Best Dampen Poems
Is it
simply a case of precipitation,
moist warm air condensation
or are they God’s tears showering us with love,
as rain washes away our sorrows,
in the hope of brighter tomorrows.
Gloomy grey skies conceal a shy sun
with murky dull clouds lingering.
A cornucopia of soggy brown leaves
slither and slide under our feet.
A plethora of rain drops fall capriciously
with no concern for those they disturb.
Ladies shelter under umbrellas appearing morose,
whilst school children splatter in puddles,
laughing and giggling in sheer delight.
The rain is never cold when one is young.
Pollutant auto mobiles drive by monotonously
their passengers are safe as
windscreen wipers clear their way.
Stores are lit with commercialised displays
as the air fills with excitement for fun that awaits.
In hope the October rain does not dampen their spirits.
Squirrels gather up supplies ready to hibernate.
High above birds fly south for warmer temperatures.
A fragile old leaf falls upon me through the blustery wind,
leading to a philosophical thought about turning over a new leaf.
Lost within the season of change and contemplation,
one thing will never change though –
the October rain.
The Silent One
originally written 29 October 2015
re-posted 18 October 2017
Categories:
dampen, autumn, october, rain,
Form:
Free verse
When dark clouds converge
As cold winter plots
To dampen the soul
In the face of fear
And adversity...
When crisis looms
And dejection
Flirts with despair
Not all is lost...
A swallow
Comes along
Heralding
The joys
Of spring
Hope!
-----------------------------------------------
Contest: Diminished Hexaverse
Sponsor: Dr Ram Mehta
Placed: 7th
Chosen POTD ~ 15th Jan 2015
Categories:
dampen, hope,
Form:
Diminished Hexaverse
A wordless song drifts from your eyes
with rhyme disguised in poems lost
from heavens smile your heart replies
assuming risk, no fear the cost
You dare not weep to dampen dreams
but pledge to take this hand of chance
no less from love this passion streams
in turn of fate not circumstance
Left breathless from a lovers kiss
this treasure found its place in time
a pleasure true, no more than this
not once rehearsed in pantomime
Within each heart pure beauty lives
When fancies flight is there to give
04/04/2017
Categories:
dampen, beauty, kiss, love,
Form:
Sonnet
The graveyard, shrouded in pale mist, so hauntingly eerie,
dampen spirits as the full moon loses her glow - dreary!
I float, like a vapour, amongst lifeless, inky shadows;
solitary yew tree, groaning with age, as the wind blows.
A ravens cold, chilling stare, shoots shivers within my soul
as I glance at fresh earthly mounds next to an empty hole.
Decaying flowers, leaves, disfigures forlorn, relic graves
as melancholy whistling heralds me in mournful waves.
I wander past headstones sheathed in mould, epitaphs long gone,
This sacred place seems familiar to me as night draws on.
Movement beyond a mausoleum - am I all alone?
I feel I am being beckoned to something to be shown.
Hypnotic, ethereal sounds now on this Halloween Eve -
I am guided to a grave where I shall lay down and grieve.
For, as I kneel against sodden turf, horror upon face,
An inscription enlightens me - I dwell - at this resting place!
Categories:
dampen, grave, halloween, horror,
Form:
Narrative
I could smell and sense
the showers coming in the air
with an approaching storm.
I inhale this
light little scent of heaven.
The rain will never dampen my spirits.
No umbrella for me tonight.
But, I don't mind,
I'll walk in the rain.
I savor this
sweet little taste of heaven.
The flavor is cool and refreshing,
with a purity
that is almost indescribable.
It is cleansing to my soul,
I can feel it
washing away my cares,
and making it okay to smile, again.
I experience this
gentle little caress of heaven.
When it soaks through
my jacket and my jeans.
My shoes splash
in the rain
with every step that I take.
I can hear it
tap dancing on the rooftops,
with invisible feet.
The streetlights
reflect on the wet pavement,
in pools of gold and silver.
The neon signs blink,
red and yellow,
blue and green.
Like drips of paint,
it puddles on the street.
Bringing color
to where there was none before,
only a flood of gray.
Now there is a palette
of fragrances to absorb.
Creating almost a rainbow
in the nighttime.
Written by: Kelly Deschler
November 11th, 2013
For Nette Onclaud's contest - "Fragrance Of Rain"
Categories:
dampen, how i feel, night,
Form:
Free verse
oh, my precious child!
let me kiss away your weep -
do not be troubled, the moon but bids good night
(stars whispering their ancient lullaby)
swallowing not, the western reach
but merely giving pause to the day, waking
so that the grateful star of morn
should adorn its burgeoning bosom
let not the salty seep of your cheek yet trill
such certain and elegant inequity there be
should a stain darken that pinafore, pressed
a scandal be my name with thy mother
should those eyes dampen your Sunday best
and surely not for the sake of Luna's languor -
oh, such dire dalliance, that!
I adore thee, my wee lass
Boundless are the ways -
Echoed in your mother's smile
There, so deep your gaze
'tis true, his aged face did blush, fleeting
dipping his dusty chin to the sea
but it was for Sol's regard only
(their goodnight kiss - pressed tender, a-cheek)
and no misfortune was spun
we shall return, my child, sooner than soon
and you will bear witness their recurrence
your old man moon will beg company again
with his patient aspect beaming
shimmering bright for your veneration -
soft, soft, so daubs the moon
soft as bluebells blooming -
wan on skin to softly swoon
e'er a dream's consuming
yes, I vow this to you, my daughter -
you shall dance again on this shore
bound and prance, my tiny ballerina
you will twirl in the breath of evening, I am sure
lit by the gangling glow, star-ward
and tonight's lament will seem a silly song
you shall see and be heartened, my little one
and should I yet kiss that weep away, too?
ah, but joyous, those tears...
and as the heavens themselves
(and the best born of a father's heart)
how immeasurable their number …
oh, my darling, precious child!
~ 1st Place ~ in the "Your Choice (4), Any Form, Any Theme" Poetry Contest, Brian Strand, Judge & Sponsor.
~ 2nd Place ~ in the "2019 Poetry Marathon Mile 18" Poetry Contest, Mark Toney, Judge & Sponsor.
Categories:
dampen, analogy, childhood, father, love,
Form:
Free verse
When lattice of tears dampen gloomy nights,
Cutting through a ragged shade, a moondust black
Remember me as your protective harbor , a sanctuary
With gentle arms outstretched which understand
Those woeful cries howling a bullied refrain—
For I’ll serenade you with this assurance… never fear
Until eve’s warm pillow lays itself down;
Then remember me in this unkind world… all is well--
My whisper hums,’ Dear son… you are not alone.”
For Silent One's Contest: Nine lines to let them know
everything will be fine 7/26/2018
Categories:
dampen, 7th grade, angst, care,
Form:
Free verse
Could it be only yesterday we met?
This night together seemed so very right.
So nice to wake up to a happy face,
To find you with me still at morning light.
I dare not think my lonely days are done,
It is too soon to be so optimistic.
I must be patient, wait to see what comes,
Dampen my ardor, be more realistic.
Is this but the first of our shared breakfasts?
I fear I’ll frighten you with silly talk.
You must admit that we are good together.
I grab your leash and take you for a walk.
Categories:
dampen, funny,
Form:
Quatrain
Standing, searching, anchored
to the bow of this ancient boat
Two by two I see many a pair
but who is out there for me
Resilient rains dampen my day
but my dreams remain dry
and bright
Standing, searching, anchored
building my vessel board by board
day by day
Acts of kindness and love
giving thanks to the Father above
making me stronger, more appealing
being ready for when you climb aboard
when we set sail for the promised land
No longer the seas will be lonely
The moon will guide us
The sun will be there to protect us
The winds will blow us
our sails will be plenty and always full
all our prayers will be answered
because darling I am being built for you
Categories:
dampen, boat, love,
Form:
Personification
they warned me
against extremes
intensity must not be indulged
"Flying in between
is your safety scene
not too high
not too low
don't look too longingly below
don't fly too close
to the sea of his splendor
the blue green of his eyes
hypnotize, mesmerize
desire will dampen your wings
weighing you down
nor must you fly
too close to his passion
blazing bountiful in brilliance
his sensuality, a searing sun
will melt your wings; you'll come undone."
I should have listened
I should have known
Icarus ignited was I
My hubris lifted my higher
nothing seemed dire
overconfident in my ability
to fly away if need be...
your sensuality seduced me
drew me closer and closer
solar combustion on display
you would have your way
rays of radiant heat
in wave upon wave
emanated towards me
doused in desire
you set on fire
melting
melting
melting
burning turning twisting
writhing rigorously
pain and pleasure
came upon waves together
spiraling me out of control
seared straight to my soul
I fell
Oh, how I fell
from the apex into the swell
of the blue green sea of your eyes
sizzling fire subsiding
subsiding
awash in wetness
about to die
you hear me cry:
"I would do it again
and again
and again
today and any day
molten passion in my core
consuming, always wanting more
I know
you'd have me fly
again...
Icarus ignited
right up to your sky."
Eileen Manassian
"In Greek mythology, Icarus is the son of the master craftsman Daedalus, the creator of the Labyrinth. Often depicted in art, Icarus and his father attempt to escape from Crete by means of wings that his father constructed from feathers and wax. Icarus' father warns him first of complacency and then of hubris, asking that he fly neither too low nor too high, so the sea's dampness would not clog his wings or the sun's heat melt them. Icarus ignored his father's instructions not to fly too close to the sun, when the wax in his wings melted and he fell into the sea." Wikipedia
Categories:
dampen, analogy, mythology, sensual,
Form:
Narrative
the crickets break the silence
of the still, dark night
the leaves stir in hushed waves
as the wind whispers past
the moon hides…
shy behind her veiled curtain,
she lets tears flow instead
no crickets chirp
the leaves weep
as the winds wail
and I—
I breathe in the chaos,
feel the cold
dampen the world
around me
but my spirit
for some reason
is refreshed
I guess
nature also needs to vent
05112011219a229
Categories:
dampen, life, nature
Form:
Free verse
A Rainy Morning
A rainy morning greets me
as lurking dark clouds weep
over an already saturated dawn
Puddles form in abstract patterns
as thirsty sunflowers bend and
awakened shadows run for cover
Dreary droplets drench, gathering
cold upon my shoulders, still
unable to dampen my spirits
For sunny skies glow within my heart
and nothing shall keep me from
another new day with you
Good morning Soupers
Categories:
dampen, good morning,
Form:
Free verse
Tom, do you know “THE CUNNINGHAM NEWS” is read by one and all,
The World anxiously waiting to celebrate upon hearing about Putin’s fall,
I can understand how Ukrainian deaths will dampen Ukraine’s victory call,
But winning this war with glorious hearts, their reward, to feel ten foot tall.
Categories:
dampen, war,
Form:
Rhyme
Look at yourself in the mirror, look at you.
No pretense, be honest, who do you see?
Is it your authentic self? Or the one that other people think
of you? If they are good, positive, constructive and would lift
your spirit, let it be. If they are negative and would dampen
your spirit, don’t let it bother you and make you feel down.
You are worth it, nobody can compare to you. They are not you
and no matter what they say, don’t let weeds of doubt, self-pity,
fear invade your mind and heart. Opinions of others are usually
put downs because they feel better than you and be aware that
not everyone will like you, even the ones related or close to you.
Maybe, your authentic self is not what you wanted to be and does
not make you feel accomplished. But you must realize that life is
not always the way you want it to be, so accept what you meant to
be, give it all, keep a high standard, appreciate your skills and fill your
mind and heart with seeds of enthusiasm, joy, kindness, thankfulness.
Or maybe, you wish you are somebody else or in a different set
of circumstances, do not. There are people, who live in pretense
for they are in denial for they cannot accept circumstances beyond
their control or their own failures, so they pretend to look good
masking their pain, hurt, shame, pride? Letting go and accepting
are hard to do. It is easier said than done because it requires courage,
strength. But, it can be done and would take time, resilience and
patience. Believe in yourself, have faith, hope because there is always
light, even in the darkness. Seek and you will find the light to guide you.
Today is a gift and a new beginning, so treat each day a new
beginning. Accept each day, your gift with a thankful mind and heart.
Put your head up high, look at you. You are unique, wonderfully made.
Look at the authentic, true you. You are amazingly worth it!
Categories:
dampen, encouraging, inspirational, life, perspective,
Form:
Free verse
Quietly I sit and observe the profile of her expressionless young face.
She looks so peaceful and serene, a flower in the full bloom of life. Her hair flows softly around her in its auburn beauty. Now I see her eyes flutter open, and observe how thick her long lashes are; how they pleasantly frame her light green eyes. Her flawless skin has a translucent quality to it, so silky and smooth.
crimson rose in bloom
seared petals bleed heavy tears
down a stem of thorns
A near drowning victim, she is getting restless, her breathing becomes labored. I hurry over and adjust the oxygen cannula in her nose and take her vital signs. Then I stroke
her arm to comfort her as I raise the head of her bed and adjust her pillows. She seems to settle down with a heavy sigh.
Are those tears around the corners of her blank, staring eyes?
Tiny beads of sweat lightly dampen her forehead
I prepare a cool, wet towel and place it over her brows.
What a beautiful flower she is, how brief her bloom. Now her flower has been plucked too soon.
She is wilting, her petals are fainting, falling...
weeping flower bends
colors weaken, fade away
falling so softly
October 28, 2020
Categories:
dampen, life, sad,
Form:
Haibun