Best Bafflement Poems
It takes a long voyage to find the right road
A battle field that everyone has told
Face thy fear though heart may be shatter unto pieces
It might be a facade so hold thy tears with fears
Bravery in you and likeness
Of a warrior named Achilles
Be with a mighty sword as you face thy opponent
Victorious duel without bafflement
Anxiety strikes for illusions of being apart
Afraid to lose you with julienne heart
Love me for real my childhood dream
Even when the scene of sunset meets the horizon with hymn
We are all too fallible
We do commit some tidbits of failures
But for eternity, you will always be my man
And I’ll give you my heart for the best I can
It’s a far smile from those halcyon days
Though we undergo labyrinth in many ways
And at times I become lachrymose and weak
Your tender affection is what my heart seeks
But never be at daggers drawn
Life is definitely accompanied with storm
It’s a promise that I will never lose heart for you
It’s a real love for you my beau
by : JOYZEL MAE P. SOTES
dedicated to : JAKE O. DELA PAZ
July 2, 2014
Blasphemy…cloud over their hearts of gold
Their value gradually diminishes…their weapons turn to mold
Serenity…deserted them and neglected them like orphans
Their joy rapidly wears out…they mislaid their abundant portions
They yearn,
“RESTORE the walls of Jericho!”
Anguish…shadows over their dwelling, sacred place
Their weaknesses manipulate them – they’re the definition of disgrace
Danger…defeats them and tarnished them as if they were worthless
Their prosperity shattered straightaway! REBUILD our merriness!
They plead and pray,
“Dona nobis pacem…”
Hear our hesitation and supplication…we’re beneath the bricks and remains
We’re buried alive literally! We’re becoming one with the ground
Fear and despair erases our soothing dreams…we’re getting washed away in the drains
We’re searching for shelter…we’re getting hunted down – we’re barely surviving
They churn…
They coil…
They drift away…
They spoil…
In their miseries…
Does He hear their pleas?
“SAVE ME!”
“Bestow blessings upon us!”
Are you ignoring us deliberately?
“Give us a helping hand
And lead us to the promise land!”
Misfortune unravels in this city of bafflement
Their strengths repaired our souls…we’re the definition of bravery!
Desolation and disbelief demolishes the walls of Jericho…
Does anyone sense their resentment?
Their charity transformed to greed suddenly –
Their lack of optimism and gratitude
Buried them down in captivity
How can you bear their poverty?
How can He save them from destruction and pity?
They whisper on His Holy Hill,
“Dona…Nobis…Pacem…”
Don’t let the battle overthrow ’em!
I sat upon an old stump,
Nautical twilight swelling like dark cotton,
As brown leaves swirl'd in an autumn breeze,
Piling around my leeward boots,
A sound, good memory from childhood,
The sound only autumn leaves can make,
As they blow down a dusky street,
I take all that in, distracted,
As winter geese pass by overhead,
Long necked, vee formed,
Honking like commuters on the pike,
And my thoughts return like sparrows,
Winter chilled as always,
Like standing in the doorway of summer’s icehouse,
And stare into the windows of my home,
In the shadows of the yard like some midnight stranger,
Drawn to the light and noise as some wayward moth,
Made frantic by chemistry and discord,
Amaranthine bafflement of the love sheltered there,
My diamond geode,
Formed not from heat and pressure,
But plasma love,
My fluttered heart sandblasted,
Tortured by the juxtaposition of
Creating something to watch it die or,
Watching it become more than it was before,
While wishing to be one thing,
Unsure of who I’d need to be,
Unsettled by who I really am,
(Whoever that is),
And realizing that for all my self-immolation,
We’re all just playing at being grown up,
And this stump,
Just put a splinter in my ass.
Make laughter out of bafflement
And meet the wind as dawn arises
Watch for signs when day declines
It tells a truth that will not lie
The sun will rise, the sun will set
It comes and goes with no regret
Some things will change our restless world
But be assured upon the dawn
Upon the dusk we can depend
Assurance comes with every sun
It comes again, and then is gone
What we have captured in our hand
We must release, and let it go
And when the swallow comes in spring
Homeward bound, precisely honed
You'll know again all things will come
Some will stay, and some must go
A perfect plan is on the wing
And when the geese appear in fall
To feel how certain is the call
Assurance comes with timeless voice
Southward bound without a doubt
Make laughter out of bafflement
Meet the wind, face the sky
Lift the doubt and lift the eye
T.S.Eliot
Macavity is a mystery cat-he's called the Hidden Paw,
For he's the master criminal who can defy the law.
He's the bafflement of Scotland Yard, the Flying Squad's despair
For when they reach the scene of crime Macavity's not there.
Macavity, Macavity, there's no one like Macavity.
He's broken every human law, he breaks the law of gravity.
His powers of levitation would make a fakir stare
And when they reach the scene of crime, Macavity's not there
But I tell you once and once again, Macavity's not there!
E J Clark
He leaves behind no prints of crime - he knows if caught he'll do some time
For the master sleuth is on his tail, if caught he'll be whiskered off to gaol.
The master sleuth Sherlock combs every hair to be seen,
He looks indoors for Macavity's paws for where he might have been
The best detective was quite reflective at having missed this opportune time
The help he had was defective; they missed the clue of the Prince of Crime.
Thus it was the master criminal; whose stealth was quite subliminal....
....Eluded the Yard and I the Bard can testify to the SENSATIONAL!
We missed Paramount Ave.
We go straight into a lane of downright bafflement
We meet again—on the wrong time
We arrived an hour late…great job…
We go straight into Studebaker—what a moment
We meet again—on the right time!
Birds chirping roughly on an avocado tree
I curiously look upwards to see what could that noise be?
Is it a sparrow or a mockingbird?
It's plump and it has all shades of brown
I'm stepping upwards next to the spiraling, gnarled tree before me
The chirping has stopped this second
Breaking my imaginative ideas and brewing them to ruins
I'm stepping downwards
Urging myself to walk towards this memorable maze-like place
Where I could feel the wind caress my face
In a meadow of cherished flowers
Making this my solitude
To sit on a crooked bench and ponder about my frowning attitude
I hear someone steeping below the wall...the safety cliff
I seem to stand here all stiff
Hearing all the bafflement of my unreal family
I walk around,
Inspiration driven through this memorable garden
Endless in its incredible surprises
Leaving me no place to face my demises
Struck by fireworks from the cloudless, fashionable sky
Sitting on a scrawny, dirty chair
Staring at the ancient tree...wondering how life isn't fair
How could it bear such fruit or vegetable?
It grows firm and ripe
Without a flaw...without a stripe
Though I feel that I'm too thin
I walk around,
Inspiration driven through this memorable garden
Endless in its incredible surprises
Leaving me no place to face my tangled drowsiness
I must stop stepping downwards
Into my deep motivations...my charmed desire
Though its hoarse and cruel to leave this tangling temptations
I decide about a decade later
That I really need to take a tightening grasp to hold on to the
stairway's handlebars
Hold on for a minute...I hear a cricket beneath the cemented ground
It leaves the wind to make no ruffling sound
About a decade later, I realize this cycle goes on and on and on and it
mixes altogether
We need to be brought up together
As a family and visit my uncle and grandma
I need to make the decision to step upwards
Make an effort to say my last words:
"I love you all! We'll see you both next month!"
I start the cycle all over again in July
This time,
I won't fail to do my missions
Fatigued eyes droop, lacking sweet slumber
But my eyes are an exception…everything’s a blur
They stare off into space…they ache with displeasure
But I still wonder… my pupils still wander
My pupils still wander… never planted in one spot
Their cup is half full…rather than half empty
My pupils see what others cannot
Because… their too busy to smell the roses of plenty
My pupils project feelings…
They comprehend – they spiral up and down
They express horrendous sorrows…they observe their surroundings
My belongings are misplaced – my smile lowers into a frown
Optimism isn’t in the picture…bestowing infection
Upon my crestfallen heart
I’m a broken compass – I’m losing my direction
My animated heart tears apart
Their voices are high in volume…rather than using half their volume
My pupils glance in many directions – beaming with glee
Because they’re focusing too much on their social lives…let us resume
On with our soothing music
Intrigued eyes lift…willing to wonder in curiosity
But my eyes swelter, wearily drowning in discouragement
They spot what others are too oblivious to see…
Nonetheless, I still ponder…
Are my pupils singing merrily OR are they wandering in bafflement?
Do I witness the fears and woes?
My pupils reject the precious scenery
They are carefree – they are heedless of my despondency
My pupils forever look forward to freedom…observe the hardships and disparity
My surroundings are chaotic and wild – my heart pounds profoundly…
My pupils…
Oh dear pupils…
Will you ever pay the bills?
Will you ever use your skills?
My heart bleeds in the river mills
My pupils ascend…above the dazzling hills
My pupils spew out remorse
My pupils are like open doors…
Here again, on the the crest of the eve,
the sound of them...calling out to me
Their sound of arrival, coming from the crimson sky
The ceremonious cry as they frame the V
Causing me to lift eyes upward
Canadian geese, heading home in springtime mode
I need not fear, their steadfastness is proof
The voice in unison against the vagrancy of altered mood
In the sureness of the morrow
When I shall think and speak my thoughts
When I eat a meal, and do my daily chores
Exclaim of the budding branch before the door
I will have assurance of a miracle
I shall make laughter out of bafflement
And meet the wind...and watch the day's declining
For when the geese appear again in the fall
Southward bound, honking with their timely voice
I'll know once again how to feel the comfort of the plan
My assurance that is in the telling of the flight
To feel how certain is their autumn calling
To feel how certain is their return in spring
And when all the world fills my thoughts with doubt
And when all the world fills my heart with fear
I am sure enough to lift my eyes
Canadian geese, who cause my eyes to lift to the evening sky
With a song of assurance of His love...
The year has passed. away
And the Sun, marking the Time
Crept down a step further,
Throwing the anguish of the past
On the New comer.
But a bafflement subdues
The buoyancy of his mind
As he returns to the mooring Where the new ends,
Aid Boredom (dispersal In the desolate street)
The Time has kept it tied
And though his legs are trembling
He lingers and then throws himself
On the wreckage of Tomorrow.
December came with Christmas beckoning at the door
He saw every house bright with many a lamp
And the whole streets illumined with colorful lights and star
But his tiny hut looked dismal n’ dark like a prison camp
One evening, on a leisurely walk from school
The boy saw a man selling colorful balloons
With the little penny tucked safely in his jacket of wool
He bought a balloon and headed straight to the lagoons
There as he sat on the sprawling silver sands
A strange idea had come upon his little head
Send a letter to God seeking help from his generous hands
Hoping Jesus would listen, he too being born as a poor kid
On a white paper he carefully scribbled these lines:
“Merciful God, look upon us, this unfortunate seven
Here, we die of hunger leading miserable lives
On this Christmas, send us a little cheer up from heaven”
He folded the paper and fastened it to the balloon
Nevertheless, he didn’t forget to put his full address
When the wind was strong, he let it fly over the lagoon
And watched it soar high with his earnest plea for redress
Days went by and the awaited Christmas Eve arrived
While the world splurged in all gaiety and merriment
The poor hut remained dull with all pleasures deprived
The helpless parents were lost in grim bafflement
Abruptly, there halted before their hut a Ferrari
A man, old and greying with a graceful smile
Alighted from the car and stood looking all cheery
Searching the boy, he had travelled many a mile
It was during one of his daily strolls around the lagoon
That the gentleman saw a balloon tangled on a willow tree
The white paper tied to it, he unfastened from the balloon
Unfolding it, he saw an innocent child’s earnest plea
The man so rich and kind was moved at heart,
He from his wealth decided to donate a large sum,
To support that family of seven so severely distraught,
And give them the merriest Christmas to be no more glum.
The little boy believed Jesus has answered his prayer,
Coming in the guise of a man, he has never before seen.
With rising delight, he beheld in the sky a luminous star.
It shone right over his head with a brilliant sheen.
Due to community quarantine enforcement
along social distancing detachment
our faculty meeting of task-assignment
went virtual via technology’s involvement
midst great excitement, anticipating joyous fulfillment.
Since such was first-time engagement
we strove not to be shocked by technical puzzlement
as we burst with laughter of merriment
in noticing each other’s physical development
obviously showing weight-gain and wellness-enrichment.
Starting with expressions of caring endearment
like “you look so blessed this moment…
in your stress-free environment…”
we all basked in warm fellowship of sight-hearing empowerment
not minding intervening communication-bafflement.
Then after the opening prayer marked by sober predicament
we noticed that we were not in sync with our agenda document
while modern “apps” became source of interesting argument
challenging the not-so complicated techie-sentiment
most of us cherished with simple faith's contentment.
Alas, we found ourselves seeking to be rescued from ignorance-torment
receiving this-and-that instruction of millennial comment
until told that time expired, so we must apply for another segment…
making us admit our need to learn social media’s fundamental rudiment
to be guarded from becoming crazy over teleconferencing impediment.
We thank God* that we were all in agreement
to meet again face-to-face, but not through internet-employment
for educational pursuit discussion, like students’ enrollment
especially that we are encouraged to use “on-line” settlement…
oh, how we beg for the Lord’s wisdom and enlightenment.
*2Thessalonians 2:13 …We are bound to give thanks alway to God…
August 21, 2020
3rd place, "Craziest Time At The..." Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Caren Krutsinger; judged on 9/27/2020.
The year has passed. away
And the Sun, marking the Time
Crept down a step further,
Throwing the anguish of the past
On the New comer.
But a bafflement subdues
The buoyancy of his mind
As he returns to the mooring Where the new ends,
Aid Boredom (dispersal In the desolate street)
The Time has kept it tied
And though his legs are trembling
He lingers and then throws himself
On the wreckage of Tomorrow.
I’m in the position of a responsible orphan
I’m left with no plan…abandoned
I turn aside from being caught up in denial, though I’m stumbling
upon affliction and bafflement, entangling me in its web
These unkempt, cemented words—they are strapping
The griminess searing through my skin and bone
I’m left in the chambers of my words
How can I talk myself out of this position?
They are cemented to my soul,
decaying in debris…chained to envy and fear
I write down my experiences with cemented ink
My fear-binding words weigh me down,
cemented with bewilderment
My toes trickle with grime…my life is but a frown
My body becomes weak… leaving me with a print
My depression dunks my head down
I write down my feelings with layered ink
Decaying in filth…chained to fury and terror
Chipping my soul…peeling away everything I adore
I am demolishing along with
my last lick of luck
How can I get out of here?
I’m left to find my own way out
The draftiness singeing through me…goose bumps
leaving scars of tousled emotions—they are strapping
These portraying words crawl in my cranium…
Perturbing my every thought
Abandoning all the doubtless hopes…entangled with uncertainty
My worries are shot
With ink…
blotching my heart
I’m unprepared on my flight
I’m in the position of a bewildered orphan…
lost in the ink-cemented night
moving
back&forth
we each
must find our way
as bafflement
becomes understanding
then venture
a leap
in times of tension
something
is there
a way to godliness
as we
face to face
come
to Thee
memories
in a sense
of imagery
from
a floating vision
in a search
for meaning
of the fallen
state
a stasis
from salvation
found
measuring meaning
identifying
consequences
breathless
to discuss
&
explain
where selfless
love reigns
affirmed
in a communal walk