Best Approx Poems
I'd have loved to see the bluebirds fly
above the white chalk-cliffs of Dover--
and as they were blithely soaring over,
immersed in thought I'd lie
in calm repose upon that beach,
admiring their swooping forms,
evanescent, in fleeting storms,
like ballet ... far beyond my reach.
Frisking, fragile, carefree birds,
symbolic through intrinsic meaning --
like sterling hope and freedom's words
light English springs, forever greening:
while England fought the bitter fight
to hold at bay the 'fall of night.'
Author notes
November 20, 2004 - approx 112 words
What makes Britain great? The entire world would be speaking German and Japanese right now if not for British courage in the face of overwhelming adversity.
Setting, approximately June, 1941, Dover Beach, immediately following the Battle of Britain.
This is a published poem, copyrighted, and it takes you to a specific place as well as a specific time, when the world was at war and the fate of all mankind hung in the balance. It is relevant because we are fast approaching another such time. Bluebirds are not found in the British Isles, but I wrote the poem before I became aware of the fact. The curator at the Dover Museum said I should just leave it that way, as bluebirds, since the song, The White Cliffs of Dover, specifically named bluebirds.
Update: BLUEBIRD is an old country name for swallows and house martins, which have a blue sheen to their plumage. These migrants arrive from the continent in spring and leave in autumn, crossing the English Channel. So these bluebirds appear at least twice a year over the white cliffs and no doubt many spend the entire summer in the vicinity of Dover. As portents of improving weather, swallows and martins are traditionally believed to bring good fortune.
The poem, a quasi-Petrarchean sonnet, is being archived with other writings about Dover and The Second World War by the Dover Museum, in Dover, England.
This sonnet was published in Sonneto Poesia, Volume 3, Number 1, Winter,
2003-2004
Written July 20th, 2003
Categories:
approx, world war ii,
Form:
Sonnet
Behind these gates lay quite the scene
So very surreal, yet not a dream
Beautiful headstones, manicured lawns
My God the memories this place spawns
The winding road, first turn to the right
Back to the beginning of my plight
Stopping next to the second trail
My heart and head pound like hell
On the left eleven headstones away
Like a movie my memory starts to play
People gathered from all around
My mother knew everyone in town
At the time I was still unable to speak
My shattered psyche was far too weak
I stood there broken and full of fear
Ashamed I could shed not a single tear
Ashamed I could speak not a single word
Inside my head so many voices heard
What did those voices have too say
That’s another story for another day
Those gates now hold so many I love
Everyone I once held above
Last time I entered them I was 32
Even though those gates hold all of you
Next month I’ll go back and explain why
Tell my mother the reason I couldn’t cry
Apologize to her for being broken
Leave flowers, a poem, and my N.A. token
That way she will know without any doubt
What her little boy ended up being all about
That her little boy is not broken anymore
Overcoming adversity is what adversity is for
And one day when I’ve completed my fate
I’ll be looking for her, “Beyond the Gate”
The Shafter, California cemetery holds my mother, Grandparents, my cousin James and many
close friends. The last time I visited them was approx. 18 years ago. It’s very strange
that I received, “Beyond the Gates” as my topic, because; I’ve been planning this trip for
months now. If not for that fact I would have most likely written this poem about prison
gates. I reckon all things happen for a reason. Thank you Constance writing this poem has
given me strength to help me do what I plan to do. Go make amends to the person who gave
me life and taught me the things, which stuck with me through it all. My Grandparents
never lost hope in me and always said, "One day Mikey will remember the things we taught
him and return to the Lord." I think they will be proud of the man who comes to visit them
next month.
Categories:
approx, angst, childhood, death, hope,
Form:
Couplet
T20 is its new name
a fast action cricket game
Now, has world-wide acclaim-
An evening sport of my youth
Re-packaged..in truth ..long -in-the-tooth
NOTE:Twenty overs a side cricket,under lights, is set to rival soccer as a
spectator sport,was played in the early 'f'ifties as an amateur evening league
after work,lasting approx two hours,in May thru July before the evening light
faded.Nothing new under the sun,except for marketing men! Watch out this could become as popular as soccer now is at female level in parts of US ....might even compete with baseball at pro level !Now that would be something!
Categories:
approx, soccer, sports,
Form:
Narrative
Himmelsscheibe von Nebra
Von Raubgräbern beschädigt
Relikt aus der Bronzezeit
Abbild von Mond und Plejaden
Bronze, Goldblech und Malachit
Ein einmaliges Artefakt
Jetzt im Museum von Halle
The Sky Disc of Nebra
Damaged by swag diggers
A fine relict from Bronze Age
An image of moon and Pleiades
Bronze, golden metal and malachite
What an unique artifact
Now in the museum of Halle
El Disco de Cielo de Nebra
Dañado por excavadoras de robo
Un vestigio fino de Edad de Bronce
Una imagen de luna y Pleiades
Bronce, metal de oro y malaquita
Artefacto tan único
Ahora en el museo de Halle
Note. The Sky Disc of Nebra (Saxony-Anhalt, Germany) is a bronze disk with applications of
gold and apparently show astronomical phenomenons and symbols of religious application
areas. It is presumed to be the worldwide oldest concrete image of the sky and one of the
most important archaeological finds from the Bronze Age. The disk was found by swag
diggers in July 1999 in a stone chamber on the Mittelberg near the town of Nebra. It is
now part of the "Landesmuseum für Vorgeschichte Sachsen-Anhalt Halle" (State Museum of
Prehistory Halle). The circular disk is approx. 12.6 in in diameter and about 0.18 in
thick in the centre and 0.07 in at the rims. Based on associated finds (a bronze sword,
two axes, a chisel and fragments of spiralled bangles), the disk was probably buried in
1600 B.C. and made between 2100 and 1700 B.C.
Details and pictures can be seen on http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Himmelsscheibe_von_Nebra
Categories:
approx, historyimage, sky,
Form:
Tanka
Coma like consciousness resurfaces
Enclosed in a capsule shaped sleep chamber
A few vague abstract shapes pass and repass
Overhead LED lights flash response
Feeling for control pressure area
Oxygen floods now obsolete chamber
The glass frame clicks and glides swiftly open
Stepping out Grayson squats to do knee bends
"Hi" and a friendly tap on his shoulder confirms
First Mate Adams has likewise awakened
Refreshed after a dry crystal shower
He meets up with his colleague once again
The onboard computer interrupts with
update logistical data read out
Which lasts approx. eleven earth hours
Grayson takes up his first watch duty role
Familiarising relevant complans
Compiling notes on configurations
While studying the moon's crater surface
Alien report flashes up on screen
Sentient. All O.K. No import flares
Star Planet Ogilvy one light year away
"Hi Grayson", greets Adam's approaching frame
"Any adverse affects from your nano sleep?"
"No Doc", Grayson responds positively
Then automatically checks his stun gun
Noting Adams back view does not compute
A pulsating neck protuberance glows red
Horror struck Grayson then sees it turn purple
As he raises his gun to eye level
Adams then turns unexpectedly
Seeing the lazar ray hone in on him
Smile freezes and registers shock on his face.
Dated: 9th March 2014
Categories:
approx, science fiction, planet,
Form:
Free verse
repost inspired by Phil contest
IT'S NOT CRICKET
Twenty-twenty is its new name
For this fast action cricket game
Now, set to find world-wide acclaim-
An evening sport of my youth
Re-packaged..but really long -in-the-tooth
NOTE:Twenty overs a side cricket,under lights, is set to rival soccer as a
spectator sport,was played in the early 'f'ifties as an amateur evening league
after work,lasting approx two hours,in May thru July before the evening light
faded.Nothing new under the sun,except for marketing men! Watch out this could
become as popular as soccer now is at amateur level in parts of US ....might
even compete with baseball at pro level !Now that would be something!
Categories:
approx, sports,
Form:
Verse
glass heart shaped with pride
engulfing ones soul within...
nature at it's best
joined poetrysoup. approx 6/10/2012
penned 4 june 2016
Categories:
approx, heart,
Form:
Haiku
damp mold smell of the earth
slaves of destruction some seven thousand strong
made into moles
tunnels miles, miles long
nine hundred each month on the
backs beaten on to win a war
miles above on the land...
darkness disrupted by dim, flickering lights
death struts unceasingly below
as above
the madness of men
staged
with no intermissions..
cries and moans struck by
sharp shouts and
drilling machines scream
excrement and urine mix
with blood and sweat
and choking dust with
bits of sliver-sharp shards
flying off
slicing into skin
layer upon layer levels of concrete
shelves manned under the hands of evil..
rockets slowly rolling into place..
menacing, sharp nosed tubes to shoot
into the heavens then
turn down and
scream towards towns..
no warning..
no hiding..
hits bursting, busting, disintegrating flesh
on what was only moments before
just a soft, sunny, average day
**approx. EIGHTY MILLION Souls Passed Away in World War II**
Categories:
approx, anger, betrayal, hate, history,
Form:
Free verse
Life is full of fun;
But without batten
Of values beacon
Life will be just a hun.
If you want in life won
Approx values bidden –
Not money, values one
Can lead to success done.
Difference between bison
And you is not a billion
But values based action.
It sets your steps begun
From beast to a good human.
Categories:
approx, philosophy,
Form:
Monorhyme
ROCKS IN OUR HEADS
On the precipice of reality, a golden boulder came to rest
Refusing to go over the top, just teetering upon the edge
People gather from all around, spellbound by such a sight
Believing it's a sign from god, build a temple atop in delight
A random event one of many, across our universe every day
Inexplicable, undeniable moments of happenstance at play?
Thought provoking, prayer invoking, indeed god evoking life
Why does nature stop marbles dead, on the edge of a knife
A proposition to intelligence, logic doesn't stand a chance
Every problem thought solved, merely one human glance
Scratching away at the surface, scratching away our heads
Eventually exposes brain tissue, more often gravel beds
Spacetime curves in on itself, wormholes let through light
Photons can traverse Indian file, singularities have no size
Infinity never even started, now it's here, refusing to end
Looking closer at that golden boulder, it's really quite a gem
KYAIKTIYO PAGODA MIRAMAR
Boulder Weighs approx 450 tons
How long it's there is anyone's guess
Unseen seekers
Vibrant inward feelings contest
24/02/22
Categories:
approx, allusion, god, humanity, universe,
Form:
Rhyme
Curiosity sparks the flame anew;
desire burns from thoughts of you.
Anticipation spreads its entangling web,
and I'm caught in the longing for more.
Dare I dream that you are real?
Dare I dream these emotions to feel?
Dare I expose my heart to your touch,
and let your love heal me (wanting too much...)
One lifetime... two hearts....
One love....
Pray will last.
(approx. 1997)
Categories:
approx, hope, lovedream, longing, dream,
Form:
Free verse
A life so fragile, placed in your hands,
To mold and teach to understand....
To mold a caring and honest soul,
to teach morals, and to set a goal.
To understand feelings, to accept without change,
to love without judgment,
To be a friend
A live, MY life, placed in your hangs,
to watch me grow, to help me plan.
To know one day you must set me free
to live the life I choose for ME.
(written approx. 1983, for Soni.)
Categories:
approx, childhoodme, life, me,
Form:
Rhyme
BETA—Get your munitions. Transmissions state your location. Defense will be here in
approx five minutes.
Agent—Thanks, it’s time to leave.
BETA—Good idea.
BETA alarmed Agent of an Associate vehicle in the next room. Agent charges into the
garage to find a large military green pick-up truck. They jumped in and roared the
engine. As they drove down the inner driveway, and crashed through the door to
outside, BETA give the nearest “safe” point. They drove toward the outskirts of the city
hoping for safety. The reach a small village and stop to rest.
BETA—The locals here are anti-war people. We may have a chance to stay the night.
Agent— Sure- Is there a place to stay?
BETA— There is a town terminal a block down. That should give you information about
a place to sleep.
Agent— A terminal? Why would I use a terminal?
BETA— It provides info about anything in the area. Like a computer.
Agent—I know what it is. I want to know, why you don’t know if there is a place to
stay?
BETA—I’m not programmed to things that are not war-related
Agent—O.K. lets move…
-In these times most towns with a high enough population have a sheltered place
where there are terminals or computers that have maps and other things for travel and
such-
Agent gets back in the truck and started down the road toward the center of town.
BETA directed him to the building he was searching for.
Categories:
approx, adventure
Form:
Prose Poetry
AND ON THE 25TH OF DECEMBER,
19-, I DIED AS A STRICT SATANIC MEMBER;
CALLED HOME BY MY FATHER STILL TO BE KNOWN-
BUT HAD I ANY HOPE? I BELIEVE NONE.
I CAME TO MY SENSES, THE AREA COLD,
AND I FELT A WEIGHT ON ME IN THE COLD HOLD;
A STRANGLING WEIGHT, AN UNKNOWN HUMAN BEING:
BUT I WAS DEAD – IN THE MORTUARY’S BIN.
“WHO ARE YOU UNTOP ME?” I ASKED AS CORPSES
SAY-“YOU ARE A HEAVY CORPSE:BAD SIZES.
I HEARD HIM YAWN AND STIR AS CORPSES DO.
“ WHAT ! DON’T YOU FEEL THE COLD? HAVEN’T’Y A CLUE.
“HERE’S A MORTUARY, AND I NEED ALL HEAT.”
I MERELY SIGHED, REGRETTING THE PIT.
“AND I AM DUE TODAY.” I HEARD HIM SAY.
“ THEN LET’S ENJOY THE TIME WE HAVE IN PLAY.
AND … AND WE HEARD THE MORTUARY’S DOOR CREAK
FOR TRULY HE WAS DUE FOR A SAD PICK:
A TIME WHEN FAMILY MEMBERS SO WEEP
WHILE OTHERS ATE DINNER WITHOUT SLEEP.
EXTRACTED FROM THE EPIC: “THE LAST DAY’S TALE.”
BY NFORCHE GERALD
APPROX: 600 STANZAS LONG.
SEARCHING FOR A PUBLISHER.
Categories:
approx, losstime,
Form:
Epic
Lollipop kisses (sticky sweet)
Impress their nectar upon your whiskered cheek:
Your hand absently wiped away their adolescent aftertaste.
Despondent arms:
Outstretched for a reassuring (pretentious) hug
Grasp only the stale air of your indifference
Breathed upon my naively upturned face:
Smothered in incognizance.
Does it mystify?
That I have excommunicated myself from
Your well rehearsed pleasantries?
Your hypocritical attempts to condone justification of
Your displaced loyalty simply compounds the situation.
Your bed is not mine to lie in -
Your rules no longer mine to follow.
Perhaps now you will be the one to recite fairy-tales
On feather-filled pillows, as silent tears cascade down
Self erected barricades, puddling by your cheek...
Pray you never hear the lone hoot owl
As he waits impatiently by your grave...
(approx. 1999)
Categories:
approx, angst, childhood, father
Form:
Personification