Best Black As Coal Poems
Desiree captured his soul
that mirrors into her past.
Luring eyes black as coal
peers deep into waters vast.
Her sleek mermaid contour
silhouettes in morning sun.
Glowing skin shines so pure
suits the silk that looks newly spun.
She stares beyond her reflection
that no one else can see.
Her eyes fix in sole direction
hair to the wind flies free.
Blossoms fill mist with sweet scent
dispersing her seductive essence.
Longs only for her lost gent
who filled her heart in adolescence.
Desiree; he whispers with the wind
pulling her ever close inside.
Her aching heart wishes to ascend
since she can never be his bride.
Copyright © 2011 By Caryl S. Muzzey
Fourth Place Winner ~ "Reflection” Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Constance La France ~ A Rambling Poet
March 18, 2011
Rainbow Nation
Blanca is white like beautiful snow in the Drakensberg Mountains
she snorted star powder past the perforated septum into her brain
Black as coal from the underworld mines in Mpumalanga Melanie
had her stomach pumped and purged while sleeping off darkness
Amber is coloured mixed race in the Rainbow of Nations her work
still paid in dop cheap vine that slaves her away in alcoholic trance
Arnav of Indian descent was hooked on dagga grown by the ocean
converted to heroin sold her frail body and skin for brown liquid sugar
Jacobus Bandele Lungelo and Bhavin shared needles and comfort
on the streets of Johannesburg flirted with disaster drug related crime
and their dealers cracked at the dawn longed for dust in the dusk
Drugs do not respect colour gender ability social class and religion
all druggies are equal with craving dependency not restricted to some
Now united in rehab like the state of the nation they all stood at the
table of mountains with one foot in the grave at the cliff face of habit
One day at the moment they now battle their demons resist the temptation
for only the time being from one morning away from the devious mourning
one drug line not taken one fall off the wagon shunned and avoided for now
They have all chased the dragon for far too long and imbibed with the devil
for so many wretched days and nights of delusion torment addiction and pain
Again once more each day anew their only chance to abstain one day at the time
The moon is full and white, and chill, this night,
it cascades past my open window sill,
and all the color fades to dark from light,
a monochrome of gray which can't be stilled.
The armoire's shadow strays across the floor.
I watch it from within my canopy bed.
as a nightmare gallops through my open door,
a Pooka* black as coal with eyes which bled.
Its jaw agape red gore froths from his maw,
and it slowly paws the cover from my bed,
a scream freezes in my throat to bird-like caw,
it dips for me to mount, as I am led.
Upon a demon spawn, I scour the moor
'til dawn descends to end this foul glamour.
6/7/13
*The pooka is a primarily a creature of Irish folklore. Considered to be both bringers of good and bad fortune. The creatures were said to be shape changers which could take the appearance of black horses.
I awake to find you once again
Setting fire to the leaves
Multi-colored flames in rain
I watch them falling from the trees
To fly upon an ever-changing breeze
You scorch the valleys and the hills
And turn their green to gold
And paint yourself upon the rills
That run from times of old
On water black as coal
I watch in awe, before my eyes
The magic you unfold
Forgetting for a moment, Summer died
As you steal my heart and soul
With the vision that these old eyes now behold
I sat with a reluctant story teller
my legs crossed
holding my breath
The fabric of her mind
was tightly folded
tucked in carefully at her edges
I reached for a thread
gave it a gentle tug
hoping that it would come loose
My desire was to know her secrets
Her's was the ability I so desperately desired
She smiled a knowing smile
Looked deeply into my eyes
I gazed back resolutely
Searching for my prize
She whispered
"Come close
within my hands
I hold the ghosts
They scream with force
to be released
You will not be protected
by your Priest
I'm trying my best
to hold them back
If they escape
they will attack!"
My childish wonder
turned to fear
Could real Ghosts
have followed her here
As I wondered
she began to laugh
Within my soul
I felt a draft
I got my wish
Storied spirits grabbed hold
I could not handle
the tales she told
So I ran
through the forest
Spirits close behind
sang a chorus
"We are released
our stories are yours
Fly with us
through hidden doors
The forest our home
a magical place
we knit our spells
with silvered lace!"
Her thread had attached
firmly to my mind
The desire within
had rendered me blind
The reluctant story teller
she knew me best
deep down convinced
I'd fail her test
As the fabric unraveled
I absorbed her pain
Those silvered threads
now formed a chain
The ghostly spirits
wrapped links round my soul
My eyes of blue
turned black as coal
Nothing was left
of earlier me
I became like the one
I wished to be
I am the Reluctant Story Teller
The fabric of my mind tightly folded
tucked in at my edges
You sit cross legged
holding your breath
You pull at a single thread
hoping my fabric will unravel
You desire to know my secrets
"Come a little closer
so that I might whisper in your ear,
I have stories to tell!"
Dedicated to my Friend Vicky a story teller Extrodinaire.
The moon is full and white, and chill, this night,
it cascades past my open window sill,
and all the color fades to dark from light,
a monochrome of gray which can't be stilled.
The armoire's oblong shadow strays across the floor.
I watch it from within my canopy bed.
A nightmare gallops through an open door,
a Pooka black as coal with eyes that bled.
Its jaw agape and gore froths from his maw,
as it slowly paws the cover from my bed,
a scream freezes in my throat, a bird-like caw,
he dips down for me to mount, and I am led.
Upon this demon spawn, I scour the moor
'til dawn descends to belay this foul glamour.
If I sing a song for everyday that I love you
This everlasting melody would cry the virtues when I’m feeling blue
I’ll paint a picture, capturing the image of your soul
I’d use every colour on this earth, love would be as black as coal.
Will I walk until I meet the edges of the crashing sea?
Touch the mermaids land, watch them sleep so peacefully
I would float forever, but the anchor of my soul would pull me to the floor
Did I fall in your trap? Or did I pick a heart that has no door?
Id cry until there were no tear left inside of me
Would you shed one or two? Allowing your emotions to run free
I could listen to your whispers, high above the snow-capped mountain
Or would you hear my thoughts? As I watch my penny sink into the fountain
I know my sight could follow your gaze all through the day
You can easily see what my eyes are too frightened to say
My lips will part whilst receiving what they have so longed after
Your kiss would show what I have missed, the tongue of love and laughter
My hands will hold our love, with the help of your grace
Your grasp never falters, I’m not found, I’m lost in your space
I’d find your heart, looking no further than my own reflection
The promises I stand are strong and true, or could this be my own spinning inception?
Anxiety
Racing thoughts fill my brain,
As if they are tearing up the track.
My head pounds like falling rain,
And my heart is under attack.
Is there anything that can end this pain?
My palms are sweating profusely,
Why is everyone staring?
My thoughts are swirling abstrusely,
The bustling voices are blaring,
And I stumble around obtusely.
When will this end?
I’m losing control.
How do I transcend
This dismal state as black as coal
How much longer can I pretend?
9/20/21
Emile Pinet
Quintain (Sicilian)
A place in the sun...bright and shining from early morn.
Ebony tones everywhere..colorful garments
lend an air of festivity....hustle and bustle everywhere.
Streets...bands of steel meander through the city
tall buildings ...cast grotesque shadows along the roads
as trees bow in homage to the new day.
People rushing by...insects trapped in an invisible jar
laughing, singing....white teeth flashing.
Aromatic scents of herbs and spices
emanate from side walk cafes to
tease the senses.
Side walk hawkers...fried fish, fried chicken, fried cassava
tittilate the senses... tempt the taste buds.
Taxis rush at a mad pace oblivious to potholes all the way.
Wildlife a-plenty ....... from lions to giraffes
a colorful scene ....a feast to the eyes.
Flamingoes on the lake.. fiery pink compete with brilliant sunsets,
a world seen behind rose tinted shades.
Even the soil.....red as ochre, black as coal, white as the beaches
a variety of colors throughout the land.
Tea and coffee plantations..a delightful view
in a beautiful land , I once knew
where suffering, hardship, joy and laughter
embrace each other,
Eternal Pain
Raped, beaten and taken from me
Body stretched out, hand and knee.
Blood on the door, blood on the wall
Eyes open wide, but nobody saw.
One life, two lives denied,
A second soul, awaking inside.
A son, a legacy, and things unseen
My hope, my soul, and my dream.
Two lifeless bodies, one slain soul
One dark heart, black as coal.
He’ll never know, just what he took
Closed casket, closed life, and closed book.
Her last night, nothing to gain
My ball, my chain, my eternal pain.
Eyes blazing with fire yet black as coal
Hair glistens from the capture of souls
Beads of moisture on her body hold
The hearts of Lovers who dared.
Naked in the cave we were there
as her dripping form appeared,
echoes of time in perfect unison,
we stood and knew we were one.
.
Her body firm and tan in health
Silken skin as Nature’s wealth
Eyes blazing…
Lips moist and inviting in…
”...come to me…”
She dares the sin…
Gaps of light shed redemption
Legs strong and defiant in perfection
A Sensual teases with salvation…
.
Dark coals blazing, long hair glistening
My heart racing but I’m not listening
Memorized by the flame in her eyes
My legs betray and I’m frozen in time
Deep within a mysterious cave I’ve
become enslaved…to her rhyme.
.
Before I knew we were face to face
Desire over sense my heart replaced
Drawn to touch what a mind has chased
Felt in a dream but never embraced
”...can this be real…?”
Temptation lures the body to heal…
.
Naked in the cave we were there
as her dripping form appeared
steam from the heat of her skin
Lips moist and inviting in
echoes of love in perfect unison
Sin as salvation in the Form of One.
WHEN NERVES AND PULSE CONGEST
Tender are the days brushed with thoughts of light
when yesterday rolling, rolling are the tears...
Jagged nerves and pulse congest in colliding repair,
they... rise to roar beams and rays of medley grace.
Glitters of gold and red cartwheel slow on my face,
I, before filthy shades of earth stand like a knight
to whoever dares, forgetting crime as I fight!
Even to ember flames of days, I... brave to step and chase
for if deep the earths' steep it births you: "my sunshine",
I keep forth to reap a mirth: me being with you.
Black as coal creep, it rebirth night that seeps the signs
but later sun peeps, its smile girths our blues.
To a new life, new day, I faithfully consign
with burning daylight as my sweep leap to have you...
__________________________________________________
***Sponsor rob carmack
Contest Name Screwed IV
~~5th Place~~
Olive Eloisa Guillermo
11:02 pm. April 24, 2015
Clink clank clink clank clink clank
slow steady pace, metal hitting pavement
pausing when you pause
following you home, the man is bones
and a tie, top hat, tails, not tap shoes
more like chains, the sound a horseshoe makes
when it hits the stake, clink clank
what does he want, why follow you home?
His teeth gleam of green fire, his hands haloed
by electric blue, he's a Halloween special
turned out just for you, clink clank
he wants to touch you, better run
His eyes are on fire, he's spewing smoke
from his nostrils, there's no place to hide
clink clank is faster clank clank clank
has your breath caught in chest yet?
When he touches you, you'll melt, one touch
you're on fire, one scream from your mouth
brings no one out to save you from his wrath
clink clink better speed clink clink nearer ever nearer
Is it candy that fuels him? Toss a Mars Bar or two,
toss the whole pillow sack, watch it burst in flame
there's a door if you can reach it, just up the hill
huff puff clink clank, there's a door with a wreath
Flowers black as coal, it opens a bit, precious light
spews forth, saying welcome your welcome
if only you can outrun him, outrun the bone man
the man with top hat clink clank clink clink after you
The door widens, your belly hurts,
beneath your mask you drip sweat,
and just as you reach it, hiss, pain, flame on your back
and from the door, bone man exits clink clank
Two bone men, will take you to the fire
two bone men, don't want your scary mask,
the candy you can keep, your tears mustn't weep
just pass over the pumpkin, they'll be gone from sight.
Clink Clank, phew, bone men, toting pumpkin,
lit from within, their hands holding it, opposite twins
clink clank, they are going, going kabooom
straight into the air, and off to far off moon, phew.
As blind as a bat,
as brave as a lion,
and stupid as a goat.
As busy as a bee,
as fat as a pig,
and happy as a king.
As strong as a lion,
as heavy as a load,
and rude as fool.
As black as coal,
as cold as ice,
and white as snow.
As hot as fire,
as green as grass,
and sweetly as juice.
All in all,
makes one thing,
common in life.
Hour ago raised the morning sun
The eastern army outnumbers the hussars fifteen to one
The battle has began
Hussar horses with thousand thundering hooves begun their run
Eastern army cannons and muskets will discharge
As the hussars push forward in awe inspiring charge
Before the muskets and cannons can recharge
The front of the hussar left wing is at large
The lances pierce through musketeers like a storm
The hussar charge starts spread far apart then single column like a spear it will form
Into one group of two different colors two groups previously separated will transform
The hussar charge is deep in the musketeers’ ranks the each commander his king will inform
The sea of lances comes down like avalanche or volcanic rain
The furry of battle is insane
Impaled warriors sometimes six all at once cry in pain
How could things look so bad for musketeers at those odds is hard to explain
It is the horses of hussars that caused musketeer breakdown
The horses that were mixes of Mongolian blood with that of the once bread by the crown
Mesmerizing is the speed with which hussars their enemy have cut down
And despite of larger enemy force it is the musketeers that in the blood would drown
It is those magnificent horses that hussars have bred
It is the speed that enemy would come to dread
Some horses were chestnut almost red
Some were colored like a puzzle white patches yet black head
Some white and some black like the night
Like hybrid horses hybrid number defines sun’s morning light
Normal horizon is destiny of Gods that mage would incite
So with hybrid number as horizons just imagine power of its sun’s light
But that power is mind not the soul
And it is black stallion with visage as deep as the soul
Dark means deep and stallion is black as coal
He represents the deepest essence of free unbound soul