Best Decision Poems
Pondering The Sad And Fateful Decision
there he sat
his brain peddling along
heart fluttering in space
and that bright summer sky kissing his face
mind recalling trouble
her face appears
she that ripped his flesh and smashed his world
there is no reprieve
certainly is no hope
he ponders the unthinkable
a sharp knife in his right hand
birds fly and settle in the sycamore tree...
such vibrating colors and splendid tunes
his heart started growing lighter
music soothes the wounded beast
yes, today he would walk
back into this dark world
fight the dreaded beast
to rise in morn and smile
eat a fine breakfast
maybe find a new job
why not he mused
is my life ready for joy
yes it tis
brain fired up and
heart grown lighter
then suddenly he saw
her face and darkness return
he sits and sharpens that knife
after all he thought
what the hell is life.....
after all
what the hell is living
but a black curse
a lonely death
he remembers
his knife
sharpens its
long blade
and muses death
would it be
so bad
pain would stop
sleep would fall
and
his heart
stop crying....
again his brain
thought
what is living
but a curse
a curse he endures
as she went away
and now so will he...
Robert J. Lindley, free verse
9-15-2023
Note:
This poem is dedicated to my very good friend who
in the summer of 1976 took his own life....
I choose to be
the last to speak.
Then other’s answers I can seek.
Each one of them is unique!
There is power
in embracing my meek.
When my thoughts don’t leak,
into their hearts I can peek.
Being quiet,
doesn’t make me weak.
I learn more,
when not talking a blue streak.
No nodding,
or pretending to listen.
Not trying to think of gems,
so that I can glisten.
Truly listening,
is my mission.
Without knowing their perspective,
how can I or we make any decision?
Can’t we strain to hear all their voices?
Hear the loud and quiet speak,
Muslim, Buddhist or Christian.
Maintaining myopic vision,
leads to a philosophical collision!
Upon Holy ground,
can we not avoid division?
After all, isn’t inclusion,
the reason for Religion?
We go to a church,
a mosque or a temple.
Sacrifice meat,
or eat freshly made lentils.
The core of humanity,
is still elemental.
Each in our own way is sentimental.
We are the same,
in the ways that are essential.
We crave light,
a sense of belonging.
Sunlight music and singing.
We loved one another once,
in the beginning.
Before our hearts became,
intoxicated by winning.
Recognition and ego,
the foundation of our sinning!
So can we put aside the “I”,
and begin again, by truly listening?
With our mouths closed and ears open,
Witness a beginning worth noting!
I’ll take you back, to the old dark times,
To try and paint you a picture.
A tale of a man, just sixteen years old,
Who had a bit too much liquor.
1706, is the year we shall set,
As the young man woke himself up.
He found himself on a sailing ship,
Whilst holding a silver cup.
His clothes were ragged, as was his smell,
As he wearily opened his eyes.
He was lay on some sacks, of wheat and hay,
As he looked up to dark grey skies.
He’d drunk too much rum, the night before,
His head was banging like drums.
He looked down to his feet, then to his hands,
To make sure he had his fingers and toes.
‘Alas, he’s awake!’ He heard someone shout,
As he cradled his banging sore head.
‘Get up my boy, you’ve work to do!’
The voice bellowed as he lay on his bed.
‘Where am I?’ Said the boy, in a shaken whisper,
As he tried to get himself up.
A sailor approached, and grabbed his arm,
In turn, then dropping his cup.
‘Ow! My arm!’ The boy would cry,
As the sailor did drag him along.
‘Captain! He’s here’ the sailor did shout,
As other men started a song.
They bellowed sea shanties, as the ship caught wind,
through a perilous gloomy storm.
“The wind it would cry, with salt in my eye,
As we sailed on till the morn”
‘Get up my lad, you signed for this!’,
The captain grunted his voice.
‘Signed up for what?’ The boy did squeak,
‘Your term of work, You had a choice!’
All of a sudden, the memories came back,
What happened the night before.
The frail young lad, had gone to a pub,
With rum, he kept asking for more.
Sailors were nearby, and saw the boy,
Who was now just lay in the street.
‘Sign this my boy, and we’ll take you home’,
The boy soon signed, on their meet.
The rest was history, as the boy closed his eyes,
to find himself on a ship.
He was now a sailor, a working man,
On his way to an 8 month trip.
Making a decision
can often be quite a difficult one to make
Needs vision
Moments of doubt
Afraid the choice might cause heartache
Fallout
Win, lose
Which road to take
choose
Making a decision
Afraid the choice might cause heartache
Choose
the heart is always right
unless this time it’s wrong
and this time is not like all the others
this game he must not lose
too much at risk
no room for error
is it worth the risk
has he hit the point of no return
is it really worth the venture
if it’s a go
execution must be meticulous
indeed the stakes are high
this gamble must be calculated
pros and cons be tallied
well thought through in every detail
arsenal of charm and tactics
gone out on a limb
a joyride down a slippery slope
jeopardizing the crown
winner take all
in pursuit of the gauntlet
ripple effect of a backlash
a chain reaction
hanging in the balance
this sort of entanglement
not for the foolhardy
it’s no sitcom for buffoons
at the slightest hiccup
fallout could be disastrous
will he roll the dice
at what point does
temptation become obsession
and seriously cloud all judgment
precarious and unpredictable
impetuous and highly flammable
the repercussions for frivolity
the high cost of capricious reverie
its longterm aftermath
risky business
Published in my 24-page photo/anthology book ~CITYLIGHTS~ 2021
Read on air by invitation ~ August 13, 2021 'LATE NIGHT POETS'
AP: 3rd place 2025, Honorable Mention 2022
Submitted on August 2, 2021 for A BRIAN STRAND YOUR CHOICE POETRY contest sponsored by BRIAN STRAND - RANKED 1ST
"(Two roads) diverged in a yellow wood and I choose the one less traveled by and that has made all the difference.”
Quote by - Robert Frost
Forsaken Temptation
I saw two signposts when out walking one day
One said “Paradise” and the other “Please Stay”
Should I walk with hope toward my envision
would that be making a wrongful decision.
Pathway to paradise in my mind foreseen
Enthralling flowers and trees, bridges o’er streams
Bright rainbow and bluebirds adorning the sky
A scene once narrated in a lullaby.
The ‘Please Stay’ signpost tugged upon my heartstrings
Bringing back memories of all kinds of things
Some of them golden, some coming with regret
A combination of the life I have lead.
I had a dream of what paradise would be
Somewhere all who dwelled there did so contently
Where hallowed love's the alluring incitement
The surroundings an enchanting enticement.
Soon came time to sort the complex of my mind
Was my lifestyle something I could leave behind
Standing with tears slivering down from my eyes
I solemnly asked the Lord to be my guide.
The decision I made was that I must stay
Where I was needed by each night and each day
All it took was some divine mediation
My salvation was forsaken temptation.
*+*+*
Life always offer choices —
Some easy,
some hard
Alternate current inner voices:
Pulse charge emotional,
or neural beta rational
Positive or negative energy flow
Binary decision
is either yes or no
Alpha cipher is the genesis code
Zero expectations
create infinite bonding variations
Uncertainty is the flux abode:
Love or hate
is an epidermal woven learned trait
Terminal thoughts move in the Omega mode
Singular path of resistance:
Fight or flight
Chromosomal crossroad interaction —
Attract or repel
Choose drop dead paradise or living hell
Spiritual quantum elevation:
Boundless outer limit of innervision
can be dark or light
Two-way street karma logic
Future visitation of the past divines the question ...
did you live wrong or right?
Comes the inevitable moment to decide at last
Whether to stay or go; whether to love or hate
Whether to stand aside or bravely engage issues
To defy the odds and stand proud before the mast
To be late or early, to depend on timorous fate
Heart ripped asunder over questionable virtues.
Yea, lest anyone think fence-sitting is admirable
Or ignoring the necessities of every day’s wishes
The day arrives when we all must compensate
Stop the handwringing and become comfortable
By manning up to what life dishes.
written the week of June 20, 2021
It was never my intention,
not a conscious decision,
to cause you any level of grief.
Our give and take wasn’t as envisioned.
Blindly, I let you fall between my gaps.
It’s not right or wrong, but fact that
I got lost in a thronged rhythm
recovering from things life had given.
You have always shone a warm light
selflessly bright into my life.
Stern storms drowned my content,
turned me until forlorn bent.
I pursued a healing renewal but
my drenched attempts were futile -
I didn’t mean to hurl you into my duel.
Please accept my sincere apology
for giving less than you handed me.
I’d never set out to hurt another
but denying friendship gratitude
colors me pallid shades of rude.
The thoughts are risen:
But nobody to listen;
Having unclear vision:
With no proper decision;
Bound in corrupt tradition:
Sunk in unstable condition;
Seeing all the opposition..
am in a state of congestion
Not in a position..
to handle my confusion!!
~DEEPA~
Third place in BRIAN'S CHOICE 2,any form,any theme
Contest.
Let us pretend you have a magic pill.
If you decide to take it,
You can wake up tomorrow as someone else.
A new look, a new age, a new person,
You can live in any country in the world.
You can live on another planet.
You can be famous, rich, or just be you.
Choose wisely, as you can never
Ever go back.
You have
Twenty
Seconds to
Decide.
20
19
18
17
16
One fourth of your time is up.
When I get to one, your opportunity
Is over.
15
14
13
12
11
10
Do you realize how little time you have left?
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
Just as I thought.
Too early
At least timely
Maybe too late
Never make a perminent decision on temperory feelings. I cant take back the words i never said. When me and you are together nothing is better . He was so easy to love , but i guess love wasn't enough .The past is ment to be left behind , the present is ment to be lived now and the future is ment to make you everything you are. Ending everything isnt as hard as it seems i guess it will just make everything ok for me. People don't change , they just become the person they were really supost to be .
Love is not based on a feeling only
There must also be a clear decision
Passionate feelings may die off early
Showing it was just infatuation
One should not need another as a crutch
But be able to stand on one's feet
This will allow each other space as such
And enrichen the sharing when both meet
A love relationship has its demands
It does not ensure smooth sailing always
Be mindful of this in each circumstance
And it will help you survive the rough days
The one that you love should be your best friend
Someone with whom you can share everything
A person upon whom you can depend
In situations that can be trying
As time passes, both of you will change
For change is inevitable in life
Do not consider this as something strange
Learn to adjust and avoid any strife
True love is the most precious emotion
That a person can engage in sharing
It fills the heart with blissful elation
Giving one's life a rich sense of meaning
"Love is a decision, it is a judgement, it is a promise. If love were only a feeling, there would be no basis for the promise to love each other forever. A feeling comes and it may go. How can I judge that it will stay forever, when my act does not involve judgement and decision."
- Erich Fromm - (The Art of Loving)
"But let there be spaces in your togetherness. And let the winds of the heavens dance between you. Love one another, but make not a bond of love: Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.
And stand together yet not too near together: For the pillars of the temple stand apart, And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other’s shadow."
Kahlil Gibran – (The Prophet)
Look out the window
And enjoy the eastern glow
Now get out of bed
Feet on a cold floor
In the middle of winter
Now get back in bed