Best Evoked Poems
A child of four suffers recurring dreams,
disturbing parents and siblings with screams.
When she awoke, always sore in one knee;
next to a birthmark, it throbbed painfully.
Night after night she feared going to bed.
What caused these nightmares that raged in her head?
Even when grown, the torment persisted,
so a therapist’s aid she enlisted.
“Hypnosis,” said he, “might offer some clues.
Why not try it? You’ve just bad dreams to lose.”
Once under, he guided her to a room --
here people’s lifetimes in books were entombed.
“Find one that is yours,” her counselor said.
Quickly she did, but before it was read,
she felt an ache, saw just a faint title.
The words, she thought, said “Alister Bridle.”
The hypnotic trance now suddenly broke;
puzzling questions “Mr. Bridle” evoked.
For many years she thought that was her name;
perhaps a past life had been filled with pain.
Who was this man? She simply had to know!
Seasons passed, summer suns made way for snow.
In Florida now, 1998,
she thought all the nightmares she had escaped.
But strange dreams always catch us by surprise --
when the lights grow dim, our minds fantasize.
Cloaked in velvet, she left her parents’ farm,
stealing away on a late autumn morn’.
To meet her love, she climbed on the carriage,
knowing her folks would forbid their marriage.
Warm-hued leaves carpeted the hillside road,
and her pulse beat fast; she’d soon join her beau.
She thought only of him; joy cast its smile,
but that’s when he called, “Alice, the bridle!”
The leather band broke and wrapped ‘round her knee.
To the ground she was pulled; her horse ran free.
She met death, but past-life dreams recycle,
and she’d never been “Alister Bridle.”
Categories:
evoked, autumn, mystery,
Form:
Narrative
Oh, splendorous, spectacular, resplendent autumn!
Boldly you dye cypress ~ flaunting ochre, cinnamon,
Yellowing sugar-maple, glazing tangerine emotions,
As scarlet winds warble in accents of majestic aspens,
Responding in purple whispers, tupelo leaves flutter
Reminiscing in revelries evoked by red-oak crimson
Lingering in blazing meadows, enchanting red maple.
Oh, autumn! fly me there, into depths of the season,
Frolicking upon gamboge hills, wrap me in your vision,
Tour with me dazzling terrains of flamboyant foliage
Composing deep pleasure in brilliant changing colors,
Hang your portrait upon cobalt cliffs of ruby horizon
Painting blushing hearts in amber hints of setting sun,
Mindful still of wistful shudders quivering barren trees
And unsung withering yearnings of falling golden leaves,
Aspiring blossoming kisses--on lips of flowering spring.
Categories:
evoked, autumn,
Form:
Free verse
When she walked by my side on a lonely road
And took me to the other side, much more verdant,
Through the barren lands of scorched desert,
Clueless I was about the paradigm of love.
If only had I asked, she would’ve taken me there
Into the sunshine from darkened shadows,
From the juncture of fears and saddened tears.
But I remained silent when it was time to speak
Choosing to not tell her how much I loved her
As I held the distance between bliss and sorrow,
When impulsively I veered in the wrong direction.
And I never saw the pastures beyond the hills
Or beauty of the terrain past the river bend.
Going where feckless ages have gone before
Embarking upon a path well-traveled
Ignoring pretty flowers in unkempt meadows.
Yet, she came to rescue at the edge of my angst
From caveats of today, cautions of tomorrow,
Standing with me in the midst of winter-storm
Promising spring flowers in colors of fall.
I saw the blossoms that were about to bloom
And blush on horizon hinting of the rising sun
And I heard the tempo of a concert on piano,
While roiled in turmoil of the unsaid, the unwritten,
Hidden within the depths of my vacant soul;
Incapable of voicing what the silence evoked.
September 18, 2019
Placed 1st: Crossroads poetry contest
Sponsor: Silent One
Placed 1st: Strand contest #710 by Brian Strand
Categories:
evoked, love hurts,
Form:
Free verse
Today was a good day
Today he walked on legs unbent
And erect spine of a man intent
On stilling the cacaphony of monotony
And smoothing the callouses of convalescence
For today, we both forgot
The wasting rate this cancer's wrought
Today, he teased and squeezed and poked
Fun at his trademark old school jokes
Laughter's remembered warmth evoked
Today he drove his rattling truck
His feet sure on the pedal's pump
And carried boxes of tradebooks and tools
With hands that know weighted control
Today, without a splint or cane
He tamed steps of receding pain
Today, through a briefly calm sea
He is the man he used to be
So today, I can foresee
The luxury
When days like these
Are ordinary.
1/23/21
Categories:
evoked, cancer, hope, recovery from,
Form:
Rhyme
On boulevards of memories, with you I walk
Reminiscing in yesteryear as I turn back the clock
And persuade the silence of amour to talk
As conversations of yore ridicule and mock.
When passage of time changed us, losing its way
Feelings that still evoked had nothing to say
And hearts then discarded rules of the game
For love no longer cared to ignite the flame.
Echoes of desires stopped calling your name
When lyrics of our song could no longer claim
Melodies foregone that altered our frame
As I stepped forward alone to take all the blame.
But, regrets that mount have no place to go
Except being drawn into pathos of woe
As winter emerges in the midst of spring--
In passions of ruby rose, its thorns now sting;
Like summer’s heat burns soft autumn breeze
And gusty gales shatter last leaf of barren trees,
When in serenity of blue-skies dark clouds frown
Raining on crimson arc in twilight of sundown.
We now reside in our separate new meadows,
Having barred future from sullen past shadows,
In nights of blissful reverie, kissing dreams of dawn--
Pointless it is to invoke dreadful spirits long gone.
From the fork in the road we’ve traveled far,
In abodes of our distinct worlds happy we are;
View in front is golden glow of vibrant sunrise--
Rear view spurs spent emotions of dreary skies.
October 9, 2019
Placed 2nd: If only we could turn back the hands of time poetry contest
Sponsor: Silent One
HM: Strand contest #670 by Brian Strand
Categories:
evoked, emotions, lost love, memory,
Form:
Rhyme
Slipping slipping sweet summer is slipping away,
Ebbing into the ocean of my memories.
Palpable is my changing mood when all too soon,
The Equinox arrives to l e n g t h e n shadows.
Enticed by cooler days and nights,
My birth month acquiesces, then brilliantly begins
Bursting forth in bright beguiling hues!
Elegies evoked in me by summer’s leaving still linger in my poetry.
Resolved to all of it - at last - I turn to the revelry of fall festivities.
Written 8/9/2015 Originally For the Birth Month Acrostic Poetry Contest
Now for Julia Ward's Your Favourite Poem From AUGUST 2015 Contest
Categories:
evoked, september,
Form:
Acrostic
First time our eyes met, instantly I knew
Why red rose-buds are boasting a bloom
In fragrance of gardenia passing through
As scent of pink lilies meant only for you
Evoked conversation of romance for two.
When message of hearts blew in prairies
Words of desire carried a lyrical promise
Blowing in the winds melody of our music
Composing a song in harmony of dreams
Wooing you to declare, for you I'm falling.
I've heard about the allure you're feeling
For you speak to me as I'm daydreaming
Holding me captive, keeping me company,
Praising your name every thought's saying
It won't be long before you would own me.
Unknowingly I introduced you to my family
When in my sleep I spoke of you so fondly.
You must've heard the joy of their cheers
For I see you smiling, shedding happy tears--
As consent of your heart echoes in my ears.
April 2, 2019
Placed 3rd: Strand choice O contest by Brian Strand
I'm crushing on you poetry contest
Sponsor: Julie Leigh Rodeheaver
Categories:
evoked, love, romance,
Form:
Verse
Where to turn, oh friend I ask
I chose to turn to you,
if you'd be so kind.
Though I try hard to describe the beauty
heard by deaf ears, fall so short..
seen from eyes so blind.
Invited by a melody from the stars,
a concert of music makers enthralled-
Their numbers standing before me
cast down to Earth for you and I,
swath of angelic voices recalled.
Whether human beings or beings from a higher plain
I won't hazard a guess, nor confess, nor grasp..
yet still I ask.
Oh, but..
if you were there,
if only in this life., a trace.
heard from these ears
heart lightened in my chest
tears streaming down my face.
If you still don't understand, I understand
if you're troubled, please try to see
I'm trying in vain, so you must
imagine emotions evoked in music
a limited engagement, mimicked..
by a lone toad from a swamp.
It's me.
Even now try to recount the magic in moments..
turn away, not from beauty nor music, but strife..
hold onto a miracle, a million miraculous moments
in eve of evening..
in life.
Categories:
evoked, eve, life, music,
Form:
Verse
Whose voices, whose memories are these
That warble in trees, exalting my breeze
Applauding the daybreak's cerulean grin
Where amber ocher designs are floating in
Is that your echo from the cobalt blue sky
Wondering aloud about dawn's tepid sigh
As the morning evoked destiny's knowhow
And birdsongs lauded the blessings of now
When rays of romance in day's golden start
Painted my vistas, charming your heart
A smile you adorned on the saddles of arc
Reminiscent of the past, igniting my spark
I recognize the appeal your passions reveal
In intimate presence that meadows feel--
From way back when in allure of moonlight
Sensuous lips we kissed of an indelible night
Though it was love, it was never expressed
And those feelings afire never got blessed
So they arise to voice what could have been
Augmenting the dialogue of battles within
April 21, 2019
Poem of the week for the week beginning 4/28/2019
Placed 2nd:What was left unsaid contest by Line Gauthier
HM: Your choice (5) contest by Brian Strand
Categories:
evoked, lost love, love, memory,
Form:
Rhyme
Standing with feet spread and arms opened wide,
I give myself to the beauty of this ocean night.
Though at a calm inlet’s entrance, my ears bear
witness to near crashing waves focusing their roll.
My solitude loves ocean sounds as favored music
while I absorb comfort from stars so brightly lucid.
Consolation is no illusion, night invites my intrusion,
calms my confusion and lifts all my cares on high.
In daylight, I hide, keep fears inside my weep
until the world sleeps and I may dare sneak
to the freedom of infinite sky and sea.
Placing my float upon the water, I then lay
face up, give way to the inlet to steer my coast
and to stars sparkling endless dreams evoked.
I dangle my fingers in the satin water ripple,
sigh as night upon water eases all of ill fashion
and natural darkness washes me with peace.
I am grateful to night for its water cradle,
for clear dark sky where angels sparkle stars
until all twinkles sigh signal away my fears.
Though I must depart the night’s embrace I lust
before the daylight begins its revealing start,
I stay prayerful for the night and water pattern
that stroke me with hope while afloat their passion.
Categories:
evoked, anxiety, appreciation, beautiful, night,
Form:
Free verse
French trader Tavernier in a greed-inspired way
Glared at an idol of a temple in Mandalay
Prying a gem from its eye socket, a curse prevailed
Tavernier died bankrupt soon after making the sale
Louis XIV bought the stone, 1668
A gift to his mistress, Louis had it cut heart-shape
For dabbling in Black Magic, this madam was burned
A century passed with the curse’s power unlearned
The diamond was then bestowed on Marie Antoinette
For wearing it with boastful pride, Marie lost her head
She lost respect from the commoners of her nation
This gem has since been linked to the French Revolution
Cut far smaller, the gem resurfaced, 1830
When a London banker bought the rock of infamy
Henry Thomas Hope survived; the curse appeared to break
For 70 years the Hope Diamond’s wrath lay in state
A Hope heir’s marriage collapsed; his wife evoked the curse
As she foretold, subsequent owners’ fates would be worse
French broker Jacques Colot went mad, suicide his road
Sultan “Abdul the Damned,” insane after being deposed
Then to an American the Hope Diamond was sold
Washington Post owner Maclean watched horrors unfold
Other household members died, but it was Maclean’s son
Ten years old, struck by a car, his Dad’s mind came undone
Ultra-light ray tests caused the mystery diamond to glow
With safety in mind, Hope’s eerie stone found a new home
It remained locked on display in the Smithsonian
Could it be to blame for all that’s wrong in Washington?
Tragedy also tied to raiders of King Tut’s tomb
Perhaps lessons can be gleaned from those who met their doom
Robbing temples, burial sites, outcomes always bad
Greedy souls’ quests for wealth can leave them totally mad
So don’t expect me to purchase a diamond in the rough
Considering this gem’s history, a sandstone’s quite enough
Categories:
evoked, history, mysterylost, hope, lost,
Form:
Quatrain
In the tenderness of twilight,
calmness of the air,
silently caressed her skin
hearts floated like a gentle breeze.
Illuminating her persona,
naked moon reflected against
the softness of her cheeks
sweet whispers evoked several senses.
Envious stars sparkled,
transcending a galaxy of kisses,
radiating against her lips
and who was I to resist.
Her petal lips,
sang to me like a lullaby -
my heart danced like a butterfly
sensual souls serenaded sweet symphonies.
Infatuated shadows gazed until sunrise,
as embers intensified, embracing
Earth's window of wonders
a love was born into eternal bliss.
I still see that night in her eyes;
she always insists it was the stars,
but I believe it was the moon.
17 October 2018
Silent One
Categories:
evoked, love, romance, romantic,
Form:
Free verse
Adopted animals love their humans;
show it in many ways.
The tiniest pet,
revels in the harmony of its time,
with family.
Dinky was a special hamster;
she lived a year beyond the normal life span.
I carried her around in my pocket and she loved the ride.
Her head, peeking out, evoked curious comments
from all who glimpsed her.
She searched for me, when I was at school;
her knack for escaping the cage,
kept me searching for her in the afternoons.
I often found her, in my chest of drawers.
Of course, I found it odd,
but hamsters are four-legged, Houdini’s…
Dinky was the best.
One cold winter night, as I lay in slumber,
That tiny traveler made her way from,
one end of the house, to my bedroom.
I lay there, on that frosty eve,
dreaming that I was outside in the rain;
the chilling raindrops, dancing upon my arm.
In a moment of lucidity,
Reality hit; those raindrops were tiny paws!
I reached, grasped and in the shimmering moonlit rays,
I stared into the eyes of my new bed buddy.
A twitchy nose said it all…
”I found you!”
I moved her cage close by my bedside;
future escapes faded into history.
Categories:
evoked, animal, humor, nature, pets,
Form:
Prose
A blustery breeze blows through the half-opened window
of this secluded second story loft
sun rays pulse upon the silken fibers of your hairs
as my once dried out paint brush comes to life
The blank canvas sprouts wings
as your spirit dances in shades of
soft browns, vibrant yellows and seas of blues
capturing the essence, grace and beauty of you
curves so smooth and sensual
eyes inviting and intoxicating
cheeks a rich rosy red
little smile calling me home to
share in the solemn secrets of your bed.
Your emotions are evoked in each stroke I take
Your dreams and desires asleep, dare not I wake
Categories:
evoked, love,
Form:
Free verse
I saw them dance the Second Waltz, so lovely, so fine,
Oh my Lord, how my jealous heart did despair and pine.
On the terrace, in the dark of night, moonbeams shone bright.
Curse them, a perfect couple that evoked a great sight.
One, two three and a twirl, oh what a delicate dance
I stood, looking in envy, mesmerised in a trance.
Would that magic music finally pause and take her
To a comfy seat and I would take her as my fleurr.
Hold her ever tight, and face to face, we would engage
In a soft whisper, kiss her soft ear, 'twill be our stage.
But no, they danced on, oblivious of my green face
The terrace was their dominion, it was their birthplace.
Jealous I slinked home, abandoning her forever.
I will not see her again, neither now or ever.
Placed 1st.
Categories:
evoked, anger, dance, jealousy,
Form:
Sonnet