Best Beautifies Poems
Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air
(Ralph Waldo Emerson)
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Cherish the moments, rising on fabric of fuchsia skies,
Painting motifs of amber dawn, dipped in golden sunrise,
In brushstrokes mauve, tinted pink, on opaline skyline;
Where themes heavenly with dreams of morn entwine.
Ride path of sun’s trajectory, soak-in aureate sunshine,
Be amid nature’s mystery, sky-scapes of mystical design;
Rejoice the day, in its prime, revel life’s moments sublime,
Before they wither away, falling prey to reign of time.
Sail the blue waves, synchronize with rhythms of sea,
Undulating with inspiration of tides, vying shores of glee,
Ruminating of paradise, afloat on resplendence, carefree;
Blissful, hearing robins sing, watching butterflies spree.
Be hypnotized, on cusp of twilight, inhale the wild air,
Pulsating from hearts of trees as winds westerly blare;
Be the moment chiming, strumming tenor of breeze,
Snuggling rosy delight, caressing eve’s blush of tease.
Extolling arc of crimson horizon, lost in sun’s goodbye,
As day-decaying beautifies aura, in shades of magenta dye,
Capture the moments blazing fire, ceding to moonlight,
Dipping in the ocean, dispersing glimmer of ruby delight.
I start my afternoon hike up a mountain trail.
October’s sunlight, the vestige of Indian Summer,
dapples my exposed skin with welcomed warmth.
Sun’s rays are gilded tendrils cutting through pines
whose needles’ sweet scent
I breathe deeply in.
I can almost taste the breeze as it rushes past,
waltzing through the many trees.
The sky, immersed in azure, is heavenly!
I imagine its clouds having been swirled by the wind
with which I wish I too were dancing.
Bright foliage surrounds me.
I am bedazzled by them as they ostensibly flaunt
hues of scarlet, rich amber honey, russet, and tangerine -
an ocean of windswept trees!
My destination is a pristine lake where new trees
shimmer - mirrored in its crystal blue.
One oak is so tall it seems like a steeple reaching upward.
Its limbs have formed an arbor which beautifies
the view that greets my eyes.
Acquiescing to enthrallment, I linger there
where tranquility’s quintessence abides,
inhaling October’s unique potpourri.
Dusk will soon swallow up the day,
so I begin my descent. Birds twitter; leaves whisper.
Seeing me, a timid rabbit scampers behind a bush.
Heaven seems fused with the terrain,
igniting my world with iridescence
as against a splash of persimmon, seagulls soar.
How I would love to glide home like those glorious birds.
Intoxicated by the rhapsody of colors,
I come to the bottom of the trail with just enough time
to reach my home’s comfort before night’s chill
envelops all.
Dec. 16, 2022
For Eve Roper's Still-Life Autumn Scene Poetry Contest
You’re my everything, my LORD AND my GOD.
Meanwhile, I claim no new answer
since I have learned, and am knowing WHO YOU ARE intimately
by my personal relationship with YOU through Scriptures’ assertions.
Indeed, YOU are the:
Alpha and Omega upholding me throughout eternity
Bread of life, blessing me with gracious bounty…
Christ Who’s the chief cornerstone of the church I belong
Deliverer and defender, enabling me to be strong…
Emmanuel Whose presence beautifies my essence
Faith-Author letting my trust-story glow with sublime iridescence…
Guardian, protecting my soul around regeneration seal
Holy One, imparting to me divine nature I can’t conceal…
Instructor, constantly exhorting me to obey commandments
Judge, always forgiving toward righteous engagements…
King Who deserves my service to the utmost
Lover so faithful beyond my fidelity’s cost…
Mediator I cling to for His spiritual advocate-role
Nourisher of my being, nurtured for heavenly goal…
Omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent Sovereign
Peace Source enriching me with reconciliation serenity-gain…
Quickening me toward born-again genuine revival
Redeemer ensuring my resurrection-upheaval…
Saviour Whose Shepherd-satisfaction suffices me verily
Teacher guiding my steps along His truth certainly…
Ultimate reason of my meaningful existence-zest
Victory causing every triumphant best, so blest…
Wonderful Counselor I seek against angst and doubt
Xenial in dealing with me around fellowship route
Yokefellow Who bears my load in discipleship-partnership…
Zealous leader I yield myself to in jubilant worship.
Indeed, You’re my everything, my LORD AND my GOD.
Without You, I am nothing. Thank You very much for loving me.
I love You, too. By Your grace, I live for You*
while ministering to others in Your name.
Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
May 2, 2021
Abecedarian in couplet form
6th place, "Tell Me, Who Do You Say That I Am" Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Mystic Rose Rose; judged on 5/5/2021.
Imagine your own life a garden spot
where trees might symbolize your family,
for they provide the shade which you have sought
when times are hard, abiding constantly.
The flowers that pop up each spring are those
acquaintances and friends that you hold dear.
The best of them for me would be each rose
that beautifies my life year after year.
In certain seasons, butterflies appear.
You love the sight of them. They make you smile.
However, only in the sun they thrive,
and in your garden, they stay but a while.
Replaceable are they; when comes the rain
they’ll flutter off – to not be seen again.
Written March 22, 2017
for Julia Ward's Someone, or Something, Replaceable Poetry Contest
Red Eastern Screech Owl
Ginger moonlighter, striated
in cinnamon spice and cream,
beautifies the stage with backdrop
of an ebony-stream horizon.
He perches alone
like a sculpture carved from
bark. Glossed in ginger, sparkling eyes
penetrate darkness in golden amber
gaze. Spiced wing-span drapes into sky,
as small creatures scamper
in wind song before his flight.
Then, harmony breaks into harsh
screeches of hunter to midnight.
Instinct infuses the senses - a sullen
lowering of head before swooping in
to the hum of quivering fields of grass
and restless rhythms of beginnings and ends.
He descends, crested in darker shades of crimson,
piercing the shield of night, with a sudden
shift from grace to strength.
Outside my window, I see a swift shadow,
like a sprinkling of spice, and then all is still.
I am desperate to know his secrets,
so, I ask him to come, please, teach me his ways.
Teach me, in ginger swirls, how to sway the clouds
and charm spirits watching from the ground.
He never replied, but burrowed deep
into my sleep, a rusty-red, gentle heartbeat.
All is wild in dreams -
One glimpse of a miracle
One glimmer of light
One fleeting moment
calls me to believe. I am convinced, some answers,
we are not meant to receive.
Shower of autumn leaves and acorns,
And rustling sound as I stroll.
Those mesmerising bubbles all-round,
As I dive in the pool.
And also, when, looking into his eyes,
Silently, I can walk thousand miles.
Yes! This is the poetry to me.
The power to see the unseen!
A lady dressed in pink, in my sight.
With complementing accessory soaked in glittery white.
And my heart fondly admires,
Wow! That blushing pink charmer!
Just like an innocent pearl in an oyster.
Adorning beautiful pearl in white,
Gracefully gleaming bright!
And also, when I see those young, tanned lads,
Completely soaked in mud.
And, scaring me, with their thud.
Then, smiling broadly to show their set of teeth.
Oh! I love them, they are all sweet!
Yes! This is the poetry to me.
It definitely beautifies my thoughts!
When I see my friend upset.
Without even a word, I know his mindset.
Slipping quietly my hand on her hand.
I can feel her with my inner strength.
Yes! This is the poetry to me.
It teaches me to empathise.
When I am low
Poetry raises me back, to glow!
When my confidence begins to retire.
Poetry gives me the strength to fight like fire!
Yes! This is the poetry to me.
Always by my side to support me.
Poetry hones in me, a better orator,
As it makes me, a better expresser.
Yes! It helps me to build my character.
My poetry is me!
23/2/19
Sponsor: Silent One
Contest Name: Poetry and ME
Rain
rhythmic
splatterings
of liquid drops
fall on the sidewalk
Somber nimbus teardrops
Thunder bellows out his roar
Lightning flash beautifies the sky
That has become as dark as the night
Quite ominous became the scenic mood
Disturbing to both man and beast alike
Then all is hushed and silence prevails
Mourning clouds have floated away
Skies have shed the gloomy gray
Raindrops dry on the ground
Nature's thirst is quenched
Rainbows appeared
arched above
daylight
sun
...like the stirring wants of summer eves
that slumber in naked beds
that hold our attention from heart to head
linger
like the soft full lips that speak the neon tension
of need
that give us light and motion
intimacy that beautifies what the earth has
lost in smoke and war
linger easefully on my chest
lover
with anthems of lore in a spirited telling
that bind us in the seeds they sow
that the languid moon might own
for the voice I hear this passing night
rich with racing wine
lingers with its tasting
when all the bobs and buds of touch
bubble like the rain
Momentous meteor shower of words
Plethora of metered color absurd
Rainbows falling to the ground
With syllable shakes and bobo refrains
Lamentable lemon sunsets of pain
Our God stuns with just one sound
Err not, for he certainly beautifies
Wing’d articulation of butterflies
Enchanting chanting with wings
Whilst poet’s tongue sticks to roof of mouth
Or bathes in blather of love toward spouse
God’s glory the angels King
Our word counts we treasure and lock up tight
Iambic or free we type up all night
Impactful the sun and moon
God’s trophy ascribed sans paper and ink
Multitude of stars show’d off on the brink
In sacred immaculate swoon
8/21/2021
Falling acorns gather like pebbles on a beach
Floating leaves sway which are hard to reach
Blue jays sounding, seeking food to eat
Squirrels scrimmage in brigades, not doubting defeat
Brisk air puffing, glittering sun streams thru
Rabbits hip and hop over the wet morning dew
Sparrows and finches begin their daily flights
Breadcrumbs are scattered abound for their delights.
Fall is here, crisp leaves crunching, a seasonal birth
The foliage beautifies and encompasses our mother earth
Various hues adorn the banks of the creeks and streams
A moment to escape catching the sunlight’s autumn dreams.
Hello! We are a pair of eyes,
gifted to a human so nice.
To express our peaceful cries,
a poet, on our behalves, hereby tries.
Above the tongue which seldom lies,
below the brain which thinks wise,
with an oval shape and small size,
we see the guise and the disguise.
Our eyelids blink when tensions rise,
eyelashes prohibit the dust that flies,
with eyebrows, the face also beautifies,
our morphology looks concise.
Seeing light, the pupil shies,
the lens can minimize and maximize,
on retina, image forms of different size,
our physiology is very precise.
A few disorders we list in concise,
myopia produces bills before eyes,
night blindness disturbs after moonrise,
cataract warns after grey hair arise.
We request the humans with eyes,
for good vision, give us exercise,
after death, do donate your eyes, and
feel the tears when a human cries.
I'm proud to be a Persian, there's no doubt
though some may look at me with veiled disdain
To honored heritage, I give a shout,
and here I bare my love in words made plain
When Cyrus captured Babylon's strong hold
The greatest in the world this man became
"Anointed One", in scriptures, name so bold
Religious freedom reigned; he banished shame
And through the years this country has survived
Though some have sought to crush it to the ground
its music, lore, and culture only thrived!
The wonders of my country still astound
Rich flavors mix in scrumptious Persian food
and saffron beautifies the long grained rice
Delicacies await each interlude
Desserts so decadent beg one more slice!
My heart just thrills when Farsi greets my ear
A language soft, melodious and sweet
When set to music, all the world must hear
Indulgent rhyming words, a lover's treat
You claim to know Hafez and love Rumi
“A Thousand and one Nights”: a splendid tale!
Well then, my dearest friend, listen to me,
for these great writers from this country hail
Armenian Persian is my ancestry
My childhood in Iran, a glorious time!
Leave prejudices out of poetry
My Persian pride will live on in this rhyme!
Eileen Manassian
Cyrus the Great is mentioned in the Bible:
Isaiah 45:1-13
"This says the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whom I have seized by the right, to subdue nations before him." He was known to be benevolent and to give those he conquered the right to worship as they wished. Also, the Jews were given the opportunity to rebuild the temple during the reign of another Persian king, Artaxerxes.
I thought I would just give a footnote so that the reader will understand the references in the poem. We all have to be proud of our heritage. I haven't been back to my country since I was 11 due to various reasons, but...the memories I have will always warm my heart.
Poetic forms like the Rubaiyat and Ghazal are Persian forms, along with the Mathnawi. Persia is famous for its carpets, cats, and caviar...the three C's...along with so much more. Of course, my daughter's name, SHEREEN is Farsi and it means...SWEET. :)
The birth place of world war II
after an invasion void of any declaration.
Stamps on history’s book by feminine hands
to ascertain the first death sentence of the same human disaster.
A time frame marked its stolen identity
signifying its absorption into the world map
when three neighbouring nations rolled dices on its existence.
Roman Catholicism is advertised by the sun
in this place where it’s the pioneer of oil refinery
and the continent’s most important reproductive clinic
to border-crossing summer birds.
The father of Europe in king Kazimierz Jagiellonczyk
married off his three seeds of fertility
who were carrying rich humus
to the germination of Europe’s greatest dynasties.
Another king flatters history when he re-based back to his origin
to honour a coronation conflicting the poles’ election.
The heart of the world of European Jews
where their rescue during the holocaust was second to none
where the first artificial language, created and sustained;
and having a patriot decorated five times on physical masculinity.
It is the home to the famous Nicolaus Copernicus
and the birth place of the globally applauded Marie Curie.
The last will and testament of the expiring country
marks the first European constitutional state.
The underground salt cathedral is significant in its global age ranking.
The Bialowieza Primeral, epitomizes the continent’s last ancient forest
and the piwnica Swidnilka ranks the first
in the pride of the continent’s aged restaurants.
Its historic medicinal use of vodkas
and the blossom to the stem end direction
of peeling Bananas ready for consumption
beautifies the grit of a nation which stood firm
even after a forty and three attempts of invasion.
Well organized organisms are wary of defense
these shields defy all odds to justify the integrity of our borders
the enemy’s need to conquer and the drive to dominate
is stopped b’cos with the men in uniform, great cities are fortified.
Sworn to be dedicated back room boys
their sacrifices have made livelihood well simplified,
every soldier’s fall magnifies our strength and existence
each and every salute dignifies the country’s reputation.
The quest to penetrate border and envelope lands are questioned
b’cos with the last drop of blood, they’ll nullify all antigens
placed as utmost priority, even the ants can comprehend
nothing can therefore falsify the commitment of these men.
A nation’s defense scales its survival
every victory intensifies each citizen’s patriotic passion
a country’s posterity lies on each sweat-soaked uniform,
their mortality is crucified, while someone else-glorified.
The oneness of the country can testify
with every of its citizens fully satisfied.
Diplomacy has kept the battle field’s frequency modified
but history of victories already beautifies our coat of arm
With the structure of nationhood so diversified,
the zenith of their zeal has kept us unified
the globe has been notified of such a powerful drive,
keeping our enemies and rivals completely horrified.
Spring Flowers
Allium is raising Spring’s alarm.
Begonia is beating Spring’s drum.
Crocus is Spring’s first charm.
Daffodils dance in delighted decorum.
Easter redbud shines in red glow
Freesia sends descent scent to flow
Gardenia is gorgeous in pretty white.
Hyacinths honour holy Spring being polite.
Iris idly smiles sweet and shyly nod.
Jasmine is glorious as gift of God.
Kangaroo paw beautifies the mother tree.
Lilac shrubs swing inn cheers and glee.
Marigolds make merry in Spring garden,
Never become extra or season’s burden.
Overwhelming jewel as Spring detector
Primrose rose inviting bees for nectar.
Quenching thirst of Spring – admirer
Rose realms supreme in reign of flower.
Scilla shows softness in purple and blue.
Tiger Lily looks top in fantastic hue.
Under Spring’s canopy Sun never turns arrogant.
Viburnum makes Spring bright and brilliant.
Witch Hazer shrubs call yellow tune to sing.
X’mas gets sad being deprived of splendid spring.
Yellow anemone sparkles like amber star
Zinnia is zealous to dazzle and glitter.