Best Embattled Poems
....in retrospect
There were mirrors there
Behind it, where all the Jews would hide
How can someone blame the black despair?
All You were, was a mirror over there
Flooding naked imagery
Flowing naked mercury
Proof there were no fa-ked lies
Unless words were pressed against the frame
Somehow you couldnt recognise...
your name...
Half blinded..
Besides, you would deny it anyway
One day while searching for those wandering Jews
Purple flowers in my garden winked at me
" we are they, if so you choose"
The mirror held was upside down
(It never mattered anyway)
So I kept on walking on and on
Until this very day
Ive heard it said just the other day
They used it to flash the sun
Hoping it would shine away
As some were hiding in its shade
A million miles away
Behind that fragile pane of glass
The looking glass kept looking past
And keeps looking for today
Looking at the torn disguise
And the lying enemy eyes
Though their lips were moist with movement
As yet the sound remained unheard
The spoken word was truth
One day it all may come to you
Whispered by a little bird
Ive held so high your high regard
And so your high esteem
Your badge of broken Jew
And friends by lives devided seen
I tried imagining I was you
Walking, standing in your wretched shoes
To us were done similar things
They also covered up the truth
In fact its happening here and now
How much cover do they need?
In honour tried to imitate , sometimes even emulate
Your cheeky contraband
Conducting your own orchestra
While playing your own band
This mirror holding up I see
If I was ever to wear those clothes
Emblazoned by a David star
Embattled with a Jewish scar
I wish to have your nose
The link between us circumcised
A covenant yet not broken
A people not yet broken by the blues
My love was found
Intact profound
In around
the nation of the Jew
Categories:
embattled, anti bullying, holocaust, mirror,
Form:
Free verse
I revisit this realm where your actions cannot,
Will not,
Stifle my nascence
Never enough,
Never enough
Forward,
I tear away my onion skin
Embattled by a loathing humanity
I throw solaced emotions
Upon rusted turnstiles
Spinning round,
Right round,
Round,
Right round
But, you wouldn’t call me baby.
Good.
Because I was told
That it is better to be hated for who I am,
Then loved for who I am not
So, hate me.
HATE ME!
HATE ME!
Forever…
…always.
Lunge at me with your preconceived notions
Of why I mean(t) the world to you
Open your arms of Fort Knox and
Tell me why I WILL NOT ASCEND
Upon your generic wings
Made of Atheist smiles
Because,
If you don’t believe in anything,
Why
Oh why,
Would you believe in me?
©D.J.E. -11/19/2015
Categories:
embattled, absence, friendship, life, ,
Form:
Free verse
Song of a Warrior’s Bride
He counts on me for beauty:
His eyes blurred by bloody spurts of war,
Scarred by deadly blasts of bone
And tissue, his vision marred
By chunks of men that shook him down
Into the oozing mud of sorrow,
And unscrewed the sockets of his soul,
Blasting windows that once shone luminous,
Into dark pools of madness, mocking
The watch he had to keep that night.
He stopped his ears against
The final cries of men turned babes,
Moaning for mama or a medic,
Gasping for a hand upon their head,
As prayers and curses were sucked
From bodies by the piercing blows
Of guns, while rockets puked
Hellish flames that blotted
Out the stars, until darkness
Swelled into a symphony of pain,
And his heart choked with agonies
He could not stop to heal.
I have learned to fasten his gaze
With the soft gauze of understanding,
A fabric thrown across the room,
Rich with memories between us,
Like rose petals sweetening the air.
I can still delight his eyes and lure him
From the tangled jungle pits he digs
And show him patterns of new mercies,
That reveals the hidden weaver of our days,
The keeper of our steps upon this turf
Of life, turned gentler now.
I drape and wrap, twist and thread
My warless arms around him,
Still fingering the loom of prayer.
Murmuring vows over his embattled brow,
I draw him underneath our tent, pitched
In the heat of hard fought love.
Categories:
embattled, horror, marriage, relationship, veterans
Form:
Blank verse
A storm is brewing, dark clouds advancing in
While tears roll down an embattled face
Betraying the tortured scars within
Each tear falls entwined in rains embrace.
He knows the hardships aren’t over
Soon colour will drown out scorched dust
Time must elapse before forage and clover
Further rain to beat this drought is a must.
Unloading his animals when he ran out of feed
There’s a cost to sell, when no one can buy
When the drought breaks, once more stock he will need
Irony demands growth will push prices up high.
Financial pressure has taken its toll
Each day of sun filled completely with gloom
No income, while a mortgage eats at his soul
Years of recovery on the horizon do loom.
Exploding emotions as rain touches the dirt
A passerby might see something awry
A storm slowly starting, and a man that seems hurt
Kneeling bent on the ground, he's broken in cries.
18th April 2015
A Storm Is Brewing Contest
Sponsor - Kelly Deschler
Categories:
embattled, angst, change, cry, farm,
Form:
Rhyme
They burst forth and charge downwards
Matching uniforms shiny against the grey sky
Their only desire to smash suicidally upon our ranks
We hear the thunder of them coming, and carefully prepare
The vanguard already lie smashed upon the ground
The rest will soon swell the regiments of the defeated
Moments before they arrive we deploy our umbrellas
Countless warriors smash harmlessly inches above our heads
Their watery remains dripping from our defences
Mingling with those of their already fallen brethren
Contest : FALL YOUR CHOICE any theme/any form max 12 lines
Honorable Mention
Categories:
embattled, adventure, death, fantasy, war,
Form:
Narrative
God’s presence in my life daily is my soul's utmost desire
Such assures me of His love that’s always on fire
Caring and comforting me as His compassions require
Every time I wake up, till even when at night, I retire.
Peace I pray to reign over my soul in God’s presence surely
As His forgiven child by faith in Christ truly
His calmness conquers my fearful heart sweetly
Every time harsh crises surround me tremendously.
In God’s presence is where my soul finds freedom indeed
Fellowshipping with Him, unmindful of time to exceed
While I trust Him earnestly to meet my need
Every time I seek Him so my spirit He can feed.
Joy wraps my soul in God’s presence toward eternity
Dispelling my thoughts of anguish and anxiety
His bliss envelops me with His warm security
Every time He fills me with His gladness’ certainty.
Divine guidance in God’s presence keeps my soul settled
He leads me to His authority where I’m safely handled
His wisdom directs me against being deceived and rattled
Every time I entrust my weary mind that’s embattled.
Holy pursuits hedge my soul around God’s presence*
Away from Him, my goals will have no value or sense
I need His standards to push me toward noble persistence
Every time worldliness pulls me down by its alluring insistence.
Victory awaits my soul in God’s presence thru His power
That prods me forward in my service as His called sower
To bear fruits yielded by my sacrifices blooming as a flower
Every time He rains blessings to me from His heavenly tower.
*1Chronicles 16:27 Glory and honour are in his (GOD's) presence; strength and gladness are in his place.
December 16, 2018
Edited on December 16, 2O22
1st place, "Our souls wish list" Poetry Writing Contest
Sponsored by Unseeking Seeker; judged on 12/27/2022.
Categories:
embattled, blessing, dedication, faith, god,
Form:
Rhyme
I thank You, my God for Your presence in my life which is my utmost desire
Such assures me of Your love that’s always on fire
Caring and comforting me as Your compassion does require
Every time I wake up, till at night, I retire.
I thank You, my God, for reigning over me lovingly
As Your redeemed child by my faith in Christ genuinely
Your calmness conquers my fearful heart sweetly
Every time harsh crises surround me tremendously.
I thank You, my God since in Your control is where I find freedom indeed
Communing with You, unmindful of time to exceed
While I trust You earnestly to meet my every need
Every time I seek You so my soul You can feed.
I thank You, my God as You grant me Your grace toward eternity
Dispelling my thoughts of anguish and anxiety
Your bliss envelops me with Your warm security
Every time You fill me with Your gladness’ certainty.
I thank You, my God for Your divine guidance that keeps me settled
You lead me toward right authorities where I’m safely handled
Your wisdom directs me against being deceived and rattled
Every time I submit to You my weary mind that’s embattled.
I thank You, my God that You make worthy my existence
Away from You, my goals have no value with motive that's just a pretense
I need Your standards to push me toward noble persistence
Every time worldliness pulls me down by its alluring insistence.
I thank You, my God, for victory that awaits me thru Your power
That prods me forward in my service as Your called sower
To bear fruits yielded by my sacrifices blooming as a flower
Every time You rain blessings to me from Your heavenly tower.
*Romans 7:25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
June 28, 2018
3rd place, "My Muse, Mortal" Poetry Contest
Hosted by Gregory R. Barden; judged on 8/21/2018.
Categories:
embattled, blessing, christian, faith, god,
Form:
Ode
Seaweed, fragmented shell as cannonballs
in maelstrom hurled upon the shore.
The bellowing wind cast all asunder
as Summer’s shoots from shifting sand were torn.
Such was Autumn’s storm.
The sleet was blown in horizontal sheets
as figures double-bent fought step by step
to make but little progress, homeward bound.
The sky was lost in billowing grey, forlorn.
Such was Winter’s storm.
Relentlessly the wind swept off the ocean
with yet more rain to swell the sodden peat.
A daily deluge on embattled land,
with hope yet stirring seeds of life newborn.
Such was Springtime’s storm.
The grey skies shift to blue, and now a breeze
is heralding a longed-for transformation.
With rainbow colours Mother Earth is blessed
and all the islands of the west caressed, reborn.
Sweet Summer knows no storm.
Categories:
embattled, seasons,
Form:
Free verse
Retarded limbs in dark surrounds,
Embattled heart ‘n muffled sounds;
Dying hope of life abounds
I am winded to the gut.
Slowly sinking through the clay,
Sly emotions slip and sway,
Tomorrow is another day
and I am winded to the gut.
Pain takes charge of limb and head,
Feeling like I need a bed,
Read a book; pray instead
I’m so winded, to the gut?
*
Twitching throat and anxiety,
“Heart, practice piety”
Re-integrate ‘to society
and rise above this deadly rut
*
Once thought it’s gone and then
Alas, it intrudes without pardon,
Rudely again my heart to harden,
I’m kicked again, in my gut.
Cycle, cycle, this awful groove,
Shakes it’s hand in sick reprove,
Denigration with one swift move!
I’m so winded in my gut.
So what now, my hopeless host;
Can you prevail above this ghost?
Healing physician – lost your boast?
I’m still winded to the gut.
Is that a light in this dark cave or
just some glow fly at the grave?
What will me from this dark pit save?
I bow my head and hold my gut.
Time passes by relentlessly;
Who’s in control – you or me?
These questions mean I still can’t see!
Oh, such turmoil in my gut.
Categories:
embattled, depression,
Form:
Bio
My sister left her smile
at my house...
I found it and put it on...
Her smile laden with many memories
full of warmth joy through embattled
laughter...and song...
Her courage outright distinguished...
Like a rested storm...finally free...
...As I stood in the mirror...
Her smile smiled back at me...
for this is what it said...
I wear this smile with pride...
I wear this smile with pride...
For this smile leads me into a new day...
This smile ignores me not...
It reminds me - of the fun I
have at play...
It has seen me through many battles...
...and reminds me of the ones I've won...
But it helps to remember the
beautiful person I have today become...
From a child once abandoned...
to bare a daughter of my own...
My smile understands the feelings...
and with spirit I have grown...
My life is full and rich...and my love
for the world I have declared...
With my all...dressed in my smile
I stand before you...
...From within my smile I do share...
And today I ask that you return me
to my owner...
...and here it is my sister...
For my beautiful sister Jay...
Categories:
embattled, passion, sister, me, me,
Form:
Light Verse
At Last we Pause
For: Robert Allen Wise
And at last we pause on dirty streets,
At somber rest with eternal peace.
A moment’s sleep on Satan's floor
With a constant dream of heaven’s door
The cry of battle has embrace its death
As vengeance draws its last breath
One good soul ascends abyss
Into the portal of eternal bliss.
A majestic voice said you may pass
A warriors shadow you have cast
The restless night that you have slain
Creates the dawn that you regain.
So dream no more of battles past
And awaken from your daunting task
This day of memory we give to you
My embattled brother with life anew.
SFC Alva E. Brown (ret)
Categories:
embattled, cry, war,
Form:
Dramatic Verse
He Clapped For Us All
he could clap like it hurt his pink palms,
regarding us with sacred consideration
promises, words, meaningless, bland,
creations for every special occasion,
words waving like proud embattled flags
and he might rub noisy skin on cold hands,
like desiccated snakes in brown paper bags,
before describing some special acquaintance
yes, confabulations will fly to beat the band
and I, a child, supposed he smelled like laundry,
this holy man privy to the grand plan
with his coal tar soap,
black shoes so polished for Sunday
and we will sing like we mean it
sing with a singular
sing in the plural
sing for life, for death
sing against roof and wall
we sing, wise and fool
while he clapped for us all
Categories:
embattled, words,
Form:
Rhyme
Hyacinth Hands
Mother, ego-cracker, birthed an embodiment of freedom plaited with slavery
petunia planter, marjoram with Malay curry and rice, yet scarcity her best performance when hunger a primary protagonist
my leap into Sovereignty depended on unraveling karmic bonds binding us through lifetimes, countless ages, sotto scenarios
Piscean, she scaly presented the toughest tests with hyacinth hands, only an embattled Heart would accede to
her non-relinquishing of my spinal cord nerves entwined with hers, she decorated with wondrous wild animal decoupage vases
to despairing detach from plundering pain, each principal pleasure she designed with subtle oomph, unconscious sophistication
my divinity would have back burned in futuristic coliseums had she not been Mother of trialing pegs and variegated embroidery cotton
Categories:
embattled, appreciation, birth, change, character,
Form:
Free verse
The autumn sky attunes itself to hearts,
a sour grey murky wash where lost eyes tire.
with insubstantial dust it affects so,
that vision blurs and minds retreat to when
those aged weary organs last supped hope;
and still they seek to quaff before it fades.
Mere dregs they hunger as the last joy fades
to quench beyond their volume broken hearts
and rehydrate that desiccated hope,
rejuvenate the goals before lives tire,
that minds may ponder not upon the “When?”
but concentrate on “What next?” and “How so?”
To take uncertain step, and take it so
as not to fear the fall if stair it fades,
would stir adrenalin so’s not to tire
the fragile confidence of tender hearts,
that they might respond quickly, those doves, when
presented opportunity to hope.
This then the grace of God, the wisp that’s hope,
which we in arrogance might dismiss so
upon our slightest whim and if and when:
an employee who on our command fades.
this grace exists beyond the grasp, the hearts:
phenomenon which will not doze nor tire.
See now how eyes do genuinely tire
as surcease emanates from new-found hope,
providing respite for those weary hearts:
hammock of restful sleep delivered so
the love embattled souls may rally when
their combined lumen some dark agent fades.
Thus through harsh winter flare as daylight fades
with fuel of ‘the multiverse’ entire,
the essence of which Lazarus lit when
his sisters had begged balm of Only Hope.
Such embers must be stoked to fierce blaze so
The Darkness may not touch creations’ hearts.
Faith should not tire when allocated hope.
Our God heeds not the ‘when’ of our say-so,
but stokes each heart with love that never fades.
Categories:
embattled, analogy, assonance, autumn, bible,
Form:
Sestina
Putrid pus proliferates/purposely preventing
progression's passionate plea -
stifled cries...
Always ascending...and, assiduously avoiding
any acrimonious amounts accrued along apathetic
apertures..."Still I Rise!"
Incessantly fighting the urge to just drop
out of this rancid Rat Race we call living
Still, to abandon sanguine thoughts totally topples the
tenacious toughness that took time to temper...never stop giving
Enervated entities economically embattled
Man, each day we face trouble/In every Third World A Struggle -
singed and burned I'm like stubble/but, like The Ashes Of The Phoenix
to Resurrect from this rubble
Sometimes I shift towards arrogance; The Good Lord Keeps
me humble
Lifting languid limbs loftily to overcome this present Flood
Be Positive is my motto, the flip side?
It's my Blood...
B+
Categories:
embattled, devotion, encouraging, growth, moving
Form:
Alliteration