Best Dearer Poems
He walked with her a good mile
and talked with increasing smile,
with wonder he sat,
for the gladness in her heart;
...spent her days with wild hope ---
that he was in her eldest dreams,
from the beginning smote her monsters
and eased her deepest fears...
Now he rode with her again on his great white steed,
'til the edge of some mystic dusk;
and turn they could though too darkling
the winnowed wood, and chasing with shadows
the misted nite path, and she finally bade him
and his hidden forest hideaway;
so quaint and annointed with its little beds,
and bruin skins 'ere the hearth
and lordly portraits above its mantel;
and he lit it alive with warmth,
and the moon had come swift through the garland window
And in her hand he thrust the dearest of wine,
with nectar lush for a goddess,
and dearer her heart for him more they dined;
yet he pressed no closer ---
and gazed delicately glancing her bosom,
remained mostly her lunar eyes...
and bade her a fine warm shawl ---
But the wine and fire...his eyes...
his eyes upon her though brief ---
stroked her where they fell,
and smiling she was longing his lips,
but caught her lust...
her heart! she could hear it drumming desperate
" I am almost too warm for your fine shawl..."
" Too warm? " said the lord ---
" no wine could simmer so, and the fireplace
too slight for such heat... your eyes undress me... "
And no nite they had ended...
nor any morning come betwixt them,
(but a kingdom of love in some forest green)
Like a child, I come to You
Trusting with my heart
Your love and compassion
You knew me from the start
~
Like a child, I whisper to You
Prayers from my spirit
Sent to your heavenly throne
And I know you’ll listen
~
Like a child, I wait for You
To guide me through
When I’m lost and alone
You answer me anew
~
Like a child, I compare You
With my parents here on earth
But they cannot equal You
Despite knowing me at birth
~
Like a child, I confide in You
My secret yearnings and dreams
Always aware of Your gifts
Always loving and joyful it seems
~
Like a child, I plan with You
For great moments in the future
Even though they’re here now
Those days that are quite sooner
~
Like a child, I long for You
The Master of all my life
To be as close as possible
Much dearer than a wife
~
Like a child, I know that You
Will stay with me throughout
Giving me a friend so true
That I’m feeling totally devout
~
Like a child, I hope that You
Will never leave my side
And you promised me to stay
With you I can always abide
~
Like a child, I love You
More than I can say
With love that is alive
And love that will not sway
There once was a family named Keets
They spoke in a series of tweets
Goldie was yellow and slender, of course
Blueboy was puffy and had no remorse
Together, they’d swing or gaze in the mirror
And watching them peck could not have been dearer
Their house was a castle of plastic and wire
That echoed their chirps, an avian choir
It always sat perched on Grandmother’s table
And that was the start of this family fable
You see, she would often leave open their door
They could fly freely or even explore
But one day, not seeing the window ajar
She sighed as they both winged their way to a star
Blueboy returned but Goldie was free
How Grandmother cried as she did decree
I’ll get my girl back , I’ll call the police
Thinking for certain, they’d listen at least
When asked to provide her name and address
With no second thoughts, she muttered her best
She lived on Byrd Street and this was no joke
They did not believe her, had she misspoke?
Sure lady! They said, no time for a game!
Grandmother and Blueboy were never the same
Job Well Done
Momma, when you died I ask God 'Why'
He answered me quickly 'HER JOB IS DONE'
I started to cry pleading out to God
'That's my mother and I love her Dearly'.
God simply wispered close to my ear
'That's my child and I love her Dearer'.
I did'nt give up moma I CRIED out more
'I want to make her happy in life
and give her things that's nice'.
I heard a strong voice right close
to My ear no wisper just clear.
'I HAVE HER JUST REWARD'
I understood momma than and there
that there's nothing on earth
good enough for you here. By: Nedra Wilson {NOLA Poet}
Far across the hills and dales,
Ringing o'er the rills and swales:
Ever nearer, ever louder;
Ever dearer, gaining power.
Drawing hearts and minds to one;
Once sounded out, and once begun
Men cannot fail to hear her calling-
Solders freed from fear of falling.
Calling, crying to her sons,
"All must fight till freedom's won."
Leading them to victory;
Leaving them with liberty.
(Written on the fifth of July, 2015)
Brown, yucky and tasteless
Toxic monsters
All tightly bundled
Into a thin roll.
That's me!
Slim and handy
As I squeeze in between
Your fingers.
Burning my tail,
I turn into ashes and smoke
Surging my way
Through your mouth
To reach your lungs
Blocking arteries and veins on my way.
I hypnotize your cells
And they go dividing and dividing
Turning your lungs
Into a cancerous demon.
My dear children
Nicotine and tobacco-tar
Slowly eating you up,
Immersing you in their toxic bliss.
And you still enjoy me!
A tap on my back
Flicking off the ashes
As you smoke
I gleefully enter through the tiny hairs in
The tiny nostrils of
Your tiny little kids
B'cos blocking arteries
Is what I do
Whether its you or
People around you
What we share
Happens to be parasitism.
You burn me
And I burn your life.
I am burnt out now
Only the butt remains.
Throw me before I burn you.
And here you go
Lighting another me
I guess perhaps,
I am dearer
Than your family and your life.
But mind the spark in the butt
It's the spark of your life
Breathing and flickering now,
But...........................
As I come to you again
I carry an expiry date
Certainly not mine.
Theres this knawing in my tummy
A burning in my ear
I feel your presence next to me
Yet you are hardly here
I'm not sure when it happened
but now it's crystal clear
Though your body's in the room
Youre vacant. --Insincere
I wonder- was it worth it?
To throw it all away?
All the things you squandered
to keep the pain at bay
All the things you had to pawn
just to get you through your day
Traded growth for comfort
Traded gold for hay
And I don't think you'll ever realize
the person you used to be
Now on a quest with no direction
In drunken ecstasy
These thoughts so sick and twisted
They make me want to flee
Spinning round in circles
A pirate lost at sea
I wish that you could see it
the way I clearly do
Suddenly I wonder
Who am I talking to?
Look around one last time
There's no one here. It's true.
And that is when reality
finally does come through
I see it there in front of me
A reflection in a mirror
I know it now for certain
Death is creeping nearer
I poor myself another drink
I hold my poison dearer
Then anything I've ever held
Reality becomes much clearer
I know I'll never break away
from this cage I built
It's destiny to end it here
There's nothing left but guilt
So I gently shut my eyes
And pray I'll quickly wilt
I look for one last sign of comfort
Grab tight to my quilt
The one my mother gave to me
on her final day on earth
She died too from the bottle
Pitiful, without self worth
I set a lonely fire with a lonely match
I watch it slowly flicker as I lay by the hearth
There was never once a chance for me
Doomed from the day of birth
Nothing's the same, all things change
And I find I don't love you the same old way;
I'll be your friend for all is not estranged
If you happen to come today.
The excitement that made my life a dream
The ecstasy of that time, the serene content;
Like a whisper of a sleeper's mind it would seem
Is a mystery as to how it went.
The birds, the blossoms and leaves on the trees
The cold white moon who rides sublime;
The transient breath, the eternal seas
All things change with time.
Our face in the mirror shows year after year
The signs of age; and our expectant need
Ignores the hope now drowned in a tear
Carrying all we knew but did not heed.
Can we ask the mortal heart to stay
And be happy with a child's sweet hours?
The season says goodbye to the violets of May
And knows there are no fairer flowers.
But life holds no dearer love than this
Which rests in peace but cold and dumb;
But let us kiss and oh, how we will miss
The violets that change when the roses come.
Living in a masquerade
Hiding our truths in the shade
Veiled Behind electronic devices
The Physical world Minimises
Concealed behind a blue and white light
No melatonin released at night
Our brains don’t accept it’s time to sleep
And every day we’re on repeat
A vicious cycle ceases to stop
When hid behind our phones and lap top
Wanting to be something we’re not
Living life through a mobile robot
Pupils straining , brains rearranging
Photograph your food , words misconstrued
We used to wear watches and read paper maps
Took photos with cameras , had real contact
We spent Summer days out in the fresh air , riding our bikes with the wind in our hair
Simulation , stimulation lost inside a lie
Isolation, modification , apps that beautify
Lacking essential social skills
Online Casino gives you thrills
Book shops closing , hackers disclosing
Filters , snaps of zombies posing
Selfie sticks and brains decomposing
Judging ourselves With an air of self loathing
Expectations of Instant gratification
Vulnerable souls face Victimisation
Predators and bullies target their prey
Illicit pictures on display
Conversations overthrown
Surrounded by people
Yet still quite alone
With one selfish text lives become wrecked
Took your eyes off the road just for a sec
Sirens arriving , little chance of surviving
All because of your self-absorbed driving
We hold it dearer than humanity
Ignorant and lost at sea
We need to find our way back to land
And release these crutches from our hands
"God sends pets without wings so no one will suspect they are angels ..." Unkown
Pets are Angels in disguise
Endearing was my canine companion
There was no other pet in my life dearer than my dog
Seated close, sometimes he would curl up at my side.
Amiably he would lay his head in my lap and sleep,
Ready to wake up at the slightest sound,
Ever alert guarding our home from rodents and rowdies.
A wild roamer was my cute tawny dachshund.
Never was he in chains to be hauled like cattle.
Gave us company as we took our evening rounds.
Endearingly he would rub his body on our knees,
Licking our feet and arms in deep affection.
So full of mischief, playfully he capered and hopped.
I have never felt a love so deep to any other as to him.
Nor had a bereavement more intense than the one at his departure.
Death claimed him before we could anticipate.
Inseparable was he from our home and our children.
Speechless I stand when memories churn within
Grew up as a member of the family and an abiding companion.
Unable to break the bond, he clings to our hearts.
In haunting thoughts of him, we still get choked.
Sacred memories of him are forever enshrined within.
Eternal bliss and sweet rest be granted unto him!
3. At the Cabin
("Noh" is an ancient Japanese style of
drama, broadly similar to Elizabethan
tragedy. "The Wind in the Pines" is
my version of a well-known Noh play.)
(The Chokugan = a shinto prayer.
The priest is protecting himself from
the ghosts.)
BUDDHIST PRIEST
Do you live here?
MURASAME
Why do you ask? Who are you?
BUDDHIST PRIEST
Just a traveler, benighted on my journey to ...
MATSUKAZE
What you request is little enough.
But our cabin is sparse, unfurnished, rough.
We are ashamed. It's far too humble. See?
We cannot offer hospitality.
BUDDHIST PRIEST
I am not looking for feathers or feast.
I am a simple, unassuming priest.
A fog is gathering swiftly around:
Please don't ask me to sleep on the ground.
MURASAME:
I am sorry. You cannot stay ...
MATSUKAZE
Wait!
The fog is freezing, and the hour is late.
The moon sails out from the refuge of a cloud,
and I see the form of a man who has vowed
to abandon all license. That, I admire.
Approach, holy man, our wretched fire.
BUDDHIST PRIEST
I am grateful, ladies. Yukihira,
the much-lamented young poet,
put it thus: "If anyone
should ever ask for me,
say I'm in paradise, and I know it:
in Kobe, enfolded by green sea,
and fine women, to dote upon:
no place could possibly be dearer".
MATSUKAZE
Aieee!
BUDDHIST PRIEST
What's wrong, young woman? See,
I prayed this morning, by the tall tree,
two-trunked and handsome. Nothing bad
can come this way. You look so sad!
MATSUKAZE
You have mentioned the name of our dead lover.
BUDDHIST PRIEST
A peasant told me of two women from here,
who both loved a Kyoto nobleman.
He composed exquisite poetry,
but sickness took him, in the prime of youth.
MURASAME
Aiee!
BUDDHIST PRIEST
I think I have stumbled into the truth!
You are the girls who live in the tree!
You gave your hearts to Yukihira,
and now you're ghosts! The Chokugan!
He goes by the name of Lacrimosa
He is the plain picture of a man
Those who don’t know him see him as a monster
But you and I know better that he is a broken friend
His smile drips of sorrow
His walk is that of a footless ghost
And should you accept his outstretched hand
And succumb to the adoring nature of his gaze
He will lead you away to a dreary place
That he calls home
And the monster will sing sweet nothings to you
And hold you safely in his arms
And though the smile on his orchid face may weep for you
Do not be ungrateful, as it is for you
You can shudder and shake and claw to get away
But you need him as much as he needs you
This puppet man who hangs from a single string
Neck crooked and marbled and hanging to the side
Will frighten and disturb those who can’t see his face
But he will protect you from the ones who claim to love you dear
He’ll hold you close and wherever you go
He’ll be there by your side, his cold hand grasping your own
He’ll be everything you need so you’ll never be alone
He’ll share with you his tears and guilt and blame
And for these gifts he asks nothing in return
But your companionship and smile for only a small time
He knows you cannot stay forever by his side
So when you’re ready to say goodbye
He’ll let you go
And he’ll insist that you keep his gifts
But in time you may throw them away
And turn your back on the weeping thing
Who gave all he had in your time of need
And let his crying fade away
But don’t look back or you’ll see him there
Extending his hand, begging to hold you in his arms once more
And should you choose to return to him
He will always welcome you
And make a place for you by his side
And one day you may decide
To snuff out the man on a string
To throw the gifts he gave back in his blotched, orchid face
And run far far away
So that never again will you see his smile so grayed
Or feel the icy sting of his clammy embrace
Never again will you sigh in the arms of a love once held dearer
Now burdened whenever they look in the mirror
With the image of what they at one time feared
Of a sad smile painted on the picture of a man
Neck crooked and marbled and hung by a string
Dangling a smile loose to the side
Tears scarring his cheeks
His arms open wide
A monster posing as a broken friend
Who goes by the name of Lacrimosa
feathered …
moony beams daub your lips -
the irregularities
shaping little cornflower thorns
but oh, how supple the
pliant press of those luscious fruits
(savored like honey) …
I touch them delicately with the
back of my finger
then move lower to your
daintily-dimpled chin, and down …
I follow the blue beams
with my fingertips
dancing across your surfaces as
little bumps form and
your flesh jumps here-and-there
telling me I’ve found the
sweetest spots,
though I’m winding my way to
an even dearer dermis
and warmer intent …
what is the enchantment of
these moments -
this magic of moonlight that
makes me want you so?
there is a mad mystery to why such
time stops and waits for us,
and were it not for
the responsibilities of morning,
we would hold this moment forever -
painted in dreamy shafts of blue
trading touches like truths
swimming the rill of each other’s soul
and haunting a wonder-world -
whimsical, immortal
and ours …
alone.
Copyright © Gregory Richard Barden
CHRISTMAS
For seasonal spice I was joyed to see
Our Japanese lights on the Christmas tree
Old Santa bulb fashioned so saucy and stout
We couldn’t imagine him ever burn out
A lean yellow lantern-man hung by his side
Another glass phantom who never died
Each twelve-month end when we screwed them in
Old Nips assumed their oriental grin
I swear those two quaint foreign boys
Were dearer by far than all my toys
I’d give most anything now to view
Our tree aglow an old time new
To hear Mom laugh Dad’s riotous cheer
When the pair lit-up for another year
FAITH NOT TO BE SOLD
Joseph O. Adebanjo
I have seen pain, kissed pain, lived with pain, overcame pain
Deep in my oceans of pain, existed bliss, and coexisted the Son
I saw the spasmodic ray of hope
Flickering touch of faith upheld me
I swam in my cryptic ocean of pain
Basking in its flow into the ground of faith
Faith lifted me, faith re-birthed me, gave me a new name
Claiming my name in the flaming fame
Yet standing out in the blazing flame
Hopeful faith brought me this far
Faith the passion that conquers pain the net that brought me out of it oceans
Faith not be sold
Faith to which I hold
For it is dearer than the fairest cherub