Best Bound Up Poems
Woman in Chains
(What Man Would Abide It?)
Women throughout centuries – the softer sex.
I picture them subservient since what feels like time primordial!
What man would abide
being sold as if mere chattle and being called another’s property?
What man, with a love of learning or of writing,
would acquiesce and be denied
the education and the opportunities he so desired?
What man would dare take second place -
hiding in the background or covering his face
because society or church said things were meant to be that way?
What man would abide having cut off from his body
that part of him from which carnal pleasure is derived?
What man would let his feet be broken as a child,
bound up to resemble hooves to keep him in his place?
What man would abide being burned alive
if the dowry of his spouse were deemed unsuitable?
What man would abide (if not so inclined)
enduring the agonies of giving birth again and again
because his spouse preferred he stay at home?
What man would abide being raped or even killed
as punishment for even being raped?
What man would endure constant beatings for “his own good”
and feel good that his church or state approved this?
What man, if he were able to get pregnant,
would take on all the stress of unwed motherhood
when the one who got him pregnant bailed on him?
What man would abide the stigma and the soiled reputation?
What man would prostitute himself to feed his babies
because a job for one like him would not be given?
What man would abide living enslaved by an abuser,
afraid to run away or be found and killed by his abuser?
Atrocities like these through centuries have too long been endured.
No man would for so long a time endure them.
For reasons of pure biology, the role of the abused
was hoisted primarily on women.
Thank God for those strong women a mere century ago
who stood up, bravely fighting for women’s rights.
Thank God for lonely sister souls in faraway places
who even now stand fighting against inequities -
simply for the fact that they were born the softer sex.
Aug. 31, 2020 for John Hamilton's Woman in Chains Contest
Categories:
bound up, freedom,
Form:
Free verse
I’m tired of knowing
That because of my race
Because of where I live
Because of my last name
I’m part of the band…
The children of a lesser God
I’m tired of knowing
That there is so much hate
That it can only escalate
Till someone presses the button
And we blow up in nuclear hate
All because
Some of us are children…
Children of a lesser God
First world
Second world
Third world
Labels and degrees
Different ideologies
Religion no longer a balm
But something to cause harm
Human life of differing values
We mourn them differently
for some of them are children...
Children of a lesser God
How it must make God cry
When His children bleed and die
Unable to understand
That there is a grander plan
One of perfect harmony
In another place in time
He won’t be sitting at heaven’s gate
Asking for an ID
Or checking your nationality
He won’t see the color of your face
Or ask about your race
All He will want to know
Is if you let love grow
Did you live according to His will?
Did you try to relieve suffering and pain?
Were you the bandage of peace
that bound up the wounds of hate?
First, second, third world people
Are all children of one God
Though some may disagree
I ask you all to see
That we are all
Every single one of us...
Children of the Greatest God.
Eileen Manassian Ghali
Categories:
bound up, god, uplifting,
Form:
Free verse
A is for Amazing we all wish to be
B is for Blessings that help us to see
C is for Caring which humbles our world
D is for Dancing where joy is unfurled
E is for Empathy that makes a great friend
F is for Friendships we hope never end
G is for Goodness that makes our light shine
H is for Hope in a world so sublime
I is for Incredible, which stands out in a crowd
J is for Joy that smiles so loud
K is for Kisses that make our hearts sing
L is for Love that trumps everything
M is for Memories that highlight our life
N is for “Never” that causes us strife
O is for Open that closes out hate
P is for Persistence in following fate
Q is for Questioning, cause wisdom it brings
R is for Ressurection and the Hope that it springs
S is for Sensational which all love should be
T is for Thankfulness for what God gave to me
U is for Unconditional love that is treasured
V is for Volumes that cannot be measured
W is for Wondrous, Joy to extremes
X is for Xanadu that resides in our dreams
Y is for Yearning as it helps us find bliss
Z is for Zealous Love, that made me write this
So if all these words were bound up in one
Ahhh! There’s a life that’s second to none!
Categories:
bound up, inspirational, life, uplifting, hope,
Form:
ABC
BEAUTY ABIDES
Beauty abides, and as her lover,
I lift her veil to see transparent eyes glimmering
with an enticement worthy of seduction.
Touching some primordial passion,
she wreaks havoc on my senses.
And graces me with unspoken words
that promise delightful pleasure.
Beauty reigns as Queen supreme.
Upon her throne she emanates majesty
with an exquisite demeanor and
I stand back intimidated and shy.
Who can reframe this emotion?
Not a poet or artists brush.
Her soft rolling hills and gentle valleys;
expectations of undiscovered treasures
fire an imaginative pose
I am bound up in a mystic rush
that dominates like a drug's addiction.
And in a exotic haze I lie dreaming
of ephemeral caresses,
highly charged currents
that flow unrestricted around
her coveted reactive spaces.
Alone, with thoughts in time displaced,
I wonder, does she entrance all others?
Or in my silent muse am I the only one
transformed and felled by her abstract beauty?
Her allure is enduring, enshrined for all to see.
The recherche picture of her memory
never grows old and she still remains
indelibly imprinted on my erotic mind.
CAK
10-12-2012 Revised 9-25-2013
SYNOPSIS
A question for you...
1.) Is the poem about a woman?
2.) or is it about a beautiful mountainous valley?
Categories:
bound up, beautiful, desire, dream, emotions,
Form:
Blank verse
I am a ghost in this house
A shadow of the past shapeless moving around you silently.
Carefully stepping on the stair steps that don't creak.
Sliding along the oak floors.
Wearing invisible clothes that don't crease.
Wondering constantly for your warmth to come back.
Grace me with your presence once more.
To be as we were solid
unbent perfection.
You are a ghost in this house
A breeze through the attic window that shimmers the curtains.
The cold side of the bed.
Wondering awake untill we meet again.
We walk circles round one another
Our hands never touch
Our bodies never meet.
I look for you in everything
Room to room but no luck
You am a ghost in this house
You bound up the stairs loudly but never make a sound.
I turn as I think I see a shadow.
Sitting on our bed with your head in your hands
A crying broken man
We are ghosts in this house
One alive, one dead
Moving around one another
But forever looking
Categories:
bound up, absence,
Form:
Free verse
~the dark piece~
For them there is no clemency
As they desired the daughters of men
Abandoning the heavenly abode
They cohabited with the women
They are to be bound
In prisons made of pillars of fire
They are never to receive a reprieve
And on judgement they shall be brought forth
They who transgressed
Choosing the flesh thus forfeiting the divine
Their seed the nephilim polluted the earth
Cleansing was by sword and fire
They taught men enchantment and sorcery
Magic and the use of spells astrology and magic
They made the earth profane and polluted
Cleansing was by sword and water
The world became a desolate place
Out of their teachings and their offspring
Who desired immortal life but killed each other
The cleansing was by fire and water
Banned from ever going back to heaven
Locked up in a deep abyss lest they see the light
Bound up till the day they face judgement
For them the fires of hell were lit
They ask you for supplication
Your Lord knows best...
As regards their affairs
And your Lord is Just...
code 254
Luis Kay
(pillars of wrath ~the dark piece~)
Categories:
bound up, angel, religion, religious, ,
Form:
Free verse
I’m locked inside a place so very small
I do not fit inside it physically.
And yet it somehow is consuming me.
At times, I feel I can’t break loose at all!
My arms and legs were not bound up by rope.
I’m not behind some door with heavy chain.
In fact, I am not forced here to remain.
So why do I stay trapped like some big dope?
And can you guess what has a hold of me
and steals my precious evenings hour by hour?
Whatever could it be that wields such power
to rob me of the time with my TV!!!!
A little progress I’ve begun to make
as less and less I’m trapped here recently!
I’m taking baby steps. It’s up to me
to free myself. Poor habits I must break!
I must stop being such a nincompoop!
set limits on myself; take better care
of me; get sleep, and not just sit and stare
at this small box that drowns me in the Soup!
(note: this is not a slam against Soup, but rather
just my frustration at myself for devoting so much of
my time to it; I honestly love every minute I am here!)
For Dane Ann's Contest:
"Being Trapped and Breaking Loose"
Categories:
bound up, dedication, recovery from...me, time,
Form:
Enclosed Rhyme
Don't let your dreams be drowned out by reality.
If your bound up with daily drudge confound real life, set your dreams free.
Get off life's merry go round, say no to the corporate pound break free.
Dreams are for living confound the non believers be gutsy.
Don't let the confines of others dreams constrict yours.
Set the headlines don't be sidelined, freedom calls
have the confidence to cha cha in the rain without a care
and follow your dreams to there conclusion, freedom.
The beauty to dream is your gift to yourself.
so get dressed up to the nines in your finery and break free.
and please just have the one dance for me who's stuck in corporate slavery.
Be a diva, a queen, the Freddie mercury of poetry, I want you to break free .
comp entry 09052016
Categories:
bound up, fun,
Form:
Free verse
Light, like a morning
Dawn’s laughter
Reflecting so much joy
Sun silences the moon
Quiets the stars
Echoes brilliant hues
Of joy and insight
Light, like a whisper
Sunrise healing
Leftover darkness
Lingering fear, dread
Tears of regret
Pouring out peace
Threads of grace
Light, like a song
Rains down such hope
Never letting go
Of the wonder, the glow
Breathless a caress
Embracing the soul
With a miracle
Light, like a prayer
Gentling the passion
Lingering, everlasting
Breaking through the thoughts
Clinging to the dream
Feelings who believe
In this undying appeal
Light, like a smile
Glowing in the heart
Baptizing thoughts
In purity, embracing
Melodies of grace
Bound up in praise
His wonder so amazing
Light, like a feeling
Pleading for healing
Breathless with desire
His passion is the fire
That welcomes faith
Unending conviction
Credence, alive
Light, like a promise
Resonating hope
In a single word, a vow
To always care, to spare
The soul its verdict
Lifting the spirit
To always know peace
Light, thriving on the spirit
Singing to the brilliance
Of a love so gentle
So fulfilling and willing
To bring His spirit to life
Vibrant on the inside
Of those who believe in Him
Light, like this
Blesses and believes
It is God, it is grace
Who frees the soul
From darkness that grows
Out of sin, faults
Forgiven by our one hope…
Jesus, Savior of the world!
Categories:
bound up, inspirational, jesus, light,
Form:
Free verse
Footsteps of Midnight
Sealed in a cave
No beginning - no end,
No dawn – no dusk,
No sunrise – no sunset,-
Only the constant echoing footsteps of midnight,
Pursued – haunted -
Pushing the soul closer to the fine edge
Of madness swirling in a yawning abyss;
Icy terror rises up in streams of numbing vapors
With silent fingers ready to entrap
Any soul wandering too near this
Silent death,
Rumbling with satisfaction
At yet another soul held captive -
Deliciously drawing away
All life
Till eyes only stare into nothingness
Never finding satisfaction,
Never enough
To fill the rumbling hunger;
The soul staggers,
Bound up in hopeless whispers,
Unable to scream,
Unable to stand beneath the weight
Of narrowing passages,
Crushing air
From struggling lungs
Pulling in winter’s breath,
Freezing the soul from the inside out,
And even tears that once beckoned
Soothing relief
Look away
Despairing;
Hands reach out - one last frantic search -
Falling into hopelessness
To hear wild demons sneering –
Victors standing over vanquished –
Laughing
Until the echoes shred the very marrow of the soul;
No hope!
No hope for life!
Their screaming bounces off the walls;
Fingers tremble,
Stretching out
For any comfort, any warmth,
Discovering what eyes search
To believe
In annunciation –
A single ray of light,
Shattering the blackness,
Crushing the demons
And their laughter
While gentle arms caress the soul
Now reconciled,
Binding wounds
Where wounds bleed no more;
Night bound eyes see again
The precious face of love.
Categories:
bound up, heart, life, night,
Form:
Free verse
While springtime presses in on my thoughts,
forcing me to believe that even the stillness
the clingy silence who drenches my spirit
in rhythms of non-regret, rhythms of pure peace
releasing my soul from the fading feelings,
the emotions that store up broken dreams,
broken hearts, brokenness –
like books to read, someday –
when the time is right, when I don’t feel
so lonesome when I hear the words they write,
the stories they tell – about going through hell.
While springtime pours out her dew drenched feelings,
blessings so gentle, reflecting, sentimental
praying faithfully to the One who created
the winds and the sea, the music so sweet, resting
against the silence in lingering shades of melancholy
blue black Decembers relieve my spirit, restoring me
to the heart of spring,
where I bleed with truth,
intimate stories, pouring
from the night, where stars glisten and the moon listens
revealing the way it is when death descends, like a friend.
While springtime delays my despair, the desperation
beyond compare, dread that feeds on the overcast
skies in blue gray, welcoming the mysterious haze,
releasing me from the time before my soul would find
the meaning of this life,
not in springtime or December
not in the seas or the trembling breeze
not in the seeds of thought we remember
No – it is found in the beautiful knowing
where my soul keeps going, growing
in waves of light, reflections so bright
the stars can’t glisten loud enough
the night can’t see the cloudless, love
the moments are bound up in hope
trusting the One who came to save
the One whose grace God gave
the One who is life
the One who is the sacrifice…
teaching each soul, to let go – to let go
to surrender to His love,
to believe this God above
who reaches out to us, assuring and renewing
completing out lives with a love that is alive
a love that can heal and feel and is so real
a love that comes from knowing
the One whose love is flowing
from the spirit of grace,
His never ending grace!
Oh, Sweet Love! Sweet GRACE!
Categories:
bound up, appreciation, blessing, god, memory,
Form:
Free verse
A canvas washed with pastel hues
In palest pinks and liquid blues
Perfection seen through Monet’s eyes
Recounting where his genius lies
The lilies floating on the lake
The water, greenish blue opaque
A fluid mix of subtle tints
A flowing dream with fragile glints
This work of art from sable brush
Perception, depth, a hazy blush
This masterpiece both cool and warm
All bound up in poetic form
To gaze in awe, to stand and stare
To find oneself transported there
The tranquil view, unbroken, whole
Will heal the heart, rebuild the soul
The peace, the calm, the beauty rare
The artist’s gift for all to share
Margaret Foster- 21st September 2011
Categories:
bound up, art,
Form:
Couplet
Oh streaking man on epic sea;
bold waterman stoked up on fear,
your blue room wall calm lunacy,
oh streaking man on epic sea.
In magic, bound up ecstasy,
your arching nemisis comes near,
oh streaking man on epic sea;
bold waterman stoked up on fear.
Categories:
bound up, ocean, water,
Form:
Triolet
In the midst of whatever has you bound up and under attack
The presence of God can break every chain for the Lord has your back
Be it mental, physical or psychological chains that are holding you down
The presence of the Lord has the power to lift you up to higher ground
The liberating presence of the Lord God will deliver you and set you free
From whatever has you shackled and girded up like a Christmas turkey
Let me go, set me free, break every chain, free me from my situation
It's time for me to embrace the place of my transformation
Let me go, set me free, break every chain
Of whatever has me stricken, bent over and in pain
Let me go, release me, take away the shame
Let the Holy Spirit bring forth in me some change
It's not enough to just show up in church dressed to the nines
You need to participate in the worship and let God enter your mind
And don't play yourself by thinking the church is more than just a building
As it's the congregation who are the true source
In working, worshipping and witnessing for God
For He is the ultimate life force
Now let the power of worship in you transcend and transform
Let the power of praise in you redeem and reform
And it matters not what is your condition
Allow the Holy Spirit to reposition
And no longer will your condition rule
As you have been spiritually schooled
Now able to get past your circumstances and situations
By embracing the Resurrection power of God in your transformation
Let me go, let me go, free me from my misery
Break every chain Lord God, just set me free
No longer will I internalize or lament woe is me
For I've been transformed by the hand of God for the whole world to see
Categories:
bound up, angst, encouraging, faith, god,
Form:
Dramatic Monologue
(What Should I Believe?)
I sit here wondering,
About the sum of life, its delights, its strife,
Its pleasures fleeting, its joys receeding,
With grief impending, and my essence ending,
I sit here pondering
I do sit in wonder,
Time passing quickly, health turning sickly,
My youthfulness gone, my strength fading,
I tend to endure a fearful waiting,
And will soon be sewn asunder.
Life, sadly, seems useless - but yet,
There must be some purpose and meaning,
To mankinds struggles and scheming.
If truth did live with the stoic,
Would man sometimes be heroic,
And give to another his best,
Take anothers pain to his chest,
Can credit be claimed by blind fate?
What manner would anyone show,
But selfishness, greed and lust,
Make mockery of faith, hope and trust,
And with Sartre, debauchery claim,
The highest ideal to attain,
No kindness to ever bestow?
I'm encouraged now that I see,
A meaning to my life finally,
Some courage and kindness in me,
Surely, brought about supernaturally.
Good purpose my life did fulfill,
All bound up in my makers will.
Isa.54:16 - "Behold, I have created the smith
that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work;
and I have created the waster to destroy."
Categories:
bound up, faith,
Form:
Epitaph