Best Bridging Poems
My sincere thanks to Teppo Gren for bridging the gap and taking time out of his hectic schedule to visit me on his recent visit to Australia from Europe.
Teppo was one of the very first to welcome me on my debut poem on Poetry Soup, and from thereon in continued to support me with his excellent comments and feedback.
I really appreciated your encouragement and taking the trouble to get in touch and visit us in Sydney. I look forward to meeting up again on your next trip.
Miles of endless sands and seas
In today’s times can be travelled with ease
Bridging the gap between family and friends
In a life composed of so many odds and ends
Extend the hand of friendship to proceed
Beautiful friendships are what we need
I look up high and low outside my window
While the whole wide world seems fast asleep
I think I hear sweet tears that angels weep
As breaks the far horizon with solar glow
I wander closer to my window pane
Look out and latch on to serenity
Peacefully I ponder vast infinity
While forsaking all dull thoughts mundane
Dawn's majestic celestial pageantry
Casts vibrations and dimensions apart
Bridging from the depths within my heart
Unruffled silences that whisper harmony
In the wee hours that launch the crack of dawn
A peek at heaven propels my spirit free
To roam the vast expanse of universe carefree
And release the inspiration my dream spawns
AP: 2nd place 2020
Submitted on August 18, 2019 for contest WRITING CHALLENGE 2, AUGUST 2019 - ENCLOSED RHYME sponsored by DEAR HEART – RANKED 2ND
Fueled by atmospheric ecstasy
Into ethereal regions' mystery,
Tilting wings cavalierly,
Bridging Heaven and Earth,
Gliding gracefully.
Falcon, sky-hawk, hoopoe, finch
Starling, sparrow, blue-jay, Grinch;
What matter the appellation?
The feeling's the same---
Incessant ceaseless sensation
Jealous we gaze, stricken with admiration
At creatures without borders, without nations:
Would that we could bask in their bounty
Would that we could sip from their stations.
Den Mothers,
Cub Master, and others
Around a fake campfire ‘burning’ bright--
Present a Webelo with an Arrow of Light.
He’s the Pack Meeting’s special honoree this night.
Crossing the bridge, no more a Cub Scout
They know what they’re about:
Bridging Scouts!
Mark Halliday/WarriorPoet
11 May 2014
Bridge cards aren't for everyone
just those who have real need
Not meant for all those college "kids"
that party and smoke "weed"
Not meant for all those shacking up
with a "daddy" in the house
His room and board? It's on our dime
he's a government sponsored louse
Not meant for all those gambling addicts
ponies, cards and slots
Nor tires and wheels for pimp mobiles
making haves, out of (have nots)
Not meant for big screen TV sets
oops that's right, they are
X-box set with all the games
you're treated like a star
It's all measured, by the masses
and how we live, (I guess)
Even cars just ten years old
are causing too much stress
Not knocking those that really need
just those that "win and play"
making us, taxpayer fools
while they enjoy their day
When the wage, hits fifteen plus
they won't give up their checks
That "nagging injury" that they have
has made their life complex.....
when Spring River recedes
we will break a ritual bread
together
the lover plans
I would rather build a fence
along the bank,
the woman swears
at the daybreak,
she calls a fence-builder
to have him build
a fence
between her farm
and her lover’s field
on Spring River
say by fate or by will
(or by divine intervention)
the fence builder builds
not a fence
but a bridge
over Spring River
the lover thought,
standing on the bridge:
bone-deep sorrows
can distill the soul
they don’t kill,
they harden and toughen
and cleanse and heal
the foul!
Note: This is a liberal English translation of an ancient poem found in the Classical Chinese Infinite Life Sutra (which dates back to the Cao Wei Dynasty of the three kingdoms era). I made some compromises in favor of meter and rhyme scheme, so it is not wholly accurate. But here it goes:
Assured Success in Achieving Bodhi (Chapter 7):
I will rise far beyond the yonder
And cruise upon the unsurpassed
If my vows won’t come to pass
Then from Bodhi I will wander
I seek to be the greatest patron
And give alms to the forsaken
To let all beneath the skies
Have peace in their long nights
Arising from virtuous roots
Accomplishing the Bodhi-fruit
If I achieve wisdom most high
I shall be known as Infinite Life
Beings who heed my name
And arrive in my Buddha-domain
Will have Sagely golden brilliance
And all the features of excellence
With the Greatest Compassion
I uproot the many passions
Of every order of beings
Endowing virtue most purifying
I shall shine my Wisdom Light
Across the ten quarters bright
Quelling the three dark taints
And pardoning those attainted
I offer salvation to those in perdition
I subdue all turbid emotions
I help open the Wisdom-eye
And grant bodies of shining light
I wall off every woeful path
And pave the way to wealful mirth
I mine the Dharma-treasure
And distribute merits with pleasure
I seek to be wise like the Buddha
To be kind like the Tathagata
To be the teacher of all devas,
To shoulder the universe like Atlas
To preach the Dharma like Simha
To save those mired in karma
To perfect each and every vow
And give Buddha-hood to all
If my vision is proved true
The whole universe will be moved
Heavenly deities shall fete
And scatter flowers like confetti !
All rights released into Public Domain
I spent my life in total waste,
Waiting for a spark to lead me in the dark.
Yet, it’s a small world; zooming into a big one
Two years or so-I saw an angel waiting for the bus-
The bus was my ally; the Heavens caused its delay.
As if to let me be enchanted by her celestial serenity.
Luck never supported me as it did today.
And a friend’s advice wasn’t worth any price,
I was dithering, not for luck of courage.
But readiness was cornered in recess.
I was proactive for once in my life.
By means of quiz, I broke the ice,
I talked to her, she was doing well...
She responded with impulsive spontaneity.
But Cruel Time was lingering by.
And the ‘god-damn’ locomotive; standing by.
In keeping pace with her, I cared not for the traffic light!!!
By a caressing--caring touch, she saved my life.
”By your leave,” she said (unwilling… hasty retort)?
I loathed her departure and prayed I never met her.
“Of course, God’s willing shall not lack,” I thought to myself
Save for seeing her once again!
We appointed no rendezvous.
But Left it to chance and Providence’s curious watch,
To unite us once again: somewhere, at some time!
“Yet, in retrospect, whether in pensive mood, or in tranquil recollection”
With Spirits inciting me to marvel
At her voice, Anonymous she, accepting my acquaintance.
Inebriated by her dulcet voice, very cherishable.
I used to be in rupture with the world.
Now, I’m on good terms with it.
As I’m accustomed to grazing my emotions on tether,
I wait—in limbo—for a Fanciful Tryst.
And for a Godsend boost to bear an unknown response.
©ATEF ATYAOUI
09/05/09
Fired for mistakes I had not made,
the blame was like a razor blade.
Friction so strong, I felt afraid
until I prayed, until I prayed.
Fear held me tighter than a rope,
Facing my foe, I did not grope.
My work withstood the microscope.
Prayer gave me hope; prayer gave me hope.
Lesson learned, my new hope depends
not on my skills, nor "so-called" friends,
nor luck. No, my faith recommends
God's dividends; God's dividends.
monotetra written February 11, 2017
for Brenda's contest on Lessons in life learned
i knew i had crossed the final bridge
when i stopped grieving what i had lost
and started treasuring what i'd been given
AP: 3rd place 2025, Honorable Mention 2022
Posted August 1, 2022
woke to the phone ringing early morning at four,
worried answered the phone fearing what was in store,
“ Mother had a heart attack” heard my sister say
tears flooded my eyes, I froze and could hear no more!
distances and separations of modern day,
families prised apart as dreams take them away,
to far distant countries across the seven seas,
how ageing parents yearn for their offsprings to stay!
flights unavailable would not get there with ease,
Covid tests quarantine were additional tease,
rushed to hospital, doctor friend did her life save
but thousand miles away my heart was not at peace!
we were united thanks to Smart phone we all have,
smiled, sobbed blew kisses bridged the distance with a wave!
Unity Poetry Contest
20/01/2021
Carolyn Devonshire
Three Rubaiyat quatrains
with two concluding lines keeping to Rubaiyat rhyme
keeping to contest limit of 14 lines.
Born free and playful, our soul was complete
Reaching out to one and all, joy replete
Illumined was our soul, divine entwined
Dispersing love, nothing to be divined
Giving rather than taking, was the norm
Immersed deep in a bliss magnetised storm
Neophyte humble, prayer on our lips
Grateful for each heartbeat that rapture grips
Then lower mind, cast upon us a spell
Head-heart split, in fears we began to dwell
Ego spawned sorrow, spelt our heart’s death knell
Empty heart sought joy amidst illusions
God’s light veiled, unending our delusions
Opaqued truth birthed mistaken conclusions
Acceptance dawns, we enter the abyss
Bowing down to conscience, erst fears dismiss
Yearning for God, replacing narrow views
Stillness dynamic, joy pulse that renews
Surrender complete, filling heart with bliss
09-December-2021
(Acrostic Syllabic Rhyme)
Syllables: HMS
Rhymezone check
1st stanza: aabbccdd, 2nd: eee, 3rd: fff, 4th: gghhg
''A'' Forms, New Poems Poetry Contest
Sponsor: Constance La France
Bridging Sand
Why have we
spanned the verdant valley,
arched the rivers solitude and peace,
altered the currents upon which winged talons feast.
Funneled life along a wandering concrete beast
denying footsteps upon the land,
strung wood and iron band.
Bridging sand?
John G. Lawless
Trois-Par-Huit a Bridge contest
5/19/2014
Bridging the lonely banks
Bridges,
Smile-
The two faces
Peace-
The pieces of hearts
Face is like the roof
Heart is the wall of the UNO
In building lasting peace!
Snow
Stretches
On grey beams
Spanning our walk
So over the misty water we dream
Make It Five Poetry Contest
Image #2
Sponsored by Joseph May
September 23, 2019