Best Alum Poems
Ah, Alum Creek
A place I love to go
In the summer for a picnic
Or a jet ski talent show
The kids can run and play
Covered in sand from head to toe
Pack your 45
we've got UV rays to soak
Hitch up them jet skis boys
Dont forget the boat
"Out to play!" is on the door
"Will return" was all I wrote
-Miranda Lambert-
02/15/2011 11:45 am
(My dad took us to alum creek every summer, I plan to continue this legacy for many
summers to come)
THE COACH
by
JOHN M. ARRIBAS
Went to an alumni meeting last week
Looking for solace, the outlook was bleak
We lost a game we should have won
A total disaster to all not just some
Cries of anguish torrents of pain
“How the hell did we lose that game”
Three close calls in the recent past
Defeat was looming, the die had been cast
We were favorite to trample that team
What followed next was strictly obscene
No confidence in the coach, zero trust
A new powerful resurgence is a must
“Fire the coach, we need a new spark”
Call the chancellor a search to embark
There’ll be plenty of coaches to interview
At the end of the season there will be a slew
Most will have been fired that’s for sure
Same kind of let down we’ve had to endure
Appoint a committee to find a coaching ace
Got to expunge this humiliating disgrace
While we’re at it the assistants they must go
They haven’t inspired the team as far as I know
Need to raise cash something we’re lacking
Buy out his contract and send him packing
A new coach will cost us a hefty sum
A sales job needed to convince the alum
All must partake in any new proposal
Resources will be placed at our disposal
A few claimed it was to soon to act
Hissed and booed told not to come back
The coach (2)
All that remained were anxiously waiting
Are there any coaches, we’ve been baiting
A new coach will surely demand success
All in favor pledge support in this quest
Days later the finals were slated
Consensus was, we won’t be elated
To our amazement, it’s hard to explain
Out team executed a perfect game
I went to an alumni meeting last night
Everyone was joyful in utter delight
Many were boasting and sipping champagne
Alas we were conference champions again
We need to make sure we continue to cruise
Complete confidence in the coach and his crew
Upgraded facilities, haven’t you heard
Call the chancellor pass on the good word
Our coach is a winner to be sure
Esteem and respect for him to endure
The backers are ecstatic bursting with praise
Throw in some perks add in a raise
Extend his contract for a many a year
Act fast our rivals might get his ear
Those remarks from last week , bid them adieu
They were made by an uninformed few
WATER
Land mass of Earth is too small to stand.
More than double is water in galore
Sink to sea water, not a drop to drink.
Bring fresh sweet water from stream or spring
Other resource is underground water, not to bother.
Bound is rain water to sink underground,
But will settle when soil is impermeable just.
Under the ground to get reservoir, rain will surrender.
Polite to mention: ‘For life water is requisite
to start, to flourish to flora and fauna too.
Three states of water in Nature exist free
Liquid water, water vapor and Ice solid.
Encore! Water invigorates even life to restore.
Nice crystallization of water forms hard solid ice.
Floating icebergs keep nine tenth submerged, only peaks pointing
Less visibility threatens ship on actual size to guess.
Snow melts from ice caps, waterfall follows to flow
Stream and river run ceaseless to meet ocean’s dream.
Nature presents water in varied form so spectacular.
Evaporation from water surfaces results in cloud formation
Power of proud clouds burst out in tears of rain shower.
Profile of liquid state is back to water surface completing water cycle.
Hydration occurs when water claims chemical combination.
Deadly dehydration needs water intake urgently.
Prior to high -tech to get drinking water pure,
Process of putting alum causing precipitation was easy to access.
Wastage of water is prohibited, make best usage.
Nurture water for future as unique elixir element of Nature.
Lost in my head, where'd I get my point of view?
parents? friends? the news? muse's interviews?
The more places I go the more I'm confused
About what's wrong, right and ultimately the truth
What things mean to me don't mean that to them
Religion, ethics, values, all from a manger in Bethlehem
God must've been bored to have so many pseudonyms
Everything's arbitrary like a dream deep inside of REM
Open your eyes, can't you see it's all just a game
Oh to see through it all is sweeter than aspartame
go ahead, tell me, I'd love to know your stage name?
And how you cope with your self-inflicted shame?
tell me more, tell me who you'd like to become
let me guess, it's based on making an income?
I already graduated but I'm far from an alum
one thing I know is there are few rules of thumb
No sir no, mostly just rules of succumb
Motivations rooted in whispered expectations
Force fed sedations disguised as occupations
Answers to questions with no explanations
Confirmation biases, no need for citations
You're scared to die? I thought you had salvation?
So reincarnate me into anything's offspring
I'll make figure 8's thru infinity like tying shoe strings
Because it's hard goin' home after seein' some things
Like so many people without homes or any things
Or students who walk an hour round trip to school
While we argue over who can use whose stool
Maybe it's Groundhog Day or always April Fools'
I just wish we hadn't forgot Preschool's Golden Rule
I'm withdrew yet in tune, I'm pro-world view
I'm anti-GoPro, pro-Go, just choose and do
Because literally you have nothing to lose
Maybe this is just a case of a realist's blues
Regardless, I'll be smilin' on this amusing cruise
Sweet ginger garden
red and yellow pods gleamer
Ripples alum light
Just in case you wondered...
Yours truly, (i.e. I) quickly
became hypnagogic afore
subsequently segueing soundly
into autohypnosis booklore,
while binge reading courtesy
regarding aptitude chore
treasure trove books galore
five dollars as many
paginated fictitious stories ('bout deplore
hubble basket cases) fit into authorized bag
infernal challenge sifting evermore
alum skid more or less
bending and reaching skyhigh
toe tilly (ejaculating
what the heel) footsore
compromising writing, rather heretofore
indulging insatiable knowledge
(surpassing narcotic fix),
the world wide web hide ignore
engrossed various and sundry
enchanting, kickstarting, and revelling - bonjour
dear reader buzzfeeding...
Till chief hankering
(regarding appeasing passionate
word loving aficionado,
albeit temporarily ceased
(think intellectual fancy feast)
getting imagination (mine) linkedin
outspeeding lightning greased
experiencing cerebral capacity increased
virtual make believe
terra incognita leased.
insatiable jabberwocky yen
countless hours elapsed when
inconvenient wont head sleep
wracked courtesy (bowling) ten
pins nabbed mettlesome ambulation
often found me - hen (pecked) hex pen
sieve dishabille scattered brained brute
somnambulant analogous awake burning ken
kindled smoldering cognitive tinder even...
Chilly cooling off, where
temporal lobed hiatus taken
beefing portfolio in effort to scare
back poetic proclivity despite near
severe withdrawal symptoms
reacquainting novelty here
with effort to jog capacity
to craft poem quite aware...
Unsuspecting readers breathed
sigh of relief interim joker I went absent
posting trademark gobbledygook,
now unnamed fool rushes in,
where angels fear to tread - nay cent
return of native son unequivocally, pinterestingly
digitally... afore written dive versification
brandishing said as unsung literary event
psalm time sacrilegious Jew bull gent
bringing entertainment intent
to thee anonymous
analogously, humorously, and parenthetically
lamely affecting (i.e. poorly emulating)
Shakespearean belles lettres,
perhaps coronavirus pathogen
t'will cut me down, whereby
microbial size Clark Kent,
whoops twas Lois Lane I meant
to empower one meek and obedient
primate even during
but, and, or conjunctive
rutting season quiescent.
Re: Thank You to unknown
tom, dick, harry, tam, dame,
or dana from the MHS Class of 77,
though this alum
experiences public education
within lower providence jurisdiction
as a bum
er - minimally partaking advantage
of extra-curricular,
collegiate, inter-mural,
et cetera opportunities,
no not even a figurative crum
well nigh convey an impression of being dumb
bull door, deaf, and blind (with out faith no more),
nor passing love notes from
some anonymous girl, who
(after leaving a teasing message
informed asper getting a smart haircut
in ninth grade civics class
taught by Missus Comly
(do not quote me on my
power fully pointed excel lent spelling,
telling nothing, when out of desperation
I experience primal yelling)
this singular potential fledgling flirtation,
the extent from student,
who appeared morose and rather glum
exposing such vulnerability to be hum
millie hated, and bullied relentlessly,
whereat i wish to be a little boy
comforted by me mum
since that option out of the question,
thus aye didst never meet Miss Mot Toe
(e plumbs e num), perhaps cuz eye whiz numb
body, mind and spirit triage as if inebriated by rum
imagining the fighting spirit within me to thumb
or rather "flip the bird" to those,
this then anxiety prone
metaphorically rolling stone
whose metaphorical diet of worms also included
eating picked over sun bleached
un beak coming road kill crow - how yum
me does that seem, but gnome hatter
how grossly said foul dish
spurred via carrion (an analogy
representing verbal taunting
best left for hitch cocked birds) didst not appeal
not in the least did i give nasty brutes a "what for",
twas fear of getting creamed, fricasseed, irradiated...
Ladies and gentlemen, and all the rest
We do entertain you to the fullest
As pickle members of well-being zest
Showing functional roles for healthy quest
Making us thank God*, we’re uniquely blest!
Ready are we to show our savory best
Sizzling loudly, exuding flavor’s jest
Behold our spices strong in challenging taste test
Mustard seed, chili powder belt song-fest
While turmeric yodels from choir loft nest!
Onstage are fresh herbs lilting with delight
Ginger, onion, garlic, dill … sway to flight
Along salt and vinegar’s graceful might
Ecstatic midst olive oil’s waltzing sprite
Satiating awesomely everyone’s appetite!
Molasses, alum rise to freedom height
Swirling around cucumbers’ soaring sight
As crispy carrots with shrimps glide aright
Bottled on display for dieters’ plight---
In our party, you’re welcome --- since we palatably invite!
*In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
September 7, 2022
6th place, "It's A Pickle Party" Poetry Writing Premier Contest
Sponsored by Mystic Rose Rose; judged on 9/10/2022.
[A tribute I wrote/rapped after I graduated high school]
i took a bittersweet look into the past
flipping it and watching each grain fall back down that hourglass
wish this hour could last, but what's a little sand?
just a piece of dust falling through the cracks in my hand
but matrimony bonds memories with eternity
and the passion i had for my comrades still burns in me
but it's my turn to fade out, like the first tags i put up on walls
bearing witness to styles getting played out
i spent three years in this one spot just to be forgot?
along with chemistry study sheets, just shut and locked
in that box that was like a home away from home
where an apparent wealth of knowledge was bound to be grown...
with closed eyes, lids like mirrors envision my soul, my mind
so divine was each one of you that walked into my life
i got love for you even if we might
not talk anymore, you inspired me to explore
so i guess this one's for you
cuz i met a lot of false characters, but y'all stayed true
and that's more than a guy could ask for, honestly
respect given from me only comes modestly
because respectable people are somewhat of a novelty
in this life, travelling throught it like the odyssey
i'm just a nomad with a notepad, a quote "grad"
an alum from some fantasty in the midst of an era so sad
but to friends who still have dreams, quench your thirst to succeed
never let laymen corrupt that seed
let it blossom with the efforvescence
i know it takes effort but isnt that the essence?
gotta give blessings to brothers who imparted the wisdom
and found the courage to release the truth from within them
i cherish your thoughts, and with them i'm never lost
keep your words locked and that's something i'll never cross
if this sounds pretentious, i'm sorry dude
but i was told that a faithful heart makes wishes come true
so i feel a last little push from me couldn't hurt
here you go my friends, and i truly hope it works
until we meet again, it's really been a blast
always remember the times we had, hourglass.
There's a wail,for thngs are not well,
At my back there's an alarming bark;
All I can see are traitors and penned thieves
Protected by armed men;
Amidst euphora of an extavanganza.
At a colourful swearing-in-ceremony.
Here is a sad looking man
Lamenting with a weepng heart,
''Why are you depressed and alum?''
''We're mourning this morning,''he said.
We're sripped of our birth right,
The freedom to vote our leaders
Is forfeited by our infamous rulers...
To implant all puppets,
They can control like electronc robots;
Nay!We're hookwinked and robbed
By the barbarism of this baba-rism;
An affluent is now relegeted to a beggar,
Yesterday an owner,today a scapegoat;
Again,a mandate is stolen from us.
With the use of machineries
Far from our reach...the police and the
Independent Notorious Executors of Con,
So,the conspiracy is done;
So,the mandate is stolen;
So,the scam unveiled;
Amidst frowns and scorn,
Amidst world-wide disdain,
Amidst scowls and condemn.
3 long years ago;
I first entered these, marble walls;
Now with glory and honor pride;
Invested in me we go down in history;
Alum, alum, alumni;
Who am I, whose am I to decide;
I now cry cause the future in my eyes;
What does the world have in store…
For the Class of 1973 and 1974;
On through the day we celebrate;
We forget our enemies are for us to rejoice in to forgive them;
We forget to ignore bitter-hatred we should promote forever love;
As we journey down the stairs;
Tussles floating in our hair;
Gladly eyes start to stare;
As we walk down the corridors;
We know…
God bless the Classes of 1973 and 1974;
I smile all through the day we celebrate;
I spied how I wanted to make that journey;
I shall not be late we celebrate a new beginning a new story;
Little wonder how when I was young;
I spied how I wanted to make this journey;
Like my brothers and sisters did (before me);
To colleges and careers they do go before me;
I’m so happy diplomas in hand my, my my..
We shared completion of just this journey;
My people racing to the grand stands;
While I stand on the podium with my hand out;
Waiting for the grand slam while my people holler, they shout;
Handing me my diploma a sheet of paper;
Showing the world my completion of my classes;
Rolled up paper they call it the tablet of life;
I smile all through the day we celebrate;
I spied how I wanted to make that journey;
I shall not be late we celebrate a new beginning a new story;
Little wonder how when I was young;
I spied how I wanted to make this journey;
Alum, alum, alumni;
Who am I, whose am I to decide;
I now cry cause the future in my eyes;
What does the world have in store…
For the Class of 1973 and 1974;
Written words by James Edward Lee ©1972, 2019
4/17/1972
Personal productivity measured courtesy...
Unspecified number of hours spent
yesterday March 6th, 2021
reading (cover to cover) Pennsylvania Gazette
March/April 2021 issue.
Proud papa highly regards eldest daughter,
University of Pennsylvania alum
as academic whip smart high achiever,
she did (after quite a stretch of time
after graduating) become
self supporting earning hand over fist money
as yours truly
(her biological father) feels glum,
cuz I would qualify
mine existence as humdrum
hence quite envious at well deserved income,
which exact dollar figure I will remain mum
yet if privy being financially,
what me worry would become obsolete
mine mental would find me comfortably numb
livingsocial in splendour
versus dwelling in slum
bring (think dirt poor -
according to youngest sister)
whereby financial shortcoming exacerbates
predilection toward anxiety
with distress squarely within tum.
Back during mine salad days
earlier within mein kampf
precious time squandered away
this doubting thomas
grabbing life by figurative horns,
his outlook toward future
did excel at procrastination,
a pointedly powerful stance did delay
ambivalence toward purposefulness
hit me courtesy metaphorical
ton of bricks, now at threescore earth orbits
around the sun absorb shock
while grizzled and gray
recognizing when sober
upon post drinking up lackadaisical indifference
feigning to care not a whit,
I allude to johnny come lately self actualization
analogous to confronting judgement-day
resigned to gather wilted, shriveled, matted
rosebuds while I may
experience e'en just fleeting aliveness,
thus yours truly doth pray
to dance (why I'll) while
these spindleshanks sashay
into Elysian Fields
exorcising atrophied muscles oy vey!
nor any greed
from one suppurating marriage
this guy wants to be freed
with no malice this cheap tricking
super tramping wordsmith
of inxs ac of dc charged cheap tricks
sans done dirty deed.
This impersonator qua sometime bard of yore
admits to his apology
if ye get taken totally abominable
like bar rammy aback
to proposition ye with carnal desires in store
and ideally match deeds ease with these words
towards such strong desire to adore
forsooth that naked realm
to allow the noggin to bore
together in close syncopation like couplet core
and would now gently encourage
his newfound muse
to let me dip me quill in
iambic pentameter du jour
a wordsmith who shies away
drinking pot or smoking booze.
Now with a zing
i step into the digital xing
via summit da fall low wing
written jest to byte tongue in cheek
yet unsure if zee phone here will ring
or an unexpected gold plated invitation
after the yodeling ding
in an effort to hear that pleasant
yet discordant musical ka -- ching
for cherished pennies,
nickels, dimes, nickle back
et cetera from heaven to bring.
Twiddling me fir and twenty black bird
shaped like a green thumb
as me schmart simian Semitic ****
gets comfortably numb
after quaffing
humongous amount of rum
while downing oral rob hurts
sesame street pudding
made of pureed plum
unlike jack in the corner
my luck mooch oh more glum
and despite facial stubble here
and there a stale crumb
this har dabbler in words haint no bum
only a hard knock er skool alum.
from thee one and only almighty
alfred e. neuman king crusty crab crumb son Rodg
er alias scott matthews - whose words
intended as playful persiflage
if curious to learn more about me
emanating from cranial lodge
unless no auto mat tick interest arises -
whence this reply u can dodge.
Potpourri, What Me Worry?
Have a Minute? In a Hurry?
Reflect, Few Knew 3rd Sept. 1964'ie,
Our World Unfurled, "Let There Be Nori!"
More Precisely, "Eleanor Anne",
7 of 7, Infinite "Can", Wonder Woman,
And Golly, The Mile Champion, She Ran!
By No Means Dumb, Nori Was the Sum,
Harry & Eleanor Enabled Dr. Schol's Alum,
Beat Drums! Blow Trumpets! 'Til Lips Numb!
Inherited Curls Red We All Adore,
Her Generosity & Humility Galore,
Spreading Joy In Each of Fifty-Four!
Nori Has a Secret, A Hydrogen Bomb,
A West Virginia Gentle Farm Boy, Some
Say is Her Loam, Vita-Mix, Topsoil Tom!
Husky, Kona, Loved but Exceedingly Furry,
North Conway is Where Tom & Nori,
Build Their Oasis Refuge From Hurry!
Nori, Count Your Life by Smiles Not Miles,
By Friends, Not Stipends, Not "Upends",
May You & Tom Together Enjoy Years,
Empty of Tears, Bills in Arrears & Fears!
Personal productivity measured courtesy...
Unspecified number of hours spent
many yesterdays ago since March 6th, 2021
reading (cover to cover) Pennsylvania Gazette
March/April 2021 issue.
Proud papa highly regards eldest daughter,
University of Pennsylvania alum
as academic whip smart high achiever,
she did (after quite a stretch of time
after graduating) become
self supporting earning hand over fist money
employed at the B Corp
(short for Certified B Corporation)
as yours truly
(her biological father) feels glum,
cuz I would qualify
mine impossible to quantify
existence as humdrum,
hence quite envious at well deserved income,
which exact dollar figure I will remain mum
yet if privy being financially,
what me worry would become obsolete
mine mental would find me comfortably numb
livingsocial in splendour
versus dwelling in slum
bring (think dirt poor -
according to long ago slight
courtesy youngest sister)
whereby financial shortcoming exacerbates
predilection toward anxiety
with distress squarely within tum.
Back during mine salad days
earlier within mein kampf
precious time squandered away
this doubting thomas
grabbing life by figurative horns,
his outlook toward future
did excel at procrastination,
a pointedly powerful stance did delay
ambivalence toward purposefulness
hit me courtesy metaphorical
ton of bricks, now at threescore earth orbits
around the sun absorb shock
while grizzled and gray
recognizing when sober
upon post drinking up lackadaisical indifference
feigning to care not a whit,
I allude to johnny come lately self actualization
analogous to confronting judgement-day
resigned to gather wilted, shriveled, matted
rosebuds while I may
experience e'en just fleeting aliveness,
thus yours truly doth pray
to dance (why I'll) while
these spindleshanks sashay
into Elysian Fields
exorcising atrophied muscles oy vey!