Best Braced Poems
What playground does not hold the magic lure
Of see-saws firmly braced upon their stands?
What child resists excitement, felt for sure
In ups and downs: the hard thump when he lands;
The surging thrill of bouncing up again-
To know that when he's hit that lowest low,
It's followed by a swing to new heights when
He'll know once more the joy of that plateau.
In contrast to the see-saw, truth is found,
For truly, were it stable, it would bore
The simplest mind; for only from the ground
The grandeur of the heavens makes its score.
For, only in imbalances, we feel-
The balance that keeps life- on even keel.
The male Hine’s Emerald patrols his cattail fen
low through sedge and seepage
his compound eyes pluck gnats from the air
two yellow bars flash along his thorax
hindwings catch the morning
Chimanimani Mountain mist beads over quartz
the female Rock Threadtail
six black feet braced on the edge
her wing tilted toward the sun
eyes—black
He misses the gnat
darts, veers, halts midair, pivots
his ommatidia fixed on her raised wing
smitten, his heading shifts
the female Rock Threadtail rests above her stream
=======
Across the sky the Sun could see
The Moon approach, with nervous glee
A longtime coming, an empirical fact
Ninety-Nine years to be exact
The Sun stood ready, her corona ablaze
Moments away from a stellar phase
Not a crescent or harvest or even a full
She wondered about gravitational pull
Now almost upon her, the Moon had a smile
“Hello old friend, It’s been a while.
I’m just passing through” His face was blotching
“Let’s make it quick, the world is watching”
Halfway through his celestial arc
A slow approach as the sky went dark
He braced himself and pursed his lips
And just like that came the solar eclipse!
They say that love is blind; that's nature's way
to leave uncluttered pathways to our hearts,
so cupid's arrows see their targets lay
with no distractions when love-struck with darts.
The eyes of love see beauty sweet and pure;
their vision filled with roses and blue skies.
Without life's rain and clouds they can assure
a state of mind and heart with no goodbyes.
If love were not so blind it would not last,
for open eyes would see past cupid's goals.
But hearts once pierced with blinded love amass
the strength to later see uncovered souls.
Love firmly planted builds a broader view;
rose-tinted glasses traded for the clear,
to open up the narrow paths, breakthrough
to fuller scenes that blinded love might fear.
Yes, love is blind; a gift to draw us in-
the bait is sweet, we hunger for the taste.
Yet this love grows to fuller depths within
when planted, in deep soil, and firmly braced.
Sandra M. Haight
Note: The CYO is the Catholic Youth Organization for teens. Really enjoyed all the
activities they held, especially the hayride picnic!
The teenage girls brought baskets filled with food
While the boys braced for a romantic mood
I packed turkey and some rolls
But my basket, it had holes
Brushed off my mate’s gestures, not to be rude
The full harvest moon shone brightly above
And other couples were pursuing love
Pete and I dated for years
I, a virgin, filled with fears
Erotic moments he felt deprived of
So as I fumbled through my worn basket
Pete saw me as virginity’s mascot
The turkey, it was still there
Rolls had fallen out, but where?
I dove into the hay, the rolls to get
Peter dove too and the carriage did sway
Though I wasn’t ready for his “squeeze play”
I sought only food’s treasure
This picnic proved a pleasure
That’s how I got my first roll in the hay
Entry for Carol Brown’s “Picnic Time” Contest. Some truth to this, but Peter was still
feeling "deprived" after the hayride.
Tonight, we saw the split second
the rush before dying, the twist of good metal
the swerve of the drunkard in a flash of white light
We braced only precious things, my 3 year old daughter
and our own frail adrenaline bodies held tight
Tonight, this man chose
to pour his soul out with liquor to the brim
I'll never know if pain or laughter forced his hand
I'll never know if he saw my daughter crying
with eyes of fear unknown by the young
Tonight, I held back the winds
the rage through my blood, the taste of vengeance
The twisted car was given a name by it's maker
We, by our parents - my daughter, by us.
Tonight, we still breathe, and, thanks to self-control,
so does he.
Only I Decide My Fate
By Kathryn Collins and Terry O'Leary
At times when I am dark and deep
joy but flickering dim,
I upon the portal keep
stilled like phantom limb.
Braced by winter's welkin wind,
distant clouds unfold,
where once the roar of laughter dinned
I taste the burning cold.
Stood in life's predicament
immobile on the sill,
I wait for grand encouragement,
to warm this awful chill.
Stranded in the winter bleak,
with breezes bitter blown
slicing like the sleet oblique
I find myself alone
If frozen at the brink I stand,
persist in stagnant stall,
my feet will melt to silken sand.
gone my soul, my all.
He walked into my office, business in hand,
In denim baggy overalls, a plaid shirt, white painters cap,
and grandpa's old white leather orthopedic shoes.
If I ever get to the ripe old age of 88,
I want to be this lone wolf silhouette of a man.
A slow gait with frailty of movement.
Each step carefully orchestrated and contemplated.
Making one worry the next may become a fall.
But he moves on without even a stumble.
Steadfast stature and posture braced on any lowly perch.
Outer coat showing gaps of missing muscle and mass.
Paws and face forlornly exposed with past battles scorned.
All affairs in perfect order, the next move oft anticipated.
Irises glossy white shadowed with blue wisdom and mystery.
Draped with curtains and folds boldly saying "I am."
Negotiations begin with silence in wait of movement.
Tail wagging intently, teeth exposed only when he smiles.
No bite to his bark, he needn't growl nor gnarl.
Few words, saying only what needs to be heard.
Walking away after a handshake, flash of teeth, and a wink.
09/12/17
Atlantic
Standing at the oceans edge
I'm braced against the tide.
Letting loose of memories
once held so deep inside.
I hear the echo calling me
just like a long lost friend.
From times of joy and sadness
that's carried in the wind.
Like thunder is the mighty sound
of waves against the beach.
Finding dreams I've yet to dream
washed up within my reach.
No shadows here can find me
the sun is shining bright.
Peace comes to remind me
who it is I am tonight.
With troubles oh so far away
it's just me and the sea.
I'm setting sail I will not fail
it's just the sea and me.
Tomorrow I'll be back again
feet firmly on the shore.
But what Atlantic washed away
won't find me anymore.
Edwin C Hofert
This poem from beginning to end was written while standing in the Atlantic ocean. Aug 10th My birthday.
Internal Quote by Albert Einstein
On the eve of the invasion, the world braced for an upheaval.
Two ancient foes were poised for war, a war between Good and Evil.
For things are deathly dark and unsavory when Satan's soldiers ride,
and only acts of heroic bravery can help Good turn the tide.
So we watched with pessimistic dread as soldiers circled ‘round Kharkiv.
We feared so many would soon be dead, we feared what’s up Satan’s sleeve.
In numbers seeming infinite, his warring hordes were drawing near,
when we watched a young Ukrainian boy, a boy who showed no fear.
He would play on a grand piano, he would play a soulful song,
he would play sweet chords of calmness in the face of the warring throng.
He would play with skill and feeling, he would play with a touch of class;
while the rest of the world was reeling, he was kicking Putin’s ass.
Electric chills spilled down my spine and there was nary a dry eye,
while we watched and prayed he played unafraid of missiles from the sky.
Will he live to see tomorrow? And what about his family?
Will we learn their fate with sorrow? And can we cure insanity?
For nowhere in this universe could crimes of cold cupidity
be justified and understood but for human stupidity.
And I'm not sure who will win the war, if wars can be won or lost --
the one thing I am sure about in the universe is the cost.
For the cost of freedom is bloody steep, the consequences grave,
if we fail to battle bullies, and if we won’t stand with the brave.
And while we watched him on our big-screens, this boy’s bravery was clear;
just don’t think for a single second “it could never happen here.”
See-Saws - (First Poem posted on PoetrySoup, 08/04/2014)
What playground does not hold the magic lure
of see-saws firmly braced upon their stands?
What child resists excitement, felt for sure
in ups and downs: the hard thump when he lands
and surging thrill of bouncing up again?
To know that when he's hit that lowest low,
it's followed by a swing to new heights when
he'll know once more the joy of that plateau?
In contrast of the see-saw truth is found,
for truly, were it stable, it would bore
the simplest mind; for only from the ground
does grandeur of the heavens make its score.
For only in imbalances we feel
the balance that keeps life on even keel.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
In Response To My First Poem
Yin and Yang
Just as a see-saw's motion, up and down,
echos the yin and yang of heaven, earth;
these complement each other, turn around—
like dark of night becomes the new day's birth.
All seasons here on earth their balance keep,
along with oceans' rise and fall of tides.
The yin and yang, the ebbs and flows must sweep
throughout the universe—become our guides.
The ups and downs along with highs and lows
in our own lives—imbalances we feel—
are yin and yang which we cannot oppose—
that balance which keeps life on even keel.
But sometimes balances can be unfair
when dark of yin can linger, bring despair.
We pray see-saws can rest awhile—prepare
to longer bask in yang of life midair.
Sandra M. Haight
~6th Place~
Contest: A Response to Your First Poem
Sponsor: Silent One
Judged: 09/30/2015
Amazed with miracle healings of God
Braced am I to minister by His nod
Circumspectly following path He trod...
Doctor of heart heals* by His love’s power
Easing afflictions thru blessings’ shower
Fortifying health welfare to flower...
Guarding soul midst merciful concern’s care
Hoisting spirit toward good service-dare...
Illness inflicted by sins He can cure
Jesus is His name, my Lord and Saviour...
King of Kings, Physician almighty great
Life-Giver of heaven’s excellent rate
My life He does nourish with values' trait...
Nestling I am in His nursing nurture
Offered to exercise service-venture...
Praying to volunteer in reaching-out
Quieting miseries by fighting doubt
Restoring trust's loss with faith's prudent re-route...
Sharing the Gospel of salvation might
Testifying of His redemption-light
Upholding virtues of genuine goodness
Valuing all tasks by His graciousness
Working toward servanthood faithfulness...
Xenial to needy, offering comfort
Yielded I am to His compassion-fort
Zoomed to doing miraculous effort.
*Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.
January 31, 2019
Edited on March 10, 2020
Abecedarian and Rhyme
1st place, "STRAND CHOICE C..." Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Brian Strand; judged on 3/11/2020.
9 KISSES IN THE LIBRARY
First kiss meandered through Sci Fi by the purple
wall. The tender second kiss arrived around the bend.
mumbling 3rd and 4th excuses as she frog jumped
twin matrons chatting with their dead and absent friends.
Sweet and slow-- the next three left her breathless--
Zinged and knocked her senseless to her bony knees.
She braced herself--for just two more--oh, please--
At 9pm she's startled by a subtle shoulder tap,
Bodice ripper pages shuddered with a final schoolgirl snap.
GOD be praised and thanked for His Word*
We acknowledge as Spirit’s sword
declaring “Thus saith the Lord…
The Bible --- Scriptures of grace-ford!
Assuring soul's great salvation
God's Word anchors our redemption
As well as sanctification
Enabling our transformation!
Always at work in fellowship
With the Lord's truth-braced leadership
Gearing our faithful stewardship
And triumphant praise-filled worship!
Indeed working for reaching-out
While sharing Gospel without doubt
Illumining for heaven's route
Midst joyous hallelujah shout!
*Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
December 27, 2021
Edited on December 7, 2023
Attacked by Janus-faced complexity
My mind responds with functionality
To present either sheer timidity
Or self-entitlement tenacity.
Gripped with hypocrisy’s duplicity
I succumb to boastfulness-dignity
In striving for victorious verity
Achieving, though blown by futility.
Then, playing safe midst glad security
My conscience settles for “low” identity
Yet, that is not true in actuality
Since I’m drowning into dishonesty.
Frailty hides behind pride’s integrity
Such is human nature’s reality
Showing arrogant personality
This besets me in my carnality…
Braced by feelings of superiority
I tend to value self’s priority
Along the guise of false humility
Enclosed by ingratitude’s vanity…
Admitting my guilt of being haughty
Heart of mine confesses infirmity
Asking God* for compassion’s propensity
Indeed repentant, seeking His pity…
Recognizing who’s in authority
I stay in the Saviour’s security
Trusting divine Source of tranquility
Who forgives sins by His grace-certainty...
Now, freed from shame’s blaming intensity
My soul thanks the sovereign Almighty
Declaring I’m not anymore guilty
By His peace I did claim with surety.
Doing best with accomplishment’s duty
Propelled by devotion’s sincerity
I cling to Giver of blessings’ bounty
To check always my wrong audacity.
With the Lord’s miraculous specialty
Transforming me toward eternity
I bow to His life-building creativity
Directing me for kindness-purity.
*James 4:6 "But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble."
November 29, 2023
1st place, "Pick-A-Title, Vol 40" Chosen Topic and original Title: Janus Face
Sponsored by Edward Ibeh; judged on 12/16/2023