Best Apiece Poems
Harvey the Hippo
Harvey is a huge hippopotamus
Who bathes in a bay that is bottomless
HIs mouth is as large as a riverboat barge
And he weighs ten times more than a lot of us
Big Harvey isn’t nasty or troublesome
Nor like other guys who are double dumb
He just wanders around stomping the ground
Looking for pieces of bubble gum
Harvey owns a fine yellow cummerbund
And sewn on the back is the number one
He wears it right proudly and bellows quite loudly
While playing outside in the summer sun
Once Harvey met up with a crocodile
Together they decided to walk a mile
Near the shore they strolled, but the water got cold
So they sat down to talk on the dock a while
Eating Oreo cookies about four apiece
They talked about matters of war and peace
They discussed the economy, art, and astronomy
And the huge immigration of foreign geese
Then walking back toward his new shiny house
Harvey stopped for a chat with a tiny mouse
Her name was Du Barry; they decided to marry
And soon come a baby named Stanislaus
A handsome young child was Stanislaus
Dressed up in his fine silken Spanish blouse
They all had made history; this was no mystery
For Stan was the first Hippopotamouse
Huge Harvey adored his sweet ladylove
From her wee little feet to her head above
He brought her some strings and other fine things
Including a snowy white turtledove
Harvey has grown really mellow now
He seldom produces a bellow now
But if you’re down by the bay, you can still see him play
This wondrous and gentle old fellow now
Time...
Time is a vehicle used to travel through life's passages,
Then once you have arrived at a point of understanding,
Your actions speak like deafening utterances,
Wisdom and foolishness are the children of your experiences,
Each occasion is used as tools,
To capture apiece of a moment,
So it can stand out in your heart,
Like the most precious of jewels,
Daytime will not wait for no one,
For the seconds turn to minutes and minutes turn to hour,
Plus, hours turn to days and days turn to weeks,
As well as weeks turn to months and months turn to years,
Then our youth looks as if it has vanished,
While the solutions to those problems seem to have appeared,
Nighttime will eventually come for everyone,
For there is rest for weary and sleep in the midnight hour,
As sand passes through the hour glass of life,
All we can do is live it to the fullest,
In hopes of receiving the most precious gift of Christ,
Time is a vehicle used to travel through life's passages,
As some travel swift and others travel slow,
When it is finish it is complete,
Where your fate rest only you know,
Time...
Mr. Franklin "coined" that old saw, "A penny saved is a penny earned!"
I mused upon that fabled adage and for the olden days I yearned.
Then, a penny was worth a cent, but, alas, it ain't no more.
Ah! The myriad of things a penny could buy at the local store!
For a penny you could send a postal card through the mail.
And for a mere copper you'd get your weight read on a scale!
A penny would give you a handful of nuts from peanut machines,
And for the same, get a fistful of scrumptious and colorful jellybeans!
I recollect the cutesy cards we shared for the school Valentine party.
They cost a cent apiece and were so witty and so very arty!
As the cards were distributed, secret admirers gave a sly grin.
Blushin' lads received saccharine cards much to their chagrin!
A copper penny would purchase a huge all-day sucker to lick,
Or a twisted string of chewy red or black licorice on a stick!
You could buy a kite with your penny or some candy cigarettes,
Or some wax-bottled sugar water or silly false teeth sets!
Ain't it ironic that the profile of Honest Abe whom we so revere,
Appears on the coin that we toss about and treat so cavalier!
Even in my second childhood, I'll still pick a penny off the ground!
Shucks! "Someone's disdain for that lowly coin is my treasure found!"
Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired
© All Rights Reserved
First Place Win in Joe Flach's "In Other Words" Contest - September 2010
To be blessed
May the Lord Almighty set me free
To peacefully pace in His island’s lee
When the vice storms in a lusty surge
And Eden earth is thrashed with its scourge
When ethics to the right, to the left, adrift
And loosely swings in the tiring rift
When trains of thoughts on logic cease
And apothegms of love are trampled apiece
When war and war and war and no peace
And themes of strife are the best release
When peacemakers procrastinate
And terms of truce wholly terminate
When vacant words are in phoniness drenched
And policy pageants of the world are clenched
When nations forswear ingenuous deeds
And on travesties their heartache feeds
When hearts are sullied by Lies and Sins
And eyes deny afflicted beings
When stingy hands, know none to lend
And on vagrant feet sufferings descend
When man misdoubts “where is the Lord”?
And “when will He drum his heavenly chord”?
I pray to the Lord to set me free
For a blessed soul, I wish to be
Santa’s Promise
My Granny was riding a reindeer,
out back on the lawn by our shed.
It looked like a bull riding contest
but the horns were a rack instead.
My Papa was sitting and watching
while he cheered for the bucking steer.
Oh Dad, I don’t know what you’re drinking
but that bull is a North Pole deer.
While Granny was hooting and clicking,
‘ole Santa appeared on our shed.
“Now, Granny I kept up my promise
and Dancer is leading the sled.”
“Tonight is the eve of the Christ birth.
It’s a night of world love and peace.
The magical sleigh of believing
starts midnight with love gifts apiece.”
He waited while Granny dismounted,
then Dancer proceeded to bow,
about that time, Dad had miscounted…
He passed out while toasting the cow.
Janet L Vick
Quatrain form
It's a cool mesure of life blood low
keeping the venous vacant return and arterial alert
compressive but maniacal
down deep fried effervesence continued a bliss
smooth blow horn alive high frequency antedote
fever pitch a b--i-- t==...c,,,h mellow deed digestive
cornerstone just picked, not canned cloud
billows apiece with networks intact
sublime charged unpatterened--to gut cord
noose cadence couffiures---who needs to look
when you can heartfeel the resonance trueblue
mild like casket breaths mishapen to formless
'guises compact summer stated summer not
he--ightened proseless panarama to stiffle
the mistermasters time corrided but indelibly
remembered and "coited to us"---like
creature interruptus. Follow the ill laid scheme
and bottleneck every word line graph to a sinomeasure
rhyme myth only time will tell tribute
pour the mind from the soul fill the void with the
gush of private reserve subvintage--but held
crime captive via socioprocastination of free, non taxable
no interest due, no penalty for "early withdrawal"
purely personal, single minded, "brand H-one
owner single sibiling thought jester cannibal
yum yum eat'em up eat'em up.
18 Stoic Faces
- by Bob Atkinson
eighteen stoic faces
faced four who had come
to read the erudite refrains
of poets both dead and gone
readings were in earnest spoken
for respect for some who had
garnered from the establishment
accolades, awards, well sanctioned
yes, eighteen stoic faces
faced four who read so good
those meaningless diatribes
of useless linguistic words
significance became not evident
for similes provided here
metaphors vaguely crafted caused
me not them to revere
this didn't change my attitude
my demeanor didn't rise
waiting for an end to it
was my only real desire
so I couldn't clap and whistle
and be smiling in my face
that would not have been sincere
became just a little bit ashamed
whistle I didn't do at all
felt not much real emotion
gave a polite nod to those speaking
headed quickly out the door
save me from disjointed thoughts
can't those people see the truth
senseless disorganization
does not good poetry produce
of those thoughts not poetry
I firmly do believe
the fireplace requires cellulose
for bright flames to feed
listless words written poorly
carried my imagination not
was frozen in my dreamy state
rusted any worthwhile thoughts
next week went to Vegas
to see the eagle band
and watch as pure emotion
rocked that audience grand
ten thousand had paid apiece
a couple hundred bucks
to see those wordly masters
like Henley, Frey and such
they told of the situation
which emotion played upon
a woman's real life choices
why she'd become despondent
ten thousand cheered upon
recognition of great words
displayed while coddled with sounds
soft guitars and drums beat purrs
I thought "now here lies real poetry"
not those prissy kind of words
that speak only of the unimportant
with wispy mindless verbs
some lock credentials grand
for that which moves us not
and laugh at the suggestion
that song is our greatest art
me, I have a vision
that we shall all enjoy
songs we've grown up with
as emotional literal tomes
STAINS OF BLOOD
I heard the cries from far away
The sounds of anguish all the way
The tears had flowed like Tsunami floods
A plague has led our land awry
Scenes of passionate rages reigned
Heartbreaks, shots of depression rained
Like an abattoir filled with bones and blood
Our lands became awash with blood
Heartless hands that maimed our men
Have struck our land with darts at will
With gruesome tact their tasks were done
The task to slay our men away
We saw our warriors staggered and fell
With bloodied limbs and heads and being
We saw our kindreds breathe their last
And could not awake to our calls and groans
Can you hear the helpless orphan’s howl
Their mothers struck with shock untold
As their losses, pains and grief unfold
Oh, who shall mend their hearts apiece!
…Dedicated to the many lives who have been devoured by sectarian terrorist attacks in my nation… and beyond…
I remember the day of my nine pitch inning.
Though it happened over forty years ago.
The day was hot, yet cloudy,very little breeze.
I went through my usual stretching and running.
The guys knew to leave me alone before the game.
The stadium was slowly filling, an early crowd.
It had rained in the morning and the grass was damp.
The fresh cut grass was sticking to my cleats,
which meant the mound's clay would too.
I didn't know much about the other team,
except they were from the Red's organization.
Then again they'd never seen me either.
We were the home team, so I took the mound first.
My catcher and I had just met, me having just been brought up.
We decided to go all fast balls to get into a rhythm.
The first batter stepped up, a tall right handed hitter.
Tom my catcher set up with the center of his body,
six inches off the outside of the plate.
This meant if I hit the glove where he had it,
it would be a ball.I used a two seam grip,
putting pressure on the outside finger.
This would make the ball appear futher out,
before breaking about seven inches towards the hitter.
Still a ball, but something for him to see,
to leave in his mind.To our amazement the umpire
set up directly,behind my cathcher.
The call, strike one!Tom and I looked at each other and smiled.
I immediately changed to a four seam grip,
which stays on a truer line.The next two pitches were six inches off
yet called strike two!Strike three!
The next two batters were set down in order.
Three pitches apiece.All balls.All called strikes.
After that inning and a few helmets slammed,
along with a few bats.We never got that pitch called
a strike again.The umpire had called those pitches,
not by the plate, but, by the center of my catcher.
We thought it funny to strike three guys out,
on nine pitches, none that were actually a strike,
And none that were swung on by any batter.
contest..Batter Up
Songs and lullabies of yours still echo in my ears
Hands that caressed me, the soft touch still lingers
And your cheer ups helped me to move on, dear
Never ever you let me remain sad and in tears
To you I used to turn when I was treated unfair
In your absence but, I felt quite overawed, I swear
Mother! You are still etched in my memories
You are ensconced in heart’s golden reveries
May you also be blessed and rest in peace
Oh dear! We pray and wish you get solace
Times cannot tear a loving silhouette apiece
Happy Mothers’ Day, our love does not cease
Else I would have drowned in depth of seas
Remain you will, my life’s firm centerpiece
SHANTI (My Mother's name; it means peace)
02.04.2015
*Image of Lovers Night by Pinterest.
Tale of The Night Movers
Hail, a phantom moon
traversing its cloaked
chambered recesses
of her prevalent crown.
Unspool gently and host
minding eyes immersed
within your ethereal pull
exacting Cupid's pursuit
impresses dependably.
Slay suspicious initiatives
yond hints of their riddled
hearts pausing serenity
and tryst capers a fullness
until dawning climbs to a
whispering.
Anticipatory confidences
secure immature adoration,
gift a sense of a certain fling,
for shared planned proof that
sensorial alliance is immortal.
Abiding hearts, minds, and
souls and that its permanence
lingers in all three entities to
be truly entrusted versus all
hardships that dare.
Any challenge purposeth
distraction swayed to disrupt
sanctioned harmony and
impose their nightly fight and
an easy win over the weak.
Lovers supposed union is but
a temporal existence, and
Cupid's aim slumbered apiece,
held in stasis as hostages host
for thoughts to fester.
A mire of serendipity and wished
upon measures of advice, out
from this unlit pullback of the
unimaginative lost, but hail to
the victorious and glorious.
Righteous grit encountering the
opaque influences of damaging
desires to hoodwink the candid
that wore down night's ethical
battle and fortuitous claim.
Justified inevitableness outlasts
twilight's hold by conquering the
gloaming tripped-upon dawn's
call ends nightmarish corps to
collapse.
Cherubs reward a star's chariot
ascent who condones a handheld
coursing and are hereby blessed
with a kiss of permanence and a
dreamt descent.
2022 July 30
Two sets
Apiece
To each player
And this is the
Final set...
What a contest!
Both the players
Fighting to win
The match
Is equal
The scoreboard
6-6
And we enter
The tiebreaker,
An ace
And the first point
To X
Serve and volley
And the first point
To Y
14 shots
And an unforced error
By Y
There's the second point
To X
Another Ace
And the third point
To X
Double fault
And the second point
To Y
First serve
And the third point
To Y
Players
Take a break...
8 shots
And the fourth point
To Y
Amazing!
A net point
Won by Y again!
A drop shot
By X
A lob
Followed by
A slice
Now Y leads
6-4
Match point for Y
16 shots
And a lovely forehand
By X
6-5
An ace
6 all
Now, that's an amazing game!
An ace for Y
Another match point...
What a strong backhand!
X gets the point
The match goes on...
5 shots and Y
Plays it into the net
A costly error!
Match point for X
A powerful serve
And volley
9-7
Game! Set! Match!
And X wins the Wimbledon
For the first time!!!
4th March 2023
Forbears,Edie,Kate and Ann furnished apiece with brush and pan.Each
Victorian 'Miss' tied in service's abyss.Far off days,now long gone,their toil each
day was lengthy and long.With fires to light,floors to scrub,and carpets to brush
and drub.Mops forbidden,as they smeared the dirt and begrimed their prim
alpaca aproned skirt.They cleaned 'his' tub,emptied 'her' commode,a regular
chore in a housemaid's daily load.Must rise at six but never to mix and no matter
what,keep a stiff upper lip.Never lose your cool,a formal curtsey the perpetual
rule.Half day off once per month,so free to roam and catch the omnibus home.No
other opportunities in store except a marriage at eighteen or before.Upstairs and
down stairs ,no in between,starting out at just thirteen and just there to please as Master and his Lady take their ease.
Twoday is terrific Tuesday at TROUBLES DOUBLES DINER.
EVERY TUESDAY guests can have a $2 bargain price if they
Order before 2p.m.
2 times Totally terrific.
Definitely DELICIOUS
DAZZLINGLY DELECTABLE
IS that suspicious?
I said to the waitress TWINIQUE
I'd like to order a meal.
A CHEESE OMELETTE AND 2 CRAB CAKES.
MAKE IT A DOUBLE if it's not to much trouble.
On second thought let me have an eggnog
SHAKE TWO.
I'D LIKE one meal two eat here and the
Second meal to take out.
That's Two orders of the same dish.
Did I FAULTER?
I'M TWO TIRED. I Heard the food here
Is twice as good as all the other joints.
Twinique turned to leave and I told her
"Make it quick and quiet, please.
I observed the place and realized I was one
Of two customers in the establishment.
She turned to leave and I stopped her a
Second time two ask her for 2 pints of water
While I waited.
The winds were whipping at the door.
Is that a twister? Are they sisters? I wondered
As two women entered. Then 2 minutes later
There were 2 men entering hmmm identical twins? I
Mused.
Oh, yes. And I two have a brother we are
Fraternal twins. Of course!!
The two women left, if you're guessing, you may be
Guessing right.
They were TWINS. 2 sets of twins.
My LUNCH ARRIVED 22 minutes later.
I rapidly fed my face, with a ravenous appetite.
She wrapped the second order to go.
I told her I wanted two double surprise ice creams both
Laced with 2 bananas apiece.
I'm much much two impatient.
Wrap those to go, Thank you.
The two bags were set on the counter
2 minutes later I took a cab back two
My 2nd floor apartment at
22 twin state on second avenue, apartment 2B
At eighty he is still a coolie
toiling in paddy lea;
reaping pods and
heaping the seeds.
His sagged muscles working
in wonted harmony
But his brain tired of thought;
of his son who died as a sot; or
of his daughter widowed at twenty past
or his wife pulling weeds at another spot.
He has to carry on this moil; I thought
till death to retain his breath.
Looking at his pitiable plight
a wicked feeling swept my heart.
How great we're in contrast;
honourable servants of the State.
We retire at sixty, in peace.
Take home a lump sum of grant, apiece.
Also a pension for monthly use.
Last but not the least
a T.V and a chair to ease.
All this at what a simple price.
For sleeping forty years in office! ! !