Best Characterized Poems
IF POETS RULED THE WORLD
If poets ruled the world
laws would be written with panache and...
oh yes, compassion;
civil liberty in fashion.
Carpetbaggers fold up your tents and cash in.
Poets. like mothers,
would never send their brothers to war.
Poets don’t have voices that sound like guns,
words can bite, incite,
but history is made by men who fight
not for wrong or right but might.
If poets ruled the world
every city block would have a park
for birds and dogs alike,
with a path for bikes and soft ice cream.
Trees would be everywhere, cars even fewer.
The whole damn system flushed down the sewer
if only poets were the rulers.
If the world by poets was ruled
hunger would feed on the deeds of honest men,
perhaps not Zen but a blend
of now and then, form and function.
Tear down the walls of corruption in government,
make way for equanimity, grace of femininity.
So let it be known and forever shown
that poets should rule the world.
Dec 21/18
NOTE: This style is one I developed and is called a SCIRPO which is Italian for weave or twist.
It is characterized by a rhyme scheme that wraps around itself in no particular order.
Also, each stanza adds another line moving from 5 to 6 to 7 to 8 lines and so on
Categories:
characterized, community, inspirational, leadership,
Form:
Rhyme
- "I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free." -
Michelangelo
Among crimson flowers
and sunsets in brushed calendulas
My imagination will not be denied
even though I am scared and alone
among the fallen ribbons
Where grief is a heavy chain
Iron reflects on innocent earth
Weep - silent tears at the grave
- set the angels free
An angel chiseled in shining white marble
Characterized by silence
Weep as a thin veil,
otherworldly beauty in a blessed resting place
Seeking comfort under own wings
A divine place for tears and prayer
which brings sanity back to normal level
Weep - a weight from the past
- set the angels free
Categories:
characterized, angel, cry, death, feelings,
Form:
Free verse
With fluttering ears
a sound that no one else hears -
the feeling is stuck
It might have been the wind
a pain and sadness that mocks us all
the voice was speaking to me from within
As the branches of the trees sway,
a voltage by electrical reverberation
The sound disturbed the animal's hearing
shadows of eyes, teeth and claws
my foolish straining of sensitive senses
Yesterday's vision
climb back to its destiny -
haunting, empty pain
The connections between the present and the past
Characterized by a larger objective,
the gods might have for them
Ancestral heritage that remains rooted in memories
Could that be you I'm hearing?
The bells of the past ring the echo of solitude
unjust is the last word of the sentence
- no life goes in silence
Walking past the moon, will listen to the dawn
Blindness in the dark
echo sound in the ears -
have listened and sung
Categories:
characterized, deep, emotions, senses,
Form:
Free verse
You can try to catch the drops
Crystal clear and clean
The effect of the figures
In silence they dance
Butterfly beauty
Characterized by joy
The balance, your own values
Fill your silver mug
03.08.2017
- Sun :) - A-L Andresen :)
- Copyright © All Rights Reserved
Categories:
characterized, beauty, drink, life, water,
Form:
Free verse
Nyctophobia
Darkness
instant horror
huge demon cannibals
hell's voracious toothy monsters
devour
Sandra M. Haight
~NA~
Contest: In 5 Lines Or Less #1
Sponsor: Skat A
Judged: 11/07/2015
=========================================
Nyctophobia is a phobia characterized by a severe fear of the dark.
Those afflicted may fear that there are monsters lurking in the dark
or ghosts that can attack them.
http://www.phobiasource.com/nyctophobia-fear-of-the-dark-or-of-night/
Categories:
characterized, dark, fear, horror,
Form:
Cinquain
Donald Trump is a raw desire liar
The condition occurs spontaneously
A facade built on lies
The truth is, all people lie
Is the suffering chronic or not ...
Ask the expert in the subject
* Dissociative disorders :
a condition characterized by lack of integration
of various memories of the past
24.02.2019
Sun :) - A-L Andresen :)
Copyright © All Rights Reserved
(unrhymed couplets)
Categories:
characterized, irony,
Form:
Couplet
I know exactly what you're saying..."It ain't right!"
But how many do you know as sincere? One who will put up a fight!
One as determine...Knowing despite,
Despite such obstacles we'll face, i'll California Roll right through that red light.
Its not that I don't care, not at all and not quite
But with so much confidence...I know there's something there, even if it's slight!
In the height of all things, you've been my day and night.
Anything else in between, are characterized by my directness in manner...That's Forthright!
Still feels like it ain't right?
Well, try looking right into the light!
Whether its with you or somebody else, dammit, I'm still leaving that life.
You damn right.
Right or wrong...You gonna see me get on to that next flight.
The next flight to freedom...where you and i can look in the past and overwrite.
Start a new, with a future with you
That only a few can imagine the view.
The beauty of its hue...Stamped out like a tattoo
Overflowing dew from those drop of brew
That represents the queue to what is known as your dream come true!
I hope that's okay with you.
Despite what we'll go through.
Worry not...There's no need to
Cause know that I'm not here for you,
but rather I am here with you.
So without further due
I hope you hear me too...
Cause despite your thoughts of "It ain't right!"
I can hear your heart screaming...And yes I luv you too!
Categories:
characterized, how i feel, i
Form:
Acrostic
EVERY OUNCE A MAN
Well, never climbed a mountain
but you can count on me to catch you
when you fall, after all, drank from the fountain,
so, thanks to you I am
every ounce a man.
Made love at midnight, fell in love by two,
in the middle of that sickness
thought of all the things I didn’t do.
Can’t rely on justice though I never
robbed a bank, but you I thank
I am every ounce a man.
When I was younger, I had such a hunger
for truth but now that I'm older
all that I wish for is youth
and the knowledge I’ve gained.
Maybe you don’t want my autograph
but at least I know who I am,
I’m every ounce a man.
Here comes the disclaimer; if I should offend,
my scirpo I defend, I had no intention
to imply a preference or apply any pressure
to comply to some hetero-code, no bravado.
Sum of experiences, part of the whole,
no matter who you are, the weight of your soul,
metrically speaking, twenty-one grams,
every ounce a man.
NOTES:
This style is called a "scirpo" (Italian for twist or weave) and is characterized by the irregular rhyme scheme (which includes internal rhyming), irregular line lengths and each new stanza gains an extra line.
Measuring just before and after death, Dr. McDougal weighed the human body and concluded that the soul weighs 21 grams, 3/4 of an ounce.
Categories:
characterized, i am, life,
Form:
Rhyme
The young mother died,
before she could hold her newborn child
Paternity was unknown
the secret his mother had never shared
The boy was cradled in the arms of his grandmother
they were aged poor people in the countryside
a few chickens and four cows in the barn were all they had
no prosperity
gossiping at the child's birth -
bite thy sinful tongue
Characterized by tight finances and little food
The grandfather found hope in the hopeless
The economy needed a boost
In the wood shed he found the antique organ grinder
Polished it shiny and gave it fresh colors
Life was not meant to be lived in wealth
the organ pipes were still breathing …
gave hope for a simpler everyday life
Every afternoon he took it on his back
and went his way with heavy steps
it was jingling coin that drew him
... a shame to live on alms
daily health and toil
the poor man's pride and honour -
hope in his tired eyes
Categories:
characterized, family, fate, life, money,
Form:
Narrative
Words Used
Ghost, Heart. (Nouns)
Shiver, Deliver, (Verb)
Wicked, Viscous, (adjectives)
I had a friend- jovial and sweet, in my college days.
The same room, we had shared at the hostel.
I noticed, by and by, she was losing her sprightliness.
Had no clue, what upsetting thoughts nagged her HEART.
One night, she woke up screaming- “GHOST, Ghost”
Looking delirious she said petrified, a ghost was at the window.
I brushed it aside, thinking she had seen a nightmare.
But her erratic behaviour continued, often acting bizarre.
Slowly, she seemed to have slipped into a spell of silence.
There was always a look of horror in her eyes.
She was no more the cheery girl of the past.
Into a world of spectral shadows, she seemed to have sunk.
If ever I woke up from my sleep, I saw her wide eyed,
Gazing into the air, as if seeing something horrifying.
Once, she said, she saw a skeleton dangling on a VISCOUS spider net.
Often, she was seen SHIVERING and stopped behaving normal.
So upset, I wished to DELIVER her of her mournful plight,
Her parents were informed who took her to a doctor.
Under examination, she was diagnosed with Schizophrenia,
Characterized by hallucinations of WICKED spirits, haunting her.
* * * * * * *
When memories come surfing, still my heart goes out to her
Who fell into the abysmal depths of delusion and frightful fantasy.
Will antidepressants work on her? Will she ever become whole again?
Or will the dark demons continue to haunt her, day and night?
Categories:
characterized, confusion, fantasy, fate, fear,
Form:
Free verse
captures her beauty in short strokes,
pen and ink frolic.
the exposure of vigor to the shoulders,
lace pirouetting, around her
budding flowers and hips.
§
her poised dalliance, relaxed.
her back to the admirer.
the weightlessness
characterized in charcoal skirt,
twining with a bare-orchid backdrop.
§
her frontal drop-dead gorgeousness
shrouded, but
for the tease of a slender hand
and ribbon dangling
down her nape.
§
the silver fox ballerina
aroused
by the artist brush
10/30/2019
Categories:
characterized, art, beauty,
Form:
Free verse
Multitudinous bells secern the tones
as may resound sharp bamboo xylophones.
Pulchritudinous bells have rhythmic ding,
others that linger with tedious ring.
Some little bells can echo a jingle
that surely bestow a Christmas tingle.
Quite many bells ting melodious chime
prompting our schedule's punctilious time.
A carillons' unique, harmonized bells
swing from gentleness to overtone swells.
Suspended bronze discs reach resonant gongs,
characterized by gregarious songs.
A bittersweet bell that distantly tolls
announces angelic release of souls.
Categories:
characterized, celebration, christmas, funeral, music,
Form:
Couplet
I am an African child
Born on the fertile soil of Africa
Skin rich in minerals
Raised by a mother who never allowed me to feel sorry for myself
I am an African child
Deeply rooted in the African dream
Bright and thoughtful
A treasure characterized by witnesses of many clouds
I am an African child
Though I am black and beautiful
I refuse to be judged by my skin color
Gift me a book and I'll tell the name of those hidden stars in the sky
I am an African child
It's obvious they hate me for no reasons
But I am made of the moon
And shine bright like a diamond
I am an African child
Representing tears and blood
Sorrows and unending pains
But I am optimistic about tomorrow
I am an African child
Excited to be a citizen of Africa
But fake smiles knocking on my door
Cause my leaders paint my dreams with cookpot and charcoal
I am an African child
Not ordinary but a charming vessel
Teach me discipline day and night
And avoid hiding my faults
I am an African child
Clothed with beaded accessories
Fetched water from rivers and streams
For my culture is my heritage
I am an African child
Not an American or European
Teach me to stay black and not white
Cause there's no continent I feel more African than Africa
I am an African child
A child whose father dances Africanly at the village square
Flutes and drums are played during festival
I am one of the sons and daughters of my fatherland
Categories:
characterized, 12th grade, africa, art,
Form:
Free verse
A strong and new friendship was born at the cancer clinic
Both cry, they had lost the driving force to look forward
The pleasure of a long life and everything they had planned for the future
Hopes and longings ... lost dreams like the shadow of the snake in paradise
// Brotherhood, together they were strong
Every day they fight a fight
Everyday life is characterized by grief but also joy
They knew how precious this friendship was //
They talk about everything, even what has never been told before
Like two burning lights that become one
Dealing with the strongest storms ... incoming waves that wrap
Emotional support and confidence in death's waiting room
// Brotherhood, together they were strong
Every day they fight a fight
The inkhouse at the writing desk, the tears turn black
They do not have time to wait, see if the wounds will grow //
Life before and after diagnosed cancer of the pancreas
Uncontrolled cell growth, the most dangerous cancer
There are many emotions, thoughts and reactions
A journey separating the road from the deep mountains
// Brotherhood, together they were strong
Every day they fight a fight
Anxiety, the treatment is tough, they both know it
An emotional roller coaster, they both spin //
Brothers without blood tie, neither the same mother or father
The last journey was planned without luggage
Two young men, the youngest 28 and the oldest 32
I know, because I followed them as a nurse at hospital
// Brotherhood, together they were strong
Every day they fight a fight
"Light a candle for us tonight, nurse Ann"
A small wish in meaningless battle that eventually ends with a loss //
~ ~ ~
Listen ... clear clinking from heavy keys,
on the other side of the door
The angels are waiting
The pain disappeared
The sun went down
Rest in peace
Amen
12.03.2018
Sun :) - A-L Andresen :)
Copyright © All Rights Reserved
1st place in the contest
Categories:
characterized, angst, brother, cancer, death,
Form:
Prose Poetry
Figures of immense reputation and popularity they were
Attracting public attention and admiration in the pursuit of their great works
Leaving behind them a legacy of some kind
But going with them their unique characters.
Wasn’t the explosion of Christianity the work of Jesus of Nazareth?
And the burst of Islam not the work of Muhammed of Mecca?
Neither will the admirable leadership of Julius Caesar;
Nor the conquests of the unlearned Charlemane,
And the military successes of Alexander the great,
Be forgotten in History.
If the British can forget Napoleon’s continental system
Jews then, would forget Hitler’s concentration camps
And history would entirely cease recalling his mentor Mussolini.
What if Carl Marx did not propound radical socialism?
Lenin then, would not have smashed the bourgeoisie and ruled Russia
Neither would the principles of Marxism-Leninism be sustained by Stalin
Nor would Churchill seal the border between the East and the West with an iron curtain.
A grave mistake it would be to forget Martin Luther King Jr.
For if he be forgotten, Mahatma Ghandi then would also be
And the entire movement of nonviolence
Will stop covering many pages of modern history books.
Had it not for Kwame Nkruma and Hastings Banda to cut the rope of colonialism
The ambitious Cecil Rhodes then,
Would have drained the whole continent of all its economic wealth.
The ascendancy of Nelson Mandela from the horizon of apartheid
Was not the beginning of Maximillien Robespierre’s reign of terror;
Characterized by avenges and reprisals
But the emergence of Abraham Lincoln’s true democracy.
What if Caesar were not butchered?
William Shakespeare then, would not have been the greatest playwright
Causing Charles Dickens and Chinua Achebe not to appear.
For the existence of a Jewish state, David Ben Gulion fought
But for the reemergence of a Palestinian state, Yasser Arafat strives.
Categories:
characterized, history, work, history, work,
Form:
Prose Poetry