Best Another(A) Poems
The clay goes round and round, on the Potters wheel
With gentle touches, and pressures he creates what he feels
One is a bowl for eating soup, another a cup for drinking tea
Each one is crafted uniquely special, showing his individuality.
Handled with care by the Potter, while still in a fragile state
The Potter continues to mold, until it reaches a hardened shape.
And then the formed handiwork, is set aside alone to dehumidify
Slowly one by one he is joined in like company, no need to cry.
And then to the kiln to be purified, tested in superheated fire
When they're out they are all polished, to a beauty that inspires
When the Potter's done with the clay, it becomes a useful vessel
We are like clay in God's hands, with our imperfections we wrestle.
Our weaknesses, our wrong desires, at times may overwhelm us
Our lack of faith, and hardened hearts, could scheme and impel us
To be used for ugly purposes, which were not intentionally made
We ruin our fragile selves, putting the haughty ego on display.
We know the Potter does not change his immutable eternal purpose
It is us, who must submit, to doing God's will, because it's worth it.
Let him mold you for an honourable purpose!
John Derek Hamilton November 11, 2015
The greatest miracle in days of yore
unsurpassed, two millennia past or more
a carpenter by trade, Joseph by name
was betrothed to Mary, a virtuous dame
Joseph, proud of his virgin, unbesmirched
beamed when their banns were recited in church
Mary had a visitor who descended in light
when the angel spoke she cowered in fright
"Fear not, chosen one, there's a child in your belly,
You'll name Him Jesus, unless you fancy Kelly."
"How can you be sure? I've not been with a guy."
"Must I spell it out? His father is God most high."
When Mary told Joseph he was caught off-guard
to accept Mary's tale was decidedly hard
his intended, purportedly as pure as they come
was with child from another; a soon-to-be mum
An angel of God appeared in splendor:
"Joseph, to no mortal did Mary surrender."
now, Joseph was righteous, obedient to God
ahead of the wedding date they then tied the knot
his family, deprived of a wedding reception
snickered: "What's with Joseph? This is clearly deception."
The newlyweds were obviously broke
Joseph told Mary: "My wife, don your cloak
We can't afford to pay taxes to them
we'll go to my birthplace; it's called Bethlehem
off they set with Mary on a donkey
for days on end over the hills of Galilee
All the tax evaders had crowded Bethlehem
not an inn in the place could accommodate them
Joseph begged as well he was able
one innkeeper showed them a stable
in amongst animals, vermin and filth
Mary, the Virgin, to our Savior gave birth
she wrapped Him in cloth to protect Him from danger
laid Him gently to rest in a hay-lined manger
Humankind then and now reaps the advantages
that Jesus has come to mend falling bridges
Walking down the evening avenue,
I look straight ahead, and see
The sea of people part before me. Each
Rushing in their separate directions, not making
Eye contact. I want to reach out and feel
For myself that they are real. It occurs
To me that nothing, no one, ever touches.
It is as if we are all surrounded by impenetrable bubbles,
And we spend our whole lives
Passing, avoiding, maybe brushing, sometimes even
Desperately touching
Each other—
But we never make real contact.
Surely we are not to blame.
The structure of the very atoms that build this world
Betrays us. Strong cores, positive and inseparable,
Surrounded by a frenzied cloud of negativity.
Like charges repel, and electrons
Will never swallow their pride
And kiss their neighbor.
So our bodies are left hovering
Over the earth, our hands hovering over
One another, a mother’s lips hovering just above her
Child’s hair. Even in our most intimate moments
We are all separated by this thin, impossibly small layer
Of nothingness.
It is cruel, and yet, there are good reasons why
We cannot touch.
Touch and witness the crumbling of things,
As the chasms that hold us to together close
And tear us apart. Witness as flesh
Melts into flesh into the Earth.
Witness as the Earth melts into itself,
Into space, into the greater void.
Touch and witness an endless chain of nuclear fusion.
Witness irreconcilable sameness.
Witness chaos.
Touch and witness the end of everything
That you longed, for so long, to touch.
All this and yet, the ache remains.
Is it any wonder, that we all feel incomplete?
Initially, Lady adopted just the gray One for love and fun.
A pal gifted another, a kitten who needed a Mother.
Though spayed, One let Two nurse and her milk did disburse,
said a Vet whose face crunched, bemused and confused.
For One and Two days passed with Lady’s love steadfast.
Cat Three showed in winter’s cold, wanting warmth’s hold.
At first, Three was snubbed by grown One and growing Two.
Eventually their curiosity was peaked by things Three did do,
strange things Cat One and Cat Two could not reason thru.
Three stole garments from the basket of Lady’s dirty clothes,
dragged them into corner places that she carefully chose,
and then she, Cat Three, exposed all to odd licking throes.
Appalled, One and Two would withdraw and prissily pose,
until pride turned trite when Lady raced a laser, red light.
Four showed one Spring day, when Lady saw a gray tail sway
belonging to a striped, cat-baby who had no home or safety.
Lady immediately, eagerly, telephoned her brother, Clark,
and asked if Four would officially make her a Crazy Cat Lady.
He spoke, but she could not quite hear the words from Clark,
not over his ten dogs harmonizing a united, piercing bark.
Your Indigo Ink, Yes, You
“Great spirits have always encountered
opposition from medicore minds”
Albert Einstein
Your very best poems are about truth, goodness or
beauty!
Yet, ignored, over something... not only ghastly base,
but something mindlessly fruity.
Do not fret if they are ignored, move on and close
the door.
If you are here to be loved and very popular, it
shows in your poetry, which is mostly jocular.
Let others write exactly as they choose.
Get up, read a poet you like, by wearing your
poetic soul shoes.
Why keep reading, only those at the top?
There are thousands rarely read, they are humans
after all, not floor mops!
Ah, those photos on that homepage are so very
deceiving!
Poses of love and great beauty, and then come
their vicious comments~ indeed a very, dark soul
revealing.
Never mind mean cracks at your poems!
These are unloving poets staring at their
contorted faux image.
Under their own cruel mind-domes!
Best we learn from one another.
Than to do all in our power, a good poet’s writ,
to ignore and smother.
Tell me, how great you must feel, when you turn
off your night light.
When some here really do choose to
make of another, a joke and a blight?
Better to support than do all in your power to
smother one another.
Than to prance about here, pretending others are
not your equals or poetry brothers.
Jealousy here? A purely teenage emotion!
It destroys friendships here, and creates a painful
commotion.
I cannot use his name, it would not be right,
But his humor is impressive, classical and a most
appreciated delight.
10/4/2021
Touching hearts - did I just call him a ham, her a turkey,
another a chicken, as I directed them with smiles, my
humor-filled wiles. I resurrect, as I’m directed to hand
out love. This makes me generous…I generously give life,
not eternity…directing the elderly…I’m at the fringe,
to pick up their box (not the rectangular offing that will
contain a body with no breath, no soul). For now we all
eat, listen to the boss speak about the disenfranchisement
of belongings, the longing of some to rob the elderly
of their earthly goods. One thing we can be sure of
is to whom our soul belongs. Remember it will not be
in the box. It will go to a heavenly or very hot place.
We all make a choice…who will you serve…I serve the food.
The sandwiches are cold. The hearts are warm and expectant.
Hold the book in your open hands. Chew what is inside.
Don’t forget to savour each bite. There are two slices of bread -
the old and new. They go together nicely - the spread and fillings.
The blessing, touching hearts - faith holds it all together.
Faith in the totality of the revelation God has given. Abraham,
not to be confused with Abraturkey or Abrachicken (just
infusing a bit of humor in my serious sandwich), ahem…
Abraham was saved by faith and so are we when we follow
the path where God leads. We follow him to the cross, to
the grave, to the resurrection and ascension. We follow Christ
to Pentecost where the friends of Jesus were served
the Holy Spirit, like doves, like flames of fire. Likewise,
our choice to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.
Under we go, into His death…rising we go, into eternal life.
Back to my Senior Luncheon, serving lots of love, gratitude
in our hearts, ready to depart whenever God calls us. For now,
just leaving the parking lot. Leftovers in box, not me - thankfully. ;)
6/20/2023
The new poet craved a just tad of attention,
Not realizing others were at a poet laureates'convention.
Or, let's say, that was simply their disdain and heartless ideation!
I took her sincere hand, and told her that her poem was truly grand.
Her eyes lit up, as though hearing a big band!
I felt so good giving another a smiling hand.
I do know what it's like to be new.
And those first, warm supportive comments come into you.
Hope, optimism then rise and gleam brightly, how true!
" Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you."
2/19/2021
~4~
Dedicated to Darlene de Beaulieu...your comments in my early days here and all these two years have blown me away. God bless you! Many read, few comment as you do.
**** You brighten this community of poets. *****
I so admire you! What a fine, example you set for us all.
Hugs, Panagiota Romios
This poem will be featured on the Home Page of Poetry Soup this week
Perfect for Father's day, It s a repost that many have yet to see.
Happy Father's Day
~A Gem of an Inheritance~ Reposr!
Leave your family with virtues
taught, that are Divine!
A major quality called integrity,
will keep their world ashine.
Teach them to never be a sheep,
But, in all relations to shepherd goodness!
A sparkling gem to share and keep.
Above all, to honor God and learn His
teachings.
To know fully He and Only He,
is the source of all Healings.
To not speak a word of evil against
another, a most egregious sin!
All the rage today, in this ungrateful
world we live in!
Above all to share with all others.
For, indeed we are all His sons
and daughters;hence all sisters
and brothers.
Teach them they are perfect as is,
There is zero reward in all our
worldly wins!
For winds come and then pass us
quickly like a bitter, winter wind.
These values are not in 401Ks
nor big banking accounts.
The values of The Spirit?
Oh! How much more, they do count!
October 12, 2019
Copyright © Panagiota Romios |
Chantelle Anne Cooke
Date: 6/21/2020 1:42:00 PM
Excellent pen! The Spirit of the Lord is Divine and we must implement that in our soul and other souls. God bless you! Love Chantelle hugs xx
Reply
Panagiota Romios
Date: 6/21/2020 1:58:00 PM
Thank you for evading it and commenting, dear Chantelle. You are most accurate in your comments. I lived for years as an arrogant fool being better than God. I lost much for doing that. Nearly dying in the process. I had to be brought to Death's door to get the message.a miracle I am still Alive! Bunny hugs, Panagiota xx
Regina Riddle
Date: 10/12/2019 10:10:00 PM
Delete
Yes. God above all. He is love and will get us through anything that comes. God bless you with so much love, Gina
Reply
Panagiota Romios
Date: 10/12/2019 10:19:00 PM
Gina...we are on the same page..,,Panagiota. Hope you had a great day Panagiota
David McHattie
Date: 10/12/2019 5:37:00 PM
Well put my friend. Life is not as complicated as most people think. Have a great day.
Panagiota Romios
Date: 10/12/2019 6:15:00 PM
Greetings David. Always love to hear your input. Panagiota xx
I look back to who I once was...
A shadow of a former me?
Or a shadow of a hidden me...
Once loving, compassionate and kind,
Always putting others before,
Loving all, giving all, all in all.
Wearing its heart on its sleeve,
Only to have it scorned and criticized,
To have it thrown in the dust of too muchness,
For it's glare was too bright,
It could not be looked upon,
It could not be understood..
For where does such a love originate,
For why would it be that one would love another so,
Without price or without thought,
But there was a price,
A price paid in scars, pain and numbness,
Paid by the giver, all in all.
A heart trampled in dust over and over,
until deeper and deeper it goes,
out of sight, out of pain,
Where no more it's shine can be seen,
No more it's warmth can be felt,
No more can it be trampled upon.
Yet still if you listen closely,
it's murmur can be heard,
If you peer through the thickets,
a shimmer can be caught,
If you pass by - while the gates are open - you will see it smiling at you with arms wide open,
wanting to embrace all once more, wanting to tell all that this love was born from the selfless love of another, a love that gave all and thought nothing of itself, a love that just gave and gave and never stoped giving, was born from the love of a mother who taught it how...
The day’s hot-the wind like a convection oven
Blows hot air in our faces.
My cap and gown insulates me
Baking me like a potato wrapped in aluminum foil
I desperately fan myself and look around
My eyes search for my peers and see;
The bros that survived school with me;
The others who shouldn't have;
The girls with memories already wet in their eyes;
The people I never met and will never know;
All desperately fanning themselves
In silence and in waiting.
We all are waiting for the same thing-
What's next to come.
For some it will be their names
For another a trip to boot camp
For many including myself- college
A couple can't wait to forget the tortures of high school
And a few will already be planning our high school reunion
because it was the best years of their life.
As I bow my head, not out of sadness,
but out of sheer defeat by the sun,
I scuff up my dress shoes in the clumpy grass of the field-
that just finished another infamous drawn out lacrosse season,
I'll be thinking about the 4 plus years, 8 seasons,
worth of drilling and conditioning I did in that very field and on the surrounding track,
With a flash of ivory across my sweating face
I'll be thinking about
All the nooks and crannies
that I sanctioned for the intimate meetings of my girlfriends
The times caught and not,
All the heartbreaks and rejections,
The friends made, the best friends kept, and the many lost.
The drama, stupidity, and immaturity,
Everything that was and used to be.
And, all this time spent waiting-preparing
for this one moment
You can't help but remember it all
And with one, final sweet goodby-
"NICHOLAS BELLO!"
It was a heartfelt indulge of an act
The night like knights we lighted
Like a king yah served my want
Like a deal we moved on and on
To the peak, the click of a nick
The first time, like a key and lock
Felt like a gentle, acted like a man
So young,naive, live and one
What led me there blasts my mind
What clogged into me is a virus not got
Had no intention nor retention for it
Thought not that what could follow
Not a life, a son to come through
Left with a smiley Illy face down the line
Like a plane never turned to take time
Left like a soldier out of a war field
Left all aback, your calls for blocks
Thought not again of the beauty of you
For to me it was like a ball to score and go
My conscious coined erect when you first called
Your message, I father another, a son
Like a a shock it stroke my nerves awake
The senseless triggered act of infatuation
The heartless deed and leave like a wind
Felt so silly and illy, but had nothing to counter
Figured and structured a reply but went dumb
Tried and cried but solved nothing
Sorry to say so young for parenting
Not ready to further father a kid.
Son, I'm so proud that you elected to serve in the United States Marines.
Military service is a family tradition - it just happens to be in our genes!
Your forefathers have worn the uniform since the genesis of this nation.
All were privileged to serve, feeling that it was their solemn obligation!
One of your distant relatives served as a lieutenant in The Revolution.
He lost an arm at Brandywine to boost this nation's glorious evolution!
A soldier on your mother's side was a sergeant in the Battle of New Orleans.
In letters he told of subsisting on meager rations of rancid pork and beans!
A grandfather shouldered a musket in the Mexican War affair.
Another, a corporal of cavalry in the Union Army served with elegant flair!
In the Spanish-American fray, one of your kin charged up San Juan Hill.
Your great grandpa led a platoon in World War One with consummate skill!
Your granddad was a fighter pilot in the South Pacific and became an ace,
And he later soared as an astronaut through the vast reaches of space!
I was privileged to serve as an army chaplain during the Korean War.
Your Aunt Sarah served with distinction in Viet Nam with the Nurses Corps!
So, you see son, you have a distinguished heritage upon which to build,
Serving all humankind to ensure that our quest for liberty is fulfilled!
Godspeed, Marine! Here's my old wartime copy of the Twenty-Third Psalm.
When assailed from all sides, it will provide you with great solace and calm!
Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired
© All Rights Reserved
Placed No. 4 in Gail Doyle's "Writing A Heartfelt Poem To A Soldier" Contest
July 2012
chemistry confounds me
how can it be
that one person
can be seen by others
so very differently
What makes the difference?
One sees sinner
the other sees saint
how can this be
it's a mystery to me
I see someone whom I love
being reviled
and someone who is vile
being glorified
why is there chemistry with some
While others show only apathy
I don't understand
you see, how can people look at me
so differently
one sees a flower
another a thorn
one sees a gem
another a stone
one sees a little girl
another a seductress
one sees a hurting heart
another a vengeful villainess
explain this enigma to me
I'm still just ME
what makes the difference?
Oh...now I see
the eyes see the same image
but the heart is the interpreter
and those who see the beauty
and those who see the beast
are merely seeing
what is peering out at them
from the very depths
of their
own
hearts.
Eileen Manassian
One is aware while one is asleep,
One is a ruler another a sheep.
One is so ruthless while one is so kind,
One is all-seeing while another is blind.
One is a guru while another a clown,
One wears a smile another a frown.
One experiences paradise while one lives in hell,
One is risen while another has fell.
One is a scholar and one needs taught,
One is a savior another needs fought.
One is colossal while one is minute,
One is peaceful while another a brute.
One is so spotless and another a stain,
One is so humble another is vain,
One is courageous and one has cold feet,
One is integral while another deceit.
One lives in the future and one in the past,
One lives in the now another thinks fast.
One is soul bearing the other hides dirt,
One has been healed and one has been hurt.
One sees the light while one lives in dark,
One is a minnow another a shark.
But all of these i describe lie inside me,
These appear to be opposites but they're on the same tree.
The order in life has shown me both sides,
Slipping around thankful for all of these rides.
Its just experiencing that duality thing,
I am the ying while i am the yang.
Just complimentary counterparts that dance around me,
Accepting both sides is the happiness key.
Time is a great cure
For what I'm not sure
Time is only for this minute
If you live another a cure is in it!
Life is time and living it is the cure
Working is the blood of being secure
Money, money, money needs no friend around
Good health is times only sound!
So, P.S. My friends have the Time of your life!
The Silver Scribe