Best Cowered Poems
One Halloween night when I was five
Rain pelted city streets, we stayed inside
Dad lit the Jack-o-lantern candle
Told us the tale of a famous vandal
One “Headless Horseman” in Sleepy Hollow
‘Twas Ichabod Crane he chose to follow
Crane ran breathlessly, was terrorized
(At this point my father’s eyes looked wild)
Thundering behind him through the forest
The hooves of a horse and a rider headless
Carrying a sword to strike Ichabod
(Dad grabbed a spatula, swung it like a rod)
Not just we children but our mother too
Gasped at the thought of Ichabod pursued
High winds cut off our electrical power
As in our kitchen three children cowered
Orange light from the pumpkin’s evil eyes
Showed Dad seemed to have dematerialized
The youngest, I felt something run through my hair
I screamed aloud in horror and despair
The lit pumpkin fell from table to floor
Darkness as I ran through the kitchen door
Leaping into bed, pulling up the sheets
Dad snuck into my room, whispered, “Trick or treat”
So if you think I am a drama queen
Please realize that it’s all in my genes
Happy Halloween!
Some fun with Shakespearean Sonnet
The sword locked tight and firm within the stone
awaits a heart with strong undaunted faith,
oft tempered hard by fire the dragon's blown;
not cowered down before a ghastly wraith.
Too often those without intrepid souls,
though with the strength of lions at their hest,
believe it only takes one mighty pull
to loose the brand now locked within this breast.
But power isn't born from strength without,
it is the light of truth within the pure
that need not raise a fist nor feign a shout
to earn a faith and love that shall endure.
With gentle silent solemn hand he grasps
and slowly frees Excalibur at last.
I wished to ascend,
so I called a friend,
who knew of such things
and how to grow wings.
‘God’s abode’s within’,
he said, ‘so begin,
by simply choosing,
head and heart, fusing’.
‘Each impulse distil,
aligned with His will’.
So I set out thus,
aboard God’s love bus.
I reached heaven’s gate
and there chose to wait,
for the gate was locked,
so I stood there docked.
A voice then affirmed
that I’d have discerned,
the gate’s my ego,
which I must forgo.
Once there’s no blockage
and no desires rage,
cleansed of every sin,
I may then walk in.
I cowered in fear,
for my life was dear.
What’s left, if I die?
Is heaven, a lie?
Conscience egged me on,
ego shorn, reborn,
the false dropped away;
I saw then God’s play!
I was living light,
shining day and night.
The gate was but thought,
fears, ego begot.
The manifest world,
but intent unfurled,
to know all are one,
each being God’s son.
Life’s a lucid dream,
where thought forms do stream.
To exit this game,
simply take God’s name.
The rot’s sunk in deep.
How long will we sleep?
There’s no gate, dear friend.
Vaporise! Ascend!
23-June-2022
One In Five Poetry Contest
Sponsor: Joseph May
Syllables: HMS
The greatest miracle in days of yore
unsurpassed, two millennia past or more
a carpenter by trade, Joseph by name
was betrothed to Mary, a virtuous dame
Joseph, proud of his virgin, unbesmirched
beamed when their banns were recited in church
Mary had a visitor who descended in light
when the angel spoke she cowered in fright
"Fear not, chosen one, there's a child in your belly,
You'll name Him Jesus, unless you fancy Kelly."
"How can you be sure? I've not been with a guy."
"Must I spell it out? His father is God most high."
When Mary told Joseph he was caught off-guard
to accept Mary's tale was decidedly hard
his intended, purportedly as pure as they come
was with child from another; a soon-to-be mum
An angel of God appeared in splendor:
"Joseph, to no mortal did Mary surrender."
now, Joseph was righteous, obedient to God
ahead of the wedding date they then tied the knot
his family, deprived of a wedding reception
snickered: "What's with Joseph? This is clearly deception."
The newlyweds were obviously broke
Joseph told Mary: "My wife, don your cloak
We can't afford to pay taxes to them
we'll go to my birthplace; it's called Bethlehem
off they set with Mary on a donkey
for days on end over the hills of Galilee
All the tax evaders had crowded Bethlehem
not an inn in the place could accommodate them
Joseph begged as well he was able
one innkeeper showed them a stable
in amongst animals, vermin and filth
Mary, the Virgin, to our Savior gave birth
she wrapped Him in cloth to protect Him from danger
laid Him gently to rest in a hay-lined manger
Humankind then and now reaps the advantages
that Jesus has come to mend falling bridges
Santa's reindeer went down with the flu
He panicked thinking what can I do
So he used all his charm
Borrowed cows from a farm
Not the answer but they'd have to do...
Folks out walking all watched him fly by
Saw no reindeer and they wondered why
But they started to cheer
Then all cowered in fear
As cow pats splattered down from the sky.
Written 23rd December 2020.
Piranhas, within a canaries cannibal world....
Feasting upon the flesh, of another innocent and vulnerable life
Delivered by the hands of darkness' entrenched; unknowing but willing, messengers of woe!
In hopes of crippling and destroying, by means of ridicule, guilt and shame
The subtle and not so subtle, of the spiteful and scorned....
Chatterings like arrows, from their poisoned bows
Within comments and verse, and their opened air words
Always the same-looking for their entrance, to bring another to their knees
To evoke their own will? These amissfully mangled and subverse desires
Within, these shatteringly tainted dreams....
Relentlessly they search, for the Achilles heel, to crumble yet anothers hope!
Traveling through these mediums of morbids main, and fluttering hearts....
In through the side doors, and along the corridores, via way, of the shadowish mind
Enter the sublimes of deceivings presented, before all of Heavens sight!
While as half closed eyes stand in silence, all about, within muted watch....
Reminding myself of a case years ago; where a young girl was beaten, stabbed and murdered
As at least a dozen different people, cowered within their rooms
Amid her desperate cries, beggings and pleas for help; help, that would never arrive!?
So such it seems so very often, among many within this society in which we live....
Whom turn their backs and avert their glance; while bowing their heads, and walking on by
Back, into their own blackened holes!....(Cont)
Quietly now,
my serenading sky
you to me are!
almost radiant and high, facing the light
be about your plants of green
your strewn paths and needles
let rays tend the weeds that harbour gainst your hand
and trowel deep each foot that steps
they live as do I
mountains waiting ire
I watch and yearn the uprooting
the dislocation, the cast away,
each fibre stretched against the cotton
and the curl of sweat
separates...
Ventures a rivulet down your back,
you are the mystery my love
Knelt neath the shading of time
bowed, from the unforgiving branch,
how do I see you so
a dance
to the music in my heart
a dance
that wealds the tilling grasp,
the pain I feel , is white peaks screaming
curling to kiss the clouds
each bead pours from your diamonds stream
and settles on the rock
catching sunlight on your nape,
a nape I've kissed a thousand times
I live a'neath the bowing branch,
allowed my wallow time
in shadows looking down
timeless tunes a humming
little inconsequential notions
swept back, brushed away
a remembered time when ledges cowered,
in rockbeds so dry of love
like strangled flowers
that grow untended, like lies
reflecting summer sunsets under the
mountains of your
unforgiving eyes...
Easter Wake-up Call
Jesus ~
When you woke up in the tomb did you smile –
The living prophecy complete -
As death cowered in your victory?
Throw back your head to laugh in giddiness
As you broke free from burial’s mortal bonds
Trembling at your feet?
Sing a kingly Psalm of morning joy
Lion of Judah in roars of Resurrection
That banished Adam’s shame into oblivion
Tap your toes in rhythm to your quickened heartbeat
Chasing evil shadows around the tomb
As they cringed within your reborn shadow
Dance the dance of triumph
And mend the temple curtain torn in shreds
When wickedness groveled in defeat before you
Breathe in sweet breaths – mercy’s living testimony
To exhale in pure whispers of grace
As evil gasped in thrashing suffocation
Shout Amen! Alleluia! It is finished!
Prince of Heaven as sin yielded stinging tears
To the union of omniscient forgiveness.
Jesus
When you woke up in the tomb
Time’s framework shattered – the lost chord found
Heaven’s landscape showed through the thin matrix membrane
Mercy’s healing fragrant balm caressed earthly nails scars
The Anointed now anointed exile’s wounds with restoration’s incense
The mystery of God and man’s enigma unraveled
When you woke up in the tomb.
4-6-22
Contest: Easter Poetry Contest
Sponsor” Regina McIntosh
Hollow Justice
Justice called the role
not seeking innocence
but truth
beauty stood before the bench
accused of wilting flowers,
faded hues, dimming rainbows
purity stood guiltily
head bowed, besmirched,
despoiled by innuendo
pride stood angrily
fist clenched, defiant,
without shame
honor cowered in the shadows
disgraced by perception’s
cowardly fabrications
duty stood alone
neglected, shunned,
by those she served
truth stood silent
in the knowledge
none are innocent
John G. Lawless
8/21/2015
July is the month of monsoon rains in our part of the land when there will be incessant downpour and flooding in coastal areas and low lying lands
In the vast expanse up so high,
In the caliginous July night sky,
A lone star trailed along from Heaven’s arch,
And through hindering clouds it did march.
Its lambent rays dancing in gleeful light,
Making everything luminously bright.
All starlets cowered in shame,
Hiding in corners, fearing blame.
It got stationed above a thatched manger,
Where baby Jesus lay swaddled in rags in rainy weather
Promising the gift of love and joy to mankind
Assuring everyone salvation and peace of mind.
The wind that blows is icy chill
Freezing cold is the water of the rill
Trees stand washed in rain
The sky, in greying clouds remain
Lights from nearby houses shine
Sending out a radiance divine
Christmas trees stand finely decorated
Cribs are colourfully illuminated
Stars and festoons can’t be hung in the open,
As in pouring rain, they may be broken.
July is not a month fit for the king to take birth,
Who has come to bless the world with cheery mirth
Yet, the whole land is vibrant with festivity.
The pouring rain hasn’t doused the gaiety.
Sunshine or rain, no matter the weather,
Friends and family are happy together.
Christmas wraps every heart in cheer,
Though it falls in July, the rainy month of the year!
July.11.2022
Christmas in July or July celebration Poetry Contest
Sponsor- Tania Kitchin
The poison parrot is repulsed by me, hates my art, laughs at my poems.
sneers when I enter my imaginary world, pokes fun at it.
She throws roadblocks into my mood zone,
destroys my great ideas as fast as they enter my dendrite alley.
You think you are something! Ha! She laughs. You are less than nothing.
No one will like that. It is too sassy, too bright, too snotty, too tall, too snarly.
She snips away at me, chopping little pieces off, as I try not to cry.
You are an idiot! She yells at me, her favorite pastime.
Poison Parrot managed to hold me down, away from myself, for years.
She held me hostage in a prison I helped her build; I cowered in a scared way.
Until I met Savior Boy. Savior Boy did not know about Poison Parrot, for when
I was around him, I was confident, witty, sassy, fun,
out-going and memorably lovely.
He let me do his homework, and he received good grades,
praising me to high heaven.
The closer we became. the more self-assured I became,
assertive genius oozed out of me.
Poison Parrot was fearful now, she saw she was losing her grip.
She began yelling louder than ever.
“You are an idiot! You are worthless! You are a loser!”
I stopped hearing her. Savior Boy’s love and respect helped me
to clip her wings, and tape her beak.
By the time our children arrived, I had re-invented my self-talk.
I was now being talked to by Sophie,
a dynamic, self-assured, marvelous pixie queen who
believed in herself, and everyone else.
I released Poison Parrot and let her limp away,
saving no face at all, after Sophie arrived.
Plucking the Poison Parrot Number 156
Written: 1-6-2019 Sponsor: Maureen McGreavy
They practise their guns on the land of the innocence,
these loathsome creatures wipe out the lines of our army,
now we are what left to secure this homeland,
"Come forth my soldiers" the cry of war is heard from leagues away,
we pierce these wind-lances through their corroded hearts with wrath ,
inferno burns the heart of the city,
as we guard behind this ineluctable vile scene like a vault,
keeping these lives we call treasure hoard,
forged iron weapons as our blades as we stand behind this door
waiting for the beasts, we wail our swords in valor
but we are disdained in return, are they blind, do they not see our courage,
in the vast hall the tyrannical emperor sits proud in his throne,
with a crown on his head,
riven by greed he covets this land as much as we want to secure it,
usurper we call him, his eyes instil terror to every man,
he curses the flame of war upon us, he wishes ill upon my people,
his soldiers swimming in blood,
drinking copious amount of alcohol as celebration to our folks death,
our cerulean sea pollute as if there is sickness lies upon it,
It redden and darken as season changes,
our people are driven mad by grief as we scream for mercy,
cadence they say our screams are as we cowered in terror,
distraught by this desolation and mangling towards our kin and home,
we stifled by this thick air where no healthsome air to breathe in,
we could not foretell but we yet still survive this,
we do not linger behind shadows, stench from these shrouded victims open our eyes,
where is the reverence we once deserved,
bairns swear vangeance, cut the head of the snake and you shall be free from this grief.
Thence they come, these thoughts again
As I brood, on mind thus dimmed
Fraught with doubt, crossed by light
Naught but rout, mine sublime such night
Shall I muse on love or war
Fall on fuse or seek Paramour
Laugh or cower in shadows of mire
Caraf or bower or madness my sire...
First is love, that Venus sin venal
That gloves us, that makes great what might be menial
Ye Gods that strike us and make us wonder
What askance could discover, instead we blunder
Next is war, to which we hasten, alight
Vex't too far, we hurry, eyes red bright
For what do we stand, for what reason we fall
For lauds or bands, or glory for all
Last is madness, that indefinable mount
Fast it abandons, leaves a cur, a lout
Yet while in this life it hobbles, in-famy arraigns
In eternity recorded is all but fame
William* knew love, was a master unmatched
In his words our nature unmasked, unlatched
Lee* was a genius, in a cause infamous
The perfect warrior, strong-gentle-just
Poe* was a daemon, Pandora, of dark
Yet lauded after, today our 'Goth' art
Which embodiment was true, was pure?
Which could you most admire, follow, ENDURE?
Could you follow if combin'd in all
As Dumas* once quipped, one for all?
What human could be them, combine in power
Would he be tyrant, belov'd?-Sought?-cowered?
Was he Alexander, of whom knowledge bereft
Was he then Caesar, Cleo*-love, General, Epilept*?
I know not who embodied - genii* of three
Yet at some point existed this man, tri-breed
I know which of these I am, maybe
Yet which one are ye, God damned though may be
if needs must decree ye must be
choose from these distinct sep-equal* three.
* Notes
William - William Shakespeare
Lee - Robert E. Lee
Poe - Edgar Allan Poe
Dumas - Alexandre Dumas
Cleo - Cleopatra
Epilept - Epileptic
Genii - distinctive character or spirit, as of a nation,
period, or language (plural)
*Sep-equal - Separate but equal
Never has it ever occurred to me
In my whole life on earth
That I'll come across a soul mate like you
So beautiful and unique indeed.
Beauty is mainly physical they say
But yours goes beyond that
To illuminate your hidden features
And accentuate the uniqueness in them.
The sun prouds itself as the most beautiful
Lucifer boasted to that once
But the sun's rays is cowered by your smile's brightness
And Lucifer bows to your beauty's superiority.
Beauty as yours are Angel's version
Beauty comparable to none
Beauty emanating from the depth of your essence
Beauty Numero Uno.
The wind whistles
The birds of heaven sings a eulogy
Flora sways to the beat
All dedicated to your heavenly bestowed beauty.
410 AD when mythology takes hold
Barbarians threaten to conquer Rome
Roman troops abandon Britain, head home
But Chieftain Vortigern seizes the throne
Britain’s new king sought to flex his power
Mt. Snowden’s site chosen for his tower
But before Vortigern builders cowered
Ever-crumbling walls left his face sour
Soothsayers were beckoned and wove a tale
A fatherless boy must be brought to Wales
His blood be shed and his future curtailed
If hopes for the tower were to prevail
A princess was said to have spawned an heir
Whose father had simply vanished in air
Leaving the single mother in despair
And the ghost’s voice she still heard she declared
Her son Merlin was brought before the king
Vortigern scowled when he began laughing
Merlin said ‘neath the tower lay a spring
That’s why its unsettled walls kept crumbling
He claimed serpents were below ground as well
The king quickly fell under the boy’s spell
Diggers found both as the lad did foretell
Merlin’s life spared, his reputation swelled
To escape wrath from a king with clout
The tower’s real problem this boy figured out
The “magician” name he could do without
But a sharp wiz kid was Merlin, no doubt
*Friends, I did extensive research on Merlin
and this is what I learned. Is the story true?
Yes, to the best of my knowledge.
Vortigern was a true character and this is
allegedly how he discovered Merlin.