Best Encircles Poems
Sun is held hostage by a blanket of clouds,
reflecting an agitated addict's ashtray.
Birds depart from soaked naked branches,
as eyes seek refuge from the ugliness of change.
I peer beneath this umbrage pitched upon the ground
anticipating a palette of summer to simper back
yet all I see are stick figure shadows frolicking
as this bitter autumn wind encircles me
Symphonies of the sky continuously weep.
I watch petals float in puddles of regret,
so I reflect back to a summer of mon amour,
where Michelangelo hands sculptured my garden.
Reflecting back, delicate strokes within velvety folds
as fingers trace the edges of my heart's blossom
crimson drops slip silently between my hands
for even the beauty of a rose holds autumn's thorns
Secure from rustic debris that blow against windows,
5pm twilight, means no rekindling with my cherished sun.
My shortened days lash back through glares of street lamps
with frosty glass etchings chiselled by night's harsh breath.
Collaboration with Sandra Adams
Silent One
20 October 2019
Sun is held hostage by a blanket of clouds,
reflecting an agitated addict's ashtray.
Birds depart from soaked naked branches,
as eyes seek refuge from the ugliness of change.
I peer beneath this umbrage pitched upon the ground
anticipating a palette of summer to simper back
yet all I see are stick figure shadows frolicking
as this bitter autumn wind encircles me
Symphonies of the sky continuously weep.
I watch petals float in puddles of regret,
so I reflect back to a summer of mon amour,
where Michelangelo hands sculptured my garden.
Reflecting back, delicate strokes within velvety folds
as fingers trace the edges of my heart's blossom
crimson drops slip silently between my hands
for even the beauty of a rose holds autumn's thorns
Secure from rustic debris that blow against windows,
5pm twilight, means no rekindling with my cherished sun.
My shortened days lash back through glares of street lamps
with frosty glass etchings chiseled by night's harsh breath.
A collaboration with Silent One
Haze up in the heavens encircles this orb.
Half-dark, half-light, shines from above.
Twinkles of light appear to absorb.
Fractions of darkness within lighted glove,
Speaking to lovers held in each other’s arms.
Answering questions of science to some,
Floating around spreading blessed charms,
Listening close at times, hearing a hum.
Lovers for centuries, graciously, captured by,
Sweet serenity and magical mystery,
Others entranced with secrets, which fly.
From words written and spoken in history.
Satellite, orb, lady, they are all the same.
Mythical goddesses, gripped in flame.
These tales have spread so many games.
This object seen most nights has no shame.
Do I dare look at you when I walk these streets?
Chase your shadow as it crawls under my feet?
For I have walked my way through
These pleasant, summer nights
Trailing any trace of you in amber
Street lights.
Hearing the laughter of men and women
Drunken behind bars, their obliviousness
Billowing with the smoke of cigars
And once again I begin to wonder
In these thoughts that shatter, asunder
Of how unvoiced these nights have become.
The scent of scones melting in tea
The sugar, the beach, the creamed coffee
How foolish do I ought to be?
How much emotion becomes too much for me?
And the sun that strokes the clouds at sea
And hides its rays amongst them-
I watch… as all this beauty encircles me.
My eyes see not the glamorous dream
That has been haunting the lives of many it seems
The loveliness of love and its glimmering gleam
The word that is only word
That dream that is only dream.
For I have seen it on all these smiley faces,
Hurried looks, and warm embraces
Can’t you see?
How we all have been entangled in one giant
Web of emotion?
Is there ever a place between Wordsworth’s
Daffodils and Poe’s Raven?
I walk these streets listening to a busker
Play his harmonica-
As I flip a coin into his flipped hat,
I wonder
How different we are, him and me
Or are we?
Restricted we are to language and time,
Enslaved in memory, engaged in rhyme
How much easier it is to think of you and me
Rather than the misleading amounts of
Separating land and sea –illusory-
I observe and am observed as I walk these
Streets, and I feel I know nothing of
Neither you nor me.
This agony inside the serene mansion of my soul
This flame of desire burning inside my heart
This insatiable craving to unwind the destiny’s goal
This anguish unleashed by my passion’s dart
Encircles my whole being with dreams profound
To scale the skies of glorious imagination
And capture the secrets of words and the ecstasy of sound
Each cajoling, coaxing and tormenting in succession
The horizon of thoughts and the glow of enlightenment
Free of the horrid darkness of despair and desolation
To balance my feelings, my beliefs, my judgment
And discover the ocean of knowledge and information
To fathom and access the unexplored horizon of wisdom
The aura of knowledge dazzling the eyes with exotic shine
The gems and jewels of virtues glittering in the mind's kingdom
To have the intuitive experience of the divine.
Flowering night light
voice of midnight chimes
Opening a gateway
into shadows dancing blindly
Candlelight of thoughts
liquid silver shines a chalice
Spilling blood from darkness creeps
Your beam touching petals
Softly white encircles time held still
the fullness of your glorious face
Enriching cold awakening
breaths turning senses
clear within a breathless whisper cuts
A thousand dreams answered
When one vision complete
touching the stars wink
capturing before these eyes
Dazzling thirst howls
dressed in ivory satin cream attire
Kissing goodnight
into the soul echoes bounce gently
within a mountain's crumbling voice
winds blowing Gale
hang within the balance
As clouds swallow the lunar vision
under a grey veil held captive
You hide as rainfalls knock
on heaven's door sweet flower
coldly winter graces the heart
as it smiles freely
Crashing tides clearly turn around
kissing over and back salted sands
upon the soles of your feets journey
there are no stars in these beclouded skies
to linger on the edge of darkened nights
no reflections to shine within your eyes
nor moonbeams to gather within my sights
as january's wind encircles me
i lose myself in the depths of my dreams
where breathless sighs fall within whispered pleas
and your fingers brush against my soul's seams
i feel your lips tenderly touching mine
in blushed little strokes of passionate sighs
that send soft quivers up and down my spine
as you pull me closer hands against thighs
soft whispers of your breath fall upon me
as darkened night erupts in ecstasy
Written January 7, 2020
Contest judged 02/07/2020
Na-rerun contest
Sponsored by John Hamilton
Under the broad sweep of endless sky,
In that rare and hallowed moment
When the moon, in audacious stealth,
Edges before the sun,
A quietude descends, profound and deep.
The air, thick with anticipation,
Holds its breath;
The earth, in its tireless orbit,
Pauses—in reverence
To the grandeur to which we all belong.
This spectacle, this dance of light and shadow,
Where the day is night and the sun is dark,
Unveils the universe’s unfathomable mystery,
A reminder of our fleeting passage
In the boundless march of time.
As the corona flares,
A crown of light, ethereal and untouchable,
Encircles the shadowed moon—
A garnered glimpse into the sun’s hidden majesty.
In this moment, we are but specks,
Yet infinitely connected to the cosmic ballet.
This eclipse, eagerly awaited, a miracle witnessed,
Serves not just as a meeting of celestial bodies,
But as a bridge across the void,
Linking heart to heart, soul to soul,
To the very essence of existence itself.
In awe, we stand,
Observers of the universe’s embrace,
Witnesses to the endless dance
Of light and shadow,
Of time and space,
And the quiet, enduring marvel
That is life, in its myriad forms and fleeting beauty.
The unceasing roar
Surf and coral,
hitting the shore
This underwater show
This blaze of colour,
roar of surf.... so
Coral reef home,
so many fish,
blue sea foam,
this is my wish............
This living breathing reef,
surrounded by sea so blue
Living breathing jewel,
you want to be it too
Crashing of sea,
exploding white foam
I want this to be my home
Mighty blue sea
This reef........
exploding foam
Rush of water,
through the coral
Small fish dart
Multicoloured streaks,
natures' freaks
This roar of colour,
sealed in blue
Deep down,
Neptunes' crown
This surf of white,
hitting golden sand
Sun,so bright
This colour ,you understand
Sealed in blue,
rich too..........
Rhythmic roar
The colour you saw
Living breathing reef,
underwater leaf
This moving swell,
coral reef does dwell
Sealed in sea of blue,
underwater paradise
Dive with me too
This brief escape,
weightless in coral sea
This magnificent waterscape,
brilliant green underwater leaf
that is part of...............
The reef
Electric blue fish dart about
other creatures,
their colour does shout
Ceasless flow,
upon this reef
Coral sea,
let us go below
for, we love it so
Pink and green,
purple and red
the brightest you have ever seen
blue and yellow
where have you been?
This reef encircles me,
crown of coral
Sealed by blue sea
Here lies the moral,
Neptunes' son...... you see
natures' son doesn't quarrel
"Destined to Love"
twilight Moon cascades, haunting tapestry
as hearts incline to secrets of mellow night
clandestine caresses embrace 'neath canopy
lovers silhouette engage in sweet romantic flight
ascending to voluminous height.
in ebony atmosphere, flirtatious fondling ignites fire
as breathless succulence invades flesh and bone
with adventurous satisfaction, love pursues deepest desire
while sequined stars illuminate soft tone
captivating aura of mysterious moan.
forbidden fruit lies tenderly amidst dew-kissed heather
hypnotic force of true love refused to be denied
petite vision in chantilly lace and supple leather
emotions escalate vast inner feelings to subside
love conquers life, happiness cried.
a lovers touch creates palatial garden of delight
a beautiful expression accentuating rare romance
inhaling fragile fragrance although their precious plight
encircles pair in eternal dance
succumbing to the power of temptation's trance.
twilight Moon cascades, haunting tapestry
gently, pure white wings of turtledove
whispers an evening song 'neath lovely canopy
while heavenly stardust shimmers from above
smiling upon lovers destined to love.
*For old romantic poems Contest..
"Perfect Partner"
as vibrant aroma of ecstasy explodes
pure pleasure of passion ignites and implodes
a gentle charisma embellishes a true charmer
you shall always reign as my White Knight in shining armour.
once you kidnapped my heart and released my soul
gathering each broken half and created a whole
tasting love at first sight you fashioned our love nest
and everyday I thank God for this treasure; I'm blessed.
with a flowery bouquet' you brighten my space
as we share precious moments playing kissey face
in sickness and health you caressed hurt and pain
in times of turmoil your strength held me sane.
a beautiful essence encircles our tender emotions
as water cascades into beauty of oceans
a loving companion, a lover, a friend,
a heavenly husband whose love never ends.
you finish my sentence as we share sweet dreams
embracing our children as golden sunbeams
caring and thoughtful are always your attire
forever you constantly satisfy my heart's desire.
a romantic Romeo has captured his fair Juliet
chemistry is as potent as the day we first met
you intoxicate my senses as a fragrant wine's bouquet'
you are my endless love within our cherished chalet'.
*For Gail Doyle's My Endless Love Contest ...
*Sept. 16, 2012 ...
4/26/2020
Wild poetry contest
Sponsor Anthony Slausin
The collared dog awaits his master’s love
and laps and licks the blessed hand above,
while the wolf, ephemeral shaddow of the unbiddable wild
drinks from the crystal streams descending the mountain.
(He drinks from the palm of creation.)
Obedient pets sit, with poise, awaiting treats,
or scratch the door, the scent of cedars sweet,
but too far,
while the wolf runs through the bright brush at the bull elk, those bellowing lungs a trumpet
announcing to the deeps the shadows of the forest live.
The Good await the chance to thrust their nose
into the rushing wind as Civics go,
while the wolf encircles the dust to lay and lick
all the delectable scents of the wind in his fur.
Faithfully the pet lays, alone on the steel table
wondering where his master is, the scent of the vet
surrounds him like wolves
that eat the walls of the room
until he is free.
Teetering on a fine line
stretching across the western horizon,
suspended fire, glowing orange-red ball,
slowly receding, slipping downward
until, just out of sight,
split into a thousand shades and tints
like fine lead crystal, broken,
pastel fragments scattered on the clouds,
a pearl necklace encircling
the sky’s bare neckline
before evening’s black velvet cloak
encircles her shoulders.
Copyright, August 13, 2016
Through the full of moonlit night
Succumbs a moth to every light
And powder keg wings beat white satin
Serenade in frolic amidst temptations often
Desperation outside upon my veranda door
What brings you to this place, tonight my dear
Perhaps, it might be in hopes of love
Or, ideas of romance you crave, you want
But, she merely answers in very soft fluttery sighs
What thoughts lie behind those sultry grinning eyes
But, what I see are reflections as a moth encircles
Seeking out forbidden love to become entanlged
My reply, to turn out the light and never let you in
Lest I partake of lust beneath your moon glow skin
Thus, then I would be to wander lost in a consequence of haze
Into the moonlit night from door to door and like you, from flame to flame
I sit here in the park amidst a carpet of green speckled with buttercups and daisies
A pale blue sky above ceilings my room as I close my eyes
as I open my ears to the Summer sounds surrounding me
Buzzing encircles me as bumble bees in picnic mode
collect the rich nectar from the sporadic yellows and whites
To my left in the distance I hear the distinct sound of children playing in the parks
swimming pool
Shriek's that would cut glass are consumed by the vast expanse
Water splashing resonates through the air as if carried on the Summer breeze
Chimes appear from the distance as a frenzy of screams shout
Mam, dad it's the ice cream van
Suddenly a quietness descends as I picture children and adults
licking their ice cream nectar like thirsty hungry bees
To my right I hear the distinctive grunts of my daughter and her friend
emulating Flushing Meadow on the local tennis courts
The odd yell of congratulations from watching spectators breaks the scene
As I turn my head again in radar like fashion I zoom in on the aviary where gorgeous
budgies are kept
I can picture their greens, yellows and blues through my closed eyelids
This little community chirp endlessly as they flutter in organised commotion
Delights of aw echo across the flower beds as they are absorbed in my
consciousness
Modern man interrupts this tranquil scene as metal birds noisily
roar overhead whilst bodied engines reverberate reminding us of the mechanical
world we live in
My own little world this Summers afternoon comes to an end as my daughter and her
friend return with vociferous tones
I open my eyes as normality returns
We gather our belongings as we head of home listening to the cacophony of modernism