Best Basic Poems
Iamb, Trochee, Spondee, Pyrrhic. Do those words have meaning for you? If not, you may find it handy as a poet to learn how to employ at least a few of them. They are names for the most common of the two-syllable feet used in classic poetry forms and many rhymed forms of today (there are other metrical feet used for 3 syllables). Poets can practice to become skilled at any one of them, but often poets are drawn to just a few when they write naturally. Iamb is the one that I prefer. When your words rise and fall in an unstressed to stressed rhythmic pattern, you are using iambic meter. Five feet of these unstressed-stressed syllables is called pentameter. That is why a sonnet is written in Iambic Pentameter. The traditonal sonnet writer uses ten syllables which are divided into five feet of unstressed/stressed syllables.
Here is the way Iamb looks if I show just two-syllable examples: de/TEST, un/LOVED, a/ WORD, go/ HOME. It would sound unnatural to say DEtest, UNloved, A word or GO home. The poet chooses his metrical foot and simply goes with the flow! If I choose to write a triolet, I would use Iambic Tetrameter (8 syllables with 4 feet of Iamb). When you consider all the different combinations of feet and meter, there is much to be learned! You can even mix up types of meter or use them unrhymed! To some poets it comes naturally -no textbook required. I have known free verse poets to say, "I just don't 'hear' it." But a few of those poets practiced and practiced; with time I saw them grow!
For those who want to practice poetry
in such a way to make their poems sing,
Iambic meter is one way to go.
Unstressed, then stressed creates a pleasant flow.
So give your words some musicality.
Keep practicing, and then your skills will grow.
Aug. 5, 2018
Basic Elements of Earth
True gifts...our elements of earth;
this solid mass on which we stand,
with gravity at center core,
stability is well at hand.
The sky above, our ceiling, holds
the sun's bright rays, dark clouds of rain,
the air we breathe, a highway too,
to fly like birds in our space plain.
Our treasured water, source of life;
without it, we could never be.
The oceans, rivers, streams and ponds
sustain all life amazingly.
And fire, a friend or foe for sure;
burnt forests better growth create.
Its energy and warmth we need;
though, sometimes a destroyer's fate.
Our solids, air, water and fire;
the basic elements of earth.
Such balance in these gifts of life
support each level of its worth.
Sandra M. Haight
Time has changed my life in many ways
I never eat fast food, yet seek out a quiet place
but, the best date I have had in many years
was the fun and laughs from a Happy Meal
holding hands with a man who's love is real
I have never been a person who likes fast food. I like restaurants with service and real napkins. lol I had 4 children so I did my time at burger and taco joints. My favorite restaurant is Logan's steak house, but I asked to go to McDonald's for lunch. I was starving and did not want to wait or the service. When we went in my heart melted, there was a 80 ish year old couple having lunch playing checkers. They come everyday I was told. It was so sweet and made me appreciate the basics of love more. Maybe we all forget, how to have simple fun and not worry about the quality. Maybe the quality is the one we love not where they take us or how much we spend. Best burger in a long time. I bet I couldn't throw fries at Logan's lol Sorry I tend to share memories like this.
On this UBI's Day, May 1st, to observe the greatest socioeconomic concept ever conceived.
You can't have all you want
but not having all you need,
it's a pity, unworthy economic being,
don't expect a man plant
growing grains, fruits and juices,
rise to the heights
of your human nature's creator,
make them a gift,
and have as gift
life's gift, for piece of mind,
with our society's work.
Still hunger is a scare,
unconsciously makes you
rushing running hurrying pushing.
Why, ask your god and,
bring the answer down to earth.
Say it to the tall powers
to whom earth belongs to,
what's misery for,
while there is plenty.
Where is my piece of mind
and fulfillment.
Other species await in you,
without sorrow questions
so without negative fellings,
freer about its wellbeing.
Forces of petty power up there
must do what's needed,
powers abstract, unknown,
like the sky,
always as far as started going to it.
Who are they, that stop me,
can't really see them,
I'm changing them
and they remain the same.
A new human being may emerge,
to live life as was meant to be,
effortlessly, with society's work.only.
"Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth"
The title
meant little
to the entitled,
the small print
was ignored
for the glittering
walking jokes
that led
the Earth;
all
pages burnt
for fuel
the axis turned
(LadyLabyrinth / 2022)
The Ticket Punched to Leave New World:
Basic
Instructions
Before
Leaving
Earth
Shaz
Daughter, Friend, Stranger and Creator
Sister to Vicki, Bronwyn, and Steven
Lover of life, theatre, and mystery
Who feels happiness, independence and fun
Who fears regret, failure and sometimes love
Who would like to see Italy, Ireland and the bottom of the sea
Resident of Gippsland, Victoria
Cheesman
Energy can not
Be lost… Tis fact! so whence goes
our souls when we die?
Loves of the street dogs;
Accompany even in death
Sticking on his friendship.
Everything
As
Required
Touch of
Holiness
For it was 29 years ago
When as I boy I left home
On the train other lads I find
Apprehensive blind leading the blind
When we got to our destination
Shouting started is this an allucination
Standing still waiting for orders
That corporal from the Scottish Borders
Get on the bus he shouts at us
Some of the lads begin to cus
The transport takes us through the gates
Some may say this place I hate
Marched around real fast
Shown our accommodation at last
Sitting waiting for other lads to show
Some just say I gotta go
The peace is broken with a shout
Everyone get out, get out
We all mingle on that damp night
Sergeant shouting gives us a fright
Welcome speach the stage was his
Ok boys haircuts it is
Prepare to double to the barbers shop
Hair on the floor could make a mop
After this was uniform time
Hurry up get in line
In this queue we had to wait
Issued clothes and a metal plate
Back to the room with all this kit
Placed into the locker by my pit
Then lights out at 10 pm
Wait for tomorrow's mayhem
There, a note lays on the table
And I would read it, if I were able
I move the candle a little nearer
In hopes to make its message clearer
My heart is racing, my hands now sweating
But, my mind tells me there's no use fretting
Will she stay or is she going
Time must tell, for there's no knowing
Lines on paper I could heed
If only I had learn to read
Basic Training
My will is wasted on the words,
Confined in its nothing,
Speaking in shards of everything that failed,
All laying in its waste.
And with slow hands, I tremor,
Confined in its something,
Rising and falling upon the everything
That I nailed,all rejoicing at its gate.
And with steady hands, I dream awake,
Snapping the rifle piece into place
Like the old aluminum bat my father bought
When I was all but sixteen.
It is cold, and I dream awake, of its beauty,
The ring of the winning home run,
And I sleep, in its dream, its siren,
The shard of providence, my grandfather
Once spoke of as a heaven.
Refusing Diligence, To Do Even Basic Math
Why do we too oft blindly walk a deep, darken path
Through the volleys of arrows shot by Fate's mighty wrath
When in this wicked world, we could accept light's reprieve
By opening both heart and eyes to truth thus perceive
That darkness rests within our souls, all flesh is the same
That glaring fact, ensuing battles are no mere game.
Why do we too oft blindly walk a deep, darken path
Refusing diligence to do even basic math
When from within, we feel those hard-fought battles raging
It is a war and true enemies we are engaging
Thus 'tis folly to not recognize that fierce-some foe
And find, accepting evil allow darkness to grow.
Why this glaring reality do we too oft deny,
If not in our souls, darkness hides waiting to Light defy?
Robert J. Lindley, 11- 04- 1978,
edited 7-12-2003, 6-02-2022
Sonnet
Note:
Tis a somber reality that we too oft embrace life as a game,
Not seeing in youth, that it is our rashness we must tame.
Global warming's changing our world,
as deserts increase, farmland shrinks.
And ancient glaciers have no ice,
the sea's dying and the air stinks.
Weather upheavals forecast gloom,
as rivers flood altered courses.
And torrential rains drench the earth,
a shift in natural forces.
Virgin forests scared by fire's flame
leave barren soil to rot and mold.
And mountains of water-soaked mud
slide down slopes, unable to hold.
Volcanoes erupt in the depths,
birthing tsunamis at their rim.
And waves rise to devastate lives,
where water is too swift to swim.
A spotted sun bakes the ozone,
tinging twilight, ocher, and rust.
And tornados chew up the ground,
vortexes grinding life to dust.
Earth rebuffs belated efforts
it's too late for token repairs.
For Man forgot one basic rule,
nature governs earthly affairs.
(Quatrain)
0/8/2016
Okay I am going to write a funny poem
Because I feel like it lol
Home is where the heart is
Hopefully your heart stays in your body
Otherwise, big problem
Do you come here often?
Ahh how often you are talking about?
Once a day? Two times a day?
Thrice? lol
Does it matter what you want? As long as you want it, right?
Got news for you - you don't want it lol
Running out of steam?
Hook it up to the machine, will ya? God's machine
Does it seem like forever?
How do you know what forever is?
When are you going to come?
Ahh what are you talking about?
Why did you come? Huh? lol