Best Enlivens Poems
O April
how I’ve longed for your return
to breathe new life
into this gnarled body..
for these roots to be unfettered
from the grasping earthen frost -
the past season of fanged nor’easters gnashed
me bare - leaving me mauled and dulled
alone with stiffened limbs
lifted to face
the hard glower of old man winter
with not a morsel of mercy to be gained
but April
now that you're here to share
the innocence of the daisy
and the honeyed scent of the sweet pea
I feel inspirited like a sapling young and tender again;
mild is the fog’s embrace in early morn
as I taste your sweetened rainwater
and gentle is the rhythm of baptizing
showers bathing dark days away..
and ever grateful is my grayed heart
as it begins to beat
with the fresh pulse of verdant rebirth
oh April
how easily you inspire
my shy imagination to fly
with the zephyr's muse
to expand my artistry
in an afternoon’s brushstroke of forsythia light
dreams once frozen now thawed and golden
eager to flourish in bloom
awakening the poetry
in a new leaf’s unfurling whisper -
a whisper that grows a praising wind-psalm
as choirs of bursting buds
celebrate revival
with a rustling alleluia!
star-shaped sails rouse in swishing sounds
their leafy lyrical breath one with the breeze
my green-laden boughs now a wellspring
of exuberant born-again voices
a thronging rejoice lifted
to the heavens on the whisk of the westerlies;
supple is my sweep and sway ‘neath
the soft-bellied skies of Spring
dear lady, April
how I revel in the glorious abundance of your Nature;
your nurture enlivens my humble woody being
and though gray may shade my weather-beaten heart..
evergreen is my soul
Susan Ashley
April 12, 2021
~ First Place ~
Premiere Contest: April
Sponsor: Regina McIntosh
Categories:
enlivens, appreciation, april, beauty, hope,
Form:
Free verse
An unhurried sun slides across the horizon
Preparing for slumber behind distant waves
And daylight’s last seagull rides thermals in search
Of a late night fish supper - the herring he craves
A paint shop explosion enlivens the skies
As the sun doffs its cap to the tail end of day
That silhouette seagull, against crimson, flys
Before finally veering and heading away
As one with the beach and the shoreline beyond
I watch vibrant heavens succumb
To a darkness profound although I stick around
And I wait for tomorrow to come
The night has its chills but no hectic-life ills
As I feed my small campfire with sticks
One deck chair, one fire is all I desire…
And a thermos for my caffeine fix
There’s no moon, no stars and there’s no beachfront bars
The surf is my soundtrack tonight
I’ve seen moons and stars work with Venus and Mars
To set all above me alight
But tonight is unpainted and I get acquainted
With shadows that flicker and prance
As I recline there, amused, I’m aware
That the fire makes my own shadow dance
I don’t truly doze and a distant bell knows
That I count off its chimes in the night
And as the world sleeps, somewhere near, a bird cheeps
And I know that it soon will be light
I’ll witness the day and then scurry away
Through the hustle and bustle, to bed
Inspired, I’m rewired, and yet, rather tired
With my first chapter clear in my head
My thermos delivers one last warming cup
As a new dawn blue-rinses the grey
A seagull, perhaps who went last night unfed
Circles early for breakfast today
Categories:
enlivens, beach, inspiration, sea, solitude,
Form:
Rhyme
~Purpling Shadows~
( Glosse)
~Cabeza~
I want you when the shades of eve are falling
And purpling shadows drift across the land,
When sleepy bird to loving mates are calling-
I want the soothing softness of your hand.
(Inspired by the poem 'I Want You' by Arthur L. Gillom)
I want you no matter what tides the year may bring
In winter and autumn in summer and spring
When as a sweet song your name in a whisper I sing
I want you when the shades of eve are falling
When the mountains sings and raises at sea aglow the sand
And evergreens and all kind of creatures enlivens the land
And birds of every color and songs merrily band
When purpling shadows drift across the land
I love you and from your love I happily cling
I'm flying and dreaming of love beneath your wing
Making sweet music together we greet spring
When sleepy bird to loving mates are calling-
I want you I love you through time sky and land
Here and there and in every starlight that shows bright
And when the sun and the moon delivers the day and the night
I want the soothing softness of your hand.
Dorian Petersen Potter
aka ladydp2000
copyright@2015
June.14.2015
Categories:
enlivens, beautiful, dream, feelings, love,
Form:
Rhyme
The Bewitching Call of the Siren
She ululates a forlorn desire for a human love;
She’s pure evil, not from God’s Heaven above.
This siren’s seductive melody is heard on all seas,
And even on the largest lakes and flowing rivers;
Bringing even seafarers near Die Lorelei to shivers!
Beguiling young sailors to such a ghastly death;
This vile creature’s venom is felt with each breath!
Her visage is one of true love and blessed pulchritude,
Yet Lucifer’s mask is dark with great evil certitude!
Her perfumed scent enlivens her victims’ senses,
Whilst her dark green eyes and deep wet kisses;
Mesmerize her prey, oblivious now to all consequences;
Now feeling her fatal bites and hearing her hideous hisses!
She taketh all pleasure in her world of this evil measure,
Enthralling all her sad victims to a most horrible death;
Now Lucifer counts with joy the lost souls’ treasure!
Always sans merci this siren be to those in her grot,
As her victims find their souls lost to Hell’s dark rot!
Beware say I to all good seafarers, do heed this tale well;
Be deaf to this siren’s call or your life shall end in Hell!
Gary Bateman, Copyright © All Rights Reserved,
July 4, 2016 (Canzone)
Categories:
enlivens, dark, death, evil, god,
Form:
Canzone
That is the path I've chosen,
covered with soft blades of grass
hedged with variegated hostas,
and moonlight filtering
through hanging willow trees.
The winding path tilts slightly uphill,
towards a wooden pergola
that glimmers in the darkness,
a temple built in paradise
for my lovely Marguerite.
I have planned my life's purpose,
I know so clearly the urge to live,
my priceless gift from Cupid
cleansing the humdrum of this life.
The nightingale enlivens the silence,
full moon oozes limpid serenity,
the glow worms twinkle lovingly
like a myriad of faraway stars.
A lonely breeze caresses my face
but cannot quench the thirst
nor quell the boiling of my blood
nor the hunger I feel for her.
I gaze upon her lovely face
Chiaroscuro in the moonbeams
A painting mightier than any Madonna
that emanated from Fra Filippo Lippi
Or an intimate impression by Renoir.
Yet like these famous portraits of old
Our love forever will survive.
Categories:
enlivens, love,
Form:
Free verse
I am jealous
of everything that has ever touched you,
the breaths of hot sunshine that have soothed your cheeks with hope,
the moonlight that has painted your lips with lilly silver,
the darkness that has calmed you into soft slumber,
the rain that has pelted your flesh with sky splash,
the breeze that has lifted your hair with seductive intent,
Jealous of every temptation that has made your soul sweat,
every secret that has sworn obedience to your obsessions,
every kiss that has taken a taste of your sweet heat
every man that has collapsed into your romance,
every mouth that has spoken your name with awe
every second that has circled your psyche,
every particle that has pranced through your bloodstream,
every emotion that enlivens your ego,
every knot of knowledge that supports your smarts,
every star that has caught your girlish wishes,
every tear that slides faithfully from the pink rims of your eyelids,
every cut that has silenced your pride,
Jealous of every thing
that has left you, fed you, led you, entered you,
yet, I am grateful for all these odd and splendid things
that have known your beauty and pain,
for they have made my need for you real
and your love for me possible,
this jealousy is my love hypocrisy -
J.A.B.
Categories:
enlivens, appreciation, beauty, best friend,
Form:
Epic
Beneath the sunlit willow lies a rose,
a pink surprise in the morning dew light,
fresh and quietly she tenderly grows.
She's as sensitive as a poet's prose,
God’s gifted us with a marvelous sight,
beneath the sunlit willow lies a rose.
Yesterday morn’ in comfort she arose,
petals flourishing in God’s sweet delight,
fresh and quietly she tenderly grows.
She enlivens with day beams when morose,
blooms with elegance like pigeons in flight,
beneath the sunlit willow lies a rose.
During sundown when she decides to close,
she sleeps gently throughout the starlit night,
fresh and quietly she tenderly grows.
Nourishing beauty when she does expose,
blossoming with efflorescence so bright,
beneath the sunlit willow lies a rose,
fresh and quietly she tenderly grows.
Date Written: June 19, 2016
Categories:
enlivens, beautiful, flower,
Form:
Villanelle
He Weeps
By Dane Smith-Johnsen
Holiness harnessed haughtiness.
Heaven's honor hallows humans.
Heavenly hopes happily hail.
Enemies, earnestly enchant.
Endless errors evoke evil.
Exhilaration empowers.
Wait with God while wild wiles weaken.
Whisk away wrath and wretchedness.
Weep whenever wonder withers.
Enemies endeavor evil.
Empathy erases errors.
Exalted ethos enlivens
Endure. Esteem eternity.
Enjoy ecstasy endlessly.
Exalt essence everlasting.
Prideful prancing produces pain.
Particularly preceding
Pretentiousness pomposity.
Sagacity seeks soul's sagas.
Subliminal soothing sojourns.
Sweetest souls’ salvation survives.
Categories:
enlivens, faith, inspirational
Form:
Alliteration
You love me, even when I am wrong
A sinner, frail and weak, in search of a song
Reaching out to the joys I sometimes see
In hearts who give without condition or plea
You love me, and it is such a sweet mystery
Knowing that this hope will go down in history
For the wonderous inspiration that fulfills
Imagination and purpose that enlivens and thrills
You love me, in spite of all that I have done
To discourage your love, the embrace homespun
With my worries, struggles and cynicism
All those things that assure my criticism
You love me, although I’m not always endearing
Leaving me with hope that won’t be disappearing
Creating a wellspring of compassion within me
That fills me with assurance that I’m finally free
You love me, and give me grace everlasting
Always securing me so that I never feel contrasting
But always know the beauty of my dreams
Will hold me in a embrace like the soft sunbeams
You love me, calming my worst sorrows and pains
Soothing away the trials that leave me in chains
Breaking away pieces of anguish that destroys my best
Reminding me that I am most assuredly blessed
You love me through the troubles and adversities
Coloring my ideas with passions and diversities
Reflecting on all the faith I have known because of You
The Jesus who taught me to give, live and pursue
Goodness, acceptance, gentleness and meekness
Which come from Him who gives strength in weakness
2 Corinthians 12:9 - And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Categories:
enlivens, blessing, christian, faith, god,
Form:
Rhyme
Brilliant and vibrant, sunshine twinkles
Through the tender flavors of dyes
Hues of crimson and gold which sprinkles
Whispers through the limbs with cries
Of joy enlightening and inspiring, so wise
Soft and reflective, a vivid collection
Of silent hopes and dreams singing
With beautiful notes of sweet affection
Leaving only feelings that are bringing
Gentleness and compassion ringing
Crisp, cool air enlivens the heart’s rhythm
Beckoning to the spirit from the stars
Silencing worries that might be with him
Who longs to give back with divine memoirs
Powerful words to caress faith that is ours
Summoning beauty that is sent from heaven
Fall rouses moods so thriving with dancing life
Capturing the embrace of seventy times seven
Who long to become the fall’s purring wife
Leaving the world so much joy with no strife
Visions of harmonious mysteries create
Prayers from the deepest parts of the soul
Devotions of thanksgiving felt so we relate
To the intimacy felt which can surely console
Autumn’s sweet kindness only God can control
Autumn Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Francine Roberts
October 8, 2020
Categories:
enlivens, autumn, beautiful, blessing, gospel,
Form:
Quintain (English)
Poetry is more than rhyme and verse
It brings light and laughter to the earth
Poetry begins inside the heart and soul
Giving back to the heavens some console
Poetry heals, hopes and defines mysteries
Will take the poet down through histories
Poetry encourages, enlightens and enlivens
Capturing the love that flows and energizes
Poetry combines the words to bring insight
Magical poems who grace the world write
Poetry opens the doors to dreams within
Teaching the spirit just where it should begin
Poetry amazes, awes and gives inspiration
Awakens the mind to the gifts found in creation
Poetry is more than words and phrases
It draws images of its muse with sweet praises
Poetry is alive, a fire burning through the night
Showing it’s flaming delight with brilliant light
Poetry brings my feelings out into the sunshine
Where they are comforted and never pine
Poetry clarifies, imagines and cures anguish
Promising the heart that it will never languish
Poetry knows the weakness and strength
And the poet must go to most any length
To reveal the heart and soul, the inside
That yearns to give back all it can confide
The joy, hope, peace and faith, all smiles
Flowing with the whispers of Godly styles
A Poet’s Duty Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Beth Evans
October 6, 2020
Categories:
enlivens, inspiration, muse, poems, poetry,
Form:
Rhyme
Raindrops merrily dance and fall.
Soft music enlivens mind.
Soothing rhythm, calming all.
Alongside blows the susurrus wind.
Soft music enlivens mind.
A symphony so sweet and light.
Sun veiled, but shines bright.
Soothing rhythm, calming all.
Summer rain cools the earth.
Creating in every heart a playful mirth.
Alongside blows the susurrus wind.
As it sweeps, tender leaves rustle,
And slender trees bend and shuffle.
Categories:
enlivens, joy, rain, summer,
Form:
Rhyme
Not judged in reference
kindred spirits they dance
The words once they’re spoken
notes and palettes enhanced
The music enlivens
what phrases will say
While a painting embodies
what verse can convey
And the only conflict
is in the critics eye
Who sees not the harmony
but comparisons lie
As all art travels skyward
enjoined hand in hand
To the source of its power
—where together they stand
(Villanova Pennsylvania: February, 2016)
Categories:
enlivens, art,
Form:
Rhyme
~Writing Poetry~
(Alliance Acrostic)
W-hen I write just let my imagination soar n' sometimes to places unknown this way I go
R-emembering that the sky is the limit and that writing is wonderful
I-ndeed, I just love it when I get inspired
T-ensions and problems seem just disappear when I am writing all my poetry
I-t gives me joy to write in many styles
N-aturally for me writing is fun, keeps me alive
G-od is great! Gave it to me.
P-oetry is like a song, enlivens and unburdens my soul
O-ver anything I can write. Poetry is a wonderful gift
E-njoy poetry
T-ry to write in different styles and forms.You'll see how much fun you can have too
R-ead poetry and as many books you can and just write a lot everyday too
Y-ou can have lots of fun n' be happy you can write better,the more that you practice it everyday.
Dorian Petersen Potter
aka ladydp2000
copyright@2010
January.20.2017
The "Alliance Acrostic" is a poetry form or style, that was created by Patricia Ann Farnsworth - Simpson, on 20.7.2010.
“Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.”
- Mark Twain
Categories:
enlivens, beautiful, love, poetry, writing,
Form:
Free verse
Lighted Chain Bridge glints, enlivens, sparkles
Holding in view magnificent Matthias Church
And hillsides of Budapest in distinctive posture
Enchanted by milieu of ambiance on visions
In cultural rejuvenation of palaces and castles
Illuminating echoes of eclectic architecture
Gracing river banks in spectacular grandeur
As you gaze beneath emerald green water
Mesmerized by panorama on Danube river;
Where brilliant images dip, shimmer, and glisten
Celebrating renaissance as musing stars beckon
Whispers of couples voicing romantic passions
Watching river-dance twirling in each bounce
Attuned to composition of gentle water sounds
Curling tiny waves where golden dust glimmers;
As we move bit closer, holding hands together
Reminiscing of love younger-- incessant charmer
Conversing with eyes, kissing happy smiles
While congruent evocations consent with pleasure
Bashful of peeking moon encroaching on lovers.
August 3, 2019
HM: Strand Special 3 contest by Brian Strand
NOTE:
A spectacular view emerges at night in Budapest with glittering palaces, buildings, and city lights that dance on Danube waters. The lighted Chain Bridge, Matthias Church, and the hillsides are among the attractions that mesmerize visitors, especially at night.
Categories:
enlivens, city, culture, river, travel,
Form:
Verse