Best Edging Poems
Standing on tippy toes
Top shelf
Reaching
Stretching
Finger tips edging the jar forward
Imagining the taste of chocolate chips on my tongue
Yumm mom's chewy delicious wait till Saturday cookies
Thankful I have grown that extra inch
Thinking she'll never suspect me
The jar
Tips
Topples
Tumbles
Turns
Travels over my head
Lands on the floor
Just as Snoopy comes running through the door
Eating all the cookies except for four
Looks up with his doggy grin
Like he wants some more
I reach down and grab the jar
Surprised that it didn't break
Reaching inside was my second mistake
Mom comes in and says "For goodness sake!
I'm so scared I start to shake.
"Ricky get over here right now"
I drop the jar, she watches it break
Running I try to get away
Up the stairs
Under the bed
If she catches me I'll be dead
At least that's what she said
She lifts the bed skirt
There I am
With my happy face T-shirt
Just within her reach
She grabs me
Pulls me out
Laughs
Gives me a hug
"Don't worry it's OK
I'll make more
Later today."
For John Lawless's Just within reach contest.
Written April 15, 2015
Categories:
edging, adventure,
Form:
Rhyme
Johnny-Jump-Ups nestle into the forest floor mosses,
Along with dainty Jack-in-the-Pulpits hiding beneath
The larger fronds of swampy ferns soaking up moisture
From the dew-laden flowering branches of laurel
Where I find myself dreaming in the verdant woodland,
Edging the meadow beyond the cluttered beaver stand.
A canopy of vine-entangled branches, a vault-like nave,
Provides a sanctuary of sacred candles dimmed for mass
A pew-less haven for wounded souls, and tiny chipmunks,
Who scurry to find isolated spots for quiet meditation
While grebes and gallinules make up the choir ensemble;
A purple swamphen takes up the guttural baritone line.
The late morning is mine, sitting along the narrow trail
In a cross-legged yoga pose with arms across my knees,
Soaking up the faint sweet smells of sassafras and pine
And slipping into what I sometimes call my “blue funk”
Where nothing on earth matters outside this quiet shelter,
Dozing softly, I dream of a utopian sweet, elusive peace.
FIRST PLACE WINNER (TROPHY)
June 25, 2022
Submitted to: "Poetry Marathon Mile 5" Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Mark Toney
Written on June 3, 2021
Selected for FEATURED POEM
On the front page of All Poetry,
September 13, 2021
GOLD MEDAL WINNER
"5 Golds or Less - Profanisaurus" Poetry Contest
All Poetry, December 11, 2021
Appeared in "It's Still Poetry"
Poetry Soup Anthology - 2021
CreateSpace, Amazon publication
Categories:
edging, inspirational, nature, paradise, peace,
Form:
Blank verse
JUSTIFICATION
Oh, what a distressing frustrating situation,
I’ve suddenly lost all my poetic imagination,
Nothing tickles me pink, no stimulation,
I want to create a poem of deep inspiration,
Which will meet everyone’s expectation,
But my thoughts are edging towards nullification,
I want to scream out loud, a slow dilapidation,
I’m reaching an uncomfortable exasperation,
My muse, has succumbed to misinformation,
Intimidation, and deviant calculation,
Goodness gracious,
Heard word she wants my poetic elimination.
Someone is knocking at my door, to my jubilation,
There stands a muse, I welcome with elation,
She is well known for helping those
Experiencing mortification,
Such a refreshing sight, she must after
Careful deliberation,
Give one month’s notification,
Looking forward to her presence,
Such a welcome application,
She will help me with my recuperation.
Behold, a rhyme is forming, what scintillation,
Delivering both articulation and jollification,
My previous muse jumped from poet to poet,
Everyone realized, fickle her motivation,
But my new muse and I realized justification,
We Popped a bottle of champagne in celebration.
Categories:
edging, muse,
Form:
Rhyme
The darkness seeps wet
stains on tissues of regret
inked pores secrete rain.
A blurred dust of pain
edging storm clouds all absorb
the hail of the Lord.
Categories:
edging, allegory,
Form:
Choka
The grandeur of a majestic mountain
standing proud against the horizon
with its snow-capped peak
enveloped in fleecy white clouds
against a clear azure blue sky
The glorious majesty of a stately sequoia
towering above the surrounding vegetation
being the largest living thing on earth
its massive trunk over thirty feet wide
with its gnarled rugged beauty
The wondrous artistry of the setting sun
edging the darkened clouds with silver linings
and painting the evening sky
in brilliant colours of the rainbow
mirrored on the ocean's surface below
The awesome power of a thunderstorm at night
with jagged bolts of lightning
that split the darkness
and light up the surroundings
with blinding dazzling intensity
The thunderous roar of a mighty waterfall
cascading down in huge torrents of liquid fury
smashing into the water below
creating mists of water droplets
that transform the sunlight into a rainbow
Categories:
edging, beauty, mountains, nature, storm,
Form:
Free verse
Across the valley
Stood the mountain I believed to be id
Two levels and a summit
Made it appear layered
Like first-dynasty pyramids
It would be a long climb
Step, stumble, slip,
Clutch and elevate my entire being
The valley’s simple green plants
Lived in symbiotic coexistence
With bees and ants
Nature nurturing nature
An embryonic journey
Between the Tigres and Euphrates
Such splendor might have caused me to remain
Many do
But I walked on
At the base of the mountain I paused
The summit hidden by a cloud ring
I looked back upon my Mesopotamia
Hailing its verdant simplicity
Questioning the summit’s worth
But uncontrollable curiosity
And unquenchable desire
Edged me forward
I climbed onto rocky soil
I stumbled as stones slipped ‘neath my feet
Reaching out to clutch a bush
I pulled upward
The first plateau ran before me as a brook
I peered into the pool of life
Finding amphibians, reptiles, fish
I waded
Ankles rubbing green algae
Creating eerie sensitivity
Slippery touch
The water cooled me
Thinning air brought calm
A sandy bottom soothed me
Such harmony might have
Caused me to remain
Many do
But above me
Within a mystical Saturnic cloud
Secrets of the summit beckoned
Edging me to elevate
Sweaty palms grasped a wild rose’s stem
Sharp thorns drew blood
My body fatigued, I cursed the climb
What marvels lay above the ring
The second plateau’s diversity thrilled me
Simple moss, brown rabbits
Deer with long, willowy legs
Hundreds of life forms
Gave me entrance
To Thoreau’s untouched paradise
The alluring cloud hung low above me
I questioned my destination
The second plateau’s oasis might have
Caused me to remain
Many do
But irresistible desire
Again edged me to step, stumble
Slip, clutch and elevate
I entered the cloud layer
Feeling hot and cold dancing vapor
The mountain I believed to be id
Swam under my feet
Perplexed, I muddled upward
Above the timber line
No trees, no grass
No plants, no animals
No life
Still I was curious for id
And took the final step
A cold granite peak
Amidst the grey moisture
Self-realization was achieved
I had seen all that was beautiful
But passed it by
The key to paradise was offered
Three times
Yet I had been a martyr to my own desire
I could not see
The valley, brook,
Or paradise of total life
I could see
Only myself
And I cried
For want of something beautiful
Categories:
edging, adventure, green, introspection, life,
Form:
Epic
Hope can transform dreams into
tall towers of steel and glass.
But technology breeds greed;
and no one gets a free pass.
Hunger stalks reality;
armed with the pain that it brings.
And edging insanity;
puppets dance in tangled strings.
Within high society;
curbside beggars don't exist.
For they get swept out of sight;
with just enough to subsist.
The homeless frighten the rich,
schooled in the art of deceit.
For they fail to understand,
why people live on the street.
Wealthy folks safely nestled;
don't worry about the poor.
And yet, the tragedy is;
their hearts were designed for more.
Categories:
edging, august, community, culture, feelings,
Form:
Quatrain
Waterfowler’s Delight
Clouded marshes masking what may come.
Suzy's boisterous invitation over yonder grass
Dark shadowed spreads set to entice some.
As the glow of the East begins to amass.
Newly anointed awaiting the first blessing.
Old dogs hoping the spark will catch fire.
Light of day upon the horizon pressing.
Nosing sweet dew upon the poignant mire.
Blue and grays approaching whiter shades.
Dark decoys amidst water hazed with hue.
Breaths of pink winds follow forecasted trades.
Nestling in, head up, taking in one last view.
Grasses, reeds, trees and limb begin their claps,
Rattling and brushing in a standing ovation.
Shedding nights tears, tapping coats and caps,
Encouraging shivers of warm tingling anticipation.
Night choruses blend with day’s percussion
Clicks and rasps of metal, wood and springs.
Last words, rules whispered in group discussion
Silenced by sudden whistling of cupped wings.
Glancing at time wishing the watch was there
Edging toward one half hour before this sunrise.
A single, lonely, echoing report from over there,
Waterfowler's delight, peeling eyes to the skies.
09/25/2017
Categories:
edging, adventure, beautiful, bird, morning,
Form:
Rhyme
Bare-branched the woodland trees, edging the lake
Young Pen glided alone without a mate
Graceful her strokes, nary a wave or wake
I watched and wondered, what would be her fate
He circled her before landing nearby
Handsome Cob, but friend or foe would he be
She turned away from him, wary and shy
No trumpet called. No intent decreed.
In circles they swam until their wings brushed
Eyes lifted, in that moment they both knew
Tenderly, with necks entwined, her cheeks flushed
She followed him to a stand of bamboo
Intimate calls were whisperings each night
'til away they flew, together in flight
Came the time of twilight and winds shifted
Upon lake waters brewed cause for worry
When in sorrow it had seemed they'd drifted
Woe to hearts if it ended their story
Spring was on nigh, but grey clouds filled the sky
Pen feared her Cob would abandon their bed
She cried thinking he would tell her, 'goodbye'
Ripples on the lake, hope hung by a thread
Together or apart, their reflection.
She pleaded with him, "I want nothing more
than to give you my love and affection."
He drew her near, "It's you that I adore."
Tale of Pen and Cob continues today
Faithful in love, they're nesting on the quay
April~3~23~kj
Categories:
edging, love,
Form:
Sonnet
A ventured stroll away from talk
taking in all superfluous detail
allowing it to fill my corrupted senses
an escape from the tedium
it invites me to escape from the routine.
To open new ways of perceiving
at what has been seen before
yet never revealed afore.
Rarely a moment goes by
when the same view cannot take on a new hue
for the view is alive
pumping subtle life
into each crook and cranny
so that every microcosmic detail
the tiniest of other earthly intelligence
are also offered the opportunity
the same that we are given
to flourish
of making a worthy society.
Beneath our very feet
subtle signs are there
for us to perceive if only
our eyes are able to notice.
Cracks and fissures around
infrastructures hardened textures
allow glimpses of those forces
not insubordinate
just seeking a share of living space
to echo their colourful vibrations
on our un-perceiving attentions.
An eye so keen to accept such notices
might be tempted to see
such sacred messages for us to feel or heed.
Madness may even encroach
to accept the design of such a divine creation
is at work edging around our corrosive borders.
Behind the corporal language
a communication so deep and so fine
no human sense could fully comprehend.
Unless we learned to abandon
our fleshy bony vehicles for a simpler primordial state
surrender complete intimacy with all of creation.
Hearing unutterable whispers of shining comfort
through the cracks and fissures along
the pavement, striding, roaming
surging up through gutters and drains.
The unsuspecting borders between nature
and our singular self-enhancing interactions.
Life is surging,
urging us to manifest,
in joining in feeding on its royal bosom
sharing in the feast of creation
so we, in turn, will return
to nourish the elementary message
of our purest love.
Categories:
edging, city, creation, environment, nature,
Form:
Prose Poetry
Caught off guard in templates of color
that feeling I have frozen in the flesh
is singed by the siege of beauty served
Burnt oranges,reds,and colors of ash
Lusciousness and fleshy desires
Is it just a depiction my eyes have envisioned
Created and demonstrated to cut the frame
edging the sight to save the soul that saw
poison in the passion of painted pictures
Our juices produced the perfect antidote
Which laid the blueprint for the impeccable frame
Together our bodies permeated the template
A border to beset the beast buried
under the blunder of censored skills
with the site to see free in cyanide
Boarders now imperturbable
Representation remains unblembished
Unwanted deciphering becomes unresponsive
Categories:
edging, introspection,
Form:
Free verse
As I stepped out
onto the porch this evening
I felt unnerved
by the atmosphere
There was nothing but
calm stillness, and yet-
it bore a hint
of turbulence so small
as to only be perceived
in an odd sensation
on my skin
Thinking of the calm
before a storm
I hastily scanned the sky
searching for an ominous sign
But the sky was clear
albeit a weird mixture of hues
with too many shades of
Barbie pink overshadowing
the dusky purples and blues
The yard itself seemed
normal-but-surreal, too...
and looking at the
technicolor-green grass
I felt overwhelmed by
a heavy stillness in the air
As though I were trapped
in a vivid photograph
the only thing still alive
still moving- and suddenly
utterly oppressed
by a feeling of uselessness
with no idea of what
to do with myself
I felt a crazy impulse
to run away; as if
my presence there
was the problem
and that by leaving I might
find my way back
to other living (moving) things.
Inside once more
I now find the surreal stillness
has moved inside the house...
casting a pall over
the living space and
stretching down the hall
I fancy it has followed me
edging closer, stalking me
quickly closing in-
but as the feeling begins
to encapsulate me-
I am shocked to realize
that the turbulence feels
strangely familiar
I had only noticed it
in the stillness
away from daily distractions...
but it was within me
from the start.
Categories:
edging, anxiety, emotions, feelings, how
Form:
Free verse
stormbears
great swathes of rain
pushed, herded by gale gusts
from the north edging on arctic
moves down on polar bear paws
rumble, tumble dark across my sky
whispering vestiges of autumn
scatters sulky heat before them
brushes aside trees and grasses
balls of hail rat ta tat tatting on tin roof
enter my garden blustery bold
cool lips touch the last sweet petals
kiss away the dust of summer
soon they curl soft mounds
among pine, oak, hemlock
sleepdreaming of seas with ice palaces.
Categories:
edging, autumn,
Form:
Free verse
Spring shifts a bright sky
into streaks of gray,
in it's own unpredictable way.
The daffodils are weakening
storm damaged, they struggle
to blow their leaky yellow trumpets.
Warm days still end with a chill
the dawn remains wet nosed,
but summer is winning
it is edging in
painting the fields
with patchwork colors,
daubing the trees with
shy May blossoms
that offset the ever greening.
An old man in a black overcoat
sweats a little,
his dog racing ahead;
he heads for home
with a rickety swagger,
already painting
bold, eye-catching words
on invisible rainbows.
Categories:
edging, poetry,
Form:
Free verse
outside the webs of reality
in mind, we weave
interdimensional idiosyncrasies
illusions of grandeur
held taught
freshly filtered
in a clear blue sky
I drown in your ointment
pressed upon my forehead
of knowledge
bathing naked
a scented candle of lust
edging past the boundaries
into your labyrinth
carrying paradise
becoming free inside the breeze
a ballet of more than just a mirror
we disappear into one another
green meets blue
refreshed and anew
palms bow
I pin you to the wall
in adulation
the cross about to fall
Categories:
edging, love,
Form:
Romanticism