Best Endowments Poems
here I am in human form
but it was not always quite so
earth has been the only I've been to
through past life regressions I definitely know
----------
Sometimes flashes of my childhood years
would hover on my mind...images of a multiverse, of cosmic dwellings once
labeled me a gypsy, a forest nymph or one warrior dared --- these names blessed by Grandma as guides in my youth.
Somehow, through the blue of all adult evenings this life could hold, a quest to reach the highest flight of agape--- that supreme love for a God and neighbor--- flames my reason for being ,
that gifting foliage the kindness to let it row freely in brief span of seasons empowers me... like so, honoring the canticles of man's fervor for God by sharing endowments with kin humbles this heart: and through the full consent of allowing myself to access this Source high higher in loving all there is,
unconditional it may seem---
Reminds me of this pilgrim's quest to
attain agape by living in the present, in the now ,
butressed through a belief so radiant from my inner view---
this daily salve leading me to divine
yet existential ways--- a climb where nectar
of pure love grants my center immeasurable peace--
my spirit becoming shapeless, eternal, shiftless on this earthly ground,
my own multiverse circling inside my being.
You’re hailed as “Pearl of the Orient Seas”
The Creator* has blessed you with rich endowments
Including a peculiar history, indeed great…
Making me thankful for making you the land of my birth.
In Southeast Asia is where you’re grandly settled
Possessing distinct culture you share with neighbors;
Your heritage nurtured through virtues lived by daily
Exposes me to good moral values.
With your triumphantly fought-for independence
Wrought by the Lord’s sovereignty with people’s unity
Along heroes’ ardor, powered by patriotism and love
I’m now anchored by peace, justice and freedom-might.
“Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!”** My assertive declaration!
“Long live the Philippines!” I shout with gratitude!
*Isaiah 40:28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.
**The Tagalog words for "Long live the Philippines!"
December 24, 2019
2nd place, "Whitman-Inspired Uplifting Poetry, old or new" Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Carolyn Devonshire; judged on 1/20/2020.
Aware of the New World Order
and its philosophy, principle, predicament
vis-à-vis Bible prophecy
my spirit trusts God
Who is the Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent
to put things in His order in His perfect time.
Meanwhile, let me picture how servant leaders
govern midst God's Divine Order according to Scriptures...
There they are with freedom bliss~~~
diligently pursuing the works of anointed stewards
fulfilling their days, commenced with prayer
earnestly seeking the Sovereign’s presence
while endeavouring with faith priority acts:
family nurture, nourished with loving responsibility
strengthening home brace along virtue values’ pillars
promoting accountable parenthood
along children holistic development program
simultaneous with pedagogical endowments~~~
pushing for functional geriatric welfare
midst wholesome andragogy advancements
upon physical, mental, psycho-social health accessibility
buttressed by hygiene and sanitation exercise
in consideration to ecological and environmental care
reaching-out to the less fortunate toward lifestyle betterment~~~
imposing lawful justice system, balancing truth with mercy
enjoining each one to practice daily thanksgiving gesture
applying principle of “Love thy neighbor as thyself.”
Yielding as good examples*… they beseech the Holy Spirit
for guidance in their commitment
to bring people near the LORD.
*1Timothy … Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”
March 6, 2021
edited on April 27, 2022
1st place, "New World Order" Poetry Writing Contest
Sponsored by Robert James Liguori; judged on 5/5/2022.
Oh how I rue this deciduous time;
relentless in it’s passing year by year
while robbing memories we hold so dear,
and shedding yonker that was once our prime.
Through time we plod this monumental climb;
the cliffs of life we grapple fighting fear
while ever facing time’s relentless jeer
as youth is spent on chasing dreams sublime.
And yet we’ve heard it said that as we age
we gain more wisdom with each passing phase,
endowments mastered as life’s dream pursues.
But still with passing time the battles rage,
and loss of youth we shed as hopes abrase.
Deciduous time this aging poet rues.
September 3, 2024
Nature's Treasures
She sees their crowns had impressively grown
Taller than the obelisk now merely ancient stone
Deepest green like emeralds set on her mystic ring
Forever cognizant and nurtured by a life-giving spring
A gentle presence caresses leaves fervently breathing
Reaching toward heaven imbibing celestial blessing
Over her heart a talisman deciphers cryptic rune
Trees are endowments from beyond the moon
Without trees and grasses fostered by a star...
Planet Earth may inevitably mirror God of War!
***This is an expanded version of the previously posted
poem Cognizant Gems, now with a different title,
"Nature's Treasures"***
10/25/2022
6:20 P.M.
Aboard Rhapsody of the Seas
Limassol, Cyprus
The best of nature lies in thy bosom
mother Africa, the toast of continents
your strength and opulence draw
kings and nobles to endless
rift of spoil sharing and gun trotting.
Africa! The strength of
the universe, the last bride of
nature with sumptuous virginity
from Somalia to Kenya, deep
down the creek of Delta to
the arrogant diamond of the
Zulus, earth cannot rival
thy blessing and extravagant
endowments.
Shameless kings seek second
dominance in oil rich north
with flying birds and explosions,
they sowed corruption in Naija
they brought AIDS and HIV with their planes
and then send grants to mock us
Yet the African spirits wax stronger!
Mother Africa,
inside thee lies peace
endowed by creation, but
these evil emissaries of
violence sowed poverty
and grief in thy land
knowing the volatile nature of
thy productivity. Alas, in torrent
we have reaped pains and bloods,
four years drought in Kenya, two
months xenophobia in south Africa,
endless genocide in Sudan
endless NATO assault in Libya
with piracy holding sway in
Somalia, oh mama Africa!
yet thy love intoxicates me
like the tribal white wine of Iwaya!
they tell our stories in biased satellites
they label us evil and apish
oh Mama Africa, arise, arise !
out of thy trial in awesome purity.
Arise! Arise! Arise!
Arise from thy slumber and give
hope to our fleeing children!
Bring them from the south,west
and north and let the
eastern hemisphere release
thy heritage.
Now there is war in Africa
but soon there shall be
unassuming peace and
discoveries of earth
noble secret in thy enclave.
Having experienced the Almighty’s goodness
to our dear Motherland ---
I envision her as constantly enjoying freedom bliss
vis-à-vis accountable responsibility-exercise
among people diligently led by government officials
exemplifying servant-leadership
as they earnestly seek the Sovereign’s guidance
in their endeavour with faith and practice
to fulfill our Constitution preamble*
with daily thanksgiving gesture.
In partnership with the authorities
I entrust to God …
… myself and fellow citizens
for the prioritization of family nurture
nourished with loving responsibility
strengthening home buttress
along virtue values’ pillars
promoting accountable parenthood
along children holistic development program
simultaneous with pedagogical endowments.
Beholding functional geriatric welfare at work
midst relevant andragogy advancements
I view my country with adults and grandparents
basking in their senior years, glowing
still met by physical, mental, emotional care
welcomed with psycho-social health accessibility
as everyone is braced upon hygiene
of sanitation anchor, exhorting cleanliness
recognizing ecological preservation
cognizant of next generations and their future.
With unity’s cord tied by blesed righteousness**
I cling to the Supreme Commander
for the prevalence of peace and order
midst imposition of lawful justice system
balancing truth with mercy
while reaching-out to the less fortunate
toward wholesome lifestyle betterment
vanquishing power-abuse
combating parasitic dependence-mentality
through the fruition of “Love thy neighbor as thyself.”
*PREAMBLE
We, the sovereign Filipino people, imploring the aid of Almighty God, in order to build a just and humane society, and establish a Government that shall embody our ideals and aspirations, promote the common good, conserve and develop our patrimony, and secure to ourselves and our posterity, the blessings of independence and democracy under the rule of law and a regime of truth, justice, freedom, love, equality, and peace, do ordain and promulgate this Constitution.
**Proverbs 14:34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.”
March 23, 2021
2nd place, "What You Really Want" Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Richard Lamoureux; judged on 4/24/2021.
He rapt his thoughts
In a tone of utter solemnity
Reverent disgust veiled
The icy wasteland of his soul
Seized with doubt
His emaciated lust- the empty mirage
Of his forgotten manhood
Countenanced immodesty
An extension of natural law
Plucked from tender bosom
Leaving this prodigal sweetheart
’twixt searing blaze of shameless prurience
Here they came in leaps and bounds
Clad in flames of destruction
To gobble solace paramount
Bringing pungent odour of uncouthness
This unmarried hermit
Took pleasure in worldly jubilation
Defied childhood admonition
That infamy seeds its own immolation
He was not to buttress his memory
On whimpers of bleeding hearts
Nor on the flooded gutter of spiritualism:
Only the endowments of heart… only these.
ENVY ROTS
The subtle enemy called envy
silently sits at the roots of our sins
we rationalize ungodly decisions
to meet criteria- competitions we have to win
“A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones”
Compelled, we mentally reduce others
taking pleasure to mentally enlarge ourselves
constantly constrained--superior in our culture
affecting time spent on making money-- endowments
“A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones”
When does this corrosive attitude commence
impressing more than required to impress
a rat race, a treadmill undermining God-given health
refuse to invest—let your heart be at peace—rest
“A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones”
(Inspired by the above verse—Proverbs 14:30)
Copyright© May 2013—Kim van Breda
*Image of Philanthropist by Pixabay.
Shark-Thropists
Loan Shark
treacherous jeopardous
sponging laundering doctoring
endowments championships extortioner shylock
fundraising equilibrating compensating
charitable magnanimous
Philanthropist
2022 August 13
interlocking rhyme
Some fellows like to give a lot; our presents, very rare.
Exchanging gifts is such a chore when timing is not fair.
Their endowments are so much more than we are wont to give
My spouse says not a word of this, content with how they live.
I do not want to seem remiss, but how do we start quitting?
Before I start, I will come clean, it is my pride they’re hitting.
It is my honest wish to wean our closeness of its milking
We do not need their lavish aid and hate to be thought bilking.
Their need to give is overplayed, I am a basket case.
Is that a van parked in their drive? A moving van, what grace!
One last offering, on-the-spot, repaid with diddly squat.
A Colossus
And on it
An emblazoned inscription
From days long gone by
A message
Of Love
Of Peace
Of Dreams
Made real
Breathe in the life
TRUE freedom brings
Of Love
Of Peace
Of Power
Of Pain
Of Happiness and Sadness
Her TRUTH
Remains
Rest upon this lady,
Who beckons to ALL
From her golden shores
For EACH of you
Her message
Her edification
Her promise
To EACH of YOU
Who once sought comfort
Within her bountiful borders
And in her majestic corridors.
Her light she brings.
To those made to run from far flung shores
How dire their need must be
To flee from home
From EVERYONE and EVERYTHING
They’ve ever known.
Only one promise she has made them
Upon your words and deeds
Upon ALL your hard works
will deliver
The promise
Of Love
Of Peace
Of Freedom
How can it be ?
So MANY
Who once sought refuge within her arms
Have forgot
THEIR OWN STORY
Of Pain,
Of desperate pleas.
Pledging, upon her
With doors widened
Her all encompassing compassion and care.
Least YOU
NEVER FORGET
YOUR PLEDGE
YOUR PROMISE
To share
THESE ENDOWMENTS unselfishly
And without discrimination
To each who struggled and sacrificed ALL
For the opportunity
TO BE FREE.
To pursue
THESE above all.
Those words
Upon her
This dream
Made real.
The streak of grey hairs,
a tell tale sign,
A reminder of many
seasons,
Come and gone.
A signpost of phases and
changes.
The voice, an alter ego;
Pubic hairs and mammary
endowments;
A signpost of the changes of
many moons
gone past.
The full bust of a woman,
In the prime of life,
Like the Sunflower poised,
to the Sun in obeisance;
But only at noon day,
does the zenith of it's glory glow.
A signpost of the times.
The loins of a teenager,
Brazen with absurdities',
A signpost of the seasons
of development.
The cycle of life turns full circle.
Captivated and compelled to find my little friend,
who has broken out in song again.
Sitting on the window ledge,
he stretches his neck as he tilts his head.
Releasing a group of compact and purposeful notes,
I gaze blissfully upon his silken, iridescent cloak.
Feathers...
Fashioned and fitted
and plucked to perfection,
he begins to sing this mornings delightful rendition.
I am wondering what makes my little friend sing out like this today ?
What meaning is his melody trying to convey ?
....The morning’s announcements ?
Meant to guard the others in his little band, against the peril at hand.
A few of his ravenous neighbors are on the prowl,
scouring and scouting his surrounding acres now...Be on watch !
BEWARE !
Or is it a pledge of noble chivalry, his love songs sweet endowments of fidelity.
Could it be a gleeful ode of expression, my excited little friends’
personal impressions of Mother Natures morning menu ?...
Is he calling to his brethren so they can begin sampling too ?
Could he be pronouncing and proclaiming the virtues of his simple existence ?
Or, perhaps, instead,
he is voicing his frustrations,
with winters harsh weather,
as it transitions,
into springs bountiful splendor.
I dare not ask as I linger there, in quite admiration
appreciating my little friends melodic and heartfelt song.
Charmed and besotted by him, I am taken unawares.
The song sung by one has turned into TWO !
They sing together,
ever so sweetly now,
as a pair.
This is the hub of Angels; by which I call a city
A concrete jungle of building that's never been pretty:
Culture in place for the unappealing disparity at its center
Come! And waver off on years of aimless wandering when you enter
The Angels must’ve failed; their endowments left unfilled
Our authenticity is a euphemism; a place by where dreams are killed
We follow the hoods of lavish cars that lead us to the sea
Must be that it’s an easy place to douse in our vanity