Best Dotting Poems
October: I'm eighteen, shortcutting home
through an autumn-burnished churchyard -
copper-lustred leaves, moss-skinned stone -
a jaunty swing of skater skirt and arm,
college folder square-sturdy in my hand.
In the moment. In the last pale pulse of sun.
Hey, can you tell me...?
I halt. I turn...
Cold earth. Colder blade dimpling my skin.
My coral cameo earrings scatter,
daisy-dotting the green.
My back is spiked by needles of yews.
Sun skews, sky side-slides
until his face is the firmament.
I'm staring into the tumid blank-bloat of blue;
the ground hardening beneath me,
the death-spike trees stiffening.
Heavy Special Brew breaths.
Grubby, moist fingers
like grubs crawling over my breasts,
and, weirdly, I'm smelling pepper -
horror-spice of pungent lust,
its acrid nose-thrust -
and woodsmoke is drifting from somewhere...
lung-flame, tongue-flames
of searing words - his words -
blazing like the umber tumbling leaves.
Please...Please...I'll...
Fear-forced bargaining, but I'm beyond care.
And I'm aware
of the church steeple rising,
its phallus penetrating sky.
The tilting church could topple
as tears crystal-crush in my eyes.
Fear-faint, already half gone
in a soundless scream, my muted mouth
mouths silent goodbyes
to Sarah, to Mum.
Time slows to a crawl.
I try to call. Nobody comes
but the man who has me ground-pinned.
Bleachy stink of semen
whitening my ripped skater skirt,
but some things don't fade
and there is no clean in this, just dirt,
wet leaf-mulch, shame.
Ineradicable hurt.
Sacred soil is soiled, sullied.
Stunned, I stumble
shoeless, knickerless,
into the trees and heave
into the mud, into the leaves
strings of spittle-sick,
my thoughts strung out,
reality spun out.
From stinking, pulped leaves I retrieve
crushed coral earrings,
ground-grimy knickers,
my white court shoes
that whitely scream the 90s,
the scattered tatters of essays -
white, like fallen feathers, sunk in the sludge,
muddied, the red-inked words bloodied.
I gather them together.
Gather myself.
I go
forward into my future, stained from pain
and tainted touch, the smears of fear, self-disgust.
And oozing slime-soft into my ears
the mire of incongruous apology: I'm sorry
don't tell anyone - I won't.
I don't.
Categories:
dotting, abuse, violence,
Form:
Free verse
I loved you once like sun rays love the earth
Like drenching rain that brings with it new birth
I loved you once like waves that reach for shore
And then recede to come in strength once more
I loved you once like stars that pulse with light
Held captive to the Milky Way’s delight
I loved you once like moonbeams touching trees
That dance within the branches as they please
I loved you once like clouds that grace the sky
Ethereal testaments to love on high
I loved you once like tender falling snow
Embellishing the world in splendid show
I loved you once like angels drawing near
To bring the needed comfort and to cheer
I loved you once like flowers dotting land
that blush in bloom of love in fusion grand
I loved you once, but once a lifetime fills
My life without you is devoid of thrills
I loved you once and earth was paradise
My sheer delight in love defied disguise
I loved you once; I love you for all time
You’ll never taste a love as sweet as mine
I loved you once, and once lives on in me
For you that once is part of history
Eileen Manassian
Categories:
dotting, lost love, love hurts,
Form:
Iambic Pentameter
I loved you once like sunrays kissing earth,
like drenching rain that brings with it new birth.
I loved you once like waves that reach for shore,
and then receded to come in strength once more
I loved you once like stars that pulse with light,
held captive to the Milky Way’s delight.
I loved you once like moonbeams touching trees
that dance within the branches as they please
I loved you once like clouds that grace the sky,
enchanting scene that draws a whistful sigh
I loved you once like tender falling snow
embellishing the world in splendid show
I loved you once like angels drawing near
to bring the needed comfort, hope and cheer
I loved you once like flowers dotting land
that blushed in bloom of love in fusion grand
I loved you once, but once a lifetime fills
My life without you is devoid of thrills
I loved you once and earth was paradise
My sheer delight in love defied disguise
I loved you once; I'll love you for all time
You’ll never taste a love as sweet as mine
I loved you once, and once lives on in me
Alas, for you that once is history
Eileen Manassian
Categories:
dotting, longing, lost love, romance,
Form:
Rhyme
Two little sparks
enlightening the dark
(tidal waves tugging on the heart)
One named Amelia, the other Aurora:
Completing the scenery --- fauna and flora.
But Borealis, she has no stake in the matter,
for she is just a melancholy rainbow
in comparison --- to the flames that ignite
your very being ... all the while you take pleasure in the heat,
being warmed by their joy and curiosity.
Go ahead and draw lines in the sand
(they will jump over them with glee)
And simultaneously have you giggling
at their tenacity.
Two little sparks
through the woods they embark
(one look at their eyes --- and there goes my heart)
Playing hide 'n' seek with the two of them
they disappear (and re-appear) just like fireflies in June.
Dotting the intrepid pathways like sparkles, like magic.
(the fact they'll one day grow up ... it's rather tragic)
Why can't they stay little forever and touch the ceiling
by riding on my shoulders?
Why not stay brittle so I can be protective --- instead like all things
you must grow older.
For now though Oh for now!
It's nothing but a pipe-dream
in the wakefulness of day.
Youthful energy can't be contained
much like quarantine flame.
(and between you and me
that's an accurate analogy)
Between these two firebrands -
who could dare understand
what it means to be an uncle
... with the capriciousness of "one of the gang",
and the loving care of a parent.
And who could dare contemplate
this here man's tragic fate:
living next door to the both of them
with no fire blanket.
One's not even walking (the other barely talking)
And while that may seem rather shocking
nieces have that power
to play with your emotions like staccato raindrops
on that big ole blue
they call the ocean.
These flames aren't dying low (not even close)
but only gaining momentum like a lightning strike in a forest:
a thousand popping pine cones re-seeding into infinity.
(And did I say divinity? That too)
They be in competition for my love
like the tug-a-war moon.
It's the kind of game where everyone wins
and it's never too soon ...
... for one more go round.
Written March 9th, 2016
For the Twin Flames Contest Hosted by Nayda Ivette Negron
Placed Second
Categories:
dotting, adventure, character, child, cute
Form:
Ode
Asters litter beds in rainbow colours
Berries red and black slowly growing
Clover adding bright patches of green
Daisy's dotting the rolling lawns
Enchanting us with their beauty
Fox gloves waving their wands of trumpets
Gerbera brightly show the sun their faces
Hibiscus blown by gentle hot breezes sway
Irises joining in glinting and glimmering
Jasmine flowers spreading out profusely as
Kale fish swim in the pond flashing colour
Lilies floating gracefully give them shelter
Mums giving ground cover to the rolling banks with
Narcissus poking out between them while the
Orange hues of asters are a delightful background for
Peonies some tall most very short nestle beneath
Quince flowers, still their tight buds vie with
Roses stately and wafting perfume clouds around
Snapdragons closing their petals over insects
Tansy's rarely seen now a days, here do thrive and
Uniformly line the garden paths whilst timid
Violets of deep purple shyly peek out and the
White tulips dance amid the rest under hedges of
Xylosma giving height and deep shade for plants
Zinnia's with rings of colour exploding
04/24/2014 by Shadow Hamilton
contest What's in your garden placed 1st
Categories:
dotting, flower, garden,
Form:
Abecedarian
Raven hair splays across her pillow in soft waves.
Olive skin as smooth as the satin on which she lays.
Golden locket with their images, rests upon her throat.
His heart wrenching pain, hidden, as the gun neath his coat.
His last kiss as soft as her dusty pink lips.
He remembers her warmth and the curve of her hips.
Their vows taken in bliss; till death do us part.
To the living, is left a broken, bleeding heart.
He leans over her body with his gun aimed true.
Crimson sprays up, dotting sky's of blue.
Echo's of gunfire, the tombstones couldn't mask it.
As his body falls limp, across his true love's casket.
Categories:
dotting, death, grief, love,
Form:
Rhyme
A Dream
I patiently waited for you all the day long, my beloved.
Even the tired, orange, afternoon sun long ago drifted off to sleep.
Nighttime arrived in a hurry shoving away the short-lived evening,
with rhinestone stars dotting a shimmering, dark, velvet sky,
and a pale, silver moon shyly venturing on the horizon.
After the lamps were all lit, I struggled to stay awake,
but my heavy eyelids drooped as I was weary from the long day.
So forgive me, my lord, as I unwittingly succumbed
to the potent spell of the Sandman’s magical dust;
and sly Morpheus sneakily captured me in his soothing embrace.
Come share with me this dream of tranquil enchantment,
in a watercolor field of delicately perfumed lavender and clover.
And I in peaceful repose await your arrival, my lord,
to gently awaken me with tender kisses, sweet as nectar.
I look for you, my dearest love, in a dream!
05-25-2014
Contest: A Dream
Sponsor: Isaiah Zerbst
Placement: 3rd
Categories:
dotting, beauty, dream, love, night,
Form:
Free verse
I skip one stone across the pond,
an oblate onyx dotting i's
in footles of a vagabond
who tiptoes after tiger eyes.
Perhaps the ripples left behind
are teary runes of gray moonstone
by starry sapphires once declined
for poesies of chalcedone.
In unison do pines recite
around the swaying cellophane
with spruce in verses malachite
on tawny-needled counterpane.
Soon aloe waters recompose
an epilogue of silent prose.
11/5/17
Image #1
Categories:
dotting, imagery, nature,
Form:
Quatorzain
Here in warm sunshine I sit,
near by a beautiful lake.
Many birds in the tree like to flit.
Long lush branches the breeze likes to shake.
Pretty birds all around call twit-twit -
Sweetness of which I partake!
Spotting some boats off a way
dotting the lake, happily
I have put down my pen as a jay
swoops on by. That is when I first see
shadows creeping have dimmed my noon day.
Sunlight, as always, must flee.
Written July 1, 2015 for the Quatret Poetry Contest of Isaiah Zerbst
Categories:
dotting, nature,
Form:
Quatrain
Let us be; we are fine.
Our hearts are broken,
and we do all cry;
we show our emotions in blood and metaphor;
you sit and smile at my sorrow,
then you ask if you can help me.
The smiles are fake, but the words are real!
I throw my sorrow on a thin, piece of paper and call it poetry,
while dotting my I's with tear drops.
We are all poets, some speak it;
others write it,
but we never forget it.
You call me a cry baby,
saying all I do is complain,
and you point out the flaws instead
of encouraging the good to come out and shine;
"Another teen suicide today"-Oh- I wonder why?
No one cares,
till you are packed in a box and put six feet under.
Break my heart when I'm alive and well,
and stich my heart back together with words of praise
when I'm dead and long gone.
Nothing left to show,
but a stone with a name and date that is covered by fog
and forgetful snow.
We are the modern day Romantics,
so break our hearts for if we cry and wonder,
it means our hearts are still beating.
Don't still my hand or his or hers,
for we all have something to share
that's worth hearing,
... someone just has to listen...
.1.29.2014.
Categories:
dotting, anti bullying, blue, cry,
Form:
Free verse
Angels - 12/28/21 This is a true story experienced by the poet.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Angel in a Whirlwind
Storm of the decade descends upon the day
Torrents of howling rainfall flood the streets
Banshee winds whip trees, waves upon the bay
Gloomy clouds shadow skies – sunlight in retreat.
Faithful Wheaten, Snickers, too weak to stand
Brightest amber terrier eyes listless in the storm
The rainbow bridge calls to you – gentle command
My broken heart in gusts of windswept mourn.
Now the daylight leaves early – taking the light;
Winter’s hand lays heavy upon the sky;
My tears fall like raindrops dotting the night;
Comfort alludes me in the fading light.
Faithful childhood friend embraces my sorrow
Dinner invitation and shopping at the mall
“Come tonight - please don’t wait until tomorrow.”
Our old habits die hard – we hear the mall call.
Standing on a corner a lady with a Wheaten puppy
Not a hair out of place – not waterlogged or soggy
All felt calm around her – the chaos ceased -
The wind stopped howling in her chrysalis of peace.
Jumping up in greeting just like beloved Snickers
I said farewell with teary eyes in a rain soaked slicker
Pain vanished like a phantom – angelic smile released;
Gentleness of this grace put my heart at ease.
One last question posed “Where did you find your pup?”
Directed to a breeder – my hope rising up
One last puppy longing, waiting for a home
Littermates with new families – this one all alone.
The world stopped spinning on winter’s wings
Warm brown eyes, soft grey ears helped pain lose its sting
Cuddled in our arms softly sleeping in the night.
Theodore our new pup – name means gift of God and light.
Angel in a whirlwind, I never saw your wings
But I know you were God’s messenger like crocus for the spring
My heart filled with gratitude for your mission to this child
And I’ve been seeing angels ever since the storm.
Categories:
dotting, angel, miracle,
Form:
Rhyme
Of you, this my journey
~
Wide eyed illusions
of spring flower wishes
With maple trees dotting
the land that I seek
Open and lonely
I stroll through the valleys
Where grasshoppers sing
and the whisperers speak
Spaces between us
with fields overgrowing
And highways of asphalt
as long as the sky
Dreaming of visions
I’ve found in your smile
While longing your touch
as I wish I could fly
Everyday detours
with corners and pot holes
They seem to be daunting
but I will succeed
Of you, this my journey,
my lone destination
Now leading to you
and all that I need
Good night Soupers
Categories:
dotting, good night,
Form:
Rhyme
The cerulean sky suddenly turned grey.
Cumulonimbus clouds covered the sky.
The gentle wind turned into a noisy roar.
In the sweeping wind, the trees arched and bent.
At every gust, the dead leaves began to fall.
The blazing sun got veiled by dark clouds.
The day turned dusky as if the sun was about to set.
Lightning, like clashing spears cut through the sky.
Thunder was heard roaring in the distance.
Suddenly raindrops began falling in tandem.
It was such an exhilarating feel to watch water drops,
Hitting hard on rooftops and breaking into tiny droplets.
Its pitter patter, to me, was like a melodious refrain.
Curiously, I watched raindrops dotting the window panes,
And the water globules glistening in dim light.
Petrichor rose from earth's surface, wafted by the wind.
* * * * *
From then, it rains and it pours down nonstop.
In a week, our land has become a river bed
Now how we wish to see the clouds dissipate
And the rains stop and the sun takes over!
Categories:
dotting, appreciation, how i feel,
Form:
Free verse
Artists are not so different,
at times glossing over truth,
hiding beneath a sheen --
some extra linseed goes
a long way...
What is this cry for realism?!
Picasso sought deeper meaning
via grotesque breasts~ elongated
elephant snout limbs -- perhaps believing that
the human tale needed elevation, himself
turned off by surface vistas; his squares and
points dulled by well turned chips, projected
missile-scraps flying from Leonardo's festive lathe of
tantalizing symmetries --
We marvel equally at
Dali's vaulted extremes, teetering balance --
a bleeding martyr of old Faith; despite all his
fiend distortions, imagined glorification~
dear, yet mere echoes, stills from the sable of
an unrequited Christian brush --
So...is the poet so different?
The Metaphysical digs, tunnels,
(anthropomorphic God)
chambers and catacombs to romp
about -- secretly displacing what
would otherwise be a straightforward
pleasant lyrical walk -- We
confound paint and words
presenting two types of portrait
of the same elusive image
the greater decipher, if there is
one to be had, will never be the
product of personal tribulation,
but the spirit behind, within, carefully
feathering, dotting and dashing
each of man's extended biographies --
a dance of human veils....
Categories:
dotting, art, freedom, inspirational, introspection,
Form:
Free verse
white wind pushing clouds
blueberry birds dotting sky
twinkle in cats eye
Categories:
dotting, animal, beauty, bird,
Form:
Haiku