Best Buoyantly Poems
A fitting anthem for
an introvert like me-
Simon & Garfunkel's
scrumptious harmony
of “I Am A Rock”
spoke oodles to me
in its painful poignancy
bouncing buoyantly
on declarations
of independency
needing no one
utterly free
encased in fortress castle
with books and poetry
I was a rock, an island
a party of three
just I, Myself, and Me
Until he came along
and proved me somewhat wrong
as icy waters receded
I found that he was needed
an “island” no more-
I became a sort-of peninsula
with somewhat rocky shores
Yet, sometimes I still hum it
or belt it right out loud
“I Am A Rock”
ever my anthem
away from the peopled crowds!
High tide
sadness billows
swells over me in waves
massive, silent, overwhelming
melancholy ocean engulfing me
flailing, drowning in emotion
or maybe I'm being
too dramatic
only-
It feels
that dramatic-
my universe slightly
out of orbit or alignment
something strangely out-of-kilter causing
all things to be thrown off their course
too much wind and pressure
in atmosphere
storms surge
Drifting
on swift currents
rudderless, out to sea
swept toward an isolated
island, far removed from humanity
pulling me farther and farther
from the reality
of what could be
wind-tossed
Landing
on shore, lonesome
building small raft of hope
shoving off at nightfall, to sleep
buoyantly, trusting by morning I'll be
somewhere else- maybe better or
not, but different than
here- can't be worse
I think...
Days sneak up on the sleeper,
Either anticipated, or scorned
To the pessimist, they are dwindling,
And to the bright eye—they carry on beyond our selfish minds
Upon the wakened dreamer,
Days draw on in a smiley haze,
Keeping one buoyantly bouncing inward
Outnumbered and overlooked—he is opulently occupied elsewhere
To the seeker of truth,
Ancient, though ageless are the days before him
Crouching along the edge of tomorrow—seeking always more…
As days billow like robes cooling long-trod legs gainst the Eastern sun
And to the beasts and birds,
Feathers, claws, snout, muscle and bone— all harmonize
Instinct and passionate drive hurling precious life onward,
Their days meander freely, like knowing feet on familiar ground
For the contest “Days”
Sponsor: Thomas Martin
With their last goodbyes, they walked away
Disappearing in the early morning light
Glaring, the pedantic clock leads the way
Warm, wrapped in a gauzy cocoon, tight
Blissfully euphoric, sedated, waning sight
Whizzing on a gurney, through silent halls
Wide-eyed doors open to a curious fishbowl of faces
Swimming in a sea of floating green tiled walls
My consciousness, serenely traveling into nameless spaces
Buoyantly riding in a tunnel of luminous cloudy embraces
Peace and tranquility arrested the restless soul in me
Immersed in the warmth and gift from above
In a blinding light, he stepped forward, so I could see …
My time had not yet come; these words, He spoke with love
Returning me on the wings of a mourning dove
Faded voices, I could hear
The haunting cries of babies born today
My eyes filled with regretful tears
Life on Earth I must live, vowing not to stray
Until my work is done and He calls me home to stay.
Date: April 29, 2022
For: Near Death Experience Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Chantelle Anne Cooke
Placed 6th in contest
Dolphins
Watch the aquatic mammals reigning warm waters
Riding ocean waves zestfully flexing playful behavior
Jumping high in air performing acrobatic maneuvers
Synchronizing movements impressing fond watchers.
Be dazzled by their graceful moves peeking up for air
Turning around buoyantly raising caudal fins in pairs
Diving elongated noses under great depths of ocean
Resurfacing with gallant jumps stirring up emotions.
See a dolphin show joyous amid human interactions
As gray mammals emerge like torpedoes in action
Looping in air artfully, bowing to cheerful reactions
Dancing on water regally evoking rush of passions,
Admire as they toss a ball delighting in jovial acts
Walking like penguins to rise and kiss human hands
Splashing water impishly they rejoice as kids laugh
Dipping under water to perform upside down dance,
Amazing to see how they obey human instructions
Jumping through hoops upon listening to directions
Adorning choreographic motion for grateful crowds
Waving hello intelligently as people loudly applaud,
Don't miss gracious goodbye as they retreat in style
Being aware children are grinning with lofty smiles
Saying thanks, rising high-up to accept their reward
Brilliantly they pause to acknowledge the applause.
December 29, 2017
First place in Dolphins contest
Sponsor: Julie Leigh Rodeheaver
Placed 3rd: Strand Pick 6 Contest by Brian Strand
On an early morning walk along the shore
I pondered thoughts about the ocean floor
What treasures are buried beneath its sands
Amid corals, anemones, orange sea fans
I wanted a key to unlock the seabed's door
On the crest of a wave, what had been carried
bobbled and lobbed, back and forth parried
from shore and blown across windswept seas
Miles traveled by storms or a tropical breeze
on ocean currents, their journey never tarried
In a shallow tidal pool, a conch was stranded
A gift from Poseidon's hand, I'd been handed
I held the shell to my ear and then listened
awed by the sound while the sun glistened
Waves crested until on the beach they landed
With perfect rhythmic cadence they swelled
on a high tide until its last ripples were felled
Another always followed, close upon its wake
constantly flowing as if it had a thirst to slake
quenched by rushing ashore as if compelled
Buoyantly, bottles drift on the crest of a wave
Directed by the whims of tides, as if a slave
No ebbing waters have ever ferried one to me
I ponder how many notes drowned in the sea,
bottles speared by Neptune. Forsooth, a knave!
In midst of winter cold
Longing for sunny rays
A few minutes
Here and there
Between clouds
Or rare clear days
Just can’t get enough
Hints of glitter
Brimming with life
Glowing with vitality
So dear to us
Making everything
Look buoyantly optimistic
And gilded precious
AP: Honorable Mention 2020
The sun receded quietly on a relaxing siesta, as
Calm clouds of the mid-afternoon smiled henced,
The beat of the drums provideth dancing rhythm
As she moved in pure elegance with harmony, to
A style of danced buoyantly bouncing in melody.
Crafted beadworks accented her warmth charm,
Under her delicately brown-jeweled moccasins
The grass provideth such a natural cushion,
As Angular unique flexings of her gentle knees
Resonated like an eagle’s stealthy landing
Quietly in its nests with an eye on a nice prize.
She tingled as the sound of bells jingled
Sending pure melodic rhythm to ears—many!
Whilst she turned in an elegantly slow motion
Fringes from her shawl swayed air of warmth.
The balls of her feet moved in slight degrees as
Her heels touched Mother Earth softly in harmony,
She smiled as the judges watched intently. Like
A graceful dove she floated with precision—uniquely!
Her buckskin regalia trimmings—so singed softly!
As she danced in the sunset evening's twilight;
She created an energetic circle of life’s fire
Yet, never raised her ceremonial feathered fan,
Whilst in clear focus emerged from the dance
Regal styles of proud cultural Native heritage
A contrastingly exquisite fine female figure
Arousing sights in the soft evening’s twilight,
Dispelling the uncertainly to even look twice,
Elegantly noble and much marvelously nice:
She was naturally—First Woman!
~~~~~~~~~**********~~*~~~~~~~~~
Written During Oneida Nation Annual 2010
Independence Weekend Pow-wow Celebration
Host Drummers – Bear Creek
Oneida, Wisconsin, Bordering Green Bay
~~~~~~~~~**~~*********~~~~~~~~~
Won Honorable Mentioned Prize
Images Contest
Sponsored by Frank Herrera
7/15/10
~~~~~~~~~**~~*********~~~~~~~~~
The grass, just about dry,
is canary, clothed in evening sun,
now sinking beyond the colorful portrait,
canvassed on nature’s abundant spread;
a brilliant form, painted by fall’s seasoned fingers.
The cool breeze funnels through valleys
carved into towering crags,
and gently commands the trees to stir,
while prompting nebulous wits to think of wintry smiles.
A lonely guinea hen begins a boisterous chatter,
moon-stricken;
a crack at preserving a cogent mind.
Water lilies, a daub of pink and white,
caressed by the sun’s slight light,
settle buoyantly amid roaming rain clouds,
but secluded from toadstools sowed in animal droppings
on the mucky banks, which hush the tributary.
Waterfowl soar across the blue in a unique motif
to slice the resisting wind, and ride the up-lift.
Young goats ramp on the giant shaft of a fallen oak tree,
and Lulu’s cow has a calf, a male calf.
The bovine, English-bred, is a burden to his mother.
Round and apathetic; he lurches like a drunk.
His back is a toilet for egrets and sand-pipers.
He impedes the progress of the herd,
and the bellowing is far too concentrated around the stream,
where, on tranquil days, sad reflections trickle away.
If anyone should inquire why life here is such a drag
Your best reply should be:
Lulu’s cow has a calf, a male calf.
A day comes with a
morning dew,
For the words, less
to cope all few,
The breezy wave and
tweeting eyes,
Of rising sun, view
the Himalaya highs,
The trancing
eclipses and
faltering trees,
Held me there,
caught me freeze,
And the prevailing
dusky downy haze,
To falling cascade
of ivory rays,
Where I hied to let
it chase,
This beautiful
bounty widespread
haze,
I look & look, with
a glance and gaze,
With winking eyes
with hot cap,
I observed their
silent nap,
And whence the sun
rise and set,
Sparrow and humming
beak to get,
Food to survive and
maintain life,
And live on sharp
edgy curvy stemy
knife,
Above the grove and
in dense forest,
Where harmonious
peace dwells in the
nest,
Where leaves
levitate and birds
hove,
And oscillate with
desire, solidarity
in love,
A bird in this
hustle bustle,
Jingle jangle and
trilling rustle,
Are not base
generations, it’s
true so,
They rise through
reincarnation, and
grow,
Up to our believe
and reckon,
They are alive and
born,
I ask my conscience
where to hike,
Stood here and there
or by riding bike,
To feel the scent of
this rainy December,
Over my worries and
lethargy to
remember,
His never-ending
silence to end
daylight,
Made one statue,
stunned one bright,
And I put my towel
to have a shower,
This congeal water
pierces me by power,
Oh ablution is
enough for adequacy,
Count on, fend off
with sufficiency,
And when I walk on
flossy meadow,
The emerald tint
fell a shadow,
Upon my eyes to
sensory nerves,
Where the earth,
laid with several
curves,
The invigoration of
spirit rises up
more,
On rambling off and
on, this grassy
floor,
Over this belt with
buoying ways,
No alternate of this
land, O nays,
Where I felt about
flying upon,
Falling, right left,
up and down,
Then I move here and
there, up-to sun
height,
To meet buoyantly
this sunny light,
The sun with
magnetic warm and
beguile,
This morning with
candelabra wile,
Cause a man to wake
and woke,
Sing a flute while
sitting under an
oak,
How this mean, a
life less of
leisure,
Won’t you thrill
this grudgingly by
measure,
A world, an
embarrassment of
riches,
And a life with
plenty of beach’s.
Shahid Hussain
Chouhdry
Tis quite a beast of burden to bear atlas (shrug off not allowed)
Atlas shrugged an impossibility
tantamount to skinny dipping in the lock nest lagoon
Tantamount to shrugging Atlas off mine bony,
ill suited, widower wizened shoulders,
would take naked fat chance in Fountain Head of virgin waters,
eddy fied with huge boulders
which preliminary sketches to maintain pristine
(pure as Snow White's booty) kept in folders
when collaborative effort called, the fore mid able,
trio, sans state of the artists
(within their respective trades as writer
fictional hero, and architect)
Ayn Rand, John Galt, and Howard Roark,
who undertook resplendent measures
affected resilient as omnipotent cable
tub ring plenti kickstarting linkedin gatecrashers
to a snapchatting halt
instagramming, crowdsourcing, crowdfunding,
held at equivalent asper Bay of Pigs
viz Pay of Bigs
(in this context identified as
(vudu trained stalwarts, petsmart outlook,
incorporating literary, metaphorical,
nautical staff comprising fable
sea Crete cure metamorphoses abilities, as failsafe method –
i.e., physically, instantaneously, architecturally rendering
modus operandi capacity asper quick as blazing saddles
(ponied up by young Frankenstein)
kept in fireproof stable,
where at dextrous fingers ala hocus-pocus prestidigitation
which chiefly buoyantly ardently, and hardily drafted imp pier re: hull
rock hull impediment for shore also cast evil spells should
any foolish soul, who dared
to maneuver past the near blinding pier sing redoubt
to access blue lagoon like watery oasis
shielded via reeking poor Island
(where an atomic rooster gargoyle shrouded parapet)
buffeted the crashing waves against
the lock smooth as a glass table
whose wooden sea legs solidly affixed
to hip, hip hooray three chairs
inviting two story book heroes plus the author,
unfurling parchment scriptural roles invited ad lib flairs
since threat of category five hurricane
manifested took writer by surprise,
thus requiring her to utilize cognitive gears
which necessitated modification of original plot,
now bumped credos with religion
vis a vis engendering prayers.
Behind closed eyes, October beautifies
my dreams glazed brightly in woodlands kissed bare,
with winds composing songs in hazel skies.
Our hands entwined, awakened spirits rise
buoyantly through the apple-sweetened air.
Behind closed eyes, October beautifies!
Midst stars, we gather light to mesmerize
a tranquil earth adrift in silent prayer
with winds composing songs in hazel skies.
Songbirds and Autumn breezes harmonize
as we, on wing, glide over moonbeams, fair.
Behind closed eyes, October beautifies!
In scorching summer, how I fantasize
of you and I nestled near ember’s flare
with winds composing songs in hazel skies!
Like children, branches romp with birds midair -
and swirling leaves enchant us ev’rywhere.
Behind closed eyes, October beautifies
with winds composing songs in hazel skies.
Written – 6/25/20
Contest – Month of the Year I Like Most
Sponsor – Mohan Chutani
I open my eyes within your mind
Trying to see your world as you do
Yearning
Searching
Seeing
Hoping to find our self from within…
You
Us
Now
There we are within an image
projected upon the haze of our desire;
A rolling mist at the base of the falls.
Where our living waters strike the rocks of Now's death
Defiant waters daring to rise again
To live again
To love again
To be…
Not alone
Without
Beyond!
I see us there within the hopeful cloud
Dancing as if the melody of our passion
May end at any moment.
Pressing against us, we strive to be one
To talk
To laugh
To live through and within the eternity between us.
We dance in the light of day.
Scattering the spectra of our togetherness
Defiantly
Fervently
Completely
In the fleeting rainbows of our hunger
I cherish this view of the Now
This dance
This wonderful edifying embrace
Tandem
Journey
May we forever see the glory of our soul
Dancing fluidly
Freely, in step with the subtle rhythm of Now.
To a tune that cannot end.
Whisper in my ear, Dear One.
Tell me the tale of who you are
Really
Safely
Joyfully
Listen to who I am in the story of my own rushing waters
Deep
Warm
Alive
That we may find comfort in the turbulence of our union.
Don’t tell me how amazing we will be … someday
Somehow
Maybe
Show me that you can love right now.
That you can be content
Complete
Transcendent
In this instant and again in the next
Next
Next …
Take me to the places, the hidden places that stir you to dance.
The places where you move without restraint
Inhibition
Ego
Where you have no fear of being interrupted by the clumsy feet of others.
I will take you to the places, the magic places that spin me like a dervish upon the earth.
Blindly
Buoyantly
Wantonly
Making our heart whole as our body language screams through the high walls of our sanctuary…
Again
Again
Again
Shall we dance?
Under the canopy of pine trees,
We lie watching the peaks of mountains
Crowned in white and wearing stony brown.
We take flights to majestic heights
To see views from the summits’ tops.
Dreams fulfilled, we fly back on a high
And land on the remnant of pine leaves
Where we lie, you and I, wide-awake.
Ever in the mode to propel me to fly,
You are my dream-drive, in blossom,
Residing in the warmth of my bosom,
In a niche that you have dug deep
And which you have never quit,
Forever forgiving your companion
For his shifting sights, pine tree high
Piercing the sky, and buoyantly green,
Quivering like pine branches,
Leaving him with no breathing space
To take life in slow motion and meditate,
To bring a shade of stability to his life.
You have left me high dreams to nurture.
I have bartered some for pieces of gold
But some you have treasured for me
To fall upon when inconsistency filled my life
And buds of high dreams
Started wilting before their bloom.
Then, in a soft gesture, you will open your chest
And grant me some of those jewels
Which in their flawless forms
Will glitter like shining stars.
A life's stretch is finite.
A day will come when I’ll feel fatigued.
Then, in a meditative silence, you and I,
We will lie under this canopy
And gaze at the clear blue sky.
The sky will take on a dreamy look
Embroidered with resplendent stars
To salute my companion and me, lying-in-state.
Hummingbird hardly heard,
airily, merrily
extraordinarily
effortless floating, near
weightless transparency,
seemingly without the
slightest of care.
Urgent persistency,
terribly panicky,
frenzied and frantic, she's
burning through energy
rapidly, hungrily;
precise machinery
executes there.
Mallard so lazily,
buoyantly floating on
glassy flat waters, he
glides on the surface, and
wanders unhurriedly,
conveying contentment,
trivial feat.
Feet like a bicycle
furious pedaling,
splendidly, swimmingly,
chasing and fishing, he's
hungrily hunting and
ready to eat.