Best Empathize Poems
I wonder
Who I might become
If I wore another man's clothes
If I thought his thoughts
Dreamed his dreams
Lived his heartache
Felt his insanity
Walked along his razor's edge
Would I
Understand
Empathize
Digest his pain
Rise above his circumstances
Would I realize how easy my own life has been
Perhaps
I could search through his pockets
Look for answers
Remove the tie from his neck that strangles
Rip off the clothes that make the man
Return his sanity
Free him from the labels sewn on yesterday's promises
Or I could walk
A bit longer
Search a bit deeper
Discard my own misconceptions
Feel his peace
Think different thoughts
For he is more and less than me
He has danced and loved in exceptional ways
And as I walk and wear his shoes
I hear the tapping of his soul
I become
Aware
It is not him
Not me
Not anyone
That can save us
From ourselves
Yet we are changed
In inexplicable ways
By wearing
Another man's clothes
I chose this one for your contest because I feel as
a poet I put myself in other people's clothes all the time.
I like the premise of this contest and I hope this gives you
a glimpse of who I am.
Richard Lamoureux
Submited to Linda's contest
written in early December 2013
To the legend of silence
that speaks in trembling stillness
I’ve seen your halcyon halo~
that illuminates wilted weeds
and tilted tendrils
unfolding perfumed wings,
allowing sizzling seas of stardust to rise.
But something about the way
your soft skin caresses
my bruised bones,
ignites poetic sparks,
carving scarlet skies of fears
with luminous letters
and nomadic numbers.
Yet I, the mistress of metaphors,
remain hypnotized by the harlequin blades,
in your virtuous garden of butterfly serenades,
searching for a phrase to describe
the selflessness that you
portray,
through jasmine scented analogies.
I empathize with your locked-up tears,
cloaked discreetly beneath feathered sunsets,
for, in solitude, your soulful song soars,
unfolding sorcery from a symphonic tapestry of darkness,
like a broken bandit dressed in lion limbs,
walking through nocturnal nothingness.
I heard the soldier within you
shoulders heavy burdens~
as an aquamarine armored savior,
to the ones that long for petals of peonies~
that emanate healing through peridot gates of your midnight eyes.
Sometimes, I wonder, how you
stand so firm,
unmoved by the wicked winds,
carrying hail of heinous hymns,
unfolding your fingers to weave unerasable auroras
across greyest horizons,
enabling the blind a lilac ladder to the tangerine moon,
where flowers flourish like fairy-dust blossoms.
If only, you can see yourself,
through these words,
maybe then, you will realize,
your picturesque patience
and presence is enough to paint
every wrong right,
amidst the fickle fog against the sharpness of your sight,
I see you as the rainbow star that
sprinkles hope,
upon my anesthetized heart,
there I walk above lunar-kissed ripples,
embracing the empathetic silhouette of your tender twilight.
Tonight I’ll wear sage to sleep,
hug you from miles,
let memories of the sun that thawed wintry thoughts
be the lullaby,
as I look for you, astral waltzing,
to place my cheeks within your empyrean embrace,
where home is a feeling I find with you.
I'm here because.....
I need you to believe in me
You...Yes, YOU!
My fellow poet..
You who understands
my love for words and their nuances
denotations, but even more...their connotations
their play and interplay of emotions
I need you to believe in me
believe in my voice
my selection and word choice
believe that I can make a change
with my catalytic composition of rhyme
in this present time
when the world is in pain
when there is so much to gain
by the prophetic cry of a poet in the wildness
I need you to believe in me
I'm here because...
I need you to empathize with me
you who sees my words dripping
the blood of my lacerated heart
I'm incomplete
scarred
I'm scared
I'm holding on by one last thread
at times overcome by dread
life is hard
I need you to empathize with me
to write a little word
that will lift my heart
and caress my soul
with the balm of poetic love
friendship's bandage
Cover me....
I need your empathy
I'm here because...
I need community
others don't understand
this is not just a pastime
a cute little way to occupy my time
It's my heart and soul
my ever present dream...my goal
to live on when I'm gone
in some remembered little song
that you helped we write along
I need community
I need the you and the me
In the communal dance of poetry
They don't see
what words mean
to you
to me
I'm here because...
I need your wisdom
I fall short
I see only within my vision
my periphery
I cannot keep in store
all the mysteries and more
you bring wisdom daily to me
a feast for my hungry mind
to relish all the truth I find
your wisdom nourishes me
I bloom into what I'm meant to be:
a writer of sincerity
I'm here because....
When I'm not
I'm so incomplete
the missing parts of me
are here....
they live in my lines
they breathe in your rhymes
you write; I read
I write; you read
and life is born
and I am
whole...
I'm here because....
I belong
Here are people who understand
who help me to stand
who lend me a hand
I'm part of a band
of people like me
who taste the ecstasy
of a life that is blessed
by sweet
poetry....
For Jerry's Contest (Why are You Here)
December 30, 2015
If the spirit moves me I will speak
I will share words
that no-one wants to hear
I will speak them
I will speak them loud and clear
If the spirit moves me
If the spirit moves me I will see
I will see Beauty
that no-one else can see
I will see it far and near
around me and in all things
If the spirit moves me
If the spirit moves me I will hear
I will hear things
no-one else can hear
I will hear the universe
speaking to me and I will hear
If the spirit moves me
If the spirit moves me
I will feel
I will feel the pain of others
I will feel their happiness too
I will be able to empathize
If the spirit moves me
If the spirit moves me
I will taste joy and laughter
I will live my life in peace
I will find love
I will live on in the ever-after
If the spirit moves me
© Christine A Kysely All Rights Reserved
(October 25, 2011 Wausau, Wisconsin USA)
BEDROOM EYES
I think you think I’m thinking something I shouldn’t;
That somehow I’d put you in a compromise.
You know I must be thinking something indecent,
Because I looked at you too long with my bedroom eyes.
I admit to giving you the old ‘once-over’.
If you think I’m being rude, I apologize.
But I’m not on the hunt for a one-night lover,
In spite of what you think you saw in my bedroom eyes.
(Chorus)
But when I look in your eyes, I see something to hope for:
Children, then grandchildren . . . maybe longer even more.
So if I look at you too long, I hope you’ll empathize--
There’s more than just desire in my bedroom eyes.
If you could read my mind instead of my gaze,
I think by then that you’ll come to realize
That I’m thinking about you in terms of decades.
I want to look at you for years with bedroom eyes.
You walk through the metal detector
You look at me with a deep seated scorn
You loath that I made you remove your stuff
You had to take off your shoes belt and jewelry
You’re thinking “I’m no criminal or terrorist so why me”
I am only doing the job the government requires of me
I am not the reason you are harassed and had to partially strip
I do empathize with you seeing I have to do the same thing too
No one cares that I am a Screening Officer I am searched when I travel
The government says what’s good for the goose is good for the gander
You want to get mad at someone then look in the right direction
The ones who blatantly took the lives of our families and friends
Who took the choice of traveling to most places away forever
Who took the privilege of carrying most things on board away
The freedom to travel with our liquids and gels peanut butter and jam
Don’t blame me because I am risking my life to keep you safe
Don’t blame me for someone not caring about your fate
Don’t blame me for what Mr. Harper and Mr. Obama says
Or for what the UK says is their Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)
Don’t blame me I am just the messenger that holds many lives in my hand
No matter that we've never met,
Compassion radiates from afar.
Rippling outward, gathering strength,
Expanding across the oceans wide.
A warm light like a rising sun,
Gently touches grieving hearts.
Distant strangers, I empathize.
Compassion has gracious eyes
For your sorrows and your tears.
With time, may it soften grieving pains.
This tropical storm has wind chimes singing.
Birds sheltered in trees have ceased their winging.
Rain blown sideways splashes upon my pane
As gusts of strong winds toss, in woeful bane.
Dark nimbus clouds abound in slate grey hues.
There is no thunder yet waves are raging,
Viewing safe inside feels quite engaging.
Olivia, now calmed into a storm...
Once a fearsome hurricane, lost her form.
We were given clues from Satellite views.
As rains fly, a thrilling sigh from my breast,
Knowing sun will prevail as winds take rest.
We have no fear of flooding on our hill,
So rain, come pounding on my window sill!
My guilty pleasure dawns while watching news.
I empathize with people near the sea
When waters rise and flooding makes them flee,
To feel such glee, I feel a bit contrite
As heavy rains keep falling through the night.
Yet, still I yearn to celebrate these blues!
1-4-22
Weather Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Angela Tune
To this Form I added an extra line to each
four line stanza, rhyming each fifth line as an
invention for the contest.
Today while we were celebrating Mother's Day at a restaurant, my daughter shared the following story with me.
"I was with Daddy on the plane coming back from Egypt when I saw something that really touched me. There was a blind man and his partner who were about to sit down. The blind man had a lovely smile on his face, and his partner was trying her best to fit his musical instrument in the overhead bin. Then she sad down and waited for him to take his seat. He forgot to bend his head to be able to get to his seat, and as a result, he banged it against the overhead bin. He held his ear for a minute and gave a sheepish grin and then proceeded to sit down."
My husband then took over the story to tell me that the sight had made Shereen cry. She continued, "Yes, I cried, Mama. He reminded me of the guy you like, that singer, Andrea Bocelli. I couldn't help it. He looked so helpless and lost." Her eyes started filling up again, and I sad amazed at this young woman with the sympathetic heart.
To be able to empathize with others is so sweet. I'm surprised at people who inflict pain on others on purpose. How? How can a heart be so cruel? I've always been touched by the plight of the deaf, dumb, and blind. I wanted at one point to work with deaf people and tried to learn sign language. We need to feel...We need to see...We need to touch those who suffer, who feel less than adequate.
I feel even more sorry for those who are blind in spirit. Blind to realities. Blind to truth.
I was touched by my daughter's reaction. She has a tender heart. I hope that the world doesn't steal that away from her. A heart that empathizes is a treasure.
Jade
Where is the anger! The rage! And the courage, I expected to see?
Why is everyone so complacent?
Evangelical Christians have endorsed a cheat, a liar, a bigot, and a misogynist
because he's pro-life, God will forgive the rest; hallelujah!
Democracy used to cannibalize democracy; please pass the head of state!
A cult has formed, like the Nazi Youth, who ogled Hitler with worshiping eyes.
Those in charge have stooped so low; that they bow down to this wannabee Fuhrer
with their brown noses prominently showing above their pasted-on smiles!
If you're part of this cult, reason can't save you! You'll die for this trickster!
Chanting NO COLLUSION, NO COLLUSION! Though you know, it isn't true.
As for the rest of you, it's time you woke up!
Wipe off those cynical grins and VOTE, like your voice matters
like your vote matters, like your freedom matters, and pray that they still do!
I'm neither a democrat nor a republican,
I can't stomach the hypocrisy of either party!
As a proud Canadian, I can only empathize with your problem,
but, I'm an impartial observer, immune to the fake news, you might say.
There's no defending this President!
But his Republican stooges, Fox news, and the evangelist elite do just that!
A con-man stole their integrity and bamboozled his way into the White House.
Now, like Russia's Putin, he wants to be king!
And he'll challenge and or change the constitution to make it so!
Where is your anger! Your rage! And your courage?
I hear some Americans praise him like he's the second coming!
And insisting his Presidency was prophesied in the pages of the bible.
In what wacky world is it even possible to venerate Donald Trump
as an instrument of God? Many are oblivious to the truth,
even when his narcissism and hyperbole are so blatantly obvious!
Once more, the human psyche's tapped and loyalty siphoned off
to advance the goals of one corrupt man.
In the words of Jesus, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do!"
May God have mercy on our souls if he wins again!
(free Verse)
Mar.24, 2018
Poetry on trial?
I’m going to indict poetry, for infecting my soul
Does it serve any purpose, or has it lost control
This may seem quiet strange, perhaps unorthodox
Peruse this if you will, whilst it’s head layeth on the block
No need for a foundation, build it in the clouds
But it does require structure, interwoven by shrouds
Mocks me with Humpty Dumpty, as my life falls to bits
Sends me down a path, of bifurcation and twists.
Yes poetry is stealthy, it attacks from every side
Attempting to outflank you, then pounces in surprise
Soon levity returns, it wants to chill you out
Where did this come from, shaketh your head in doubt.
Bow before it in deference, or leap into the sky
Cut to pieces on razor wire, see the birds that flyeth by
Pit Romeo and Lothario, in a competition of charms
Find a new born baby, dead in its mother’s arms.
Send shivers down ones spine, Hairs stand on your neck
Deal out a winning hand, then rearrange the deck
Be a photon of light, amongst trillions on our sun,
Reminisce ole times, when life beheld such fun.
Be scarred by it’s violence, Drawn into the mystique,
Blown away by the punchline, The havoc it can wreak
Drown in melancholy, or bathe in its delight
Overcome tragic heartbreak, awestruck by it’s might.
Empathize with the poor, in their cornucopia of dirt,
Curse the wealthy no better, in their hubris of self-worth,
Surrounded by loved ones, on your terminal breath,
Then Cryo-frozen in a machine, trying to forgo death.
So yes I’ve tried poetry, it was given a fair trial
Now to pass sentence, and do so, with some style
I condemn it to life, with no chance of parole
Simultaneously I grant pardon, for it’s me who lost control.
By
David Kavanagh
She is a willing listener
Imagine being able to confide without fear
Many people have told her their stories
Private thoughts are kept confidential
Likeability factor is at an all-time high
Exceptional way of not giving you advice
Her willingness to listen is appreciated
Openness is her middle name
Never have to carefully choose our words
Each person feels honored to tell their tale to her
She knows when to keep her ideas to herself
Trusting her is easy
We like being validated
Outstanding is her ability to empathize
Meaningful conversation
Accepting is her go-to way
Never have we felt so understood and appreciated
When we are forced to stand our ground
Because someone is out of bounds
When you find yourself wanting to rebound
feeling like you have to stand your ground
Realizing your personal space
Has turned into a battleground
Taking the conversation southbound
Just hoping the situation doesn't compound
Before I know it's full-on aggression
One of life's hardest lessons
When you get bitten by the Devils venom
Looking to God in heaven
Hoping my engine will stop revin
Uncontrollable waves of word lashing
Surpassing my ability to stop us from crashing
When your character is attacked by an assassin
Making it impossible to ignore this full-on bashing
Feeling your temperature rise
As the blood fills your eyes
Believing that you're way to wise
Looking for a compromise
Knowing that taking it any further will jeopardize
Our friendship if we both don't empathize
Our hostile situation
That has my heart full on racing
With all this back and forth pacing
Making sure you're facing this threat
Trying not to do anything you will regret
Looking them directly in their eyes
Barking out how this leads to our friendship demise
Apparently, we are unable to stop the decay
When I feel it all slipping away
So sad I was unable to convey
How out of hand this runaway day
Found its own pathway
That left me feeling betrayed
So all that is left is to pray
For God to make it all go away
To help us fix it like it was yesterday
“If only, if only, the woodpecker sighs, / The bark on the tree was as soft as the skies. / The wolf waits below, hungry and lonely, / And cries to the moon, / if only, if only.”
i would die for my Family,
take a bullet for my Mother, Father, or Siblings.
i would die for my Closest Friends,
curl over a grenade for Peers or Acquaintances.
i would die for past Mentors,
repay Professors and Trainers for their priceless wisdom.
i would die for Myself,
if only to preserve my Memory and Accomplishments
if only the opportunity could arise,
if only They were not already dying beside me, for me,
if only my wrist wasn’t tethered to IV’s, shackled by Chemo,
if only there was enough life in me to die, i would. For Them, i would.
i would live so My Mom never cries,
i will live because a daughter never dies,
i would live so My kid Brother has an anchor,
i will live because a sister never lies,
i would live so My Best Friend has a partner,
i will live because a best friend is always there to empathize,
i would live so My Teacher’s teachings do not die,
i will live because a student is always there to learn and return the favor,
if only if only my wood pecker sighs,
if only if only i would live for their tears,
if only if only i would live through their tears,
if only if only my harsh, little seed would bare a soft, weak tree,
if only if only for a lonely wolf to sit under,
if only if only so a hungry wolf does not have to eat,
if only if only so a wolf can bare my burden forever if it so chooses,
if only if only so a wolf can watch my wood pecker peck to its heart’s content. Who’s?
When the life support comes they won’t need to pull the chord; if only if only they knew how long i’ve been dead.
Form:
Inside-Out with all the psycho-babble.
Multifaceted melange - merry and melancholy.
My pen’s prophetic,
authentic,
inadequate.
Hazel eyes that ponder divinity:
See the world.
See God through the world.
See the people.
Empathize with earthly beings.
Fall to my knees.
Seek inspiration.
Grab it with gusto.
Don’t wait for the brain to catch up.
I observe the peculiarities in my familiar space.
I often hide behind the blinds.
Occasions, work, and friends -
push me out into the serendipitous sun and clouds.
Clench books on dusty shelves.
Throw them into a shopping cart -
they’re all free.
Attempt to organize floaters -
those iotas, that crystallize,
to form a complete thought.
Exhaustive concordance of my travels -
violets, forget-me-knots, tulips,
and fear and sorrow
The viscous web of grandiose heights -
zip lines, edge of mountains, glacier treks.
Falling...falling back on my knees.
Confident? Conceited?
A poet - that’s me.
And ideas materialize -
with family and strangers,
life and death.
The affectation of emotion, pondered.
Like a journalist, I report roller-coaster happenings.
You see, I used to merely have an emotion,
get comfortable in its chair.
Now I play with it,
craft my joy or despair.
The mirror cracks -
my reflection
as I grow wizened,
with a chromatic symphony
of mystique.