Best Altos Poems
“The sounds of Earth is the music of my soul”
I remember the valley rolled with thunder
A section of tenors echoed from above
The sky was shredded, by forked lightning
Somehow that moment transcended love
Static electric rose up through the cloisters
The organist played like a demon inspired
Rooftop gargoyles overflowed with water
And eyes welled up, as if nature conspired
Rivers were swollen, the lake was heavy
A boy soprano, almost pierced the dome
Landslides rumbled away in the distance
High on ambivalence, I thought about Rome
The conductor was whipped into a frenzy
Fitfully pointing his wand in the air
As the tempest outside reached crescendo
Defiant altos, sang a hymnal prayer
Beyond the west window, storms fell silent
Shafts of light, shone through from space
Together the choir reached out in emotion
As they swayed stoically, to Amazing Grace
Originally penned 08/10/22
2022 Poetry Marathon Mile 14 Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Mark Toney
09/13/22
Categories:
altos, allusion, storm, uplifting,
Form:
Rhyme
These tiny hands. Black and White hands twirl. Vibrant palms ripple the Flower-land. Dancing onto the rainbowous piano. Music permeates the thirsty airs. Notes float upon the multi-hued keys –
Red
Orange
Yellow
Green
Blue
Indigo
Violet.
Black and White Hands on colorful keys. Magical hands whirling into aural anthems. Fists and fingers allure the dry, solid airs.
A melodic tune touches the soul of each flower. Turn by turn their chemistry churns. Juicing the chords of the roots in the damp soil. The stems curl and stretch calligraphing into clefs and altos. Petals strike classical beats. The rhythms of nature are awakened.
The fragrances of Roses lead the choir. Then play the violinic tune of Lavenders.
Gradually follows the oboe sounding waves of Jasmines. Then tumble into the song, the harmonious vibrations of Violets. The Magnolias infuse their trumpeting energies. The flow has begun.
Roses
Lavenders
Jasmines
Violets
Magnolias
Lilies
Chocolate Cosmos.
All shades and tones of lyrical perfumes tie Flower-land into a charming, irresistible atmospheric bouquet.
These tiny hands. The phenomenal fists decorate the spectrums of Flower-land. These black and white hands. These multi-coloured keys. These fragrances now adorn the dry airs and garland them with their musical aromas.
Categories:
altos, analogy, beauty, celebration, color,
Form:
Free verse
“The reason birds can fly and we can't is simply because they have perfect faith, for to have faith is to have wings.”
- J.M. Barrie, The Little White Bird
Robins, wrens, sparrows,
quivering, yet silent, still
on limbs and branches, boughs,
heavy with rustling leaves,
their feathers brilliantly flaunted,
in cloaks of crimson, indigo and lemony yellow,
creating music with arms, soft wings
singing to the shattered trees,
in altos, sopranos and gentle tenors,
laughing, chattering, chortling,
teaching the skies their cozy songs…
wrestling with the crisp of winter,
hesitating on the melody,
alive… more alive than the breathless winds,
shivering through the oaks and pines,
washing away all the sun’s spun wishes,
singing light on the ridges,
murmuring joy and peace and love,
in angelic voices, lifted in praise,
silencing the grief, the pain, the heartbreaking
in the distance,
the heart breaking, like a whisper…
birdsong, bird’s song,
alive and warm, in tones of hope,
poured out like the sun,
gentle and fond,
adoring, worshipful,
rising to the skies, tender
falling over the promises, the fanciful
reflections of a love,
who is peaceful like the dove,
bird’s reassuring, in hues, all colors,
rising and susurrant,…
praising, praying, promising
forever spun on gold threads of light,
softly falling on shadows,
restoring the life, resurrecting
insights, inspiring, imaginations,
alive… so alive, the bird’s sing
and, while the night, so silent,
presses in on the soul,…
we are remembering the call of hope,
peaceful and praising, every praising,
like the wind through the trees,
the singsong breeze,
each bird trembles with the need,
to please, simply please,
singing to the One who erases the dark,
fills the heart and silences the shame,
as the heart continues to pray,
and praise, oh, how they praise,
singing like the love who stirs life,
inside each story,
inspires love that is ever worthy.
Categories:
altos, animal, bird, hope, joy,
Form:
Ode
'Twas early on I remember
hearing the voice so tender
sweetly interlaced
with loving splendor
Later on I noticed
how the words fell from her lips
her mouth, round and soft
smiling gently at the tips
The melodies she sang to me
in altos soft and low
though words are lost and gone,
the melodies I know...
Yet it wasn't till a dark repose
I knew how sweet her voice had rang
for it called me back
from death's dark grasp...
the songs my mother sang.
Categories:
altos, dedication, mother, nostalgiawords, voice,
Form:
Free verse
Bola de nieve
Triste boriken
Esperanza de tu
Regreso
De mar y cielo
Mi gente con Dios
Las palmas te
Llaman
Mi musica te canta
A tus playas tan divinas
Los altos del campo
Tamarindo chula
Caminos solo para ti
Nuestro amor
Tomando cafecito *****
Y sonando bajo sombra
De un pino
Bola de nieve
Recuerdos al pasado
En mi cielo de amor
Mi Dulce color
Una epoca en Los
Ayeres de hoy
Volveremos Otra vez
A mi Rincon
Mi India Borincana
Los bohios
De mi gente
Mi familia
Mi Puerto Rico
Tierra Mia..
All rights reserved
A.camacho jr.
1996-2015
Categories:
altos, beautiful, dedication, longing, spanish,
Form:
Verse
Do you hear the music?
Floating on the breeze
And the sweet song’s lyrics
Brings words of peace
The music sings of peace on earth
And the chiming of sweet bells
There is a flute playing
With sounds of harps as well
I can hear the choir
Chiming in on high
Sweet Sopranos, Altos,
Tenors, and Baritone
Do you hear the music?
The choir and the harps,
Bringing words of peace
Which are loating on the breeze
It’s Christmas Morning bright,
And I sing along with the lyrics light
‘mild and sweet, their songs repeat’
And I hope with all my heart,
Where ever you are,
There’s peace on earth,
Goodwill to men!
‘Cause I can hear the music,
Floating on the breeze
And the sweet song’s lyrics,
Bringing me peace
Categories:
altos, christian, christmas, music, peace,
Form:
Free verse
Altos and sopranos
Blend - songs
Are heard in the distance . .. . . . .. . .
bass and tenors sings songs of joy
Noises...(pleasant noises to be precise)
Musical noises increase in volume
Some people talk and sing at the same time
Some are having the time of their lives
Then...something breaks the innocence of a professional choir -
Bad language! I bet you didn't expect that, did you!?
People speak freely now
It's as if the teacher is saying, "Go ahead, class, and cuss all you want now!"
Very loud - the commotion is banging at my ear drums
My ears are sensitive to the noise
Yearning to hear songs instead of chit-chatters
I wanna hear music, not the latest gossips!
Songs and noises get my full attention in a good and bad way . . .
Just sayin'. Now, I'm hear payin' the price.
I'm obeyin'. Now, can I roll the dice?
Categories:
altos, angst, confusion, hope, nonsense,
Form:
Free verse
Translation of Eric Mottram’s A Faithful Private - 3 Dolores Huerta by T. Wignesan
3. Dolores Huerta
aucun coq n’y annonce la reveille:
les étudiants et les dirigeants des travailleurs
font partie du piquet de grève contre les Wine Brothers:
les bourrasques collent contre les pancartes de grève
les jeans trempés les bleues de travail réfléchissant:
à Los Altos ils chantent des chansons de grève
à l’honneur de Chavez et de Dolores
dans un camion emménagé en un lit plat:
les enfants et les pères qui portent des enfants
la famille la United Fruit Workers
tout l’été sur les lignes de piquet de grève
dans des prisons des maisons et les meubles
vendus pour d’hivers vêtements voitures
les essentiels pour le travail au delà
de ce mois d’août au-delà d’épreuves:
deux hommes tués à Arvin
Nagi Daifullah tué
par la lampe électrique d’un chérif
Juan de la Cruz fusillé sur le piquet de grève
Dolores Huerta la vice-présidente
stratège négociatrice
ses dix enfants prises en charge sécurisés
sa grace
son rire par concentration
prends soins de sa santé
pour sa fille afin d’être saine
contre l’avarice
contre la charité des libéraux:
le machisme gagne maintenant les femmes
le non-violence provenant des femmes et enfants
leurs bras meurtris par les planches des Teamsters
les yeux de la police cernés par le plaisir
caressent leurs étuis de revolvers:
à la maison pas de conflits
l’homme est le chef:
une famille soudée par le respect
quant au machisme des hommes toujours
la vieille religion:
le mariage dissout détruit le Syndicat
des badges d’officiers des cultivateurs brillent
au lever du soleil les .22s en défense-propres:
“nous étions si heureuses, en paix et jolies
même les grand-mères jusqu’à
ce qu’ils commence à tirer avec leurs fusils”:
Reagan fut photographié
en train de manger des raisins scab:
les troupes de Vietnam
mangent des laitues du gouvernement provenant des champs de l'entreprise
les trottoirs lézardés
stroes en délabrement: bousculent
dans les campements de l'entreprise
des terminus plein de poussière placés sous surveillance:
les travailleurs de Brothers dispersent
surveillés par des brigades en voiture
“you find a way
it gets easier
all the time”
(c) T. Wignesan - Paris, 2017
Categories:
altos, anti bullying, conflict, political,
Form:
Free verse
Will Bring To Sing With
Each time before we start to sing
A great voice will always bring
With us than can be enjoyed
Not be bad and people annoyed.
Tenors tremendous always are
Real, true sign of a raising star
And bases great are becoming
With each other will be chumming.
Message seems to be caste in stone
What they really need is a baritone
What chorus does have tonight
Are sopranos singing out of site.
We should try to get more specific
All of the altos are always terrific
Oh and we forgot wonderful organist
We cannot resist from a long list.
Congratulations great choir who will
be singing at 1030 PM Christmas Eve.
Jim Horn
Categories:
altos, christmas, music,
Form:
Couplet
Win ‘The Trip’ Murray
Some wish the life of stewardess; Win Murray was the ‘trip,’
more than a plane or ship at sea, with stops not on a map,
a riptide ocean surf conceals ’til shore’s long past earth’s curve.
More than great food a hostess serves, Win’s dish a friend takes home,
fond memories, if substance lost, as guests retire from Grace.
Gil, too, was no one’s afterthought; they lived life shore to shore!
Both were a sweetness one could breathe, a rain that comes before
day’s waste gets washed away! Tomorrow’s scent anointed place
where they held court. Gil stroked to silence (1) let his mind still roam,
a joke that he might fear the night (his eyes shine lack of nerve),
the two knew Grace through thick and thin, love’s brief no handicap.
They favored tides that ferried them! Red sunsets greet their ship! (2)
Brian Johnston
1st of February in 2021
Poet’s Notes:
This memorial poem celebrates the lives of both Win and Gill Murry, now departed. Additional best wishes during this time of loss to Scott, Craig, and Vicki Virnig, the three Murray children, from my former wife, Kimberly Adaire Ward, a friend to the family in Los Altos Hills, CA, long before I had the pleasure.
(1) About a year before Gil died, he suffered a stroke that completely paralyzed him. I went to visit him several times in the months that followed, and though some thought he’d left us, I felt that not so, that he more than knew I was there and looked forward to my visits. I would tell him stories from my life, shared jokes I enjoyed, and always believed I saw joy in Gil’s eyes. And he did recover, could move and speak again for several months before a final stroke ended his life.
(2) This is a reference to the first scientifically accurate poem (based on observations) that I remember encountering early in life (of pre-biblical authorship?). It intrigued me as a child and inspires me still to integrate the Science that delights me in many of the poems I write. Hear Christ’s Word, as poetry! (Matthew 16:2-3)
A red sky’s glow at night hints of sailors’ delight,
but one seen in the morning says, “Sailors! Take Warning!”
Categories:
altos, appreciation, bereavement, friendship love,
Form:
Rhyme
La * * song leader takes center square grace bestows He faces the altos tenors behind Basses left trebles right Spirit bellows Lesson for today called out and timed as trained and untrained voices collide Church harmony is ringing like a bell Seems like the praises fill then flow worldwide an amazing pure brook songs fill the well Drawing as chords rise and fall even more Press into the hall as the voices swing Sacred harps delight hearts are restored Messengers for heaven joy’s double spring Sounds of love a glow hearts flow through the air settling for pause this an all-day affair
Categories:
altos, america, celebration, christian, jesus,
Form:
Crown of Sonnets
I heard a Heavenly sound today,
I heard it so loud and clear.
It was so beautiful and so peaceful,
That the presence of God was near.
The sound was so very comforting,
With the altos and the tenors and bass.
If I would have closed my eyes,
I could have almost seen God’s face.
I could live a hundred years on earth,
And never hear a sweeter sound,
As I did in church today,
Or from a million miles around.
The sound didn’t go up and hit the ceiling,
But would echo through the walls.
A sound so sweet, so heartfelt and true,
It could have filled up Heaven’s halls.
This Heavenly sound I heard today,
Came straight from our church’s heart.
When we get to Heaven, don’t worry ‘bout us
Because Palmetto will be doing their part.
Where else could a sound like this come from?
Honestly, I really don’t know.
You may hear it from Heaven’s angels,
But on earth, it is a church called Palmetto.
Categories:
altos, devotion, faith, inspirational, uplifting,
Form:
AntiPoem 19
“Apache”
(Poet’s Instruction: Softly play “Apache” by Jorgen Ingmann, 1961, while reading)
Olathe and Yamka
Cochise and
Mescalero
Varlebena - forever
Ya’ateh – Hello to
These streaming flower gardens
These feathered priests of Gaan
Their white flags of truce burning
Geronimo
You can fly now
Fly as an osprey conquering
Retaking the cottonwoods of Tubac
Feasting on rabbit and mourning dove
Drop seed grass and agave blossom
Hating the white lies the soft knives
Mangas
You are the blood warrior in the stars
Brave as the wind pinned to the sky
T`Inde, Inde, N`dee, N`ne
Your children still sing the old songs
Voicing the call of the spirit dancers
The crown dancers of Pinos Altos
Lipan and Salinero
Gaan is pointing now
East west north and south
To Cookes Canyon and
The Florida Mountains
Your sleeping villages
Dream again the heartbreak
Of Dragoon Springs
Humility’s white flag hoisted
With Mangas’ head
Boiled for the white owls
Dangling with lizard tongues
The atrocities of Adobe Wells
Visiting upon the noble innocents
We can hear them again the
Apache choirs of the dead
Screaming into the savage night
The high mountain spirits forever
Bringing dreams of sky-blue light
The streaming peaceful flower gardens
T`Inde, Inde, N`dee, N`ne
Categories:
altos, america, history,
Form:
Free verse
Not long ago before
parting from me forever
more.
You sang to me a
beautiful song.
I loved the resonated
altos
of your strong
voice.
I listened intently
your non-wavering
allegro
tones.
Would have listened
capturing your
syllables
more careful.
Spilling forth
your beautiful song
you sang to me.
In minds-echoes
you sang me a
song today.
Tears swell and my
Eyes closed and
Held you close.
Categories:
altos, loss, love, recovery from...,
Form:
Free verse
TAKE SOME IME AND READ BETWEEN THE LINES
NUTURE THOSE WORDS WHICH NEED NUTURING
CAUSE ATTENTION TO THE PARTS THAT NEED TO
HAVE ATTENTION, ONE VERSE LEAD TO ANOTHER
AND BUILDS-UP TO CLIMAX AND RESTART THE CHORUS
IN THE VERSE ONE LINE STARTS THE NEXT COVERSATION
UNTIL YOU AND I COME TOGETHER TO BEGAN THE CHORUS.
COMPLIMENTS AND GREETINGS, SMOOCHES AND KISSES
TIL WE GET DOWN TO GETTING DOWN.
THE TWO SOPRANOS MUMBLE ENOUGH TO BE HEARD
THE ALTOS AND TENORS SING CLEARLY SO THE SONG CAN BE HEARD
THE BASS' PUT BOTTOM AND COME BACK ON TOP, WHEN WE START
DUETING THEN THEY STOP. TAKE HEED TO WHAT'S GOING ON, IT MORE COMPLEX THAN THE OTHER SONG'S, TAKE SOME TIME WE GONNA DO-IT RIGHT
THEY'LL APPLAUD THIS ON AND ASK FOR ONE MORE NIGHT
GET THAT LOVE, CAUSE THE LOVE IS WHAT WE NEED.
SUGAR BABY HONEY BUN, SWEET PIE, YOUR THE SWETEST ONE
LET ME KNOW JUST HOW YOU FEEL, SWEET STICKY THANG, THAT FOO REEL
AINT GOT NO TYME, TIL THE NEXT ONE, LET DO-IT RIGHT,YOU KNOW THE ONE
WE CAN AD-LID A FADE IF THE SOUND IS RIGHT, CRISP ENOUGH, THEY'LL SAY YOU KNOW THAT'S RIGHT.
Categories:
altos, business, confidence, culture, desire,
Form:
Ballad