Best Ellis Poems
Myself I’ve never been
much of a mathematician
Algebra and stuff
didn’t add up to much
when I made the decision
to respond to you
our multi-versed
mathematical magician
Because even I know
all things aren’t equal
I don’t know what it’s like
to grow up black and poor
and to wonder why
other kids have more
and why no one looks sideways
when white kids walk into a store
It seems this world for you
uses a subtraction
and division equation
Giving people who look like me
a multiplication table
We rise to the top like cream
even when you’re more capable
Those who say
“Things have changed”
are living in a fable
or maybe they think it’s fine
because they have lots on their table
You have no reason to apologize
I see the sad in your eyes
That happens
when others try
to bring you down to size
But I sense a power
beyond the treatment they rationalize
There is scripture flowing from your pen
Telling us what your people have dealt with
over and over again
You help me conceptualize that pain
which enables me to see and realize
why some might try to bury their blues
with drugs and booze
When they think
“Nothing is going to change”
They also think
“F it I’ve got nothing to loose!”
But you you’re a word warrior
that’s not the path you choose
Rewrite it
Rethink it
Turn it into good news
Sorrows on a graph,
Death and molestations
All these sadness quotients
are not merely estimations
They defy gravity
and my limited calculations
But I can’t read your sorrow
without me acknowledging
I see your situation
And I hear your brave
heartfelt communication
While still I wonder
how you cope with this frustration
Maybe it’s the angels
That grace your constellation
The way you wrote it
and I read it
If I were your teacher
I’d give you all the credit
Besides in this case
you’re the teacher
I say hallelujah brother
your life is a prayer
keep on speaking preacher
So I ask
what can a math challenged
middle aged white dude do?
People need more than compassion
for what they’ve been through
A thought can grow exponentially
beyond me and you
Until it becomes true
Action Maximization
by the many for the few
Dedicated to Michael Ellis after reading his Poem “A Poem for My Algebra Teacher” Please read it.
Categories:
ellis, abuse, angst, discrimination, identity,
Form:
Rhyme
I made a trip to New York
and surely looked like a dork
staring at the sky
scrapery so high
(and sometimes ogled a nork*)
I took a walk to the dock
heard so many kinds of talk
from seething masses
(and some were asses**)
all I could do was just gawk
I went out to Ellis Island
'cause Woodie*** says it is myland
and it is yours too
it just wouldn’t do —
to exclude folks from the high lands
deserts, swamps or wherever.
I think we should endeavor
(since most of us once,
were just immigrants)
to welcome them forever
or give it to first peoples,
tear down our pious steeples.
Stop saying we care
(if it is hot air)
Stop our slaughter of sheeples!
I tend to ramble a lot.
My trip to the melting pot?
Was a WOW I’d say
and maybe one day
I will return at a trot.
Salute to souper Ilene
(a fan of, I’ve always been)
and to that Billy
who is so silly****
They live in that crazy scene!
~~~~
asteriskus explanus:
*aussie slang word (google it)
**not all were asses — overall I found New Yorkers much less rude than I had expected (based on what I’d been told)
***Guthrie - the folksinger
****According to hisself, souper Sillybilly Thekidster
Categories:
ellis, nonsense,
Form:
Limerick
JESUS by Joan May Donnelly Ellis
Jesus, You are the Brightest Light of Love
A hearth fire ablaze on Christmas Eve
A child's uncommanded hug
The flicker from a candle's flame
A Hand whose touch leaves a glow
The whisper of a lip's caress
The shower of an autumn snow
Jesus You are the manifestation of my praise
A military stride illuminated by grace
The reception of delight when pure humor releases all care
You are the warmth of an appreciative look
As You muse from your rocking chair
Jesus, You are a revelation spilling forth and pouring Light into my soul as I meditate on You
You are fresh, You are clean, a poet's dream come true
Jesus, You are as welcome as a mountain stream I surrender myself to after a hot Summer day of toil in my garden
Jesus, You are regular visits to Adventure Land
A glove, snow white shifting silken sands
You are a boy running 20 miles to be with the girl he loves.
Jesus, You are a head sinking in a bale of new-mown hay
The healing power of a Palm Tree's sway
And Jesus, You motivate every good that I do.
Jesus, You are the juice from a blade of Kentucky Blue
The tremor following a California Quake too
And Jesus, You've got what it takes to cause the Universe to fall in love with You.
Jesus, You're the dawning of a Carolina moon
The Decider who dines with silver spoon
You're the Yellow Rose of Texas in full bloom
The revival of Pentecost.
Jesus, You are a Prince in housecoat and slippers on a front porch swing
A LOVE for better or worse that clings
You're the Composer of songs Your Angel's sing.
Jesus, You are brevity
An embrace that lingers long after You go.
Jesus, You are the One who never laughed
When the child's love letter was mocked by the elite class.
And Jesus, You make bearable the insults one suffers through
Forgiveness granted for the incomplete, inaccurate view
You're the only One worthy & the only One true
Potter me in word & deed more like You.
Categories:
ellis, jesus, spiritual, universe,
Form:
Verse
Miz Liberty welcomed Luigi to America's shores to begin a brand new life.
He arrived at Ellis Isle with piles of baggage, three kids and his addled wife.
He knew not a word of English but there's one thing he understood;
He must soon learn the baffling lingo so as not to be misunderstood!
Luigi enrolled in an English class and was bewildered from the start,
Trying to absorb the meaning of various words the teacher did impart!
There were so many words that sounded alike that he could not construe,
And how to fit them in a sentence or a conversation, he had not a clue!
"For example" he asked, "How and when do I use-a you, yew and ewe?
Please-a told me once-a more when it's-a proper to use-a do, dew and due!
When I visit da zoo, is da beast in da cage called a new, knew or gnu?
Can you tell-a me if da tree colors in fall are called hue, hew or Hugh?"
"How can I know if I use-a these-a words correctly, too, to and two,
Or if I get-a sick which of these-a words do I use-a, flew, flu or flue?
I'm-a having all kinds of troubles with these-a words, heir, hair and hare!
In da market I can't figure if I should ask da man for a pare, pair or pear!"
He strove to comprehend the perplexing language and all its doublespeak.
His kids could speak like natives but for him things were looking bleak!
But over time he learned to parse and spell and the jargon he did subdue!
Last I heard of Luigi he was a tenured English professor at Columbia Yew!
Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired
© All Rights Reserved
Categories:
ellis, funny, words, me,
Form:
Rhyme
A SONG THAT WILL ONLY MAKE SENSE
TO EAST COASTERS! (CANADA)
A heritage that we all share, our blood is maritime.
We thrill to see the Bluenose, her picture on a dime.
Emotion for an ocean, gray Atlantic ever by,
Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI.
We’ve been to L’Anse Meadows, explored the Labrador.
Cruised the Ponds in Gros Morne Park, fished Caplin from the shore.
Raised a glass at Crow’s Nest, saw the sunrise Cape Spear beach.
Sang along with Great Big Sea, kissed the Cod and drank the Screech.
We’ve inner tubed the Nashwaak, fly fished the Miramichi.
Been to Historic Village in the heart of Acadie.
Climbed the Big Bald mountain, walked on Fundy’s floor.
Coasted up Magnetic Hill, scoffed at the Tidal Bore!
A heritage that we all share, our blood is maritime.
We thrill to see the Bluenose, her picture on a dime.
Emotion for an ocean, gray Atlantic ever by,
Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI.
Sang “Farewell to Nova Scotia|”, drank Rita’s tea as well.
Danced all night at Ceilidhs, been to the Citadel.
Strolled the shore of Baddeck Bay, where the Silver Dart took flight.
Walked the wharf called Fisherman’s, the rocks at Peggy’s Light.
Sang “Bud the Spud!” with Stompin’ Tom, watched splinters fly away.
Ate lobster at church suppers, could hardly walk away.
Picked potatoes for the farmers, back in our childhood years.
Crossed Confederation Bridge, eight miles long me dears!
A heritage that we all share, our blood is maritime.
We thrill to see the Bluenose, her picture on a dime.
Emotion for an ocean, gray Atlantic ever by,
Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI.
A heritage that we all share, our blood is maritime.
We thrill to see the Bluenose, her picture on a dime.
Emotion for an ocean, gray Atlantic ever by,
Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI.
Ellis Pringle Craig, 2024.
Categories:
ellis, funny, humorous, ocean, song,
Form:
Rhyme
Yesterday
music & lyrics by Joan May Donnelly Ellis
VERSE 1:
Yesterday came knocking at my door today
Came so unexpected I was caught off guard ...didn't know what to say to Yesterday,
As I hesitated at the door he strolled on in
Confidence oozing from him as his lips widened in flirtatious grin
CHORUS:
I had no love left for Yesterday
So why'd I let him seduce me with his charm
Where was the inner strength
Why can't you pull away I heard a voice say
As I felt his heated fingers tiptoeing up my yielded arm
While my soul screamed don't lets this happen
My heart refused to heed her warning alarm
VERSE 2:
Yesterday insisted things would be different
He said he'd changed...then winked as he gave my braid a familiar tug
My body quivered as he nibbled on the back of my neck
And eased me to the soft thickness of the living room rug
REPEAT CHORUS
VERSE 3:
Yesterday smelled of a green forest after a down pour of rejuvenating rain
fresh and wild. and intoxicating......
I felt my knees weaken knowing I wanted him as much as he wanted me
It was morning when our satiated bodies untangled
We showered together as I attempted to silence my heart's pain
We dressed and he said he had to be going...with a hasty kiss Yesterday left as my heart bled tears of joy and fear...Joy that he was leaving and fear that I might never see him again.
Categories:
ellis, love, song,
Form:
Lyric
YOUR LOVE
(Music & lyrics by Joan Donnelly Ellis ( for Male Vocalist )
Your love has always filled my deepest longings
Your love performs actively
What I found hard to do you managed somehow to see me through
And awakened dreams that were once only fantasy
You're a work of art my living Mona Lisa
You're the mountain top a trumpet's claim of victory
You're the solid ground beneath my feet
The wind that launches a fleet of ships that sail with the best in life for you and me
Chorus:
You've given me loyalty, treated me like royalty
Even during the times when the opposite was due , ou-ou-whoo
Then you amaze me by asking wild and crazy questions like .
Why am I so in love with you
Verse 2:
No your love hasn't always provided what I wanted
But when it come to needs as if by magic you'd supply
Then you tell all of our friends to you I'm like Heaven's angel on lend
When I fall you rush to my defence with logical alibi
Repeat Chorus :
Categories:
ellis, love, song,
Form:
Lyric
I Walk Alone
( by Joan Donnelly Ellis October 23 2015)
I walk alone
I am the vapor
I am the chill creeping up your spine
I am the cold wind that chills you
I am your disturbed mind
I am the frigid winter morning
I am the goose bumps
I am what you cannot explain
I am insanity unleashed
I am the bitter falling rain
I am the nightmare ' neath your pillow
I am the boogey man in whom you don't believe
I am the Creator of Halloween
Terror you have not yet seen
I am your wildest, crazy dream
I am gloom
I am moon without a star in sight
I am sun without shade
I am unconscious soul
Of no one afraid
I am slippery, cunning and hatred bore me true
And if you know not Jesus Christ I will destroy you
Categories:
ellis, blue, dark, scary,
Form:
Free verse
I could not miss your boudoir and starve of paradise
Since that day when from Ellis Island I saw you
Your lamp held to guide my ship ... the only disguise
Your brothel nakedness still drew desires to you
And your lips had words like honey running down
They told me I would find you here, freelancing
For the butcher and baker from every where. Town
After town they emptied to follow you here. Dancing
Still on table tops, my heart a quivering palm tree
Stood in pride and jealousy ... do you not ever long
To cast off the slur from the sour littany of pedigree
Can you not for my love sake prove them all wrong?
You are so free, so free, your liberty is killing me
And while you whore with them I sadly pine for thee.
Categories:
ellis, political
Form:
Verse
KNOWN JUST TO GOD AND ME
The Unknown Soldier
Rows and rows of snow white stones, no names upon their face.
Thousands more who went to war and left no earthly trace.
One unknown for all unknowns, Canada for thee,
I am the unknown soldier, known just to God and me.
Mother country’s call to war awakes a young man’s dream.
Escape from toil on barren soil to a uniform’s esteem.
No thoughts of mothers losing sons, just of a chance to roam,
A year to spare, go over there, defeat the Hun - come home!
Dark train rolling through the night toward the eastern sea.
Young soldiers seeking glory, not knowing what will be.
Last sight of home, across the foam, where the unleashed dogs of war
Will soon declare no glory there, just mud and blood and gore.
In Vimy’s tunnels warriors stand awaiting dreaded dawn,
Each one a knight in someone’s eyes, each one a front row pawn.
The hand of fate soon to decide the minutes or the years
Left to the souls who leave dark holes to face their greatest fears.
Comrades all around me fall, each fought his private war.
With will and might we take the height where others failed before.
Amid the sleet, the roar, the heat, the chaos all around,
I do not feel the bullet strike that drives me to the ground.
Buried in a blanket shroud, forgotten and alone,
“A Soldier of the Great War” inscribed upon my stone.
But then I’m chosen to return, across the same grey sea,
Back from my hell of shock and shell, back from the Ridge Vimy.
I lie in state and share my fate with mourners passing by.
A moment spared for one who dared, a tear in every eye.
From where I came and my own name known just to God and me,
In a hallowed space in a state of grace, I will spend eternity.
And once a year again I hear the cadenced cannons boom,
And feel the love from those above, the poppies on my tomb.
A country’s grief for her lost sons who kept her strong and free,
The Canada I died for upon the Ridge Vimy.
Rows and rows of snow white stones, no names upon their face.
Thousands more who went to war and left no earthly trace.
One unknown for all unknowns, Canada for thee,
I am the unknown soldier, known just to God and me.
I am the unknown soldier, known just to God and me.
Ellis Pringle Craig
June, 2019
Categories:
ellis, death, grave, history, patriotic,
Form:
Rhyme
E-xcellent
L-ines
L-et
I-nspired
S-cribe
P-oetically
A-maze
R-eaders
K-eenly
E-mploying
R-ighteous
B-irthday
U-nder
T-he
L-itterateur's
E-xceptional
R-egards
Topic: Birthday of poet Ellis Parker Butler (December 05)
Form: Vertical Monocrostic
Categories:
ellis, birthday, poets,
Form:
Acrostic
The musty, foul smelling
Boat rocks
The room is dim
And silent
Everyone is waiting
For the shores of Ellis Island
They hope to have a new life
Start over in America
The room awakens
When the captain yells
"Land ahead"
Everyone cheers
I see the gleaming copper Statue of Liberty
I can smell the fresh salty air
My heart is filled with optimism
My dreams are so close to coming true
But the same cannot be said for others
Some are sent back for illness
Or not enough money
Or no ride
They send you back
To that hopeless land
Back on the dim boat
Where dreams once lived but now are lost
Yet others are let through
To the country of America
Where a better life awaits
Filled with hope
In the land of opportunity
I smile a happy smile
I am almost there
Categories:
ellis, immigration,
Form:
Father’s Day Tribute to My Grandfather
Written on June 2, 2012
Updated on June 11, 2014
Resembling Groucho Marx as you aged,
I often found you dozing in
your favorite chair.
Perhaps, dreaming of your parents,
or when you arrived in America on Ellis Island
with your Mother and brothers?
Your tired skin was
a result of a working man’s life.
Your green tattoo on your arm
was a souvenir of your veteran status.
Always caring, you were the leader
of the team I was born into.
You protected the family psyche and integrity,
and wisely guided us with your voice of reason.
Even though you are no longer here in the physical world,
You are forever in my heart and soul.
Categories:
ellis, appreciation, father, grandfather, holiday,
Form:
Free verse
JUST A FARMER
(music and lyrics by Joan Donnelly Ellis/Genre County/Male Vocals)
Verse 1
I watched you work the ground with horse and plough
With just the hunger of a dream to show you how
and I watched you hide the pride when God favored your side
And you came home to Mama and me satisfied
Chorus
Just a farmer and your armour was tractor horse and plough
and sweat upon your brow
A rising before dawn began to break
With shovel , spade and seeds to sow
God's love and a rake
Verse 2
Your eyes spoke of a heart filled with light
You rarely judged but when you did you were right
And I will always view you as my Knight in shining armor
A special farmer, Dad , you were my life RC
Spoken
I know you tried to mold me a rancher from my youth
But my hankerin' was for music and that's the truth
And when my love for music altered the course of your guide
I know something within you died Dad and Mama says you cried
Now I'm not sure why or what happened that changed things
But turns out music wasn't enough to fill the hunger in my soul
So I called Mama to tell her I was ready to follow in your footsteps as a farmer
And Mama told you. Mama said your room seemed to illuminate from your glow.
Repeat Chorus twice and fade out slowly at the end
Continue to part 2 ....Describes type of Music Video I have in mind for the song
Categories:
ellis, deep, song,
Form:
Lyric
'Twas a horrible thing called the blight,
diseased potatoes a depressing sight,
starvation begone,
crossed over the pond,
arrived Ellis Island future looks bright.
3-13-17
Categories:
ellis, food, ireland, moving on,
Form:
Limerick