Best Coos Poems
I wonder about her
as I shave suet and place thistle seed down -
once again
she reveals herself to the corner of my eye
a slight movement caught in the slant of a sunray
just enough to separate her shy form
from leaf litter camouflage
I turn to look at her
demure and just out of reach - yet
she seems to know I feel for her..
I regard her presence for a handful of heartbeats
before she hastens away in a certain way
head moving forward first then feet catching up
..rustling the earthy rust of gold;
fallen maple stars strewn beneath an arborvitae row..
a wing hanging down by her side
like a gate with a broken hinge
her gateway to freedom gone
she’s become a body bound to soft soil -
flesh and bones destined to feed the trees of life
soon her feathers - like thistle down - will animate aloft
weightless in soulful breaths of a swirled November wind..
pearls of muted beauty lost in innocence
given back to the skies
I wonder about the tender fragility of a tomorrow
in an air where mourning coos
are watered down by whimsical tears of gods
and stirred by a mortal’s yearn for return to natural flight
I commiserate with her silently —
for I am broken too
Susan Ashley
November 17, 2020
~ First Place ~
Premiere Contest: Brian Strand No 1175
Sponsor: Brian Strand
~ Second Place ~
Premiere Contest: 2022 Poetry Marathon Mile 17
Sponsor: Mark Toney
Alone the bones of the room
bear no weight of responsibility
nor does it bare its breast of secrets
a broken pane
provides a breath with a pang of lavender
a wistful inhale
inhabits the lungs of this space
as the room tries to embrace...
oh embrace the breathing breeze
to squeeze a semblance of life into this place
but the breeze— a gypsy whisper-warm
needs freedom to come in and sweep
sun-dust into swirls of pinprick-stars...
then to go not beholden to bones
stoic and standing still
not beholden to dust stranded midair
only to fall in despair— abandoned
with less a good-bye
as bygone laughter and lullabies
are held on lath-tongues
behind horsehair plaster walls
but mute memories
mingle in dust like fireflies in dusk;
her suckling coos
the woe of rocking chair nights
hot plashes of mud-puddle tears
—a colored canvas that minions of time
would rather gesso white
in its bones the room
remembers its worth as a womb
nurturing a baby’s breath
beneath blue-skin-skies
where rows of purple spires grow
till Mistral winds blew hard and cold
and flew her lavender soul
far from home
oh the loss of life
wind-crashing-seas-onto-rocks—
loss of life
skeleton-ribs-of-the-crib
stripped-of-her-lavender-sprig—
loss of life
Mama says this is where
I was born on a stormy night
the benignant horn was where
she'd paused to breathe and reside
The bounteous hollow took her in
and echoed my cries and coos
spiralling down the springs
to protect me as if I were Zeus
I slide along the spirals
to quench my itching thirst
a joyous melody in the hollow
and palatable unceasing food
When it rains we glide to be dry
it shields us from the biting frost
when it snows and humans sing
of the ballads of festive days
At nights I crawl and climb
to the window of that horn
and watch the lavender starry sky
she recites stories of distant worlds
Sweet symphonies of chirping birds
wake me up on fragrant mornings
at times I step outside the door
to wander in some nearby forest
"Do you stay inside that cornucopia?"
A giant cub questioned me one day
I looked at Mama with my little black eyes
and wished to know the same
"Honey, this is our humble dwelling
that nurtures us, protects us, loves us
as if this was the great destiny
of a humble horn of spirals
This is our door to a beautiful heaven
with aromatic clouds and winged doors
this will be the blissful abode of tiny beetles
who lived happily in a divine cornucopia"
9th May 2020
For Cornucopia Poetry Contest
Sponsored By: Kai Michael Neumann
Premiere Contest Winner: First Place
BRIAN'S CHOICE 10,any form,any theme Contest
Winner: Honorable Mention
Midnight hangs in deepened revelation
as the cry of elegy flows within its waiting,
hazy tears burst to deny sleep’s interval
when baby - lullabies end all pleasant leisure;
and a mother sighs from vague acceptance
enacting the glee that cradles her child’s form.
Dusk engulfs in soft hue of threadbare beam
while the weary world rests in peace
that droopy stars bow to a grief, an ache
lingering: O her words break like shattered glass…
where that shift between hesitation and mourning,
pale moonlight releases its role of night guardian.
The birds become her voice of parting
for their coos recall a babe ‘s laughter, g o n e,
D.o.n.e … how silence welcomes again
the requiem of another night coming.
--------------------
Words Drowned In Tears Contest
Sponsor: Broken Wings 10/21/2016
As the sun tinges the horizon
A pale shade of rose
Beauty touches the slate gray sky
White canvas painted exposed
Surround sound of Dove's voices
Coos echo on all sides
Roosters' fill in the deep bass sound
Mockingbirds' tone abides
All song birds in chorus sing out
on this still quiet morn
Melodies lift above trials
As the Doves' song is born
There's that stillness saying wait
Rest before one of life's storms
The Holy Spirit does comfort
In my heart there's His form
No matter what life's trials present
The Comforter is there
Like the assurance of a daily
Sunrise no need to despair
As the orange sun glows like embers
Through the silhouetted trees
Thoughts run to the Savior's anguish
Who did so much for me
He made this awesome provision
The gift of the Comforter
Just reach out and touch the Savior
He's the great Affirmer
I raise my voice and rage a fight
for little children trashed and thrown.
Sweet little coos and burps never heard,
the printed mittens never sewn.
These tiny children wanted to play,
and be held and cradled so near.
To hear Mommy say,” I cherish you”,
and lullabies to wipe dark night’s fear.
Their marble eyes never touched the sun,
never touched a rubber ducky in soapy arms.
Never had a chance to shriek those circus smiles,
or twiddle Grandpa’s warm violin thumbs .
Their tiny breaths chopped in a moment,
with pierce of the sharp metal they expired.
Were they able to shout silent screams?
Or trapped in a cocoon where they can’t hide.
Their pink little fingers stopped squirming,
Heart beats blocked fading black and blue,
The luster of many decades of unlived joy gone.
Is this the most convenient thing to do?
And there go more of abrupt conceptions,
Unborn babies are gifts from God to behold.
The love for children has no need for shame, for guilt
As news of birth is the greatest wonder ever told.
...... ........ .
Contest of Scribe Marlon: Unborn Babies Dream
By nette onclaud
Cooling off in falling months, approaching dusk.
Coordinated chill and quilting of snow, brusque.
Cooking lots of soup, beating down dough,
as the wind whoops on a weeping willow.
The sky blue sheets aired out on the clothesline.
Coordinates of beauty in her decline.
Cooties shots on the medical menu…sigh.
Cooperation of dirge, the woe-filled cry.
Co-occurence of life and absence of fog
on the handheld mirror, down by the bog.
Cookout of fried boughs and its vestment.
This particular parish was not a good investment.
Autumn’s turning down the soil - leaves
storm in turmoil, slowing down what it believes.
The coos of despair…her ring rolls off finger.
Her dreams of love no longer linger.
Cool when Autumn clashes with Winter
and the clash of letters are placed by printer.
The clouds are snow white, they get the scoop.
Doves cry and hover - eyes droop.
Suzette Prime/Free Verse
undulating yowls
both sides of my hemispheres
reverberates through the ears
sadness
rejection
continuously play
the mind longs for its most melodious display
nature sings in sweet harmony with every raindrop
amidst the howl of the gale
whimpering of leaves
drives all the cicadas into their unpleasant sleep
sweetest warbles of the wrens
coos of other birds
flapping wings of butterflies
the enticing smiles of every colorful flower
I can’t hear
sounds trampled by the laughter of the rolling thunder
through monstrous work load
wreathed my freedom and hope
yet, I snuggle in the silence of my heart
listening
winnowing the throbs
clearing head to dross
swotting
disregard the trifling thud
with the viewing of sunrise
reaching out the synchronizer of nature
it’s a comforting feeling
trickling and flowing like dew
from tributary down to the threshold of sweetest mellowed treble
tasting the most scrumptious spiritual beauty
just within
in every garden
always
there is a beautiful music to be heard
but the heart has to be kept deep in silence
enough to hear it
and find joy
in life
in this world.
April 12,2014 2.20pm
-sharing an old poem. this poem didn't earn any dollars or cents :))) It was just asked by one of our dear great poets and authors to publish it and it was also an honor for me.
Second Place
Contest: A Million Dollar Poem Contest #1
Judged: 6/12/2015
Sponsors: My dearest fave poet sisters PD and Skat
Down where the wisteria's leafed
Blossoms gone but not forgotten
The magnolia buds are poppin'
And clouds cover morn's risin' sun
The distant dove coos at daybreak
And I've never seen a fiery horse
What were Elisha's thoughts right then
Or this an everyday sight of course
From Gilgal to Bethel and to
Jericho the two did depart
On down to the Jordan where
Waters Elijah's mantel did part
On the other side of Jordan
Elijah asked Elisha his desire
Elisha wanted a double
Portion of Elijah's spiritual fire
Elijah could not promise this
Only God could be the giver
If you see me when I'm taken
Then this gift too will occur
As the chariots of fire and
horses pulled them asunder
Elisha saw Elijah taken
Quickly in a whirlwind's dust stir
As the thick clouds and fog drip mist
And roosters crow in the hollow
Will this wet day be the day
When lifted up all Christians hallo
Finis'
Based roughly on 2 Kings 2: 1-22
Verse 12 is very important
Hallo_to cry with a loud shout or voice
City streets spew fire on sunburnt July day.
Dabbing sweat from brow, I meld into paved sea.
Mick cries out "Angie" from quaint corner café;
slowing steps, I search his stripped-bare poignancy.
Strangers strut in sync with street’s allegro beat.
Pigeons peck concrete, hungry coos offbeat.
Sullen faces fall, diverting weary eyes.
Souls emit loneliness lost in sad goodbyes.
Exhaust squeezes my chest with each poisoned breath;
choking on my tears, I smell acrid deceit.
Amid spinning wheels, a stranger till my death.
On wide city streets, crowds rush by in defeat.
A restless, hazy sun sinks to moonless night.
Senses become keen with city’s fading light.
Midnight hour comes to call, taunting my dark heart.
Angel wings span streets as nameless child departs.
TENDER LOVING TOUCH
don't fear
she's dear
tight clutch
soft touch
wears white
polite
too sick
she's quick
your ache
she breaks
your ill
she feels
one pill
you still
preserve
your nerve
correct
inject
your shock
she blocks
you scared
she cares
through sleeps
she peeps
recharged
discharge
"thank you"
she coos
___________________________
Sponsor Judy Konos
Contest Name YOUR FOOTLE POEM
---Placed1st---
O.E. Guillermo
8:41 pm, April 04, 2015
Profound silence
felt and revered,
stirring an awesome emotion
which stillness repeals
whenever brightness shines;
and the primroses' scent spreads the delight
of the mild season.
What do the stars
tell a lover's heart...palpitating
in tranquility, amid shadows
that advance with the pretty fireflies?
Dream, and reprieve from the loss...
hoping that love doesn't lay at rest,
but chooses to celebrate
'till after the evening and tell romantic tales.
The invisible crickets chirp,
somewhat awkward to the ears,
I'd rather hear the coos of the owls,
which are richer and more harmonious in sound,
but where are they in this darkness, unless
they are mating in the willows of the lake?
Our blanket is spread on the wide Sheep Meadow,
with the superb view of the Manhattan's skycrapers,
towering over us as sentinels in castle's towers.
Juliet wanted to taste this freedom,
embracing and kissing her handsome Romeo,
not fearing anyone intruding in her paradise,
unwilling to leave anytime soon;
and unruffled, she would continue to love him.
What do the stars tell a lover's heart?
Accept the lovely rose that he offers you, and adore it,
because it has no thorns, to make you bleed in despair;
sing with him a beautiful sonnet that Shakespeare wrote
for his lover who crossed the huge Atlantic ocean,
when ships took months to reach America's shore!
Written on 2/19/2010
No dove coos, the sun
sleeps below morn's horizon....
family rises
animals still sleep
old man gets upon his feet....
scent of bacon floats
coffee's aroma
wafts upon darkened cold room....
computer alive
buttered toast awaits
time to lie in the warm sun....
breakfast eaten soon
dogs stand by her chair
begging for some bites of food....
bacon entices
day's chores soon tackled
with much enthusiasm....
farmer plants those seeds
fatigue calls out rest
a nap is caught in his chair....
work some more outdoors
whip-poor-wills calls come
night has slipped in the front door....
two dogs, old man rest
Inspired by Marvin Celestial
Haiku about my family
Written: May 6, 2016
I bet you didn’t know about the fairies
assigned to all the infants that are born.
At night beside her precious charge each tarries
while softly crooning lullabies till morn.
An extra special fairy will be sent
to first-time mothers of a girl or boy,
for when the harried fretting mom is spent,
she only has to look upon her joy.
As magic dust releases from above,
the mother sighs and holds her baby near.
Then particles illuminate the love
of one who coos while cradling her dear.
As fairies go, there simply is no other
as blessed as she who serves the child and mother.
When I was just just a little girl I thought I knew it all
But as the years passed by I have never felt so small
I never knew what life would be like without you teaching me
But now I'm lost and am scared but there's no way to flee
Dad I know you'd want me to be happy and I know you'd want me to smile
But losing you has confused my soul and set me back awhile
We were just becoming closer, becoming the best of friends
I know we had many disagreements but in the end we made amends
I miss you everyday and cry when I'm alone
I'm lost inside with nowhere to hide I wish that I had known
Life is different now I feel guilty to laugh and sing
I know it shouldn't be that way but you were my everything
I looked up to you for guidance, for strength, for love, for hope
But in the end you'll always be my best friend and in time I'll learn to cope
It's almost been three years dad and life has knocked me down
It's beaten me up, bruised my heart, and tossed me all around
But life has also brought a brand new meaning
From diaper changes, little coos, and the occasional screaming
From I love you's, to bedtime kisses, all the way to morning messes
From pacifiers, to baby swings, and little tiny frilly things
Baby baths, little naps, apple juice, and diaper bags
Cuddles, tantrums, spills, and cuts
So much sass it's driving me nuts
The stress, the love, this life that I chose
Could only get better the more that they grow
My heart is so full, this much is true
The only thing my life could ever need now is you.