Best Bailed Poems
PROLOGUE
The Flame, aflicker, licks and flays,
illuming evening’s negligees
With braided curls she swirls and sways,
and flits and floats in light ballets
APOLOGUE
A Flame, to conquer creeping fog,
flew dancing towards a random log
Her flight perplexed a leery frog
beside a silent somber bog
The Flame, a ripple, all alone
alit on leaves where birds had flown
The aching twigs began to moan
A rising breeze began to groan
The Flame arrayed an ancient oak
with torrid tongues and veils of smoke
A beaver bailed, the dam had broke
The leery frog soon ceased to croak
The Flame uncoiled and lashed midair,
consuming crowns with utmost care
A crazed coyote fled her lair,
left in the lurch bewildered bear
The Flame, unfurled, went wild and grew,
enkindled cats and caribou
Remaining... not a residue,
as reeking vapors bade adieu
The Flame revealed her strength unshackled
Flora, fauna crisped and crackled
Fire Witches clucked and cackled
One more forest stripped, then hackled
EPILOGUE
The arsonists were well aware
the Flame would travel everywhere
The weirs are gone, the land is bare,
and soon you’ll find a city there
Categories:
bailed, life, light,
Form:
Rhyme
Woman in Chains
(What Man Would Abide It?)
Women throughout centuries – the softer sex.
I picture them subservient since what feels like time primordial!
What man would abide
being sold as if mere chattle and being called another’s property?
What man, with a love of learning or of writing,
would acquiesce and be denied
the education and the opportunities he so desired?
What man would dare take second place -
hiding in the background or covering his face
because society or church said things were meant to be that way?
What man would abide having cut off from his body
that part of him from which carnal pleasure is derived?
What man would let his feet be broken as a child,
bound up to resemble hooves to keep him in his place?
What man would abide being burned alive
if the dowry of his spouse were deemed unsuitable?
What man would abide (if not so inclined)
enduring the agonies of giving birth again and again
because his spouse preferred he stay at home?
What man would abide being raped or even killed
as punishment for even being raped?
What man would endure constant beatings for “his own good”
and feel good that his church or state approved this?
What man, if he were able to get pregnant,
would take on all the stress of unwed motherhood
when the one who got him pregnant bailed on him?
What man would abide the stigma and the soiled reputation?
What man would prostitute himself to feed his babies
because a job for one like him would not be given?
What man would abide living enslaved by an abuser,
afraid to run away or be found and killed by his abuser?
Atrocities like these through centuries have too long been endured.
No man would for so long a time endure them.
For reasons of pure biology, the role of the abused
was hoisted primarily on women.
Thank God for those strong women a mere century ago
who stood up, bravely fighting for women’s rights.
Thank God for lonely sister souls in faraway places
who even now stand fighting against inequities -
simply for the fact that they were born the softer sex.
Aug. 31, 2020 for John Hamilton's Woman in Chains Contest
Categories:
bailed, freedom,
Form:
Free verse
The 'Undred an' Fifth is the greatest o' Britain,
They charge like the Royal Marines;
They'll shatter the shock, and they'll 'old like a rock,
On nothin' but pork leg an' beans.
They march by the mile, an' they step 'er in style;
At 'ome by the land 'r the sea.
They'll fight like a lion, an' die for the tryin',
For nothin' save crackers an' tea.
Aye! the 'Undred an' Fifth is the best in the land;
They 'ave trampled the gates o' Chardaux.
Brave for the fight, they 'll sail to the sand,
An' they'll march till they meet wi' the foe!
The 'Undred an' Fifth, yes the best o' the best;
They 'ud conquer the ends o' the world.
Not taking a rest, they are game for the test,
Till the Jack o' the Brits is unfurled.
The 'Undred an' Fifth is the greatest forever;
They'll cross any line in the sand.
When others 'ave failed, an' the reg'lars 'ave bailed,
Then the Fifth o' the 'Undreds 'll stand!
They stand in a rank, an' they march in a file,
They 'ark to an ol' rusty sot:
They serve for the Queen, as they camp o'er the mile;
They're the greatest that Britain 'as got!
~ Inspired by Kipling's "Soldier an' Sailor Too".
~ See About Poem for more.
Categories:
bailed, adventure, courage, war, march,
Form:
Rhyme
Well I was just trying to reach the other side
Couldn't swim
So I tried to fly
But I lost my wings
And if you don't mind
Could you bail me out please
One more time?
.
Ten years old at the swimming hole
That ol rope swing took a part of my soul
Grabbed that rope but I couldn't let go
I fell off and broke my toe
They laughed at me when I was ten years old
.
Well I was just trying to reach the other side
Couldn't swim
So I tried to fly
But I lost my wings
And if you don't mind
Could you bail me out this
One more time?
.
17 in my daddy's truck
A settin there working my courage up
She was bout to say yes when the sheriff pulled up
It happened to me man of all the luck
.
Well I was just trying to reach the other side
Couldn't swim
So I tried to fly
But I lost my wings
And if you don't mind
Could you bail me out maybe
One more time?
.
At 24 I was outta my mind
All strung out
And running blind
No place to go and in a four way bind
I'd gone too far and crossed the line
.
Well I was just trying to reach the other side
Couldn't swim
So I tried to fly
But I lost my wings
And if you don't mind
Could you bail me out just
One more time?
.
When He called to me
I just couldn't let go
I thought I'd gone too far
And lost my soul
But He held on tight
Love made me whole
He bailed me out even when I couldn't let go
.
Well I was just trying to reach the other side
Couldn't swim
So I tried to fly
But I lost my wings
And if you don't mind
Could you bail me out Lord
One more time?
Categories:
bailed, childhood, first love, high
Form:
Lyric
Stand on the veranda, look out in the fields
Can anyone know how great nature feels?
The pumpkins are growing on the vines
The grapes are harvested for great wines.
There’s golden hay, bailed for winter feed
Nourishing flocks with all that they’ll need.
Cows will be milked, eggs gathered each day
Sore backs or a cold will not get in the way.
Even after the snows cover the ground
Those daily chores will always abound.
Morning thru night, the work will come
It is their mission to feed everyone.
From the dawn of time they’ve been there
Nourish the masses with food everywhere.
Without them the world would not be fed
Sometimes their future is filled with dread.
Violent storms and drought will test them all
Yet with perseverance they refuse to fall.
Farmers were called by their love of the land
Our thanks to them all, as proudly they stand.
Categories:
bailed, thanksgiving day, tribute,
Form:
Rhyme
Pity my city
I pity my city there is no dignity in this city
There is no justice no freedom
Street children in a locked hall, shocking
County council overworking
The city must be clean so some humans are garbage
Some are cabbage, the garbage pay the damage
No houses sleep on spillage
But there are human rights
There are human right activists
There is the department of justice
All filled with malice
Pockets practice
Gross malpractice
Injustice, silence
You are in court
Guilty of court contempt
Another charge
The bail or the sentence
I’m bailed out in silence
Next time just bring your presence
Retain your silence
I was told
You will be safe.
My phone is gone, my shirt is torn
No bus fare so I walk alone
I think a lot, go back home or not
I remember I am a poet
I write a poem, a paradox
Pain in the city
I pity my city there is no dignity in my city.
Never what I came for
Likewise not what I prepared for
To be robbed by those I voted for
I am not happy anymore
My city is no more
I don’t wish for more
I just want go
not the city I know.
not where I wanted to grow
cartels make us bow
Now, now, now, it is time.
Time to know I am grown
And carry always my identity card
The men in blue are out bad
And always never forget also to carry ‘kitambulisho ya polisi’
Hawa watu ni mabeast na mafisi, human hyenas
time to tie up my seat belt whenever in a matatu,
sina mia tano ya kulipa coti kila saa na sitaki kulala ndani siku tatu
two days I am locked up inside my own head
spinning spinning, my thoughts are dead
the life so far I have led
no step has been made
no journey finished
No house furnished
Time is running and broke is sickening
My heart is listening, my brain is calculating
I have to act quick, just do something
The weather so good for chilling, but bad for singles
Life is unfair
No dream has been real
No love to heal
No feel
No deal
Just the bill
More and more bills
The city is fattening
Wanjiku is sickening
From Nys to health to Tunnels
It is all on the channels
How they on the seat eat
Meat
The citizen kitty is gone
The city is torn
Get the president on the phone
Call the press, what must be done be done
Impunity will not rule this city
Dignity must be restored
This city no more a pity
Bring back the citizen kitty
Say no more
The city.
Categories:
bailed, city, corruption, evil, humanity,
Form:
Ballad
The Killing Field
Bong Son,Viet Nam
Not All Dead, Returned In Body Bags
Written: By Tom Wright
1/21/03
The war in Viet Nam rages no more,
But what say ye of the animate dead?
Can we continue their plight to ignore?
Staring past the crimson flow they shed?
Pages from life were systematically torn,
Eyes beholding things, which they abhorred.
Returning, aged beyond years, and worn,
Spat upon by some, while by others ignored.
The war they fought some saw as failed,
Protests at home left psyches' battered.
Like the "Hippies" they could have bailed,
But doing the right thing, and duty mattered.
To those, whose loved one's stood deployed,
There was no time that prayer was lost.
Praying that life and limb be not destroyed,
While knowing, war exacts a colossal cost.
Dedicated to my Brother
Master Sgt. Joe D. Wright
U. S. Army, (Ret.)
1st Air Cavalry
Location: unknown
Categories:
bailed, war,
Form:
Rhyme
I bailed my honest friend out of the tank
Who dressed up as a hotdog for a prank
It’s not a misdemeanor
To dress up as a wiener
I see no harm in trying to be frank
Categories:
bailed, food, funny,
Form:
Limerick
Surprise me with a compliment
When I’m feeling down
Surprise me with a funny joke
When you see me wear a frown
Surprise me with agreement
When I am argumentative
Surprise me with a “thank you” smile
When I’ve nothing left to give
Surprise me with a thumbs up sign
Even though I tried and failed
Surprise me with camaraderie
When all my other friends have bailed
Surprise me with a shoulder rub
After a long, hard day at work
Surprise me with a good kick in the tush
When I am being a real jerk
Surprise me with an in depth look
At one of my stupid poems
Surprise me by being there
When at night I stumble home
Surprise me by simply loving me
Although there is no good reason to at all
Surprise me by catching me
Before I even start to fall
Surprise me in any of these ways
And this I promise you
The surprises that I give right back
Will come in multiples of two
Categories:
bailed, life,
Form:
Rhyme
New guy
I lie
Can't cook
Need book
Tried pie
Oh my!
Forsake
My cake
I slice
Cut twice
Grill steak?
Mistake
Short date
Not great
I failed
He bailed
New man
A plan
I shout
Take out!
Stay Out Of The Kitchen...for contest
6/9/15
Categories:
bailed, food, humor,
Form:
Footle
The cold Wintry nights,
Release the imprisoned leaves:
Bailed out by the sun.
Categories:
bailed, nature,
Form:
Haiku
Took a cruise down a river of booze.
Pissed my pants and filled my shoes.
Now it's time to clean it up.
Take a shower and drink a cup.
The fever caused my nerves to shake.
I had to leave her, it just didn't take.
That restless feeling wouldn't rest.
So now I hope it's for the best.
The wheels are rolling slow and steady.
I turned left and then saw Betty.
Drove a ways and heard this plinking.
Turn signal stuck and still was blinking.
I took the hint and headed south.
Now I look down in the mouth.
Jumped a freighter for the coast.
Sent my regards back in the post.
Now I'm sittin' on the pier.
Wonderin' where to go from here.
Borrowed a boat without the keys.
It's dangerous doing what you please.
Gas ran out and I hit a reef.
Sprung a leak, nothing but grief.
I bailed out as it was sinking.
That's the way it goes with mindless thinking.
Categories:
bailed, sometimes,
Form:
Rhyme
Hotshot
Pilot
Did loop
Oh, poop!
Flamed out
No doubt!
He bailed
Chute failed!
Bad chute
Oh, shoot!
Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired
Categories:
bailed, flying, humorous,
Form:
Footle
Took Me Fool
Crushed and cashed the fantasy,
But could not hold fancy,
She bailed me out in rain,
As I tried to build the new reign,
My delusion drove me to dive,
As hard that I could not see the cheat hive,
Why do you take fool out me?
Is that how you can push me to that lie pool?
Enchanted with paradise at the rhapsody of your thigh,
But to get it was a not easy tithe,
Stop making fool out of me,
Because it stings like a bee.
Categories:
bailed, abuse, art, bullying, emotions,
Form:
Dramatic Monologue
He cut some corners when filing his tax
Now poor man is going in for the max
He got nailed
Cant get bailed
Of appeals his lawyers now have stacks
For Carolyn's contest
Categories:
bailed, funny, life
Form:
Limerick