Best Basks Poems
When it left the Arctic it was as a wild angry wind
that stormed its way across the ice bound Arctic ocean.
Blowing the snow clad icebergs and whipping up the ocean.
As it crossed Alaska and into Canada it had gentled
now it played games with leaves and softly kissed flowers.
Gaily it soared over the Rockies and tugged goats beards
causing them to shake their heads and stamp their feet.
In Playful mood it swept on hugging the coast awhile
then veering inland, it travels the plains and grows in strength
turning into a raging tornado causing havoc as it passes.
Moving ever southward it basks in now warm sunshine
and skips over the gulf of Mexico filling yachts sails.
Deep down in South America it turns into a wild fury that
uproots trees snapping them in half like matchsticks,
Then onward once more dancing past the Falkland islands.
Its destiny is now in sight and with triumphant roar
it rushes on over the Antarctic ocean and slides up
the icy barrier then screams its way across the tundra
yet slowly it loses its power and as it reaches the incline
this moody wind fades away until with final breath it dies.
Categories:
basks, nature, wind,
Form:
Personification
Mystical amour of moonlight moth's whimsical lure,
a glowing flame in sensual saffron gold attire;
restless tease with every breeze, gilt-cavorting contour,
pale green fluttering, her wings stirring his breath afire.
Lilting lightness in beaming brightness, her dark eyes shine,
in the night renewed flight, fragile love on agile wings;
aerial display of desire's ache amaranthine,
hungry heartstrings crave what evening's ebony brings.
His illumination sparks her imagination,
heart’s replete, breathless beats, she basks in his halo-heat;
fascination with chance her hot romance, damnation,
flame’s fickle spurn, wistful wings burned, by love bittersweet.
Susan Ashley
October 18, 2017
~ First Place ~
Contest: Favorite Rhyming Poem Ever
Sponsor: Laura Loo
Categories:
basks, allegory, desire, fire, hurt,
Form:
Rhyme
Bright
Sunshine
Dawn to dusk
Colours our world
With a golden glow
Without sun we would die
Nature basks in its glory
Scintillating sunlight for life
1st April 2015
Categories:
basks, beauty, life, sun,
Form:
Etheree
"We can't ever fathom,
when the ceasing flicker of hope
flutters away,
and
escapes to an
endless forest;
the only charm in this
spellbound life is,
to chase that
scarred saffron second
and hue it with our own
enchanting light..."
As the fiddling
crescent basks
in this reborn moonrise,
I slowly blanket
my soul with
shivering sighs
of frozen stars,
as they trickle
down my lungs
and echo a
scentless spring,
where oceans
yearn to feel
the kiss of
floral zephyrs,
tickling their
turquoise sirens.
Perhaps,
I was once a
lifeless snowdrop,
a stygian silhouette
of midnight which
wrapped those
neon skies,
as black ice
melted in cores,
when pain became
my melancholic
soulmate and no
philosopher's stone
could turn this
solemn melody,
into sapphire ruins
of remedy.
Since my spirit
has hibernated
in this crystal castle -
I've been waltzing
in a wondering,
did my eyes
loose their dazzle
and become mere
colourless dots
of an oil pastel
portrait, as
this quill turned
vengeful for
its own spirit?
Did I break
my own heart,
by watering the
macabre of miracles?
Fading in
marigold mangroves
that whisper to
my delicate muse,
I feel the breaths
of mirthful wingbeats,
ricocheting and
making me swoon
over a pedestal of
pure sunrays.
Have I always
been this alive,
where these pulses,
reverberating
in my chestnut skin,
could wake me up
from the crestfallen
slumber?
Now, as these
topaz horizons
unfold their
golden carpet,
embroidered with
velvet peonies
and silk carnations,
I slowly bloom,
with a princess-cloak
of fluffy feathered
petals, resting
upon the crown of
emerald leaves,
bathed in chic
chocolaty lakes, as,
~ an empyrean lotus.
So, reminisce me
evermore, as an
imperfect lyric
of a dusky
peach pixie,
leaving footprints
of faith in a
muddy reverie,
for, on the
bluebell crest
of lush earth,
reigns this
rosy Cleopatra,
rhyming with
jeweled perfumes
of tomorrow.
Categories:
basks, deep, emotions, fantasy, flower,
Form:
Free verse
The Tides of Our Passion
The tides of our passion cry out my love,
As we seek to define who we are now.
To live this special life gives us that how,
And when and why we must seek God above!
Our souls blend one perfect constant of love,
As we prize God’s cosmic eternal vow.
Our passion defines our life and us now;
Our love basks in Heaven’s own light above!
Our passion’s rapture is love replete,
With brilliant emotions forever bright,
As we kiss softly under God’s moonlight!
Love’s magical force makes our life complete,
As we seek happiness here on God’s Earth,
Knowing love shall transcend our mortal birth!
Gary Bateman, Copyright © All Rights Reserved,
July 28, 2015 (Petrarchan Sonnet)
Author’s Notes:
Meter: Iambic Pentameter
Octave: abbaabba | Sestet: cddcee
Categories:
basks, allegory, beauty, emotions, feelings,
Form:
Italian Sonnet
Pulling with hands soft and smooth as glazed clay,
Her foot prods the pedal, turning the wheel.
She basks in the bliss of a beautiful mess.
She's learned art is born from that carefree mess.
Moulding with hands caked in layers of clay,
She makes artwork dance on that spinning wheel.
Her bones creak along with the aging wheel,
Silver hair spattered by flecks of sweet mess.
She glazes with hands rough and cracked as dried clay.
Beyond clay and wheel, life spins a fine mess.
*Form: Tritina
Categories:
basks, art, life,
Form:
Tritina
Walking toward His grave, the cool air nipping at my nape on this chilly Nisan morning, feeling disconsolate. The sun has just risen over the Mount of Olives, while the magnificent temple basks in radiant light just beyond. I used to view the holy place with such reverence. Everything seems different now, at least for me. My head is still spinning over the events we witnessed this past week. The most compassionate man the world has ever known is no more. My spirit sank as they spat on him, hit him with their open hands and fists, beat him mercilessly with bone-braided whips, taunted him, cursed him, then accused him of being a blasphemer and seditionist. To the leaders of my nation he was an outcast, spiritually diseased, the Devil's offspring. And yet, the things we saw him do...
leper messiah
execrated pariah
nailed upon a tree
As I near the tomb where he lay my intent is simply to pray and pay homage, nothing more. Birds are singing sweetly, oblivious to the pain I am feeling deep in my heart. What will I do with the rest of my life now that he is gone? What will Peter and the others... Wait!
MY GOD! I cannot believe what I am seeing. Two guards lie on the ground before the tomb, as if dead. The huge stone, sealed with mortar at Pilate's command, has been rolled to the side, leaving the tomb wide open. What in heaven's name is going on? I glance around, no one in sight. Cautiously I enter. What I see now compels me to drop to my knees. In the place where his body was laid lies the garment that he wore upon the stake, bloodstained and rolled up neatly. Tears fill my eyes as the wonderment of what has happened, or might have happened, breaks my heart. Has his body been stolen? Has all of this been some sort of ruse? Just as I am contemplating recent events, two men in white robes appear beside me and say: "Young man, who are you looking for? This Jesus whom you adore has been raised up, as he explained to you on many occasions. Now go, He is waiting for you in Galilee." As mysteriously as they appeared they vanish before my eyes. One thought consumes me now in this sobering moment, I must spread the word. The Messiah, HE LIVES!
sweet sacred sunrise
dawning of a bright new day
birdsong fills the air
* See my companion poem - Golgotha
Categories:
basks, jesus, remember,
Form:
Haibun
When winter’s end is imminent and springtime soon becoming
blackbird and thrush in noble song bumble bee busily humming.
Scent of air fondles the hazy morning scattered seed cultivates
memoirs of time, to ramble throughout lob wood and hear sweet
bluebells across the valley chime.
sweet song of nature
the sound of the butterfly
harmony at dawn
Hosts of yellow heads briskly swaying hillside meadows in unison
bloom, fussy rodents in jubilant paradise; Street House Farm in
nature’s plume. Pussy willow caresses the embankment; Ridding's
Farm basks in the heat of June, inspired scythe displays ancient skill
fragrant hedgerow sings dawn’s vibrant tune.
tears of dew sparkle
grassy stems in sunlight sway
a whisper of wind
Ocean of radical heather signify welcome waves of moorland mist, deluge of dewy tears fall on this place heavenly kissed. Wooden bench outside the old hay barn, where the sultry breeze in sugar hill dances, orchestrates the old folk with war-torn minds reminisce those given a life of second chances.
for to those this day
a touch upon rustic face
nature’s sweetest voice.
© Harry J Horsman 2019
Categories:
basks, environment, nature, peace,
Form:
Haibun
The Magic of Christmas Divine
Christmas cometh only once in each year,
Infusing us with moments so divine,
Giving us God’s love in His cosmic rhyme,
As mankind basks now true in hope and cheer!
God brings us His Son’s love precious and near,
In a mystic rhythm of iambic rhyme,
Whilst we seek Christ’s holy embrace in kind,
Praising Him with our love true and sincere!
Christ’s passion gives us His true love replete,
As we bathe in Heaven’s light ever bright,
Sharing His endless love on Christmas night!
Christmas magic touches our souls complete,
As we celebrate Christ’s love here on Earth,
Praising His transcendence from mortal birth!
Gary Bateman, Copyright © All Rights Reserved,
December 16, 2016 (Petrarchan Sonnet)
Author’s Notes:
Meter: Iambic Pentameter
Octave: abbaabba | Sestet: cddcee
Categories:
basks, allegory, beauty, emotions, feelings,
Form:
Italian Sonnet
Sunshine Radiance
Your love is my true sunshine radiance,
That greets me every day with such passion.
It sets my heart and emotions afire!
Words often fail me at times dearest one,
As I seek to share the depth of my love
For you and how it makes me feel daily.
The brightest of moons and stars in Heaven
Can’t match the splendor you bring to my life.
My heart is joyful when we touch and kiss!
Our love basks in your sunshine radiance!
Gary Bateman, Copyright © All Rights Reserved
(July 7, 2015) (Blank Verse)
Categories:
basks, allegory, emotions, feelings, i
Form:
Blank verse
Eroticism -
a supple spine in a wanting curve
and a foolish fever simmers a scarlet heartbeat—
temptation is an aphrodisiac
and guilt— a red kite lost in a hot hurricane
a strand of blue moonstones plunge to titillate
illicit points of contact caught by starlight
restless yin-nerve-endings take an edgy stance—
primal presence pearls beneath parted flimsy fabric
ah.. gossamer chic taken and tossed by windy hands
freeing moons and earth captured in your orbit
golden hair a dirty tangle flies— streamers
of infidelity seized in someone else’s hands
heat-seeking rhythm throbs within walls
a slappin’ poppin’ bass line frenzy
our bodies wild like a warehouse rave
a driving beat hugging hips caught in a fishnet shimmy
high on oxytocin and fizz of affaire du jour—
unbridled breakers breaking vows in a whipped up gale
as hedonistic hot spots revel in unrestrained spindrift
.. it’s a jungle for conjugal love ..
volcanic ash streaks a feral romance
carnal cat (a hungry stippled stray)
pins me down like prey in a dopamine storm
where edges rendezvous soft and hard and fuse
a silhouette of geometry body-painted in black sands
as the surge uncurls the waves—
dreamscape escape on a slick onyx sheet
nakedness blurs in the rough charcoal smudge
shapes shaded with a roll on the rim of a graphite night
the art of cheating sins stain a seedy portrait on skin
yet basks in the moonbeam’s push into the pulse
without mercy or justification—
just unadulterated
adulterated
euphoria!
Categories:
basks, beach, betrayal, desire, lust,
Form:
Free verse
*Inspired by Edmund Blair Leighton's painting of the same title
She wanders into the garden,
A glorious book in her hand.
It's bound by the loveliest cloth,
And the story inside is grand.
The story provides an escape
From a life of duties and rules.
The characters become good friends
And prose adorns pages like jewels.
As lavender perfumes the air,
It mingles with wind through the trees.
She loses her place for a time
As pages are blown by the breeze.
Surrounded by flowers and shrubs
And shaded by trees that seclude,
She clutches the book to her chest
And basks in this sweet solitude.
Categories:
basks, art,
Form:
Quatrain
This world, never ours alone, but shared with other creatures great and small.
The Earth turns and new dawn comes, and will long after we're gone.
A Sandpiper flitted along the shore and told me so.
We must face a truth that we borrowed these days, you and I,
from benefactors and trustees, unborn and untested, yet will be.
I finally understand now, watching the selfless Caracal's practiced smile..
the tawny red bearded lion basks in the same sunshine.
Touch a heart, lift a soul will you? It's not too late.
For I have faith we are mostly good.
Now listen to the song of nature, be kind..
and don't worry about what never would.
Categories:
basks, bird, cat, inspirational, nature,
Form:
Prose
He basks in his life
that flashes by,
dwells upon a dance
of the wind’s
reasoning and rhythm,
beholden to the vinyl
of songs forgiving,
when childhood
and first love’s beginning
journey through his mind,
before a final prayer
to open the celestial gate.
© Harry J Horsman 2021
Categories:
basks, journey,
Form:
Free verse
Lethargic and listless
lacking all zest,
I lie on the rocks
under the blazing sun.
The calm sea kisses
the rocky shore,
but no sea breeze
breathes on me.
The salt on my back
basks and bakes
and turns an ugly red.
Nothing to it but jump
back into the cool sea,
tempting the jellyfish
to sting my feet.
But on the beach
the newly crowned queen,
the one who scorns me,
parades herself
scantily dressed,
all eyes riveted on her.
I wonder who's worse:
herself or the jellyfish!
Categories:
basks, lost love,
Form:
Free verse