Best And Poems


When I Stop and Pray

When the storm clouds boil around me, 
And the lightning splits the sky--. 
When the howling wind assails me,
And life's sea is rolling high--
When my heart is filled with terror,
And my fears, I can't allay--
Then I find sweet peace and comfort, 
When I simply stop and pray.

When the things of life confound me,
And my faith is ebbing low--
When my trusted friends betray me,
And my heart is aching so--
When the night seems black and endless,
And I long for light of day--
Then I find a silver dawning,
When I simply stop and pray.

There are things beyond the heavens
I can't begin to understand,
But I know that God is living,
And I know He holds my hand.
Yes, I know He watches o'er me
All the night and all the day--
And He's always there to hear me
When I simply stop and pray.

Premium Member A Tale of Fire and Ice

Part I: Ice

He shines like silver midnight moon -
cool marble statue, this tycoon.
And though he makes the ladies swoon,
of ice he’s hewn; of ice he’s hewn.

He’s poker-faced and can deceive
competitors and can achieve
most anything, but can’t conceive
of Genevieve, of Genevieve.

Like Neptune, distant from the sun -
relationships he chose to shun.
He thought the search for love was done.
He has no one; he has no one.

Now love’s allure has come his way.
What will he do? What will he say?
Will he grab hold, beg love to stay,
or let it stray? Or let it stray?

Part II: Fire

This dragoness disguised in lace -
passion’s flower with angel’s face,
precisely picks the time and place
each dream to chase, each dream to chase.

Like ink the color red, she stains
the hearts of those whose love she drains,
and then she leaves when naught remains
No lust she feigns; no lust she feigns.

And now there’s one who would suffice.
For him alone, she’d sacrifice
her everything, so he of ice
she must entice, she must entice.

So Genevieve now strikes the flame.
Will man of ice his love proclaim?
Beneath her fire and his cold frame,
they’re both the same. They’re both the same.

Hard Times

When hard times come they sit a spell,
Like kin folk come to stay
A-packin' troubles, pets an' kids
That always get ‘n your way.
It's drought an' flood, an' flood an' drought,
There ain't much in-between.
You work like hell to make ’em good,
But still they’re sorta lean.

The ranch went under late last year,
The drought got mighty tough.
The boss held-out a long, long time,
But finally said, "enough!"
So here I am dispatchin’ cops
An’ watchin’ felons sleep,
In Junction, at the county jail,
A job I’ll prob’ly keep.

The wife, she works at Leisure Lodge,
Where older people stay,
A-makin’ beds an’ moppin’ floors
To earn some ‘extra’ pay.
Though “extra pay‘s” the term I used,
It goes to payin’ rent,
An’ after all the bills are paid,
We wonder where it went.

We hocked my saddle, guns an' chaps,
An' then our weddin' rings;
Then when we couldn't pay the loan,
They sold the 'dad-blamed' things.
We felt real bad a day or two
But then we let it go,
Cause it got Christmas for the kids
When money got real slow.

When hard times come they sit a spell,
Don't matter who you are;
They'll cost ya things you've set aside,
An' clean your cookie jar.
You'll loose some sleep an' worry some,
Won't pay to moan an' groan;
But hang on to your happiness,
They'll finally leave ya 'lone.
© Jim Fish  Create an image from this poem.


Premium Member Eternal Life and the Total Self


Life is but a fleeting whisper echoing through time,
never dying, always being- magnificent and sublime.
The body's a receptacle, a superficial shell,
but in it dwells the gift of Soul; eternity knows it well.

The Soul contains the truths of life,
to all that's ever been;
to all things now, and yet to come,
but guards them deep within.

The mind has hidden doors to Soul; we long to find the key,
unleash the vision waiting there, that lives eternally.
And so mind seeks to open wide, grasp firm the light of Soul.
and at that moment when it does, we know we will be whole.

So when we penetrate the shield
that stands between these two,
we will perceive with inner sight-
our Soul, complete and new.

If in this life, we cannot grasp this bond of Soul and mind,
we'll be reborn to live again, till total self we find.
We've been before, so many times; we've known many a past.
We'll be again- an echo in time, till mind and Soul are fast.

And when that final day does come,
at last to lift our Soul,
for Him to gather in His arms-
our perfect self- now whole.


May 19, 2016

~1st Place~
Premiere Contest: Imagine A Freedom Beyond Imagination
Sponsor: Mystic Rose Rose
Judged: 02/25/2021



Some religions, like Hinduism, believe in reincarnation which refines the soul by it living many lifetimes, and after it is perfected, goes back to God.  My poem is based on that belief.  So many people, including myself, have inner feelings or momentary flashbacks like they have lived before in another life.

Within Reason- Maurice Yvonne and Seren Roberts

Within reason
lies a house full of ordinary
a chest of bland memories. 
 
                              You end up with
a pocketful of might have beens.
 
Within reason is five square feet of grass 
and the proverbial white picket fence,
nothing else.
 
                 The word 'important'
never makes it onto the page.

Nothing"within reason" was ever found
             that didn't already have its place. 
 
When u abandon
                   Reason
you also abandon
        Impossibilities. 
                the brother of reason
The one needs the other
                   two heads of the same dragon.
One breathing fire and brimstone
                  the other living without hope.
They never live separately
                         they are siamese twins.
The ying and yang of yesteryears.

They had a reason with a hint of possibility

They had something,
                  something maybe,
 at best something insignificant.

             But imagine what waits 
when you eliminate 'impossible.'

In the darkest dark
                                  within the scream of 'don’t',
       inside the insanity of abandoning reason 
                                                  it is there you'll find  
          that decaying flesh infested with worms
   it is there  where the round wheel was found. 
 
You use a black shovel 
             through the bone 
into the skull 
            through the brain 
along the heart 
                       into the gut. 
 
There  lies that fine line between insanity and genius
                                 but THERE is where you have to go. 
 
          To get there you abandon reason. 

 Abandon the dogma shoved down your 
                                 throats all these years.
 
Glide on the wild side.
                Show your body hair.
Expose your fangs.
                  Lights, camera, DANCE!

Premium Member Sweet Sugar Cookies and Peanut Butter Bars

"I dream of Candy!"

Sweet cakes and peanut butter squares 
A living diabetic's nightmare. --  My heart 
sings to the beat, Under the Neutron Star Crunch
Sweet sugar cookies and peanut butter bars

Taunting whoopers, 
Dancing dum dum's, 
The sweetest silhouette show - in my room
Dreamy, Creamy Cupcakes in the afternoon
Cinnamon Cheerios cascade on my spoon
Sweeter than my sweet tooth
Now and later - a forever honeymoon

Jigglin' my jelly belly boo berry Butterfinger delight
I'm in love, licking the icy ICEE  all night long
Extra freshness, once I crop a top off of a mountain dew pop
My eyes sparkle like diamond dazzle razzles in the sky
I LIVE to fabricate my very own sugar extract R.E.M. Sleep
Savoring the sound of saliva trapped in my mouth
THIS night  -   ovulated buds   -  wait to feast!
Enjoying delicious dulce music sleepy symphony

Braggin' and embracin' a pinata pillow escapade
Enchanted by a cotton candy crave - calling my name

Lalaloopsy licorice and lemonade tea
The best-wet dream I've ever seen
Marshmallows of solitude dulcify every fresh fantasy
Enticing in a bright slushy skittles daydream freeze

One fat sunny bowl of cereals and cane
Crackerjack spell ---  chocolate chip swirls, 
Caramel lumps constipate the brain
Sizing - peanuts and in a popcorn party payday
Wrigley's wild winter Spearmint Breath parade
Give me, give me, some Gummy bear Dessert  
---------"Another Fruit Ninja hair DAY!"
Watermelon Taffy stuck on the top of my gums
Swallowing the whiteness in a whistle pop bar
I FELL LIKE A SWEET SUGAR STAR!!!

Glaze of glory erupts deep down my throat 24/7
Bubblicious, mint twist, Sunkist the best Twizzler breakfast
Yummy in my twinkie tummy, drooling over frosted flakes 
One more strawberry smoothie 44 oz cup   
Counting each and every Pez popping'' up
Goodnight light, 
It's time to get lost under the midnight moon pie sky
SELF- Huggin'' and snugglin'' to a new sugar rush high

:-D


Premium Member Wave and Shore

I am a wave.
From far I come to you
Swimming with desire.
In wild curls I come,
Riding with music,
Travelling on sunbeams.

Within my hidden folds,
I carry the thoughts of love,
Wishing to rest on the shore.
Lashing playfully, I come,
Looping into a sensational hug!

But how sad, I can only embrace you
Just for a brief moment!

Over our heads, seagulls wing.
Around us, soapy foams giggle.
In wild ecstasy, I roar,
Crashing my head on your breast.
But I am made to drift away,
Leaving nothing behind,
But a stretch of dampened sand,
Reminding that we have once met.

Can I ever hold you again?
Wish I could once more,
Rush into your arms.
Sometimes I feel,
I am on an eternal journey.

With desires unappeased,
I continue traveling miles.
Let us be a pair of seagulls,
Flying in tandem, you forever,
Staying close to me,
With your wind under my wings!

Premium Member - Peace, Love, And Gods Greatest Gift -


The mellifluous musical tones of the village bells

Echoing chimes over the cold snowcapped mountains

Both finding their way to people in the valley below

Christmas songs — let your spirit sing freely and loudly

Welcoming the Birth of Our Savior and Baby King

Who so charms the Angels on High and God Himself

On this night, The Star was so beautiful, clear, and shiny

Crisp and so crystal-bright, centered above and beyond

Reflecting now the Lord God’s most divine and holy light

There is real magic in the night air as Heaven rejoices aloud

The child and the infant’s divine soul breathe life now intently

Fulfilling truly God’s very promise and His hope to Mankind

Keep this Christmas spirit — share it with others near and far

Grace filled with good tidings as we dance on wings of joy

We all now celebrate in great happiness, love, and kindness

Christmas is forever — and you must never ever close this door

Faith always enters, carrying His guiding torch high and proud

And encouraging Man every step of the way on his long journey

Even in a simple cradle where the Baby Jesus so innocently lay

Heaven doth bathe His cradle with the warmest rays of divine light

Bespeaking the heavenly beauty, joy, and wonder of Our Savior

Amazing peace makes a lovely gift, I wish for all of us to have

As new life blossoms, wrapped in petals of an immaculate heart

God’s holy blessing, love, and intention are clear for all to see

That Holy Night the Angels entire sang mirthfully on Christmas Eve

Praising Almighty Lord God in Heaven on the birth of His only son

The Angels’ paeans echoed in their divine beauty across the Universe

To bring peace now, glowing with your love, is His divine intention

Rejoicing in God’s Greatest Gift to Mankind who was born in a manger

Destined to become Our Most Holy and Divine Savior — Amen! Amen!






Anne-Lise Andresen, Liam McDaid, and Gary Bateman
A Collaborated Poem, Copyright © All Rights Reserved
December 1, 2015 (Unrhymed Tercet)

Premium Member Pretty Shoes and Cracked Feet

Once I'm gone 
I'll only be remembered a small while
I'm a tiny tick on a large dial
The words I breathe will stretch about a mile
Even those who are in history books
the Kings writers and famous cooks
The gorgeous people with talent and looks
They too in the end fade away
Don't get me wrong it's all okay
We might try to hold on but none of us can stay
All have a bit part 
on this watery ball of granite and clay

Some are calm others make waves
One smooth skinned another shaves
She loves him while he's attracted to Dave 
They both pretend because they have to behave
Each in their own prison living like a slave
The preacher too plays his part 
trying to find people to save

Some couples love from the start till death
She breathes in he exhales her breath
Their children thrive Bobby and Beth
While some mothers go it alone
Daddies leave and are never known
Children left to learn life from a smart phone

Some chase riches when other just want to eat
Walking on pretty shoes while poor men have cracked feet
The music plays so clearly yet we fail to hear the beat
So I wonder what's it all for
This wanting more and more
Is that really God knocking at our door
Yes it is I believe it at my core
So why do we leave it closed
Maybe because we fear our sins will be exposed
a life manicured and posed 
could be unfroze
Freedom from each prison chose
Instead why not drink from the garden hose
Wear our humanity 
discard these labeled clothes
Count down the future with fingers and toes
Within a momentary breath each spirit goes
As minds open each heart then grows
What happens next only God knows!

Premium Member Space and Time

Entering the doorway through my heart
Following the nuance of space
Allowing expansion ~ mystery ~ and curiosity
To guide me into realms of spiritual awakening
Journeying through moments in time

Filled with opportunities
To appreciate and cherish
To express gratitude
To be connected to the forces
Of nature and humanity

Together we take flight
Guided by white hawks
Silently lifting off 
Into darkened skies
Kissed by gray hues

Alighting on silken clouds
Transporting us higher
A deep inhale as gentle breezes 
Tickle my earlobes and caress my soul

My heart is open ~ expanding ~ gaining insight
Exposed
My tears flow freely
I allow the pain and suffering to become me
As I focus on illumination and helping others
With embracing  arms and heart alive
Calling out to our elders and animal spirits
To join in our collective dance

The soft wind carries us
We float and fly and glide
Entering the realm of light
Sunbeams vibrating at the edges of perception

A fuzzy twinkling as our eyes excite
Riding magic cloud carpets
Above ocean’s breast
Gazing down 
The beauty becomes us
Gold light rays skate on undulating waves
Illuminating tide’s glimmering foam
A waltz of light and sound
Briny majesty

Luminous shafts dance and sway
In a lovers embrace
Across veridian waves
Passionately singing out
Becoming one

Our voices ~ melodies
Songs of our ancestors
Ballads from distant shores
Past and present 
Reveal themselves in
Tender haunting notes
Arriving on mist’s fingertips 

Hoovering close to Mother Ocean’s surface
We hear her heartbeat
Lap  lap  lap ... bubbles ... breath
Surface foam breaking 
She appears in nature’s coat of shiny black
A regal humpback
A tranquil Goddess welcoming us

We ride upon this graceful giant
As she whispers her secrets
Feeling her slow movement 
Through watery depths
Turning gently ~ moving up and down
We welcome her strength as 
Turquoise tides caress us

Guided by celestial navigation .... we ride
Gazing up at the sparkling stars
We listen to the collective heartbeat of eternity

One breath
One exhale 
Together

Premium Member Boy Oh Boy and a Girl

I wish to claim
My boyness
My yesterday sillyness
Innocent shyness
My crinkled nose grininess
That hide and seekiness
Spin the bottle 
kind of geekiness 

Getting caught 
My hand in the cookie jarness
That pushing too farness
Collecting comic charminess 
Pulling pigtales
Stolen kisses
Hidden playboy kinda business
Cop a feel inquisitiveness

Being a bit
Self conscience  
A true life witness
Loving the mysterious 
Laughing more than being serious
Feeling delirious 
Not afraid
Somewhat curious

Wondering
About adultness
What it was all aboutness
Thinking that it leads to freeness
I'd know just how to be-ness
Eating what I want 
Staying up late kinda keeness

Now I wonder
What was the rushness
To reach adultness
Full of it's doubtiness
What's it all aboutness
I witness it's dreamlessness
It's no longer about me-ness
More mundane
To much saneness
Routine and sameness
No one cares if you cameness
Less is less
And more is moreness
Can't see the trees
Through the dark forest

So grab onto your girliness
I'll bring my boyness
There will be more
Way more 
Yesirey
Hotdigity
Joyousness 
No more boringness 
We'll spin in circles
Enjoy our dizziness 
After all
Having fun
Is a serious business!



For Nina Parmenter’s Tongue Twister Contest.
I hope you have as much fun reading as I had writing it.

Premium Member American Indian, Nightshades, Moonshadows and Howling Wolf

American Indian, Nightshades, Moonshadows And Howling Wolf

Thirsty for red moon, its sacred beams and eternal pull
howling-out to speak to this dark and blind world, without fear;
Your echoes enter, soulful bones of insightful red man
birthing growing urges to return and run truly free,
falling upon ancient trails, foraging for lean red meat
race with red-heart's deepest desires into widest abyss,
embrace our mother earth, unified into one body. 

Where ancient trails once well-known, rests under dust long fallin'. 
Moon's golden realms hear both man and wolf, faithful loud callin'.

Standing proud, atop very high and lonesome mountain crag
winds caressing one of Nature's most beautiful creatures;
Notes calling loud, that give night's resplendent moon pregnant pause
in that silent and golden moment, where man so trembles,
for it is then knowledge comes, therein sings of true freedom
having no need for dreams of blind men or dark worldly lusts,
speaking to pack below, mirroring its deep felt tones.

Where ancient trails once well-known, rests under dust long fallin'. 
Moon's golden realms hear both man and wolf, faithful loud callin'.

Alas! Fate and Fury- rage combine and oft delivers
soul-crushing, black-handed cuts from darkened realms far below;
Wherein has justice overcame Fate's most savage attacks
when hatred and greed both conspired to not be defeated,
in infliction of war's sorrows and deadly destruction
while parading under banner of Light and compassion,
tales of malevolent beasts, benevolently destroyed!

Where ancient trails once well-known, rests under dust long fallin'. 
Moon's golden realms hear both man and wolf, faithful loud callin'.

R. J. Lindley,
Feb 2nd, 1973
Poetry-- Subject Nature, Wolf, Amerian Indian And Injustice...

Old note: My mother's father was Native American. I gained
great insight into the life of Native Americans from words
he spoke to me. Since his death, I have read many books that
gave even more historical knowledge on the subject. Finding 
the ones that did not deliberately cover up the savage acts
carried out by "whites" against Native Americans.

Premium Member Hear Me, and Be Still

Do not build a ladder
when I fall into the abyss—
I did not call for climbing.

The thorn in me
is not a riddle to solve,
nor a window to repair.

I am thunder, not your project-
rain needing witness,
not your umbrella.

When I say I’m drowning,
do not throw ropes of reason.
Let me sink into your silence—
weightless, unrescued, yet unalone.

Be the shore that does not move
as my waves thrash and settle.

My pain is not a puzzle.
Don’t match it to your pieces.
It is a wild bird—
let it wheel, let it scream, let it land
uncaged cage on wild earth.

You see my storm
and lash advice like scaffolding,
but I need someone
to taste the torrent,
to say yes—it bites, and burns,
not someone who murmurs
“you should have stayed inside.”

To love me is to shhh,
to hold space as sacred,
to hear with your cells,
not just your ears.

Premium Member Petals and Poetry

In a world full of unwelcome nightmares,
I recite dreams of poetry to the one who cares.

I'm pondering a perfect metaphor,
trying to portray my mum's devotion.
Thinking about what her heart adores,
releases a fountain of emotion.

I'm surrounded by perennial petals and poignant poetry,
yet unable to bloom words or blossoms
to justify her prestige and preciousness.
On days of darkness,
in the angst of a black and white world,
when life felt like a kaleidoscope of chaos,
you placed reflective rainbows in my soul,
reminding me that life is a painting and you are the artist.
Gifted me a box of crayons to create my own horizons,
so I could discover a dream in all colours -
living in a daydream of aesthetic artistry.

When constant commotion from crows
left me mute like a silent nightingale,
you showed me how to love in silence,
healing these wounded wings -
to ensure I would continue to soar.
For a boy in a fatherless existence,
life can be a wild game of survival,
so I feel for a child without a mother's love,
deprived from a treasure chest full of diamonds and gold.

Without you there would be no words or roses,
as you were the first verse in my poem -
the sweetest heavenly scent.
If only there was a field of forever flowers,
with prosperous promises of an Edenic eternity,
then I would always have you by my side.
© Silent One  Create an image from this poem.

Premium Member -RESPECT, KINDNESS AND CHOICE-POTD

Before you read my poem below please know:
This poem is generalised and not aimed at any individual
It is solely my observation and voice!

~~~~~~~~~~~

Why must it be analysed and dissected
To whether  a poet comments or not
We all do what we choose to do
We are a mixed bunch in this poetry pot

Some poets just like to write and read poetry
They are not interested in anything more
That is entirely their right and prerogative
That is what they are here for

Others like the social interaction
Making connections and poet friends
What you give, what you get here
On you it solely depends

Who we are …our wants and needs
Is our own personal choice
There are no set of commenting rules 
No do’s or don’ts….no dictating voice

What another poet chooses to do
Is nobody else’s concern
As long every poet is respectful
Respect will be returned

Comment or not, turn comments off, or even block
Just do what ‘YOU’ want to do
Never feel pressured to do anything less
“To thyself you must be true”

There are an abundance of poets here
Who thrive on interaction and chat
They comment, encourage, support ,connect
Poets aplenty rich in socialising are here in fact

No judgement, criticism, negativity ,nor pressure should any poet face
Just a kind, caring and respectful environment on the whole
We are all unique and special individuals
Writing and enjoying poetry…..our united goal!
© Deb M  Create an image from this poem.

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