Best Conjures Poems
When imbalance of life churns hapless poignancy
And the zephyr of inequities breezes melancholy
Dissonance reverberates echoing pathos of grief
Seeking exaltation within metaphysical profundity
As hushed posture conjures up humbling catharsis,
Leaning in quietude, questing paranormal vitality,
Liberating from bounds of mundane, the ordinary,
Energizing calming bliss of unfamiliar, extrasensory.
Mortal soul steadily crosses limits of understanding
Reaching deep into unknown, unexplored territory,
Daring to search for knowledge in mystical obscurity
Pursuing enlightenment from supernatural intrigue,
Discovering newfound acuity blossoming internally
Adulating freedom of shedding narrow boundaries
Gaining divine wisdom, postulating own doctrines,
Comprehending missives in blissfulness of sagacity.
As laments mellow in teachings of superior intellect
And bawl of distraught soothes in heavenly solace
Finding ambrosial tranquility in endearing calmness,
Physiological longings amiably, peacefully dissipate
And gradually soul enlightens, unafraid of mortality,
Yearning for permanence of purposeful inviolability,
Meaningful beyond self, detaching from materiality,
Synchronizing harmoniously in idyllic, placid sanctity.
January 21, 2022
Placed 1st: This or That, Vol 9 Poetry Contest
Sponsor: Edward Ibeh
Title chosen: Transcendence
Nature's Way Constanza
Sol puts to sleep the hills with light
while gloaming sheds all fading rays
and brilliant colors change to greys
when shadows darken them with night.
The ocean turns from bondi blue
to deeper shades of cobalt hue.
Returning birds to boughs, a sight,
singing melodies before sleep.
In flocks they fly, their perch to keep,
as twilight captures them in flight.
Then comes quiet hours for romance
and cheek to cheek, young lovers dance.
While Luna tests our will, our might
to keep control of passion’s love,
with silver fingers from above
when rising slowly to her height.
To wee hours the poet will write
until he glimpses dawn’s first light.
Luna begins to fade from sight.
Then all the birds begin to sing
which conjures up the feel of spring.
Sol’s rise again, conquers the night.
Birds leave their limbs to welcome day
and trees commune in their sweet way.
Sol puts to sleep the hills with light
when shadows darken them with night.
Returning birds to boughs, a sight,
as twilight captures them in flight.
While Luna tests our will, our might
when rising slowly to her height.
Luna begins to fade from sight.
Sol’s rise again, conquers the night.
4/16/2015
"Here is my secret. It is very simple: one sees clearly only with the heart.
Anything essential is invisible to the eyes."
"Le Petite Prince"
Antoine De St. Exupery
touch me and
i'll touch you
we don't do this on a whim
measure twice cut once
but always from the heart
some use words rarely used in conversation
let these wonderful poets tickle that market's fancy
there are those
knit you a scarf from yarns of clouds
warm your day with a smile reflects
the clean heat of a nineteen nineteen sun
others who write you a poem you can share with a child
visions painted in words
cups of hot chocolate with those teeny weeny marshmallows
children's grandiose proclamations of love with every sip
for them the ambrosia of Gods confirmed by their laughter of joy
you see hopscotch squares loosely drawn in chalk
you see your daughter hear an echo for the first time
some poetry does that conjures a thousand pictures of pure innocence
also poetry that sings
with rhymes that are natural,
neatly placed in the story being told
or
sometimes the kind
occasionally trips on the page
love doesn't demand conditions
sonnets neatly metered
roll off the tongue
or
even if it twists a bit leaves you with a knot
stick it out and laugh it straight easy as that
we're here for each other
people before words
let's love each other just because we can
touch me and
i'll touch you
we don't do this on a whim
measure twice cut once
but always from the heart
Jan 14 2016
armand
Lighthouse Litany
Statuesque and stalwart in your seaward gaze
There's such comfort in your beauty, you amaze!
Seafaring ships lost in wayward windswept seas
Conjures fears of drowning in crews prayerful pleas
As sailors catch sight of your luminous light,
You guide them to safety on a moonless night.
Your gift of guidance upon this rocky shore
Lends soulagement to nightmares of mystic lore.
To many you’re deemed an angel with Lord's light
With your elevated beam into the night.
So beloved also by those upon the earth...
You've earned the honors bestowed upon your worth.
12-23-18
Lighthouse Poetry Contest~Third Place~
Sponsor Eve Roper
NB: This is a repost, originally deleted.
The vermillion sunset has long dissipated
Over the marine persimmon horizon afar.
In the deep subterranean silence of the charcoal night.
Obfuscation confuses the illogical mind,
And conjures titanium dreams or harlequin volitions.
I feel your power descend upon me,
Subjugated surrender becomes inevitable
As I become malleable like puce plasticine.
I discern my wife approach, shimmering in thin air,
Dressed in a dark turquoise threadbare gown, in the pale rays
Of the chartreuse moonlight, resembling an enigmatic ivory ghost
Drawing near in a flimsy wisp of a nocturnal mist.
Come closer, come, I want you near me,
Sing an echoing mesmerizing mermaid melody for me,
Or slide into an enticing dance macabre.
I thrive upon such inexplicable endeavors,
Where nocturnal indigo sprites whisper dreamy antics
So pleasing to the provocation of the mind,
Combine to please the sybaritic nerves
Of this old and senile useless mind of mine.
As droplets freeze half-breathed
From the mouth of Winter
Howling winds, foreboding
Bring gloom to pale landscape
Yet the Ice Enchantress
Conjures sultriness:
Fluttering tree lashes
Snow-covered ample breast
Her crystal lips invite
She burns despite the chill
And dares adventurers
To succumb to her will
Despite the threat of death
It's futile to resist
The cool invitation
Which glistens from her eyes
As she entrances those
Who cannot look away
But step so willingly
Into a blissful fate
First place in Constance La France's "Let it Snow" contest
~
Beneath a dark
and sinister
sky where
stars
hide behind
pumpkin patch wishes
and ghostly
dreams
Ghouls and goblins
cavort on this
final October eve
seeking candy
and other
sugary goodies,
lest a trick
be played
amidst giggles
and grins
As I watch from
eerie front porch
shadows
draped in
faux spider webs,
while my
mind
conjures
images of a
mystical
faraway beauty
Hypnotic eyes,
peering ‘pon
springtime
enchantments in
blue hydrangea
potions of
satin petals
and chiffon
shimmered
driftings
Moon glow
skin, porcelain
touches
in angelic images,
haunting desires
and affectionate
midnight
yearnings
Kisses of northern
destinations,
floating to
waiting lips,
whispering
long distance
promises
and warming
chilly smiles
And I realize
on this night
of mischief and
mayhem,
Styrofoam
headstones
and dry ice fog,
black cats
and skeletons
in doorways…
the sweetest treat
for me
will always
be you
Happy Halloween Soupers
~
Sol
conjures
the many
to lift in light
and reach for the peach for the greater good
golden the vast sea of black-eyed Susans
merging in shine
creating
a lone
soul
Susan Ashley
September 24, 2020
~ Third Place ~
Contest: Double Tetractys 3
Sponsor: Eve Roper
Picture # 2
*syllables checked on howmanysyllables.com:
1, 2, 3, 4, 10, 10, 4, 3, 2, 1*
The view from our cruise ship
Conjures far-flung images of amber hues
A fusion of illusion and reality
Where bending arc of the horizon
Greets the magnificent ocean.
The ocean flows, having done so
Billion years plus so many more
Churning, foaming, bouncing, dancing
From Atlantic to Pacific, Arctic to Antarctic
And every continent in between.
It goes to war flaunting armored ships
Designs exotic scenic beaches
Goes boating, surfing, fishing
Enjoys scuba diving in coral reefs.
As our dining room turns heads to peek
At the petite towns of the Mediterranean
Dressed in olive and orange trees
Moonlight's reflecting from the sea
Dancing to twinkling lights from the hills.
This beast and beauty held together by gravity
Harbinger of love, romance, happiness
Fills my gleeful heart with its own echo
I think I know why the ocean flows.
August 2, 2017
HM: Strand select V contest by Brian Strand
Paced 2nd: A Poem I wrote and Sent Drifting
Sponsor: Broken Wings
A CHILD’S CHRISTMAS EVE
A child’s in thought by a cozy fire
His dog stretched out at hearthside
Big sister and a friend fun-gone
On a frosty snowy sleigh ride
His kitty Miss Boots
Done chasing a mouse
Asleep on the sill
Not a sound in the house
Then in fancy enchanted child hears
Pitter pats on the roof
A jolly fat laugh
Many reindeer hooves
The blaze in the fireplace
Pops a big log
Startles the child
And up jumps his dog
Blasé kitty Boots
Starts licking her paws
Could really care less
About Santa Claus
Well the red clad saint
From a mist slow appears
Till now stands full grown
A stroking his beard
This elf’s not imposing
No no not at all
Here stands a man not 3 feet tall
Though perfectly formed unbelievably small
Child and dog stand transfixed
Eyes open wide in complete surprise
Doubting the form is really St. Nick
Greatly puzzled because of his size
At last child in haze
In a wishing fond pause
Does stammer a question
Two words “Santa Claus?”
The vision though smiling seems not to hear
But merrily ho-hoing reaches back
And in a shower of gold
He conjures a sack
The brown bag is loaded
With all sorts of toys
Colorfully wrapped and neatly bowed
Dainties for girls sport for the boys
The gifts then fly out and under the tree
This all in a wink quit magically
Then boy and dog in amazement see
Old Santa rise up the fiery chimney
The blaze in the fireplace
Again pops the log
Again startles all three
Child kitty and dog
Christmas morn child early awakes
How tangible yestereve’s happening seemed
All colored in Christmas’ red gold and green
Was Santa Claus real or part of a dream?
Dave Austin
My darling
Time is no longer on our side
Since your car crash we have no money
For you are no longer able to work
If I can’t find a job I may have to go on the run
The debts are piling up so high they almost reach the sky
Brain damage has taken its toll on you
I wish you were able to speak to me
But all as long as you can still breathe …
That is the most important thing
I still visit you every day
Talking to you about our once happy life
Trying to jog your memory
Do you remember the time we saw the total eclipse
Together we saw the dark side of the moon
Oh what memories it conjures up
Don’t give up the fight
It’s not your time to go to the great gig in the sky
Babe, its you and me not us and them
If you should leave me my darling
I will remember your request …
No black at your funeral
You said wear any colour you like
No matter what happens I will love your forever
Contest:- Album Tracks Tell Stories
Sponsor:- James Fraser
18th August 2015
Album 1 chosen ~ Dark Side of the Moon – Pink Floyd
TRACKS used: Speak to Me/ Breathe, On the Run, Time, The Great Gig in the Sky, Money, Us and Them, Any Color You Like, Brain Damage, Eclipse
Clustered cactus trees sprawling, reclining in the summer heat
where agile pollinators dart among gorgeous silky blooms.
Day by day the prickly pear fruit swell and mature.
Already the mind conjures visions of red,
magenta, pink, yellow and white.
thriving on spring rain
deep-rooted fantasy
mellifluent desires
Experience has shown that the best time to pick prickly pears
is early morning before the sun’s rays become too hot.
A steady half turn with thumb and forefinger
gently releases the ripened fruit.
The bucket soon fills up.
dewy prickly pears
at break of day
impotent thorns
Rinsed under running water, the fruit waits to be disrobed.
Both ends of each fruit are cut off with a sharp knife,
followed by a long vertical slice along its body.
The thick skin is then peeled back, the
fleshy coloured fruit revealed.
prickly pears
in a glass bowl
naked temptation
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Contest: “Haibun”
Sponsor: Cecelia Hopkins-Drewer
©17th July, 2017
I have seen you flash by
Amidst thick green foliage and swaying pines
Like a distant silver dream
On receding skyline
But was never satisfied
For a close encounter I craved
I did then go up
The Space Needle in Seattle
Hoping to have a clear view
Of your snow-clad balding pate
That thought profound thoughts
Against mortal blues of the empty sky
But, alas, you remained
Elusive to sight
Hiding behind shifting clouds
Yesterday, I drove over a hundred miles
Climbed my way to Sunrise Point
Hoping for a close tete-a-tete
You played truant again
I saw a blank
Of nothingness, void
A grey screen of clouds and mist
As snow-flakes flew around
The board before me read
You were somewhere there
Amidst mighty peaks
Right before my unseeing eyes
Doesn't matter Rainier
You are there, I know for sure
Like the Himalayan peaks
I haven't seen
And yet am charmed by their beauty
On calendars, picture-cards
Inherent philosophy
Their height and grandeur speak
Better luck next time
Rainier, you are a teacher
I have now seen
Lofty nothingness, void
Against which I have all the peaks
Of the world that speak
Of Truth that belongs not to things
But to an evanescent dream
That the Lord, whoever He is
Conjures up for stupid minds
In solitude I sit, in the silence of thought
As my mind conjures memories past
In the still frame of shadows your image is caught
Seared in my memory the day it was cast
I wonder if your smile still has that glow
Oh, forbid the clouds to cover your light
That your smile through the clouds will always show
And brighten the darkness in the heart of my night
That I may grieve not, alone and forlorn
Knowing that you, in happiness soar
My heart though heavy, no more to mourn
As your smile shines brighter than ever before
And if in the silence bitter tears fall
My heart will seek solace in love's sweet recall
A SUMMER PERSPECTIVE
Hark this man
Having kin with the sun
This cheery old man
Beloved by everyone
For instance
In his fancy we find
Benign distant clouds
That linger
Morphologically in mind
Meeting frozen November
With soul’s special eyes
He conjures wild colors
Warmed spirit as prize
This summer perspective
He keeps yearly round
To cheer and good fortune
His life force is bound
Dave Austin