Best Arden Poems
"Red Door"
love opens not
like a red rose,
it caresses you
slowly,
entices you in
holds you
hard and fast,
like a scarlet poppy
opium sweet
inviting, promising
till death do us part,
the elusive everlasting
L'amour est enfant de Bohême
Il n'a jamais, jamais connu de loi
Si tu ne m'aimes pas, je t'aime
Si je t'aime, prends garde à toi !
Si tu ne m’aimes pas
Si tu ne m’aimes pas, je t’aime !
Mais, si je t’aime
Si je t’aime, prends garde à toi !
Euphoric,
intoxicated
as you like it,
as in an Arden dream,
viola tricola potion
dropped softly
sensuously
on seductive eyelids
love-in-idleness
that elixir of l'amour,
Oberon love flies in
mid-summer,
we dance with romance
in the labyrinth’s garden
like a bird caught in a cage
tamed and entranced
L'amour est un oiseau rebelle
Que nul ne peut apprivoiser
Et c'est bien en vain qu'on l'appelle
S'il lui convient de refuser
Rien n'y fait, menaces ou prières
L'un parle bien, l'autre se tait :
Et c'est l'autre que je préfère
Il n'a rien dit mais il me plaît
L'amour ! L'amour ! L'amour ! L'amour !
The red door is opened
love flies in, then,
the gate is closed;
in such sumptuous
sanctuary
we lay down with love
caught in the dream
‘twould seem,
forever naked
exposed to its fatal charm,
holding on tight
for more, like a drug,
love insatiable
insatiable love
L'oiseau que tu croyais surprendre
Battit de l'aile et s'envola ...
L'amour est loin, tu peux l'attendre
Tu ne l'attends plus, il est là !
Tout autour de toi, vite, vite
Il vient, s'en va, puis il revient...
Tu crois le tenir, il t'évite
Tu crois l'éviter, il te tient
L'amour ! L'amour ! L'amour ! L'amour !
We open the door
love flies in, love’s here to stay;
We open the door
love flies away
(LadyLabyrinth / 2023)
Categories:
arden, love, muse, valentines day,
Form:
Romanticism
"Blue Dress"
Temptation
Green as an
Apple
Blue
into the arms
of Hell
Red
"LIFE"
Read
the bite of an Apple
Stopped me short
and
YOU,
despite
all
Yellow Brick Road
Tornadoes
Stood by me
Silent, still, strong and
eloquent
Where is Love sung?
Love is sung
in the
Blue Notes
Dressed in Blue
The letters of a spell
undressed and unravelled
covert under cover
Manifestation sings softly
as you turn over
Jade eyes reflecting
Green four leaf clovers
floating deep in
Secret Oceans of Blue
"Where Do I Belong?"
The Key is held
on a tongue
passed with a dream,
on Mid Summer Night's
Jubilee kiss
from Forest of Arden
MAGIC.
The key is passed
through the Daemon's
Mirrors -
HOME.
(LadyLabyrinth/2019)
Into Temptation / Crowded House
https://youtu.be/fSa1o_vT0EI
1. Brett Whitely
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brett_Whiteley
2. Brett Whitely Studio
https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/brett-whiteley-studio/
3. Lyrics: Into Temptation / Crowded House
https://genius.com/Crowded-house-into-temptation-lyrics
4. Daemon
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daemon_(classical_mythology)
Categories:
arden, books, home, love,
Form:
Romanticism
A warm smile of hello in the sanctuary of poets
The name is Arden G.; here to express not to impress
If I coud do an eye-contact and a firm handshake in the virtual land of PoetrySoup
Would be a dream come true to meet great poets called, "Souper".
If I could move heaven and earth; I'd love to meet Linda or PoetDestroyer, SKAT and Julie Rasley
The first few who commented on my featured poem, "LOVE" and welcomed me as a family
Anne Lise Andresen who always drop by and Sheri Harper that ranked my first poem entry, "A Shot of HIV"
I'll tell them a simple, "THANKS" and encouragement of "MORE POWER".
For no words could capture the emotions of knowing wonderful artists in this world.
Of course I'd like to meet and learn something 'bout Yasmin Khan
Who advocates to bind each poets; pure intentions to make us one
I'll tap her shoulder and tell her, "IT'S A JOB WELL DONE".
Now everybody's sharing their depths and self one by one.
Is there a way to meet the founder of Poetrysoup?
To tell HIM, "BRAVISSIMO" and my new "SOUPER-FRIEND" too.
Arden Gopela
Categories:
arden, celebration, dream, friendship, happiness,
Form:
Free verse
"Dream Swimmers"
Jack of Hearts
Played his sleeve
Violins, no less,
then,
pebbles thrown at windows
3:33
Love Lifted a Page
to another story
Dream Swimmers
Crossing Deep Oceans
with strange tides
Entranced
in the
Sleep of Arden
Love Lifted a Page
to Lake of Magic
a City All Golden
Fingers touched
entwined in the
Sleep of Arden
Mystery
at
3:33
Dream Swimmers
Crossing Deep Oceans
with strange tides
(LadyLabyrinth/2019)
"Swimmers" / Zero 7
https://youtu.be/BpzJgFM78us
"We that are true lovers run into strange capers.”
William Shakespeare, As You Like It
"Do you know
We are the young ghosts
In reverse
Our stories unfold
Moving slow..."
Zero 7
1. Swimmers/ Zero 7, Lyrics
https://genius.com/Zero-7-swimmers-lyrics
2. As You Like It, Shakespeare
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/As_You_Like_It
Page = Ganymede (Jove's own Page)/
Page = Rosalind
Categories:
arden, dream, fantasy, magic, mystery,
Form:
Romanticism
House hunting was a challenge
as the real estate agent drove me around,
I specified that mid-century modern
was my dream and hoped to find it,
determined to be patient and not have a fit.
At an open house I found what I wanted,
a sprawling beauty with ceiling to floor windows,
with a giant sliding glass door that opened wide,
stepping outside into a plush garden,
before my eyes a lovely sight of a verdant arden.
My parent's blonde furniture fits well
throughout the spacious and light rooms,
a white brick fireplace highlights the main room,
matching sunburst mirrors decorate the walls,
a Sputnik chandelier sports its space balls.
I am surrounded with my retro theme,
life in my dream home has come true,
living the past in the present is a treat,
as if time stood still in the golden days,
reminding me of life and its easy ways.
Categories:
arden, dream,
Form:
Rhyme
Don't step on me
sweet Marie
This world is so big
I'm not a candy polka pig
Bend down on your knees
please, Louise
Hello, James
are you ready for guessing games ?
He knew how to be friendly
always spoke gently
When the grass turns yellow and dries
without the shell I may die
I believe you realize it
I'm slimy, yes I admit
My name is Arden
I live in this garden
I carry my house on my back
and sets out on my track
Ha,ha did you guess I was a whale?
No, I'm a happy little snail
02.11.2022
Sun :) - A-L Andresen :)
Copyright © All Rights Reserved
Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Eve Roper
3rd place in the contest
Categories:
arden, animal, children, fun, nursery
Form:
Rhyme
I'm not sure what God sprayed
Smells like angel - scent
While raindrops falling, an aroma detected
Light - fresh smell of earth
That captive my senses
Emotions, desires, leading me everywhere
Evokes memories of joy and laughter
Feels like in a bed of roses
A "FLORAL SCENT", light, pleasant and feminine
Or in a green pasture
Blends with leaves and herbs
A "NATURE - INSPIRED SCENT", relaxing and great
Am I in a deep sea?
Smells refreshing and zingy; an "AQUATIC SCENT" hit me
Think its "CITRUS SCENT", cut oranges and lemon tangy
Enchanting - elusive, an "ORIENTAL SCENT"
Sensual, irresistible, warm and passionate
Something sweet as honey, my dear "VANILLA SCENT"
Seems I'm dressed with perfumes all around
Affordable, impressive and the cleanest of all
Now catching all the raindrops, I will not let it pass
The fragrance of rain to sniff all day.
The Fragrance of Rain - Contest
- Arden H. Gopela
November 16, 2013
Sponsored by: Nette Onclaud
Categories:
arden, beauty, rain, senses,
Form:
Free verse
Little crystals fallen angel tears smooching ground;
Instills cooling touch among grasses, buds and trees;
Facets rolling ambiguity ~ mystery;
Twirls then twines closely rush on branches bounds;
Inches white eerie cloud rhymes hang rest at key;
Nailing anyone to see natural history;
Garden fog silence~ conceals even tricks;
Tinge golden yellow linear streaks thread through
Hovering to break fogs' gloomy cold mood
Enchantment subsides, enlightening arise!
Fog succumbs ~ gradually disappears from view
Orchards' quiet green scenery renewed
Greets my cheeks breezy soft so prize...
(c)Olive Eloisa
6:29pm
July 06,2014
CONTEST NAME: 1 in 4 CHOOSE YOUR ACROSTIC TITLE
SPONSOR: ANDREA DIETRICH
8th place, to God be the glory..:)
Categories:
arden, feelings, imagery, nature,
Form:
Acrostic
Once upon a time
In a vast kingdom of Modern land
Oddly not in a far far a way suburban
Was there a pretty girl
Prettier than the Venus, some claimed
Softer than petals of rose, maids alleged
She was skinny, not eating much
Her maintenance fee were low you might have thought
Her skin softened by Elizabeth Arden moisturizing cream
Her lips were pumped with filling injections so sleek
Red and juicy, arranged to be kissed
By the charming prince’s scruffy skin
Her eyes were bright with different shades of green
Evidently with the help of her favorite optometrist
Botox was her real friend next to her phone
To hide the frown lines even on her jawbones
Her dad had a heart stroke and sadly he died
They say natural cause, I’d say coming upon bills of cosmetic route
Stepmother being mean and nasty as narrators always would define
Didn’t pay for this nonsense no more, how unpleasant of her soul
Snow White of course slammed the door and left all behind
To seven guys for funding, as one she knew could never oblige
Dwarfs dug out diamonds day and night all the time
Their axes broke, their body became excessively sore
Grumpy was forced to take some anger management class
Sleepy went on anxiety pills so he could have a nap
Happy was no longer jolly, struggled with sever depression
Bashful forgot to be shy burst out at the end of the day
“We don’t want you here, please go back to where you descended to us!
Not even our diamonds can suffice this crazy course.”
evicted Snow white got a job at McDonald’s
Was grateful for every penny she gradually grossed
Real life is not about looks or pricy fashion
What dwells inside us has a greater passion
Nobody is expecting us to look like some cover girl image
God is smiling at our curves and flaws, take courage
You are beautiful just the way you naturally are
Won’t you love my big nose and squared jaws?
Feb 3, 2016
"I wrote this for the Once Upon a Time" contest but realized later that Snow White wasn't included in the theme... So here I am.. (With minor amnesia, I guess). Hope that you will like it :)
Categories:
arden, fantasy,
Form:
Free verse
I know where my heart is.
Why do I feel so torn apart?
Maybe I should get back to the start.
At a young age this girl had me sparked.
Me, having girlfriend after girlfriend.
Her, having boyfriend after boyfriend.
Our connection never dripped a drop.
Well...
Maybe once or twice,
before the ball dropped.
The feeling never stopped.
Soon we grew apart.
Out of sight,
but never out of mind.
Rarely did we check in.
We both new this feeling wouldn't end.
Five years pass, or was it six?
Either way,
at the end of '06
we were both in for some surprising...
Our paths crossed.
I don't think our feelings changed a bit.
Stories we exchanged.
How strange it became.
She resided in the south.
I stayed in the north.
I had plenty of time.
So I went back and forth.
Ringing in the New Year once in Vegas.
The next in New York.
Once again the situation came up short...
At last,
she's a member of the '09 graduating class.
I was in, and she was on some other
June we finally met.
From Greenville to Greenwood,
Ashville to Arden county.
Up the Blue Ridge Parkway to the Pisgah mountains.
Next was Grave yard falls.
On to the Paddle Inn,
Down the Nanthala river. (land of the afternoon sun)
Up the Gorge of the Appalachian Trail.
Independence day was spent on Love Isle., at Calhoun Falls.
If we only new how much pain this would cause.
Once again our relationship is taking off.
Enjoying ever piece
of this life changing experience.
Knowing it will all end soon.
We may have blew
it all on the full moon.
If so, It was a great ride.
I had a blast the whole time.
Whatever happens back home,
We'd be fools to be surprised.
Together or apart,
she will always have a piece of my heart.
Once I got a taste
never did I hesitate
to give chase.
Or was I just lead by fate.
Categories:
arden, girlfriend-boyfriend, new year,
Form:
Rhyme
"Haunted"
kept in suspense
the pastoral
disappeared
dreams and visions
are seldom all
that they ever seem
Love meets in
cerebellum blue
Forest of Arden
to twirl around
minds unseen
like fingers
trace scars
as feathers do
where the ghost
Tears of Rien
rip veils gently
parting the
invisible sea
to call turbulence in
like Love seeks Romance
in
The Glistening
haunted
magic
yet to be
(LadyLabyrinth / 2022)
"VERSATILE ASSASSINS | Once Upon A Dream"
Selkie Hom in the Haunted Woods
https://youtu.be/p2nf7mCyOcU
Categories:
arden, dream, love, magic,
Form:
Free verse
S pring is my favourite time of year.
P erhaps because it brings me cheer.
R elieved to have survived winter
I n all it's fearsome, freezing fierceness.
N ow we look to renewed growth.
G arden bursting, spilling forth.
S ummer takes us to the beach.
U nder shade we best retreat.
M ust get in for a swim
M indful that I should stay trim.
E veryone we meet wears a smile.
R elaxed and chatting for a while
A utumn another favourite time.
U nder trees twenty shades of brown.
T ake a walk down country lanes.
U se the light that soon will fade.
M ake the most of open air.
N urture friendships to prepare.
W elcome not those short days.
I walk about in a daze.
N ight at morning, sun is in bed.
T oo cold, must get coal in shed.
E nvy those in sunny climes.
R etreat until it's Spring's time.
Categories:
arden, appreciation, celebration, seasons,
Form:
Acrostic
E-vergreen field forms a landscape
C-omposed of fruitful trees;
O-live, vine, apple, and berry attract birds, butterflies, and bees.
F-riendly to environment
A-nd not harmful to human;
R-aw vegetables you may consume,
M-aking you eat all you can.
I-n spite of the severe poverty,
N-ature offers life far from harm;
G-arden in the land area makes a beautiful eco farm.
Categories:
arden, life, nature,
Form:
Acrostic
Lying in bed, the light of my computer bright
against the still images slowly changing on the silent TV across the room.
Despoiling the image,
nine seventeen, pm
stands out on the bottom of the screen.
My tired head resting from the day's turmoil, unthinking,
unfocused.
In front of me I find myself back on some poetry page.
It appears to be a contest.
Yeah, me writing poetry, much less entering a contest,
what a joke.
I reach over and slip my headphones on,
“All I Ask of You,” from Phantom of the Opera is playing.
The room is dark. The room is quiet.
In the dimness on the wall in front of me
I glimpse a surreal painting my daughter painted.
The lower portion, that of a young woman,
changing to trees and clouds and blue sky.
No eyes to see.
The images imagined in her mind.
In the dimness the homemade gesso,
creating Bas-relief against the canvas, is imagined in mine.
The dark wooden frame stands stark against the rose grey wall,
the matted canvas surrounded by white.
Only sixteen and able to create such
mystery, such allure.
Ellen Greene,
“Stop and See Me,”
such sadness and longing in her voice.
Her giclee print smiling at me to my right, she was eight,
her older sister's, at age three, frames the large window.
Strong and independent, she makes me so proud.
She will likely be moving out soon.
I don't want to think about that.
“Run Away with Me,” Michael Arden,
I lose myself in the music,
“Evermore,” from Beauty and the Beast
(the Josh Groben version).
Loud and all encompassing,
surrounding me in another world,
letting free my emotions, calming my mood,
“I Dreamed a Dream,” Ramin Karimloo,
what's that sound?
I remove my headphones.
It's the dog.
OK, Oliver, I'll take you out.
I turn off the music.
On the screen I see
eleven forty-six, pm.
So much work I've neglected for tomorrow.
07/07/2018
Categories:
arden, time,
Form:
Free verse
A famous earth hero by the name of Flash Gordon,
would venture with his friends Hans Zarkov and Dale Arden,
in an interplanetary rocket invention,
to a faraway planet that is known as Mongo.
Never able to return to the earth they would know,
the three meet Prince Barin and a Princess named Aura.
They rule in exile in a tree land, Arboria.
This land is between a cold polar place, Frigia,
and a very hot region that is called Tropica.
Hawk men live in a sky city ruled by Prince Vultan.
Kala rules an underwater kingdom of shark men.
Prince Thun is the ruler of a land of lion men.
Planet Mongo has been besieged by aggressiveness
from a ruthless conqueror named Ming the Merciless.
He stole the throne from Barin and Ming’s daughter Aura.
Struggles and skirmishes with Ming are a plethora,
as Ming has intentions of ruling the galaxy.
Flash and his friends join Barin against Ming’s great army.
What will happen next with Flash Gordon? Tune in and see!
Categories:
arden, adventure, fantasy, science fictionearth,
Form:
Rhyme