Best Berthed Poems
THE FISHERMAN AND THE MERMAID
A young fisherman berthed in Penzance
Went ashore one fine night to a dance
He woke up on his boat
With a mermaid afloat
The First prize in a card game of chance
So was spawned a cross genus romance
Though the neighbors regarded askance
They got married next day
In a church by the bay
And went off to a fish farm in France
August 2019
Given N/A in Contest: ‘Two Sea Themed Limericks’
Categories:
berthed, fish, humorous,
Form:
Limerick
Fantasy is hardly an escape from reality. It's a way of understanding it. Lloyd Alexander
Starlight shown on the WHIMSY Island.
So the well-equipped yacht berthed quietly
Into the small harbour. Afar, Greg saw a small inn.
It was in total darkness. Probably a total outage.
He decided to go to the inn and get some food,
But in the obscurity of the night, he hit a tree trunk
That had fallen in his path and hit his head.
Darkness engulfed him and he fell in a swoon.
Some animal was licking his face and a lovely fairy
Held his face up. Must be some HALLUCINATION.
He sat up questioning his IMAGINATION. Fairy?
Unicorn? His VISUALIZATION needed an explanation.
Fluttering her gossamer wings, Faye helped him up
And put him onto the unicorn. Yes, yes, he questioned..
Is this some REVERIE? Yet all three rose above the forest
Of green ashes with glow worms showing them the way,
and they landed in a glen, where a feast had been prepared.
Other fairies brought hot fruity milk and cinnamon bread.
Satiated, they danced and made merry with bells and wind chimes.
Until the first signs of sunrise shone in the sky.
All disappeared and Faye took Greg’s hand
And both flew towards the yacht that awaited them.
Whether this was a DREAM or not Greg cared not.
He drew Faye, nearer to him and together they kissed.
Stars weaved in a fantasy web as the moon shone bright.
Placed 1
Categories:
berthed, adventure, dream, fairy,
Form:
Free verse
THE LEAVING OF LIVERPOOL
Giant ferry berthed in Mersey River :
Tugs take the strain with a shiver,
Ropes creak and we cast off -
She timorously inches away from the wharf.
Bow comes round and leaves the dyke:
Lit buildings spin carousel-like -
Strong currents have us in tow.
Black vortices with bubbles below,
Inkiness of river water stark:
Hear it more than see it in the dark.
Big crewman in black woolly hat
Yelling to another in Serbo-Croat:
Looks like mayhem but they know
How to swing her into the river, so
That ropes, men, machines, move in sync
Floating her out on the ink.
Liverpool fades in red glow;
Stars emerge from hiding low.
On the frowning wave
We are alone in the dark, save
Our own lights cast ghostly
Into nothingness mostly.
Go inside and shut out the night.
In the morning Dublin in sight.
Categories:
berthed, seariver,
Form:
Imagism
One kazillion million miles away
Far off in a distant galaxy
Is the most fascinating phenomenon
It is a star making machine
Berthed from a vast expanse of gaseous matter
Twinkling lights are born
Not a single one like the next
Each with its different elements and colors
Like a magical wand whisking illuminating bubbles
The greatest show this universe has ever seen
One million and one mystical stars have arrived on the scene
Even with the Hubble Telescope
The world’s greatest scientists are unable to comprehend this show
It is truly one of the most fascinating shows in the universe—when a star is born!
A single star
A twisting and twirling gaseous maze of wonder
A single star
Not a single one like another
Jehovah God will not even allow the world’s most sophisticated telescope to unravel the mystery of his stars
It is incomprehensible how the Creator spins the elements
Elements not even known to the human periodic table
He exhales a small puff of his glory upon them and POOF they are born!
In order to see how a star is born you must be a child of the living God
You must travel to the heavens and visit the Observatory Deck
At that moment and only at that moment will the Creator reveal this mystery
The mystery of the universe
How a star is born!
Written by Gwendolen Rix
10-11-14
Categories:
berthed, christian, heaven, science, sky,
Form:
Free verse
Art is an inspiration...
berthed alive
Poetry is an inspitration ...
said aloud
you may catch my' as is moments ' of both poetry and art at youtube under my pen name ichthyschiro..
and in short form @ strandpoet on twitter. and..
in kindle ebooks on amazon
Categories:
berthed, art, inspiration, poetry,
Form:
Couplet
I know of a man. A man full of gratitude and humility for all he is and all he has
He has an eternal fault: an obsession to make a difference; to make an impact
To sow where he care not to reap
And give where, he does not get back
To solve a problem not of his making
Standing as beacon of hope in the face of upmost despair
And flow freely like an oasis in the silent desert
Shining like a million stars in the steep darkness
I know of the young-man who
Drank richly of some foreigners’ fount of knowledge
Years ago, way back at an ancient city of the Yorubas
An unsure future was secured, se t on path of greatness
Filled with such wholesome inspiration
He caught a glimpse of tomorrow vision
And before him was set a life mission
Which he pursued with uncommon passion
To start a national social redemption
He with other berthed the ship of change and silent revolution
In business as in charity
At a Lagos unusual port, in Surulere, at Obele community
He with some inspired men and women with pen and white chalk
Walked rather than talk the talk
Breaking the jinx of decades of failure and annual underachievement
Setting loose and dreaming
Another generation of Nigerian graduates
Inspiring many to take up arms of service, destroying
reign of woes of secondary education among the tomorrow leaders
Selflessly in the spirit of giving back
That success baton once received a generation earlier
Now with duty being passed to the future runners
To stop the wanton waste
Of the so called wasted generation
Enlivening J. F. Kennedy age long mantra
‘Not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for her’
If the Americans has Peace Corps reaching the corners of the world
The man and co. decided
Nigerians can have Volunteers Corps reaching the end of Africa
Imbued with the power of one, driven by a unity of one team
Volunteer Corps was brought forth to life
By men and women, grandly inspired
Ahead of the pack, dangling the magic wand of change
With deftly touch and humblest of heart
Is the man called Ademola Aladekomo
He is a volunteer; A volunteer of volunteers.
Categories:
berthed, black african american, caregiving,
Form:
Ode
Tired, weary eyes
Seen enough to rest forever
Time yet short spent
Longer bleak years yet to face
Do loaded ears hear?
So, float in ecstasy, Eldorado
Hard long labor of the past punish
Reality of failed plans torment
Roads known from old vanished
How will the song be sung?
The vulture has berthed
Copious carcasses waiting to be carted
Shells emptied and drained
Served on Nigerian high rock
Did you ask the legs to run?
Acumen and sanity served for desert
Whereas the ancestors and I bestowed the ‘Offor’
Authority to lead, serve and control
The mace now breaks the people’s skulls
Where will I find the hat to think?
Land of Utopia!
Categories:
berthed, life, love,
Form:
Free verse
(Dedicated to the memory of my mother Catherine who died June 3, 2011 and was
buried June 24, 2011)
Sleep. Wake. Sleep
Sleep on empty stomach
Food and liquor make the journey
Eat, make Epicurus laugh double for once
Holiness! Is it not about angels and fruits
Eden has grapes and bitters
The tempters line the trees
And chirpy birds blow the flutes
The tempers with long tales and the dragon
There is a golden chair and a golden crown
And a bsket of flowers waiting to waive you in
There the master's table you'll see in the morning
Ulcer and glaucoma have no role to play
So you must eat, launch
And lunch to roost
There Grace waits for his owns
If indeed in the father's house there are many mansions
Why could Richman not easily find a room
Sone, from the master's table think
Analyze, princilpize, study and report
Stone, think as you walk around the dais
Analyze as you sleep. Principlize
Sleep and Sleep
Then look back, look to the corners
Look at the dome and compare with heavensgate
Take note the colors of the priests here and compare
See the dark waters, you did not see there before
See your scions on the front seats
See me, Franco, with the cross of attrition
Flung on me by brothers and sister
See the masquerades, musketeers
See my men dressed in raffia for this Elizbethan epic
See the men of the nights and those of the days
Filed on the right and on the left with Infant Terrible
See the near monks minus opportunity
Hiding their faces and long ghoulish tales
Rolling out muted laughter or pardon
Singing accustomed sonorous tunes for the great
See our uncles sibblings whose finest tears I never saw until now
See the candor and the incenses that have prevailed
Are these not enough comets that the Lord rewards
Yes. So then, the sound of the trumpets
The trumpeters are your seeded three clans
Charging the heavens in swaggers
Blazing forth, in pomps celebrating life
Dancing this same song of homecoming
For Stone, the cornerstone of many parts
Cargo of our latest argosy
Berthed at the Terminal. Farewell mum.
Categories:
berthed, funeraljune, men,
Form:
.
Shakespeare meets Popeye.
Once upon a time in a town called Sweet haven
There lived a sailor type, tattoos and quite unshaven.
The Mayor was a biggish guy, “Caesar the spinach salad”
Yes that was his real name,
His passport it was valid.
But in that very place three anchors were at weigh,
Desperado individuals ,
Bluto, attorney and Cassius Clay!
They did not like the way the Mayor he ran the town
Acting like a God, he was needing taken down.
Caesar had beat a rival at the last election,
The whole town thought that he,
A most natural selection..
But these bandits had a plan to stab him in the back,
Get rid of this big salad with a political attack.
So it was that Bluto he became this Caesars friend,
Then the other two would lie and play pretend.
Then at a senate meeting
Three hoped to do their deed,
Just like the Rolling Stones they would really “Let it bleed.”
But, they were not ready, for another sailor guy
Who smoked a small clay pipe
Who’s name it was Popeye.
For Caesar was the father of a beauty Olive Oyl
Who had overheard these stooges
And their deed she meant to spoil.
So it was that Popeye he really saved the day,
Stopped these three assassins good,
By thumping them on there way.
He made sure their ships set sail,
they were no longer berthed and anchored.
Then he told the press
“I came I saw I conquered!”
© Ned Flanders
Categories:
berthed, adventure
Form:
Rhyme
And who are we, ignoble birthed,
knowing as we must,
all elements of earth
laid down in divine trust
berthed in perfect form-
stupendous souls made from dust.
Finger of God made so much of it
Divine capsule of design
Then the human being lost his mind,
lost the way for humankind.
Blood sacrifice cries from the ground
Stones will cry out if they must
What would they say if they could sound
out hope of humane recreation?
Lust for life is never past the point
of no return to final destination.
Atonement is a living law, on its own.
It is impossible to bleed life from a stone.
Aqua Marine. 02/04/2024.
Categories:
berthed, creation, forgiveness, humanity, meaningful,
Form:
Free verse
(Dedicated to the memory of my mother Catherine who died June 3, 2011 and was
buried June 24, 2011)
Sleep. Wake. Sleep
Sleep on empty stomach
Food and liquor make the journey
Eat, make Epicurus laugh double for once
Holiness! Is it not about angels and fruits
Eden has grapes and bitters
The tempters line the trees
And chirpy birds blow the flutes
The tempers with long tales and the dragon
There is a golden chair and a golden crown
And a bsket of flowers waiting to waive you in
There the master's table you'll see in the morning
Ulcer and glaucoma have no role to play
So you must eat, launch
And lunch to roost
There Grace waits for his owns
If indeed in the father's house there are many mansions
Why could Richman not easily find a room
Sone, from the master's table think
Analyze, princilpize, study and report
Stone, think as you walk around the dais
Analyze as you sleep. Principlize
Sleep and Sleep
Then look back, look to the corners
Look at the dome and compare with heavensgate
Take note the colors of the priests here and compare
See the dark waters, you did not see there before
See your scions on the front seats
See me, Franco, with the cross of attrition
Flung on me by brothers and sister
See the masquerades, musketeers
See my men dressed in raffia for this Elizbethan epic
See the men of the nights and those of the days
Filed on the right and on the left with Infant Terrible
See the near monks minus opportunity
Hiding their faces and long ghoulish tales
Rolling out muted laughter or pardon
Singing accustomed sonorous tunes for the great
See our uncles sibblings whose finest tears I never saw until now
See the candor and the incenses that have prevailed
Are these not enough comets that the Lord rewards
Yes. So then, the sound of the trumpets
The trumpeters are your seeded three clans
Charging the heavens in swaggers
Blazing forth, in pomps celebrating life
Dancing this same song of homecoming
For Stone, the cornerstone of many parts
Cargo of our latest argosy
Berthed at the Terminal. Farewell mum.
Categories:
berthed, funeraljune, men,
Form:
Rise up black woman and you all of other colours
Rise up and grab your fallen baton
Passed down from the hand of heroines past
Rise up from the grave Amina Zazzau
The lioness who hunted for lions to eat
Rise up lest her exploits be forgotten
Rise up to sheer bravery of Aba women
Whose nudity deadened men’s manhood
And broke the chains and shackles of injustice
Rise up to the gallantry of the Dahomey women
Whose fists waded off mighty warriors
And secured a kingdom and its men
Rise up in the spirit of Pupupu
She who was first to ascend a throne
And berthed the Ondo kingdom
Rise upin the spirit of Efunroye Tinubu
A lone voice that drowned the voices of million of men
Whose wealth fuelled the economy of Egba nation
Rise up in the power of Moremi
The woman who dared what men feared
To unravel the liberated her people
Rise up in the spirit of Funmilayo Kuti
The tigress who retreated before nobody
Rise up in the spirit of Sawaba
The nanny goat that played host in lion’s den
Rise up girls and women
From your kitchens, markets, stalls and offices
Rise and keep up the dream of
The golden palms that rocked our cradle
Categories:
berthed, black african american, inspirational,
Form:
Free verse
A waterfall is neither a moon beam nor is it icing dripping from a big cake. It is wise to build fortresses of ice in skating weather but skiing weather cannot make the deadline so the cross country brigade of brigadoons are in areas unvisited and therefore unexplored by mankind. Cleanliness in a goblet goo and bleached bath bombs can eradicate even the most stale smell of blemished food. But watching a movie on a six mile screen is equivalent to eating banana peel on a motorway in a lay by. Tailoring treating treatments taking talismanic traders talking trees. And a big wide berthed arch on a canal path is exemplary style of an architectural wonder. Xx beanbags xx diagramming diamonds xx stratification z that was the p y q reporting from a snow globe.
Categories:
berthed, beautiful,
Form:
Generating a ring
of bright waters, which
currently meanders, ponders,
and then streams - twitch
ching reflexively as flora
and fauna lap rich
text chard liquid
timelessly streaming, rippling,
and quivering pitch
sure risk gully confidently
babbling, bobbing, bubbling,
burbling loch a king
dominating his rill small niche
wade ding in the wings,
one doth espy, (sans oxbow lake)
analogous to an err
river rent sea sunned bay sic
wide whirled, whetted, webbed itch
perhaps berthed as a cripple creek,
and/or survivor of a kill
ling, which ordinary
happenstance attempts
to anthropomorphize
life giving resource hitch
ching various synonyms for water,
where sustenance to biosphere
can become flushed out
vis a vis via an ecological glitch
which dry dystopian scenario,
within the realm
of human activities circumstance
leaving most animals plants awash
bay sic lee lurching,
gasping, and choking
within an immense oceanic ditch
availing an alien landscape
awash with post apocalyptic
desiccated global cribbage
match, where the losing hand
would be a real ,
thus summarily, punctiliously, and merrily
describes the edifying whirlpool
life sike kill
where countless marine species will flounder
(literally like a fish out of water)
viz deadened ghyll.
Categories:
berthed, 11th grade, 12th grade,
Form:
Free verse
The Highland Princess
Berthed again
Freshwater Loch
Beautiful Highland Glen
Tranquil pined hillside
Log cabin picturesque
Captain and his dove
Lovingly blessed
As winter sets in
Snow falls so deep
This two in the warmth
In cuddled keep
Roaring log fire
Birch logs a sparking
Face to face
Their hearts a starting
The Captain stands up
And asks for her hand
As he leads her to
A room so grand
Large window they stand
Over the loch they view
He turns to his dove
Declaring, i love you
His manly hands
Undress her so
In her heart she says
Undress me slow
His dove unfeathered
Hands running down her arms
Torso caressed
Her chesty charms
Heaven reached
His hand grooming
As he kisses his dove
Her heart cooing
Four poster bed
Their impressions are made
Moonlight through the window
Passions played
Delicious whispers
In the ear of his dove
As they spoon together
Like a hand in a glove
Together in dreams
Heart to heart
Their next journey
A new start
Categories:
berthed, adventure, girlfriend-boyfriend, happiness, holiday,
Form:
Rhyme