Best Contend Poems
The Eternal Rose
The rosebud blooms...begins its earthly ride
through life; with sun and rain it must contend.
And day by day, its petals open wide;
all stages lead to fullness in the end.
When cold winds make it wither in the Fall,
as life and death, their endless duet sing,
the petals drop. It then awaits the call
of life awakened with the coming Spring.
The tireless earth holds promise for new fruit,
though signs of death are surely there to see.
The rose leans on the spirit of its root
to make it bloom when Winter sets it free.
The seasons of all things hold much in store...
for life brings death which brings new life once more.
Sandra M. Haight
~8th Place~
Premiere Contest Late August 2018
Sponsor: Brian Strand
Judged: 08/25/2018
~8th Place~
Premiere Contest: Not Just Any Old Rose
Sponsor: Mark Massey
Judged: 08/05/2018
It takes two to make a baby
But the women bear the brunt
Yet for reasons that confound me,
It’s the men who most confront.
They just plant a seed and vanish
While not caring for a whit
If they’ve left behind a token
And what will become of it.
So the females must contend with
Something growing which may be
Not a part of what they’d wanted
And with which they don’t agree.
Now the law allows reversal
Of what might be a mistake
Letting women make decisions
Which should be their own to make.
Let the Court step back and ponder
Why this ruling must be banned
When so many now will suffer
With a pregnancy unplanned.
All of those who think abortion
Shouldn’t ever be allowed
Should be happy having babies
And live up to what they’ve vowed.
But for women in this country
Who’ve been guaranteed a voice
In the workings of their bodies,
They deserve to have a choice.
We loved to traverse the dense forest,
Where birds continued as they chorused,
Admiring on one side the tall pines,
Breathing their best fragrance from their vines.
On the other side of the pathway,
A thousand of maples made my day.
Gold leaves fluttered slowly to the ground,
A whiff of breeze, the path would be drowned.
At the edge of the wood was our friend,
Where with his food we had to contend.
Sausages, bacon, eggs and coffee,
Heard his lovely repeated story.
He lent us his barn where we could sleep.
Outside a river so wide and deep,
Winded its weary way through vast plains,
It would fill more with October rains.
Clouds gathered above the horizon.
What pleased us was a rainbow rising.
We went inside the warm cosy shed
Where all was clean, and straw which we spread.
We slept like angels on that sweet bed.
Born in Madrid, in fifty nine,
A military Kid, 3rd of 7 in the assembly line;
They named me Michael, but I answer to Wedge,
A Master Sergeant’s son—not much here that's cutting edge.
I grew up a runner, and I wrestled some,
I was a skateboarding brawler and a surfer bum;
Didn’t try very hard in primary school,
Laziness, not ignorance—I was a bit of a tool.
Then I met this fine girl, long hair just like copper,
Who took me to church, sweet, innocent, and proper;
At Wood’s Grove on knees, accepting Him for long haul,
In 1978—just weeks before Uncle Sam called.
In a flash came the Navy, Marriage, college, and kids,
A submarine, 2 surface ships—I was a bit of a squid;
On to Chapel Hill, where I taught Midshipmen,
By ’94, farewell my Navy—I’m now a businessman.
Life moved fast from the crib thru each grade,
For Mom & two girls—my female brigade;
Growing up we did lots, mostly travels and school,
Plus church, school sports, dance and piano recitals, how cool!
Today, they’re gone—our empty nest in their wake,
New lives, with spouses, and pups—and new names.
So I paint and I hike—while my soulmate sews and she reads;
And we both now teach high school—sharing Christ as He leads.
I’m grateful my Navy recalled this old goat,
To lead men and women, ashore and afloat;
Retirement and selection, to teach young Cadets,
A large pain in the butt—but I have no regrets.
After 60 odd years, I’m modestly content,
With where my life’s been, and headed—once spent.
But mostly I’m thankful—family, friends and great health,
And for wonderful friendships—the source of my wealth!
Some say sixty's getting old,
Creaky knees, aches and pains, hard hearing—all told.
And I contend, aging's NOT for the faint hearted,
But most who know me know—I'm just getting started!
Where is it now that I put my heart
The last time I took a break from love
I remembered thinking I wouldn’t need it for awhile
So I put it in a place high above
I feel so silly now
I mean it’s so important
And I knew I would need it again
But I was trying to be logical
And I wasn’t ready
With my heart to contend
I don’t know, maybe it’s a sign
And I’ll just leave it hidden away
It’d be so much easier if that dreamy voice
Wasn’t always purposed my way
Gosh if only you knew
Dag gone I bet you do
How when you lean in close for affect
The breath of your whispers
Leave me completely unglued
When they gently caress my neck
Oh men! I can’t stand ‘em
See that squint in my eye
And my nose pointed up in the air
My arms are folded and I’m quite determined
Then you turn and catch my stare
Oh Geez! I used to be much better at this
You ask for my number to phone
I give it to you willingly
But for three days
I
Will
Not
Be
Home!
Bundled in goose down like their feathered friends;
they plump outside for they've no wish to stay in;
they dive in the snow, the mundane to transcend.
Boys howl and they whistle and the girls defend
igloos of snow bricks with rosy cheeks and chins,
bundled in goose down like their feathered friends.
Small toddlers fall boom, make angels and pretend
that the snowflakes are food, as their silly faces grin;
they dive in the snow the mundane to transcend.
Snow geese honk and a large flock descends,
roaring with laughter the children rush in,
bundled in goose down like their feathered friends.
Mother lights the Christmas tree on the bend
and Father grabs a scarf and joins the din.
They dive in the snow, the mundane to transcend.
Snowballs zoom, as sisters and brothers contend
even the pooch prances (for of course he is kin).
Bundled in goose down like their feathered friends,
they dive in the snow the mundane to transcend.
It's important to have a real close friend,
on whom you can rely.
One who shares your hopes and dreams.
Consoles you, when you cry!
A shoulder, you can lean on,
in times of stress and strife,
to encourage and advise you,
down the road we know, as life!
A friend who'll always be there!
One on whom, you can depend!
Does not question your decisions,
he's just a loyal friend!
He'll back you up, through thick and thin,
no matter how bizarre!
He treats you like a brother!
He accepts you, as you are!
No matter what the future holds,
there's one thing to contend,
you'll know that you've been truely blessed,
because, he is your friend!
Of My Love For You
I remember the first time I'd heard your voice. You had just dropped off a another dude, seen the good bye from you two girls up stairs, yet, I didn't pay attention.
And you came back and this time I'd caught something strange, he was 'old news', I however was getting all kinds of signals... I let that go. I had places to go, things I had to do... I was about to embark on a ambition of a dream of my own abilities. Throughout my whole existence on this planet, I'll have to 'prove' myself to me. I'll never care about myself, 'I' care about others. See, I've always known “I'm somebody”, promised to share with only one I give my heart to. Wasn't that you flirted with me cause your friend liked me, inviting me to a party at her apartment that I accepted. My first bad party, and I hadn't been there 15 minutes and already gotten screamed at by the same person that was supposedly interested in me? Time to go, before ' gets stupid' Cigarette, slowly as not to attract attention go outside, then clear, walk, (hell, I had a life to contend with..) Then, there you were, late at night, your car rolling beside me at a wake pace. In your resolve, I realize it was unmanly of me to keep up the (actually the first) argument. I was even 'more' impressed when 'you' alone stopped by to check on me the next day. We agreed on the party being a flop, and somehow from there... We started learning about one another.
I enjoyed your smiles while you read my silly writings, as I listened about your life, your children, your ex, your sister, your family, really? I met your ex, not good stock, and then one day I met your kids. in front of them, your entire family, each taking me aside, warning me. Okay, time to show who I am... I gave a list of phone numbers to your mother 'call if you want my credentials'. I'd been moved in two days prior, by an offer to do my laundry... Impressive words I recall, “bring it all”. [liked the 'here to help'] It took understanding but our bodies meshed well sleeping together. I greeted the kids, opening my heart, tearing down every wall (20 children hair clip's on my head, walking around to among the neighbor's) showing respect and honesty to everyone, it grew. I then, one day I said “I love you.” So, YOU are were the one...
Thank you for the blessings
You have bestowed upon my loves ones and me
We have health, love for each other
And jobs that pay enough for the rent
And basic necessities
Forgive me for the times I’ve cursed you
In the midst of certain lessons
I was ignorant – not contemplating
The greater good,
Then you granted me the gifts of
Knowledge and understanding and
Made me grateful for nearly all the outcomes
“Life is the school” and “Love is the lesson,”
But what is the purpose of our incarnation?
Is it enjoying the simple pleasures,
Growing spiritually to know you better,
And striving to do the right things
That make up the purpose potion?
These are things that aid us in loving
Ourselves enough to adequately love you,
Jesus and our fellow spiritual beings
Who are sharing the earthly experience,
But is that all there is?
Beyond Love, you may not divulge
Any other reasons for existence, as
All things ultimately fall under Love’s umbrella
Besides, when working in harmony,
The Bible, our intellect and intuition
allow us higher Truths and Revelations
That I contend come from You and angels
But, is that all of what we are given?
Shall I simply be content in praying
That you continue to enlighten my inquisitive soul
By feeding me information
On a need to know basis
using the tools you have provided
as I enjoy the simple pleasures,
continue my spiritual growth
and strive for morality over blasphemy?
Do I trust that Life’s Purpose
Is as simple and as complex as
Live, Love, Die and Reincarnate?
Love is the Key.
The rest, only You know the Truth.
If you could talk to God....
Free Verse Contest
* For my children - no one has touched my heart as deeply *
~
There ne'er were "perfect" parents -
We contend the best we can
Amidst our love's conveyance,
There remains no flawless plan.
We strive to keep our wee ones safe,
Hold their hearts until they've grown,
Yet advised we have to "let them go",
When they seek new lives, their own.
Their youth is gathered nigh to us,
Guided in our tightened clasp,
Too soon, they widen wings to fly,
And we must then loose our grasp.
But no matter what their journey,
Or the distance that may grow,
There's one sweet truth, enduring:
We will NEVER ... let them go.
Written on September 5, 2021
For the "The One Who Touched My Heart" Poetry Contest
Regina McIntosh, Judge & Sponsor.
Of famous sonnets I’ve unwrapped so far,
Including Shakespeare’s brilliance, I’ll contend,
None close compare as near one superstar,
Entitled “Daniel Turner - Cherished Friend”;
Aligned in gentle reassuring tone,
That shares with passion wisdom learned in time;
A wellness check on friends who feel alone,
Reminding patience renders life sublime;
When needed Daniel came to me one day,
And helped lift sullen skies that threatened peace,
For that I’d like the world to hear me say –
Thanks DT, for calming through troubled seas.
Although these lines lack any imagery,
I hope they show I’m here if you need me.
All newborns move from womb to crib;
and toddlers leave the floor to play in yards.
Most youngsters go from home to school,
learning a new milieu some with ease.
Our kids both young and old contend with space.
While teens assemble, needing gangs and groups,
our college students age as they leave home.
The forest’s edge expands with chills and thrills.
Advancing purlieu dawns on us
the outskirts of our lives change over time.
The empty nest can normalize our lives
as we accept each demarcation line.
With marriage, having children need not stunt
our passage if we've learned our lessons well.
We welcome flux and look forward to tomorrow.
Grandkids will start the cycle anew.
Agendas set; when of necessity
we must retreat, forest calls us back,
we think goodbye, adieu slowed our bearings down.
In lieu of serving others, we now dread
being waited-on by younger souls
who'll take their mental notes. An empty nest
just helps pull the curtains on our clock and stage.
Trees still denuded but burgeoning with buds
Will soon be bedecked in the brightest of duds.
Small birds renew flitting amid bursts of bright song
While crocus heads from the soil shyly push up along.
Freshness and newness is what they declare
When brightness and music do fill the air
Hope and joy in simplicity blend
With which no other season can ever contend.
Summer's profusion ,autumn's decay,
Winter bleak, brightened but by Christmas Day
Yet spring with its simple and artless style
Young and old alike doth beguile.
Vivaldi's Four Seasons, a work of great art,
Depicts the cycle with humour and heart
But the princess of seasons stands merrily played
To leave the rest in its shy little shade.
The joy of birth, the growing up,
leads us to adore our lovely babies.
But not, alas, without the toils of life.
Because we experience a lack of sleep,
contend with baby vomit,
or idiotically putting on his boxer shorts
completely the wrong way around.
Yet all is part of being loving
to a newborn child. Sometimes
I get the weird, unworldly feeling
that I'm the worst grandpa of all.
Perhaps it's just that I'm getting old.
Try lifting the chubby scamp a little while
and oh my poor back simply aches.
And if he cries I must find out
what ails the urchin, my dearest pet.
A dirty nappy? Someone take care,
mother or granny, it's their job I'm afraid.
But if it's a bottle of milk he wants,
or nibbling a few small pieces of cereal,
then I am game. Bring on the glorious food.
And when he sleeps, I'm just in heaven,
contemplating the profound miracle of life.
For though he's not directly mine,
he's the continuation of my genetic line.
And so I worry if he coughs or wheezes,
or falls whilst crawling, adding to his bruises.
Awake he's smiling, a gurgling bundle of joy
that makes me proud, he's Nicholas my boy.
NB Nicholas, my grandson, is now 18 years old, studying dentistry at University (first in class) and has a driver's licence too.
When then sun sets east on a western shore
as the clouds laugh in the sky
I will call your name as I close door
taking time to wonder why
In the second chance that I come to find
when the moon sings on the sea
I will thank the stars that I left behind
standing right in front of me
Walking to the place that we call our own
with a daisy in my hand
Hoping that this bloom will correct the tone
that you'll somehow understand
And I feel the breeze of a twilight dream
as the trees begin to pray
Falling to their knees down along the stream
in a soft believing way
Then as nature calls in a whispered voice
so that only you can hear
I contend that I having not a choice
now decide to make it clear
For you are the one I've been looking for
with my eyes now opened wide
To seed the flow we have found before
like the calming evening tide
Just like lemon pie on a Sunday drive
sweet as anything we know
When the choir sings as the crowds arrive
hoping that the truth will show
That you are my one, truly only need
for time has stood it's due
Just takes these words I have penned to read
I am so in love with you
while the