Best Another Poems
“Peace I leave with you
my peace I give you
I do not give to you as the world gives
Do not let your hearts be troubled
do not be afraid” (John 14:27)
But I am scared
Blood runs down streets
Hatred, rage, violence dance
In a chaotic frenzy performance
of evil malice . . .
What do your words mean?
Are they void – empty promises?
Where is the peace in deafening explosions?
In the cacophony of rapid gun fire?
Screams of horror?
Tears of death???
“I am the resurrection and the life
The one who believes in me will live
even though they die
and whoever lives by believing in me will never die
Do you believe this?” John 25:26
Yes, I want too . . .
But fear creeps around my heart
Its cancerous fibers sinking deep – choking me
Doubts greet me in the morning
Panic sleeps in my bed
I am weak
Hear my cries of desperation
“Be strong and courageous
Do not be afraid
do not be discouraged
for the Lord your God will be with you
wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9)
Stay close – fill me
I cannot see –
Darkness surrounds me
Death, destruction, desecration, depression
Blood, bitterness, bile, blight
“I have come into the world as a light
so that no one who believes in me
should stay in darkness
If anyone hears my words but does not keep them
I do not judge that person
For I did not come to judge the world
but to save the world” (John 12:46-47)
I cannot begin to fathom this
How great is this love
Forgiveness over revenge
Peace over violence
Life over death
Love over hate
Help me I pray
“A new command I give you
Love one another
As I have loved you
so you must love one another” (John 13:34)
Love one another . . .
David Meade
11/18/2015
Love Generously
the waning moonlight thinly enveloped
the dusky canvas obscurely sprawling
across the way from the window I looked,
I knew a park was there with slides and swing
but for the moment dark revealed nothing,
for the moment I didn’t care, either
because in darkness I felt even darker;
I was lying in bed embraced by regret
of decisions of love and time wasted,
spooning the layered sheets of doubt and fret
all thawed out from my heart into my head;
The memories of hurtful comments said
by and to me were chastising voices
of ghostly choices purposed to depress;
As dusk became the night I became lost
in whimsically strewn wishes and pleas
to gods and stars and genies alike, crossed
as eyes crying for mother drowned in seas,
I spoke to nobody but begged for keys
to unlock another time, another place
to start all over again with new space,
To unseen gods I had long since quit on
I prayed, bargained even, another chance
and I’d do everything right this season
- A jobless man needing a pay advance,
But for thirty three years nary a glance
had alpha or omega set on me
and this night I expected no divine decree;
several hours elapsed as I collapsed
in smoldering thoughts of suicide fanned,
- I had outlasted night’s concealing grasp,
and as the morning sun began its planned
ascent, I gave into Hades’ command
through my tenth floor window whispered to me
of hellish suggestions to jump and flee;
on ledge I stood and looked across the way
for one last glimpse of earth and pastel sky,
- a small souvenir of my final day,
My eyes settled on last night’s park from high
above, and that’s when I saw God’s reply,
- an unspoken answer for eyes turned blind,
His deafening promise to all mankind;
by his heavenly brushes came colors
where none had been, transforming lonely space
into one of vibrance and life renewed,
- and it was a different space,
I watched as birds celebrated morning
with songs of praise and thankfulness,
- and I felt a quick waning emptiness,
I heard the children below lining up
for the school bus all on time and ready
to live and learn in this new day granted,
- and I felt like I knew nothing at all;
but then I knew everything all at once,
and I stepped off the ledge ready to live,
ready to embrace
ready to seize life found…
in another time.
I wonder
Who I might become
If I wore another man's clothes
If I thought his thoughts
Dreamed his dreams
Lived his heartache
Felt his insanity
Walked along his razor's edge
Would I
Understand
Empathize
Digest his pain
Rise above his circumstances
Would I realize how easy my own life has been
Perhaps
I could search through his pockets
Look for answers
Remove the tie from his neck that strangles
Rip off the clothes that make the man
Return his sanity
Free him from the labels sewn on yesterday's promises
Or I could walk
A bit longer
Search a bit deeper
Discard my own misconceptions
Feel his peace
Think different thoughts
For he is more and less than me
He has danced and loved in exceptional ways
And as I walk and wear his shoes
I hear the tapping of his soul
I become
Aware
It is not him
Not me
Not anyone
That can save us
From ourselves
Yet we are changed
In inexplicable ways
By wearing
Another man's clothes
I chose this one for your contest because I feel as
a poet I put myself in other people's clothes all the time.
I like the premise of this contest and I hope this gives you
a glimpse of who I am.
Richard Lamoureux
Submited to Linda's contest
written in early December 2013
An abundance of fragrant florets
constant reminder of regrets
Although they consume the misty air
they seem stale, because you're not there
Your absence has left a hollow void
Ghosts haunt turning the mind paranoid.
Just another day without you
Oh my love if only you knew
How the guitar still strums your song
One more day alone seems so wrong
The hands of time are no friends of mine
Growing old, should have been our shrine
In your world full of confusion
Life can be full of delusion
My love for you still remains supreme
Our reunion is my last dream
Just another day without you
Oh my love if only you knew
how the guitar still strums your song
One more day alone seems so wrong
The heart craves to hear your sweet voice
but your departure has left no choice
Now only silence is what I hear
Life has no sound without you near.
Only the room vibrating with cries
Won't you save me from this demise
Come before this dancer's heart dies
Bless me with one last sight of your eyes
Just another day without you
Oh my love if only you knew
how the guitar still strums your song
One more day alone seems so wrong
Still that guy who made your heart go 'wow'
Don't say its that final curtain bow
Senorita don't forget our vow
My beloved come back to me now
Just another day without you
Oh my love if only you knew
how the guitar still strums your song
One more day alone seems so wrong
The Silent One
Simple Musing
3 November 2017
Out of the burrows and hedges and dreys
Heads began bobbing and eyes were agaze.
Rumours were twittered and grunted and squealed:
‘The combine is coming to harvest the field!’
The moles and the voles and the rabbits and hares
All hurried and scurried and scattered in pairs.
The hedgehogs and ladybirds, pheasants and shrews
Did all that they could to distribute the news.
Then all made a dash for old wise badger’s sett;
The only safe refuge in face of the threat.
There, in the deep hollow they felt the vibration
They shivered and shuddered in great trepidation.
The thrumming and thundering monster machine
Soon passed overhead... and then all was serene.
And out of the hollow came heads, tails and paws
Another day safe from the harvester’s jaws!
Most recently entered into 'Your Best Rhyme Poem That Is Trophy Worthy Contest 3 Poetry Contest' sponsored by Tania Kitchin - 05.10.19
I chose this poem because not only is it one of my personal favourites, but to this day, I've no idea where all these little creatures came from! Written early on in my poetic endeavours, it made me appreciate fully the amazing powers of the imagination!
'A rattling rhyme contest' sponsored by Nina Parmenter
12/08/18
04/12/18
'I cannot believe I wrote that Poetry contest' : sponsored by Nina Parmenter
Your Choice,Any Form,Any Theme Poetry Contest : sponsored by Brian Strand
With pitchforks and torches they rode through the night,
their goal was Milton Creek, by dawns early light.
A surprise attack was what they had foreseen,
led by the infamous, lollipop queen.
With a group of ringed men, she’d deceived and collected,
they rode for the jail, for the first one she’d infected.
In shackles and chains, her best awaited his trial,
I can’t say his name, so we’ll just call him Kyle.
Old Kyle was arraigned for a snake oil ruse,
he claimed to sell medicine but was just peddling booze.
They stopped just out of town by farmer Bill’s pig pen,
where they all shared a lollipop, and a *Cornish game hen*.
Rested and fed, they all headed for town,
their plan was to free Kyle and turn his frown upside down.
There were many new graves that we helped Mayor Tom to dig,
we could smell them all coming, they were pungent like a pig.
Little did they know how Milton Creek was protected,
we watched each other’s back, and our defense was perfected.
David and Terry, were perched on the roof of the jail,
I stood right out front with my leaded cocktail.
Tania and Jan were on the top of the saloon,
Milton was keeping watch, as he played a catchy tune.
Deb was on the ground, locked and loaded,
Lin had Jenna’s Winchester and some dynamite to be exploded.
*a Cornish game hen is produced from a cross between the Cornish and white Plymouth rock chicken breeds, it is served young and immature weighing no more than two pounds*
Another lover's touch
There's never been a love,
that's ever been enough...
You keep searching for...
another lover's touch
Why do I even try,
I should stop wasting time...
You say that we are fine...
we both know that's a lie
Chorus
I can see the ending,
in our book of love...
Well I try and I try and I try,
but it's not enough...
I see the curtain falling
on our romantic play....
I never thought our love ...
would end this way
I remember that first look,
the first chapter of our book...
We thought we'd found a love that would never die
The days turned into weeks,
so many nights without sleep...
The love we felt was an unrelenting fire
Chorus
I can see the ending,
in our book of love...
Well I try and I try and I try,
but it's not enough...
I see the curtain falling
on our romantic play....
I never thought our love...
would end this way
Chorus
I can see the ending,
in our book of love...
Well I try and I try and I try,
but it's not enough...
I see the curtain falling
on our romantic play....
I never thought our love...
would end this way
There's never been a love,
that's
ever
been
enough...
You keep...
searching...
for another...
lover's...
touch.
John Derek Hamilton
November 22,2019
re-posted with music and vocals
January 27,2021
Copyright © John Hamilton | Year Posted 2019
Each day I live and wake to see
the scarlet sun that shines for me
and listen to a feathered song
inviting me to sing along
I know I’ll find just what I seek
though rain may come to kiss my cheek
for with each day, with every sigh
there comes another chance to fly
The bluest blues of azure seas
are calling me now to appease
to leave behind an angry man
and wing away, I know I can
With love and grace, I’ll find the way
as I then glide through twilight gray
and to the clouds, I say goodbye
here comes another chance to fly
"Slipping into a coma, the emptiness of a dreamless sleep.
Nightmares filling your head, where nothing is what it seems.
You're underground, desperately tryna' find your way out,
tunnels all around, but doors are no where to be found.
The ground has no traction, and you're floating above air.
Tryna' hold on to something, but there's nothing there.
And then you fall, and all you can hear,
is the rippling of your clothes, and the wind in your ear.
And just before you hit the ground,
you feel something grip you, without making a sound.
The next thing you know you're looking into a Man's eyes.
You feel safe but afraid, all at the same time.
That's when you wake, but you were never asleep.
And you're lying in a bed, with the Man at your feet.
He welcomes you to His kingdom, and into His heart,
and He finishes his drawing, another of piece of God's art."
*****************************************************
This poem is about one's struggle to find God. About having to search, and feeling hopeless. Like we aren't really traveling through Hell, but we are searching with no idea which way we are going, blanketed in a coat of black. Like an infinitely deep hole with a small stream at the bottom, and you've just got to hope to find that stream. Then when you think all hope is lost, you realize that He has been sitting there, waiting for you, pulling you out of the darkness Himself, knowing you would look for Him. He accepts us into His kingdom. It's as if we are a piece of art, and he is adding on to us everyday..
For years, I've watched my seasons come and go
Beneath the pines along the River Brine
I've drunk my fill of robust summer wine
Survived the stinging lonely winds that blow
Now once again spring brings her color show
Rebirthing beauty by Divine design
And even though my days are in decline
I'll add her mem'ries to next year's bordeaux
The rose inside my heart is in full bloom
Amongst forget-me-nots and memories
A sign to me that love in me abides
Intoxicating me with sweet perfume
Another season blown in on a breeze
That seem to come and go like changing tides.
3/21/2023 Daniel Turner
Sighed Adam to Eve:
“Because you were deceived,
Like a fool, I believed.
Sadly, all our conceived
Will be sorely bereaved.”
Well, that should be it, right?
No, boys and girls, not quite!
So you can hear what they were all up to,
We now bring this long lost tape to you:
Adam:
“You really are a stupid cow!”
“Just look at us! Where are we now?”
Eve:
“Shut up! You filthy, pawing pig!
Before I kick you in the fig!”
Angel of the Lord:
“You’ll have to leave, take this outside.”
“Your presence here, we can’t abide.”
And of course, the slinky one:
“Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah!”
“She’s such a fool and so is he.
If I had hands, I’d clap with glee.
If the rest of them are all like that,
I’ll soon have my routine down pat!
But I’d better scoot before they crush
My poor wee head to compost mush.
I’ll set up shop, lead them all astray
And collect them all for Judgment Day!”
“Hah, Hah, Hah, Hah, Hah, Hah!”
For now, that’s all that we can send.
Thank you for your time, my friends.
So, remember, girls, no fruit to lend,
And boys, say “NO!” or it is THE END.
Another quiet Saturday night...
the silence is deafening
as I sit alone lost in my thoughts.
I feel a chill in the air...
raindrops are gently tapping
against the window panes of my heart
like teardrops gently falling from heaven.
I hear soft sounds…
in the background music is playing
muted notes of faded melodies
as my thoughts drift through
the muted dreams of our faded love.
My mind wanders back in time...
recalling summer nights so long ago
when only the August moon
knew of the passions we shared,
passions forever etched
in the memories of my mind.
I look around the room...
seeing only shadows of ghosts
cast upon the walls of my dreams
in the stillness of this lonely night.
I wonder if…
you are also lost in the silence of
another quiet Saturday night.
October 1, 2020
Poem of the Day - October 2, 2020
Sweet Spring begins, when you allow the fresh winds in.
Letting go of the pitter pat, of the feet of last winter’s cold,
and snowfall’s past.
Forgiving any and all, who you think did any harm to you.
Make a list of those who contributed to your life~ in the most
magnicent ways.
Weave them as bright, yellow dandelions into your sparkling,
new, bright days!
Don’t go running to strangers for a gold stamp of questionable
approval.
Too many are not as sweet as you, and need to be sent to the
a highway for removal.
Smile~ the way you create each day, does effect the entire world!
Choose truth, generosity, love and wrap them in iridescent swirls.
3-30-2025
~Be the magic you are~
Pangie
There was a time when she lit up
in the firmness of youth-- like a rose on an April
morn greeting daylight with a petal-soft kiss.
And the lively wind rustled her orange pinafore...
Oh, a time when she was young innocent .
But life's compass denies a woman
fresher years , amber hair becomes grey locks
of winter— thin as flakes where breaths
succumb to chilled murmurings of discontent;
the summer flame turning into weary longings.
Yet comes another time when the breeze
at last returns, to caress a wrinkled face
and allow her once lithesome spirit to play on,
shrieking giddily, then wailing at flowers
from nowhere: through a realm weightless
this flight back to childhood quickly dims--
those touch- and- go pleasures unknown
by her memory lost, her own name forgotten.
Poetry For The Sake Of Poetry Contest
Sponsor: john lawless 6/2/2018
I’ll save my worries for another day
The sun is shining, let’s go out and play
For soon the clouds may come and fill the sky
And then, there will be time enough to cry
Perhaps, I’ll save my worries al year long
And until then, I’ll sing a happy song
I’ll let the year go by without regret
What worries did I have, now I forget