Best Encouraging Poems
When all around is darkness
Who provides the sun
When everyone is serious
Who is poking fun
When pollution clouds the bright blue sky
Who brings clarity
Who tries to bring some common sense
To mass insanity
When people kill for a belief
Who is pointing fingers
When bullies push their weight around
Who is the first gunslinger
Who sees the heavenly beauty
In Mother Nature's charm
When the house of cards goes up in flames
Who sounds the fire alarm
When depression comes and pulls you in
Who writes you words of comfort
When they can't think of rhyming words
Who makes up words like bumfort
Who puts their feelings into words
With sonnets from the heart
Who describes a garbage dump
With a color chart
Whose imagination
Can jump from sea to star
Or describe the pungent odor
Of their grandpa's stale cigar
What people share a common bond
Make pictures out of words
It's a talent that we happily share
Let every voice be heard
As wordsmiths we are special
Cause we feel what others see
Let's weave our threads together
Show the world our tapestry
September 26 2016
Be the star that brightens someone’s dark sky,
Be the light that illuminates a gloomy night,
Be the flame of compassion to life gone awry,
Even if you don’t think your candle is bright.
Despair not in a world gripped in jaws of woe
For beyond hills of grief dwells halo of hope,
Be the spring that rises through wintry throe,
Even when struggling in laments hard to cope.
Be the forest that grows through ashes of fire,
Be the dream that assuages angst of nightmare,
Be the angel of goodwill when times are dire,
Even when fate, callously, ignores your prayer.
Be not pain of misery, be not voice of dismay,
From goals of life revered, you must not stray,
Wish not for anyone, horizons shrouded gray,
Even while a storm drenches your sunny day.
In A Sad Blindness, One May Yet Find Hope
(The Solemn Prayer)
Raining splashing, fierce winds blowing and huge trees sway
I pray not for all this, on some other black day
With dark blue shadows plotting my early demise
I seek deep wisdom from sages worldly and wise
Not just some clever words to soothe this shattered heart
Instead sweet hope, light in words, to this life restart
With power to waken these world-blinded closed eyes
Stop salty tear drops falling from splintered skies.
On this day, life should see past these looming black-storms
Find solace in love, hope and my loving wife's arms
Yet that stone wall, yields to nothing but great power
Far more than this broken soul can muster this hour
When thus lost, can one ever find again that Light
Healer of dagger stabbed wounds, found on a dark night
I pray, gift wisdom to walk that one true-lit path
Release this sad soul from, this evil, wicked wrath.
Raining splashing, fierce winds blowing and huge trees sway
I pray not for all this, on some other black day
With dark blue shadows plotting my early demise
I seek deep wisdom from sages worldly and wise
Not just some clever words to soothe this shattered heart
Instead sweet hope, light in words, to this life restart
With power to waken these world-blinded closed eyes
Stop salty tear drops falling from splintered skies.
Robert J. Lindley, 2-07-2017
Syllables Per Line:
12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 0 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 0 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12
Total # Syllables: 288
Total # Words: 225
Note- I decided to write this poem, this morn. About half had already been composed in my head yesterday afternoon and I finally sat down now to put pen to paper.
Believe me, in that it was not an easy task to finish this and be satisfied with the results.
Maybe I am just tired and stopped because of that.
I don't know. Maybe on another day, I could have and would have thought this lacking and rewritten it..
But today, I have only enough to say, this is as it is(and thus it may stay), hope you may find it agreeable and not fault me too much .......
There are so many doors
Which ones should I choose
Green, yellow, brown, purple
and many different blues
Some of them are rustic
Others modern and clean
Some lead to the future
others back where I've been
Some doors open easily
while quite a few are locked
There are some left open
and others that are blocked
A few so enticing
promise pleasure within
They are slightly hidden
so few will see me sin
I look through some keyholes
wondering if I'll be safe
I see rooms of plenty
and tables draped in lace
The doors that are daunting
they fill me with such dread
for I know there's sadness
in the land of the dead
Many doors are happy
Friends and loved ones are there
those doors are the best ones
being with people who care
Behind some there's music
Pleasured time we can share
Moments of pure magic
those times are far to rare
Doors leading to adventure
Made me glad I took the chance
The sheer exhilaration
that caused my spirit to dance
Some doorways disguised as books
Yes they caused my mind to grow
They pointed to other doors
so I knew which way to go
The doors that I left closed
In the end I don't regret
They could have brought me ruin
or led my soul into debt
Of all the doors I'll walk through
The final one is the best
For there my Saviour waits
therefore, I know I am blessed
Learn from the eagle how to soar with winds
Spanning your wings to conquer tall peaks
Float hopes high reaching sapphire blue skies
Triumph with your smile as the world goes by
When beset in clutches of troublesome plight
Know that a new dawn always follows night
My child, when it’s your turn, do what’s right
Even a bright sunny day must cede to twilight
If you want things easy, they won't be worth it
Learn to swing ably if you wish to score a hit
When the climb gets hard you must never quit
Things that you regret, you may never repeat
Glint someone’s clouds, be the rainbow on arc
Be the emissary of light for the adrift in dark
Edify your doldrums, be always on your mark
Lift somebody’s dawn, be the sweet song of lark
Walk along humility when tempted by pride
Learn from those saintly, living lives dignified
Hold your balance or you’ll tumble and fall
Let the mountains teach you how to stand tall
When something goes wrong, do not justify
What’s spurious and superficial, do not glorify
How well you do, rests on how hard you try
When you hear the call of duty, never ask why
Let happy thoughts reign your state of mind
When emotions overwhelm, always choose kind
Spread the wealth of love to help mankind
Be the precious gemstone that is hard to find
Glint someone’s clouds, be the rainbow on arc
Be the emissary of light for the adrift in dark
Edify your doldrums, be always on your mark
Lift somebody’s dawn, be the sweet song of lark
December 21, 2020
Placed 1st: Your advice to the youth poetry contest
Sponsor: Edward Ibeh
Placed 5th: Your choice (41) contest by Brian Strand
The end, so close yet so far
We're riding our shooting star
Our life, the blink of an eye
A flash, that lights up the sky
It's sad so few will see
Our brilliant entirety
But for, those few that do
Imagine the dazzling view.
In life, blazing a trail,
At the end, a star with a tale.
I'll be strong
Vs 1
You're getting tired of losing...
there's not enough joy and peace to be found
Sometimes it's better choosing...
to set your goals high, never looking down
(refrain)
Let's be strong together!
Make changes together!
Let's be strong together!
Have the courage to say:
Chorus
I'll be strong...
I'll forget all the pain,
I'll be strong...
I'll learn from my mistakes,
I'll be strong...
I'll be who I am and not be ashamed
Vs 2
Your will to live is fading...
don't give up on the chance to live your dreams...
maybe time to do some praying...
for courage to be strong and to believe
(refrain)
Let's be strong together!
Make changes together!
Let's be strong together!
Have the courage to say:
Chorus
I'll be strong...
I'll forget all the pain,
I'll be strong...
I'll learn from my mistakes,
I'll be strong...
I'll be who I am and not be ashamed
repeat chorus and fade
Revised with music and vocals
July 26,2025
John Derek Hamilton
Woe to the hands of time
Woe, how quickly it changes
Changes with so much haste
Changes without stop
Stop wrong ideas
Stop feelings of hate
Hate is wasted emotion
Hate causes wounds
Wounds that remain
Wounds need to heal
Heal with kindness
Heal with belief
Belief in my words
Belief that I pursue
Pursue without facade
Pursue to diffuse
Diffuse the animosity
Diffuse misconstrued thoughts
Thoughts wrongly assumed
Thoughts mistaken
Mistaken by a few
Mistaken by clueless pens
Pens should not be swords
Pens should write words
Words of good faith
Words that put an end
End to all the suspicion
End to negativity
Negativity breeds gloom
Negativity does no good
Good vibes bring positivity
Good intentions for a new start
Start by writing poems
Start seeing things as trivial
Trivial to our lives
Trivial, believe it or not
Not suggesting brotherhood
Not turning away from harmony
Harmony on some level
Harmony to act like adults
Adults who don't slander
Adults who can coexist
Coexist as pacifists
Coexist as poets
Poets in a community
Poets should be encouraging
Encouraging with their comments
Encouraging and supportive
Supportive…
Comments…
The best paths move forward.
Don't waste your time looking back.
The things you've said, the things you've done,
Can never be brought back.
Don't waste the little time we have,
On anger or regret.
Just accept what we can't change,
Make peace and pay back debts.
Each new day is a fresh, new start.
Just learn from past mistakes.
No one's perfect, no not one,
Decide this day will be great.
Look up, have hope, move forward.
Let no one hold you back.
Do what you know is best for you,
And cut yourself some slack.
Sometimes there's no one to pick you up,
When you have had a fall;
But God helps those who help themselves,
When their back is against the wall.
Someone thinks so highly of you,
And knows what you can do,
The best friend you will ever have,
That friend, My Dear, is You.
To those you care for, always you impart
deep love; how beautiful and sweet you are!
I pray you find a way to mend your heart.
To those you care for, always you impart
poetic gems! Return to this, your art.
Grab hold of words and shine again, a star.
To those you care for, always you impart
deep love; how beautiful and sweet you are!
Written 12/6/14 for the Fighting Depression(poems for PD) contest
of shadow Hamilton
If I could play the violin
I'd write a melody
euphonious to draw you in
and play my rhapsody
to bring a smile to your dear face
and calm the storm within
if I could play the violin
If I could play the saxophone
with timbre silvery
I'd paint a poem of pure tone
to laud your alchemy
for you turn iron into gold
and granite to gemstone
if I could play the saxophone
If I could coax an oboe's tone
a dulcet sound divine
to craft a raft for you to own -
a musical lifeline
when waves have knocked you off your course
when winter winds have blown
I'd play a soothing oboe tone
If I could sing a heaven-sent
anthem or hymn profound
I wouldn't need an instrument
when you feel nearly drowned
I'd whisper arias of hope
my mouthpiece, bow, and strings
are prayers for God to heal your wings
and soar beside as heaven sings.
I See You, Flowers In Your Raven Hair
I see you, in flowery meadow scenes
walking, your blue dress swaying in the wind
your raven hair, beautiful stuff of dreams
and promise, deepest love that never ends.
You see me, with my old pen scribbling so slow
words that poetry absorbs with loud bells
echoing soft tunes shot from heart's love-bow
birthing sheer joy as the oracle tells.
I see you, flowers in your raven hair
coming back, your delicious smile beaming
saying, yes dearest love, I truly care
Fate has decreed our eternal teaming.
You see me, with my old pen scribbling so slow.
Echoing soft tunes shot from heart's love-bow.
Robert J. Lindley, 6-25-2019
Sonnet, ( Where Dream Waves Meet Love's Welcoming Shores)
Note:
Found a moment pen called to dare,
walk from deep dark into that brighter light,
wake again this soul, to its past love bare,
in poetic truth, this life try to repair.
Drive mindfully, dear children, as you traverse hurdled highways of life,
Cognizant that adjacent to an oasis of joy, lies a desert brooding strife;
Assume charge of your chosen path, obey rules of road as you ride,
Pursuing life’s aspirations you vie, with compass of mind as your guide.
Beware things luring you with glitter, may be just metal, feigning gold,
Love superficial, love that is shallow, never the love for you to behold;
Don’t let a mirage~ a spurious illusion~ become an aspiration of hope,
Life, a vast ocean, as it ebbs and flows, learn to navigate, strive to cope.
As shrouds and clouds obscure life, seek enlightenment to wear a smile,
Defy encroachment of grimace, defy the vibes that cramp your style;
Embrace blissed domain of empathy, proffering missives angelic, kind,
Yield to others, who are lost, show them the egress destiny designed.
Build your abode on pillars of morals, revering honesty, and trust,
For they are the hallmarks of people, respectable, equitable, just;
Mind your paradigms and proverbs, practice always what you say,
Extend genuine gestures of regret, when actions have gone astray.
Be grateful for family and friends, honor them in prayers of heart,
Create keepsake albums of memories, life-scapes endearing impart;
For they are the priceless treasures of love, omnipresent lifelong,
Inspiring, nurturing you, reassuring all along~ love can do no wrong.
To take each day as it comes
To gratefully praise The One
Joyfully face the new dawn’s grace,
That's now my everyday plan.
To take each day as it comes
To guard my thought as it roams
On anything or anyone
That's now my everyday plan.
To take each day as it comes
To be careful with my words
To use the value of my hands
That's now my everyday plan.
To take each day as it comes
To do everything I can
And bring a smile to not just one
That's now my everyday plan.
To take each day as it comes
To celebrate other’s gain
Not consciously cause another's pain
That's now my everyday plan.
To take each day as it comes
Not all the time comes the sun
For sorrow comes to everyone
And that I must understand.
To take each day as it comes
And know that I’m but a man
I will be glad, life’s not that bad
And do my part in God’s plan.
*A resolution during a time of disappointment.
Kim Patrice Nunez
04 August 2015
image credit: Edwin Hofert
Dream schemes play across the screen
And third eye examines them,
Ever so closely; tonight,
Another etheric flight;
Will show me new horizons
And the beings that dwell there;
The archetypes and images.
Scenes play out in colors,
Shadows weave their magic;
I am inundated.
Visiting spirits came,
Just to bid me adieu;
My guides know what I need.
Somewhere the light starts,
To glow; a pinpoint,
Growing as it moves
Toward each scene, shines;
Revealing wisdom.
A dream is an
Education;
Dream and wisdom
Will come to you.
Dreaming mind,
Subconscious,
Library.
Dream long
And deep;
Dream.