Teachable moment…parents lean in. When the dumb speak…
clearly, I mean, when your son is willing to share ANYTHING,
just like E. F. Hutton…stop the presses, lean in and listen,
especially if you want him to trust you with future things,
or trust you at all… so I’m on a run…still my heart…
What will this boy impart? Are we invested in Oz?
A side note, just because…we brought him to see
a 3-D short…the witch cackled…he screamed!
Back on Oahu, Aloha…the door is cracked, minah birds
minding theirs or someone else’s business, as they
are gossipers, given to mimicry. The world has opened,
the sun is shining, as the boy points at a plenary rainbow.
Oh my heart…oh my boy… I know they must grow,
but they forget their moms when they marry,
but moms don’t forget or they shouldn’t - the promise,
the flood of memories… I’m over the rainbow!!
Physical Therapy came in the door
To take him out in the wide hall to walk
He got to go places he hadn't been before
He saw folks that hadn't seen and to them talk
P.T. helped him get up so he wouldn't fall
Nurses came to help him take a shower
All obstacles placed against gray wall
Minutes upon minutes turned into hour
With just a normal old age human ear
We listened to noises in hall by day
If animal outside alerted by brey
Tightly enclosed in hospital room we couldn't hear
The situation sometimes made me feel
As if in this case I was simply third wheel