Best Bys Poems
It was a lovely summer
the garden was filled with butterflies.
Whammy the caterpillar was full of joy.
He climbed the tallest stalk in the flower bed.
Maybe he could see the beautiful butterflies.
They might even play with him.
“Hello” he said
as he greeted a very colorful flutter by.
Poor Whammy was in for a huge disappointment.
She laughed at him,
called to all her butterfly friends.
She ridiculed Whammy
she actually called him an ugly crawly thing.
If it was anyone else but Whammy
this story may have had a disastrous ending.
Whammy just slid down
found his other caterpillar friends.
They all wanted to know about the butterflies.
Whammy told his friends that the flutter bys
were even more beautiful from close.
He said he was unfortunate
he met one who was mean and shallow inside.
That night Whammy prayed.
First he prayed that the flyer he met
would find the kindness
that was surely within her.
Then he prayed for other Caterpillars
who might have the same experience.
He knew that at first he felt bad
really bad.
He felt bad for not being
as beautiful as the flyer.
Then Whammy remembered,
beauty is to be appreciated
not envied.
"Besides" Whammy thought
"I'm quite dapper myself"
as he straightened his imaginary tie
and laughed.
He wished that no creature large or small
that no life form would ever feel like less.
“If I was a butterfly I would be kind to everyone,
imagine that me a flutter by” he said out loud.
As our story ends
Whammy falls asleep.
Laughing and content
Just to be happy.
Imagine that - a scary caterpillar
becoming a beautiful butterfly?
Moral Of the story: “Attitude is Everything”.
01~11~2014
Maurice Yvonne
Sponsor: Carol Eastman
Contest Name: Fable to the Rescue
breakfast with the mafia
an early burbs Thursday
we watch them through the window
trying to figure out what they're saying
eating their new york bagels
while they plan and plot
we are watching for drive bys
making sure we know when to drop
one looks like Jr Soprano
he gets out of his chauffered car
we are guessing they're all packing
at least their bodyguards are
we wonder who's gonna get hit today
whose day's just might be numbered
we're glad that they don't know us
we don't have to be encumbered
the underworld is thriving
by the looks of this tight clan
they silence the moment someone walks by
so they don't overhear their plans
we hurry with our coffee
before Tony Soprano arrives
we just want to leave here
while we're still alive
The first
close-up of Mars was 1996 since then-
a flotilla of fly-bys orbiters landers and rovers
fourth planet from the Sun
roman God of war it is called
always the question is Mars habitable for living life
key to existence water is there water on Mars
could living creatures still exist
perhaps WE will become life on Mars
a continual chain of explorations finding new discoveries
polar ice caps
drifting clouds in its atmosphere
seasonal weather patterns
huge volcanoes the size of Arizona
canyons and proof of former flooding
it is rocky and cold and dry with a-
a hazy pink sky (that seems beautiful to me)
is Mars habitable for humans
the Curiosity Mars science laboratory
rover is on a bold exploration of discovery
for science
for technology
to find answers to questions and questions
did you know you could send
a postcard to Curiosity
the future holds promise with the launch in 2020
of a robotic science rover seeking life
all part of the Mars exploration
program to address the key question
the potential for life on Mars
And why 2020 you ask
well that is when Earth and Mars are
in the most advantageous positions of orbit
but for me there is another key question
would I-
leave this beautiful place of Earth
for a unknown existence
on a planet rocky cold dry with volcanoes erupting
but oh
something about that hazy pink sky beckons
______________________________
June 22, 2015
Free Verse
For the contest, Subject Mars, sponsor, Joe Maverick
Third Place
We are the neighbors
Who live down your street
We are the ones
Who your kids love to hate
We are the ones who actually sit outside
Watching our children while they are at play
Making sure all of the children
On the street are behaved
To many drive-bys by gangs
Over drugs and money and loot
Never caring before firing
They just load up their guns and they shoot
Sexual offenders on every block
Hiding behind their closed doors
They're watching and waiting
For their next victim to lure
They say it takes a village to raise a child
That's why we must all protect every one
Despite of our color, religions, or political views
We must come together, stop looking for an excuse
I watch after your children while you are away
I'm hoping as a parent for me you'd do the same
We'll never always see eye to eye it's the truth
But the protection of the children should always be first
So when your kids run to you saying I was mean
Just know they were up to trouble hoping it unseen
I spotted it and stopped it before a disaster could strike
Because as a parent, I'd save any child's life
anniversary, bird, change, courage, immigration, mystery, sky,
'Geese' Hiaku: 'Ode to the Canadian Goose'!
Canada’s Geese © HAIKU
All Northern Geese ‘crop’
Seasonal tour ‘reruns’ twice!
Returning again!
Flag-poled Staff © HAIKU
Two pilots each tour
One Canadian goose ‘flagpoles’
Two tails split ends!
Canada Geese Fly By! ©HAIKU
Touristic ‘fly-bys’
Soar far north in summer months
Down south in winter!
Canadian Geese © HAIKU
Arrow signs direct
Sky-masses of geese ‘elites’
Comings and goings!
Flights Yesteryear© HAIKU
Canadian Geese consent
To ‘v-shaped’ sky-tipped arrow points
Past’s learnt direction!
Canada Geese Tours © HAIKU
‘Fly-by' Geese Tourism
Northerner or Southerner
Two seasons a year!
Canadian Geese Vacation © HAIKU
Arrow signs direct
'V-trailing' geese to the sky
Masses 'enlist' onward!
Flights To Yesteryear© HAIKU
Canadian Geese mark
'V-shaped' (sky) tipped arrow-points
Aged-mapped destinies!
Mars the fourth planet from the Sun and named after the God of War,
The first close-up was in 1996 and since then a flotilla of orbiters;
Fly-bys, landers, and rovers have been looking for existence of life,
Always, is there water on Mars and could humans exist there?
A continual chain of explorations, finding new discoveries like polar ice,
Drifting clouds in its atmosphere, seasonal patterns, and volcanoes,
The size of Arizona, canyons, prove of flooding, proof it is rocky and cold,
But what seems beautiful to me is the hazy pink sky above.
Is Mars habitable? The Curiosity Mars Science Laboratory Rover,
Is on a bold exploration of discovery of science for technology;
To find answers, did you know you could send a postcard from Mars?
The future holds promise with the launch in 2020 of a robot.
A robotic science rover seeking out life, all part of the Mars Exploration,
And why 2020 you ask? Well that is when the Earth and Mars;
Are in the most advantageous positions of orbit. Will they find life?
For me, even if they do, will I want to leave beautiful Earth?
Will I want to live on a cold rocky planet with volcanoes erupting,
With no forests or rivers and streams, no flowers or cities?
But perhaps in time we will have no option as the Earth is failing,
And there is something about that hazy pink sky that beckons.
___________________________
May 7, 2016
Poetry/Verse/Life - Perhaps
Copyright Protected, ID 16-787-509-0
All Rights Reserved. Written under Pseudonym.
"Look at the old lady over there
She’s ugly, mean and grumpy too”
Sneered the passer-bys on the walk
Then they heckled and laughed like fools.
“Listen to her curse”, they scoffed
And it’s said prior too she wasn’t this way
Considerate and caring so they’ve heard
And a beauty in a happier day.
“Before you go I have a tale
Listen to me please, the old woman asked.
They cried aloud, “Well why not old lady”
But hurry up or we will pass”.
“I was beautiful in my day
About your age I would say
And I didn’t want for love or money
And I didn’t care like you today”.
“It's then I had no respect for any other
I then lost all respect for myself
Only to lose all faith in my God
And I was to blame just like yourselves.”
“Now I search just for lost souls
And you’ve heard me curse this is true
Could it be you now see this old lady
In each one of you?”
Brenda Elizabeth Rose
Cold hands, shaky breaths
Sir, do you shiver at night?
Sad smiles from passer-bys
Your dull eyes used to have light
But now you wish you were just blind
Demons in your head
Your bruises still red
Ma'am, what happened to your bed?
Ripped clothes, dry throats
These roads aren't just roads
These stains on the streets
Aren't just stains anymore
Kid, do you feel your heart crumbling?
Because there are people out there
Who don't have four walls they can call home
Kid, do you think they deserve this?
Because I definitely don't.
May, 2015.
M.K.
The heaves and the roars and the sighs
Are less frightening to passer-bys
Than the terrible moans
Of the hollowed out stones
Which bring forth the dead sailors’ cries.
The sky in the west has gone red,
Dyeing rocks on whom many have bled
Men defended their homes
Legends filled foreign tomes:
Devil’s ile is what far scholars said
Thinking savages roamed ‘round uncouth
They could not have imagined the truth
That a goddess lived there
With star light for her hair
Who gave to all many life times of youth
These people they could not feel fear
For as long as their goddess was near
Despite the fall of leaves
They had endless reprives
A silver strand and at death they could leer
But when one girl fell deeply in love
With one resembling a sweet mourning dove
When she asked for a strand
From her tribe she was banned
Left to die with her husband alone
First of her people to grow wise with age
She tried to make others give up their rage
But with her own son she failed
And to his people he sailed
He hanged the goddess by her hair on her stage
*I know that this is a bit creepy and gross. I don't know why I wrote it.*
Now this is a little story of the caravan that rocked
Whether parked in roadside lay-bys, the locals were never shocked
They travelled from the Highlands and motored so far and wide
Exercising their freedom, oh my! that you couldn't hide
They lived just south of Ullapool, and further north than Perth
But no matter where they parked, they always made it worth
Now this couple they liked to journey, to places so far from home
To York, Scarborough and Edinburgh, so capital in their roam
Where ever they went they took in the sights, so beautiful they grace
But every so often their caravan rocked, but never in a windy place
Their holiday nearly over, it's time to head back up the road
Passing places where their caravan rocked, their travelling home abode
They pass such lovely places, like Stirling and Callender
Stopping of at Granton On Spey, their holidays take them afar
Now very close to home, boo! it's work in a couple of days
But they don't mind, for their caravan rocked, without a wind to sway
http://www.thehighlanderspoems.com/scotland-4.php
i’m lost.
wandering my mind, hollow now.
secrets tucked in the seams, invisible to passer-bys.
each step leaves an imprint behind,
dust settling into the crevices left by my toes.
the world empty,
immune to stolen glances between souls and half-hearted exchanges.
peace swept away,
pushed to the side by an old broom of straw and wood.
oxygen dissipates,
I try hard,
harder to breathe.
but all that is left to soothe my lungs
is the empty, grey air,
void of the warmth of shared space
.
sometimes I sneak away
to send a fluid rush to my veins,
entrancing my mind in a fictional fantasy.
alone, I bathe in my secrecy,
cleansing my skin with vibrant truths.
I Hate Poetry
I really dislike poetry
certainly and honestly do
deliberate obscurantism
damn words, don't you know
whinging exultations
agonising extremes
low language of life
love and loss themes
free verse especially
a cop out I'd suspect
debility of mind
the dearth of intellect
why even bother
you depressive waste of time
we have all loved or lost
so cease your spurious crying
speak thee in happy note
flowers and flutter bys
warming sun on warming limbs
smiles and morning skies
I walked down the road and through the tunnel,
To the train where we walked so many times before.
I smiled to myself remembering the past,
Then comes the sad reminder that you’re not here anymore.
I sat on the train alone this time,
Numbingly staring at where you should have taken your place.
I arrive at Flinders Station,
And start the journey of seeing the places where I should see your face.
I begin the sad and agonising journey,
Up to AC/DC Lane,
And I remember you telling me everything about it.
On your first journey over on the plane.
Through tears I take a photo of that wall,
Where you stood a few months ago in July.
Tears of sadness run like a flowing tap,
Causing concerned looks on the faces of passer-bys.
I then head up to Hardware Lane,
Where we always stopped and enjoyed a meal.
I sit at the table where we would always sit,
It’s hard to describe the heartache and pain I feel.
I’m on the train and alight at Jolimont,
The home of footy at the MCG.
I look at the photo you sent me on Grand Final day,
You looked so happy to me.
Now I. Make my walk back through the tunnel,
Without you holding my hand.
I know you are walking beside me,
Only this time you’re in the Promise Land.
Now every time I think of you,
I’m drowned by raw emotion.
My world feels like it’s completey spinning,
Forever going in slow motion.
Stroll through the Illest Empire
So much heat feeling like we’re living in the fire
But we’re living under fire
Tell me how many shots must it take before my loved ones are crying at my own wake
Its time for a break from sad eyes I’ve seen grown men cry
It hurts to tell a loved one good-bye
It’s the same reason why they died
Hearts just too full of pride
Mothers praying their young’n wont be a victim of a homicide
Too many drive-bys blood shed for a block you really can’t call mine
Wishing we could turn back time
High off of nickels’ and dimes
Making moves to boost your grind looking for hope
But the hustle got us in a head choke
Don’t blame me for acting crazy cause this how the streets made me and you
To watch our back and throw bows and cuss
Cause you got to be tough when times are rough
I know your asking when will enough be enough
And truth is I don’t know but this is how it goes down
But if I make it out will you smile for me now
So many families struggling with poverty
I don’t judge cause that use to be me
Watching mom come home late
Barley any food on our plate
So young and life we already hate
Praying God bring us something great
My clothes were cheap imitates and kids called you on them for being fake
Knowing mom bust her ass to provide
But all your knock offs you begin to hide
Ashamed of what you own
I know how you feel I been there too
I see mothers walking there kids to school
And the walk is far when you cant afford a car
Mom hoping one day you’ll be a star
I know about being next to poor
Your local neighborhood liquor market is your grocery store
Wishing you didn’t have to go through that living off of food stamps
Cube the neighborhood is a trap but we’ll all be free
So smile for you and me
Even 2pac said smile for me
This isn’t how its always going to be unless you let it be
In our different way we’re all a G
Cause we’re trying to make it straight legit
Whatever your hustle never quit but don’t lose yourself in it
Cause you still got a long ways to go
Still got a long time to grow
Use what you know to get by or you wont survive
Remember to always keep your dreams alive
Whatever it is just do it and never try
The limit is the sky so keep your heads held high
And when you come to a hard road just always know nothing can keep you down
You’ll be able to come back around
So give yourself a chance
And I’ll smile for you now
JUNE ‘06
B.K.M.jr
Clouds can be remarkably similar
to the friends lovers and passer-bys
that filter through our daily lives
like unexpected weekend guests
who arrive exactly as they planned
or close relatives who fail to appear
simply cancelling at the last minute
as if you weren’t worthy of their rain cheque
you have cleaned the bathroom
and your conscience for nothing
Puppet clouds pull easily at our strings
just the rumour of a troubled sky
can send a jetliner the other way
and when thunder rolls like a lions roar
even the bravest of us cringe for cover
for their faithful companion lightning
can be utterly shocking
like the last couple to leave a party
you are not even sure who invited them
Naysayer clouds are lifelong companions
content to rain on just your parade
intimidating away hopes for a brighter day
some clouds are hauntingly thin and long
like the fingernail scratches of a prisoner
held within the walls of a gray winter day
thirsty for the taste of a falling raindrop
and who among us has not known
at least one cute blond cloud
cannot find her way around a hilltop
Vegas stars mime the clouds de soleil
desert matinees provided dawn to dusk
elflike figures grasping silver moonbeams
magically move across skies of fantasy
one moment an elegant graceful butterfly
the next a leaping giant walrus
brilliant costume changes accomplished
within the blink of your eye
now you see them and then you don’t
encore encore encore
Who has’nt witnessed the theft of sunset
winsome pickpockets lurk like puffs of innocence
clouds seemingly distant but so close
we never feel them steal the belief
that we actually can own daylight
as if it were a shiny silver dollar
the usual suspects hide away to darkness
even a cloudless sky fails to please us all
who has not longed for a rainy day
Clouds of suspicion descend upon truth
as if locusts hunting for delicious prey
and can like a loaded pair of dice
forever change the games that we play
the fickle and aloof clouds of love
play hide and seek with our very hearts
Juliet cried out where for art thou Romeo
deep in her heart she knew his words
were just a bunch of silver lined promises
who do you trust if you can’t trust a cloud
IRISH