Best Avert Poems
My dress is made of fine peach coloured lace
Hair is in ringlets, which frames my pretty face
The lights in the room cast a romantic glow
My first ever ball; I must go with the flow
The orchestra strikes up a wonderful tune
Ladies and gentlemen glide round the room
I stand on the sidelines I am oh so very shy
Then a dashing young man catches my eye
I smile at him, then I coyly avert my eyes
I find him so handsome; that I cannot disguise
He reaches tenderly for my awaiting hand
We move to the dance floor; oh it is so grand
His arm wrapped around my tiny waist
We dance to the music, there is no haste
So full of excitement at the hope of romance
I float round the room at my very first dance
At the end of the dance he bows down low
My heart is aflutter I hope this does not show
He leads me gently to the side of the room
Sweet roses enchant us, we smell their perfume
Time flies by so fast and we dance all night
He looks in my green eyes and to my delight
Whispers so gently those words I long to hear
You simply are the belle of the ball my dear
He reaches out gently and kisses my hand
My first ever ball has been oh so grand
Sadly now it is time for me to depart
I bid adieu to the man who has stolen my heart
4/1/19
2019 Poetry Marathon Final Placement
Sponsor: Mark Toney
11~15~14
Categories:
avert, dance, romance,
Form:
Rhyme
There’s a party tonight so I bouffe up my hair
Pamper and powder my sweet derrière,
Arrive at the door, all done up to impress.....
Oh man, I forgot! Invite said “fancy dress”!
Pete and Sue are here, seems their theme’s ‘Tarts and Vicars’,
Sue’s skirt’s microscopic! Look at her tiny knickers!
Pete’s in a nun’s habit; the image is scary,
I’ve not seen a nun with a chin that’s THAT hairy!
And there’s Spider-Man! (although I’m perfectly certain,
His cape is made out of his living room curtain),
His curve-hugging costume’s quite “cosy” in size,
I think our friend Spidey gobbled too many flies!
In the corner, a lady has come as Snow White,
Gee, her bosoms are out there, her corset’s so tight,
They look like two bald heads squeezed into a sack,
Glad my hubby’s not here - he’d have a heart attack!
In the hallway, a robot is looking well-oiled -
Her costume’s made out of three rolls of tin foil,
She looks more like a turkey at Christmas, so later,
I really hope no one is tempted to baste her!
By the buffet, Fred Flintstone is looking contrite,
I think he and Wilma are having a fight,
Behaving all “caveman” has got Fred in trouble -
He showed his big man-club to poor Betty Rubble!
There’s a massive man-baby dressed just in a nappy,
The “milk” in his bottle has made him quite happy,
He’s shaking his tooshie and sucking his dummy,
And asking a lady, “can I call you Mummy?”
On the sofa is Princess Fiona from Shrek,
Blimey, Count Dracula’s nibbling her neck,
I avert my eyes to avoid his rising passion,
In walks his wife, and his face turns quite ashen.
His irate wife’s dressed up as pop singer Cher,
In her see through outfit she looks almost bare,
Then she lays into Drac just like Rocky Balboa -
She’s drunk as I skunk, I’m relieved I don’t know her!
Suddenly, Batman bursts through the door,
In his skintight costume - my jaw hits the floor!
He’s so muscular - bulges in all the right places,
If I play my cards right, could be me he embraces!
Well sadly I haven’t a costume of course,
Til I spot a young chappie dressed up as a horse,
I leap on his back - I’m a great improviser -
Strip off and shout “Hey I’m Lady Godiva!”
Collaboration between Jan Allison and the amazing Nina Parmenter
3/17/18
Categories:
avert, celebration, clothes, humorous,
Form:
Rhyme
Freedom of thought and expression could lead one astray.
Always there exists the temptation to tread on dangerous ground.
Ingrained ideas and habits become lax.
Therefore, ever careful one must be.
Happiness cannot be found only in material things.
Interpretation of facts has to be honest.
Sincerity must guide every step made in life.
Away from temptation the path should lead.
Prophets of deceit abound and doubt is sown.
Only those who possess strength of spirit will survive.
Watchful eyes will avert dangers, snares and pitfalls.
Easy it is to fall prey to false beauty and bright allure.
Rivers attract, but the currents can be strong, overpowering.
Fulfilment depends on knowledge.
Ultimately, it is trust and confidence that lead to spiritual growth.
Love of the Almighty provides enlightenment.
That is why a strong will and courage are needed.
He who perseveres builds a personal understanding with God.
It is through grace and obedience that faith flourishes.
Never is faith a step in the dark for it leads to the light.
God is forever available to all those who believe.
----------------------------------------------
Contest: Faith Is a Powerful Thing (2014)
Sponsor: Mystic Rose
Placed: 2nd
Categories:
avert, faith,
Form:
Acrostic
Bleed for me
Why?
Why what she says?
Why do you cut, why do you bleed yourself?
Why do birds fly, how the heck should I know?
Ah but you are so beautiful, soft and sweet
You see only as you wish, no one looks closer
At the inside of me
No one sees the mirror I see
Tiss not true, I see through your eyes
Come then take a good look, stare into my emptiness
You see nothing ok?
I remain quiet, somewhat stunned at the rebuke
We both stare out the window, a broken neon sign
Singing with the wind
She whispers
If I cut myself, to pieces
I will slowly disappear and float away
Inside will be outside
The emptiness in my eyes will be everywhere
The Ferris-Wheel ride will end
I slowly gathered up some rather random thoughts
My life was sunny
Then one day it rained
Then sunny
Rain and sun, rain and sun
Then the rain came again
And again…
Dark clouds hovered
The days all became nights
Until there was daylight no more
A ghost taunted… I no longer mattered
Until I became the ghost
So you see, I have nothing left to cut
She shyly looked over at me, confused it seemed
You, you… you have money
You look handsome
I dare say you seem well off
You have it all, and want for nothing
The neon sign, the crickets, the bedside clock
A symphony of sound in a room of silence, tick tock. Tick tock.
Slowly, I discovered words, softly I dared repeat them
You said I see nothing
In this, is true, I did look into your eyes, I saw
Inside of you nothing as you say
Emptiness
I saw a poverty of wanton desire, lost to this world
In this you are also wrong
For as I stared you refused to avert my curiosity
Our eyes locked
The emptiness inside of you
You see
Is me
Time continued its journey
Tick Tock went the clock
Silence crept towards a comfort
Imperceptible, a few of their fingers interlaced
Touching
The neon sign stop flickering
And cried
Categories:
avert, beautiful, faith, heart, humanity,
Form:
Free verse
I felt you
avert your eyes
cool
as the shadow
cast upon my face
when a cloud
crosses the sun
Entered in You Broke My Heart contest
17 02 11
Categories:
avert, lost love,
Form:
Free verse
Dark chocolate eyes bore into me,
Beseeching, brimming, tunneling for truth.
A single tear trails silently
Cascading o’er lifted cheekbones so
Perfectly angled they’re matchless
Throughout nature’s beauty scheme.
Exquisite, ethereal amber skin is
Glistened by a single path tracking south
Till brushed tentatively aside and away
With a deliciously delicate crook’d index finger.
Adjusting focus with a bow, her upturned glance
Begs understanding, explanation.
Crimson lips, lavish in their trembling,
Part in silent query, “Why”?
Two years ten days no joy could compete.
Renowned in circles select, discreet,
Our couple bid the daily world depart.
Sealing curtains leaked primal sun bright-strewn
‘cross comely sheets, fantasy games oft fulfilled.
No doubt the future shined, out there.
Sparkling horizons, her urgent beckoning.
Glacial azure eyes avert at this sight
Of flawless beauty marred by an unrequited
Inky threshold placed anew across
The spectrum of her charted dream.
Cooling cooing stills her tears momentarily,
Hypocrite rising fresh, predicted.
Hope extended but a moment more,
Remembered embraces reenacted
Pacifying heart-ripping avalanches
Sure to embalm, feigning calm,
Endless love promised, bestowed,
Bloomed, embezzled,
Freshly bamboozled...still,
By her guileful paramour.
~~~~~~~~~ (the goodbye lie)
Categories:
avert, abuse, betrayal, character, relationship,
Form:
Free verse
Love cannot exist without trust:
it's a precursor, and a must.
Strangers get easily dismissed:
without trust, love cannot exist.
One must get close to break your heart:
no one else can tear it apart.
When trust is lost, it hurts the most:
to break your heart, one must get close.
You were betrayed by one you loved:
your closest friend, once beloved.
After all of the facts were weighed:
by one you loved, you were betrayed.
Time cannot repair such a hurt:
yet it's a hurt, hearts can't avert.
To lose a friend is never fair:
such a hurt; time cannot repair.
Categories:
avert, 10th grade, 11th grade,
Form:
Quatrain
Written: December 13, 2023
____________________________________________
If the ocean's water
were used as writing ink for pens
to write down our words of praise
the ocean would eventually dry up
before it might be put in writing.
evil will triumph
if the righteous remain silent
Inner defect causes blindness
success depends on action
stand up and do what
you realize is right
raise exertion level
a smidgeon suffices
to allow notions of impetus
you can then sleep well
your pick is akin to lacerations
requires precise timing
curious but uncertain.
blind attrition is pointless.
reach for stars
obtain an aerial view of the world
wave farewell to the land
live easily a prospective granted by
you are misusing beauty
greet the passing clouds.
forsake worries and avert your gaze
fear is a foe you must overcome
soar high and be wise.
Categories:
avert, appreciation, dream, encouraging, hope,
Form:
Free verse
Written: January 16, 2024
_______________________________________
Always strive to trust your heart
With everything you do,
Don't be afraid of what others may believe.
Comply with your heart—it speaks best
Always follow your instincts,
And what offers you delight?
Strive to constantly preserve your heart
An outcome of vagueness,
Easily occluded by shadows.
If I could, I would save the whole world
My arms would wrap the globe,
Cease sorrow, grief, and sadness to avert chaos.
To bear a raw life for all
To ease all tears of grief and all anguish,
It would forever be gone.
I'm only a dreamer; I can't even save my heart
but I would embrace the world if I could,
With heartfelt affection for all.
Categories:
avert, analogy, heart, world,
Form:
Free verse
You may see me out on the streets
Lying curled up in a foetal position my sleeping bag in a shop doorway
Trying to get a few hours sleep here in my latest home in cardboard city …
I never stay more than a few nights in one place
can never really settle; these streets aren’t safe
You may see me out on the streets
I’m sitting on the cold damp pavement with an empty coffee cup in my hand
Hoping for a coin or two so I can have some real food in my aching belly
Still you hurry past, trying to avoid making eye contact…
Believe me, it’s so degrading rummaging in the litter bins like a wild animal
But some days it’s the only way I can get any food to eat
The biting cold and wet weather is my worst enemy
I can never get warm even when the sun shines
This is no life, just a way of surviving another day
Guess you think I’m a waster, a dirty tramp
You walk on by; judge me without knowing what lead me to life on the streets
Bet you think I’m a druggie or an alcoholic
I guess most people seem to think that
They see my filthy clothes, straggly hair and grey beard
Just five years ago I was like many of you
I had a career, a beautiful wife, and two lovely children
Spent many months away from home fighting for my country
But then I got sent to Afghanistan…
I saw scenes no man should ever have to witness
I was traumatised
Forever suffering flashbacks of the faces of those innocent people
The children, oh those children – made me think of my two boys back at home
I couldn’t cope any more, had a total mental breakdown
I was a broken man …
My wife could no longer deal with the mood swings , the erratic behaviour
The Army did little to help –
discharged me on health grounds, then basically abandoned me
Now I’ve lost everything … my wife, family, my dignity
Many of the people you see on the streets are like me …
We all have a story to tell, but no one gives us the time of day
Passers-by avert their eyes and hurry past like we are invisible
Your eyes may tell you one thing… but please don’t judge me
Because you don’t know me
Categories:
avert, career, drug, identity, life,
Form:
Free verse
Love raided the heart
And occupied my mind
There was no chance
But to surrender
For, the love army surrounded the gates
Hopes failed
Wishes shattered
Army encountered
Ceasefire was restored
I began to forget the hard days
The army again planned an offence
Where I had no chance of defence
From then on:
I am in a state of alert
Where I cannot avert
The sweet pain of love
Categories:
avert, lost love, love, passion,
Form:
Free verse
Life is a journey with much happiness and pain
With twists and turns that bring sunshine and rain
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Young and strong with the world at your feet
Ready to face anything and anyone you meet
Fearless and brave you march to your own inner drum
Not caring where your going and where you came from
Convinced there will be time for all you want to do
Thinking your invincible and wild through and through
Leaping before you look, not afraid of being hurt
Wisdom of your elders you unconcernedly avert
Collecting memories and experiences at record speed
Expecting loved ones to always be there when you need
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Now older and wiser you reflect on your life
Realizing you could have avoided much strife
More cautious and wary you step with care
So not to leave yourself vulnerable and bare
Questioning your motives before you embark
Knowing you shine whether you make a mark
Treasuring those you love, giving them your time
Reminiscing about those who made heavens climb
Taking advice of seniors for they are astute and wise
Slow down and enjoy each moment for life is the prize
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Life is a journey with much happiness and pain
With twists and turns that bring sunshine and rain
29/10/2015
~ For Silent Ones contest ~
Categories:
avert, journey, life,
Form:
Couplet
Not just the sky itself—they are every ocean and stream—
filled with reflections of rainbows, waterfalls and rain.
Windows of beauty fringed in verdant shades of green.
Not a trace of sadness shows for things that cause her pain.
Her eyes, serenely soft, are sacred, mystic jewels.
Forever and beyond they always will remain.
Content within her powers of evergreen renewal,
her eyes reflect and sparkle with all of nature’s hues.
Wisdom of aeons — their provident accrual.
Her eyes —a wellspring of every artist’s muse—
like a mother giving from her immeasurable heart.
All this she imparts—yet we never pay the dues.
These eyes, so beautiful, her children fill with hurt.
Beware—her precious gaze—some day she will avert.
Categories:
avert, allegory, beauty, earth, irony,
Form:
Terza Rima
His poetic voice rides across the sea
I could swear that Paul is speaking to me
With rhythm in his words, peace in his heart
I find Paul and I are not far apart
Collaboration takes little effort
Conflicts in tone we easily avert
In Malta he writes by soft candlelight
When I’m still blessed by generous daylight
Paul takes me to depths I have never known
I feel so blessed; as a poet I’ve grown
*November 1, 2016
For Andrea’s “Community Builders Free for All Tribute”
Categories:
avert, friendship, tribute,
Form:
Rhyme
Words are not enough,
Alphabets strung in uncertainty,
Speech slurred in disbelief,
Love endlessly professed,
Lacking in action or substance,
Intentions of the heart,
Inexpressible by vocabulary,
Pledges frustrated by timelines,
Lofty dreams built with bricks of vapour,
Visions written on sand,
Children of promise orphaned by unfulfillment,
In foster care of compromise,
Doubt takes up tenancy,
Sin, its landlord.
Grace grants clemency,
Faith offers a new lease,
Adopted by rectitude,
Shut doors avert imminent destruction,
Redirecting the path to destiny,
Visions conceptualized begin to materialize,
Pipe dreams turn reality,
Old debts reconciled,
The hearts intent,
Superseded by divine counsel,
Love endures its rule,
Substantiated by fidelity,
After all said and undone,
Words alone are not enough.
Categories:
avert, love,
Form:
Prose Poetry