Best Exposure Poems
I’ve covered the mirrors in our house
With colored sheets, while choking on grief
Black, blue, and green, to my bewildered spouse
Who has wondered what has become of me
And why suddenly I’ve begun mourning
He thinks that I’m a reflection of him
So he doesn’t notice the wounds within
The marring of my spirit’s complexion
Permanent, from his reoccurring sins
That have shaped me into his perfection
My face is clear so you would never guess
That person staring back isn’t me
Mirrors can’t show underlying distress
Only the lie he wants others to see
Not the despair slowly growing, steeping
Don’t look bewildered at my draping sheets
If you look, the nude is there, underneath
Reflecting the lie that it has become
Prolonged exposure to fisting complete
Now mourning the death of someone it loved
5/8-5/9/12
For "Your Birthday Suit" Contest
Sweet twilight time, end of the day,
when sun below horizon sinks
with tranquil sky diffused in gray
and sapphire-melon colored inks.
What peacefulness in your grandeur
when doubled in the mirrored lake
with ripples that give sparks to your
reflection in its gentle wake.
Dark tree limbs frame your work of art
like loving arms that brace your glow,
just like a stage scene set apart,
enjoyed before the nighttime show.
Sweet twilight time you contrast dawn-
she starts the day, you prelude night;
within your charm, our thoughts are drawn-
reflected in your calm delight.
September 21, 2016
~7th Place~
Premiere Contest: Double Exposure
Sponsor: Kai Neumann
Judged: 05/25/2020
~5th Place~
Premiere Contest: Contest No. 236
Sponsor: Brian Strand
Judged: 11/11/2016
~1st Place~
Contest: Twilight
Sponsor: Nayda Ivette Negron
Judged: 09/24/2016
She
relish
The coming
Of November,
Her embellishments
Scattered around her feet
In rotting putrid decay.
Yet the old tree shivers naked
Meanwhile the common crow’s nest exposed.
Entered A November Nonet Poetry contest
Sponsor Andrea Dietrich 11/11/2022
“… The 1986 revolution in the Philippines … brought an end to the martial law imposed by Marcos’ regime in 1972, and saw the accession to power of the first woman president, Cory Aquino.”
Freedom songs of militant optimism
Reigned with victorious patriotism
Liberty shouting spirit of volunteerism
Vanquishing oppressed activism…
Music reverberating freedom’s prevalence
Street dancing breaking Martial Law’s silence
Commending People power revolution excellence
God I thank for His bestowed historical opulence…
Such marked grand national milestone in my College days
Having first woman president along political race
After freedom-driven coup d’etat of peaceful ways
The Lord I praise for His provident grace…
Best of all is my spiritual freedom exposure
Midst university culture shock pressure
Genuine peace*, divine liberation I gained with pleasure
Through Jesus Christ the Saviour Who my eternity does assure.
*Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
March 12, 2020
1st place, "DANCE WITH ME" Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Kim Rodrigues; judged on 4/7/2020.
I button up my cardigan
The weather's closing in.
I'm follically challenged,
not my hairline, but my skin..
As the clouds begin to gather
and wind whips up to boot..
I twist my collar skyward..
deploy my bumbershoot.
And so.. I hurry past you,
we nod but hardly share
the time of day and just pretend
there's no time left to care.
"Is there fear of being open?"
as enclosure keeps me safe,
Suddenly I'm conscious:
all
these
layers
start to chafe.
Old wounds that pierced my skin
don't need to hide away.
The strangest gift;
these scars;
require the light of day.
But what if..
Summer's sun is early?
A transformation starts..
We feel the authenticity
warming up our Wintery hearts?
For what we crave is
Love.
Acceptance, sister. Brother.
But first we have to open up..
be honest with another.
Feel the raindrops on our skin.
Unbutton the protection.
Release us to the elements of
humanity's affection.
For deep within us all
there's stuff we hide away..
Exposure to the open air
and brightness of the day..
..it might be when the healing starts.
Wind, sun, or snow or rain.
Outside it may be different.
But inside..
we're all the same.
A woman’s voice said
Look out the window
and I saw a ravine
with a fresh cover
of snow.
I thought it was the neighbor
but I was alone.
A thicket of trees
reached for the sun
yet I noticed
one was fallen
its age born
in its rings.
Two cats lay on my bed
as I took in my visions
of a pastoral scene.
a day in February
in the middle of town.
In this moment
I bore my seasons
and winter called for spring
yet a patch of a lawn
had turned brown.
A woman’s voice said
Live, live again
as I faced another day.
The underlying degree to which we strive to achieve
the highest form of spirituality by
sticking to the basics is often found in the securest embrace imaginable. Not even a whirlwind of time could blur the solid line that keeps us going in the same direction. Sometimes we offer our bodies to be held so deeply that our hearts beat emphatically, wanting more while telling ourselves tonight, simple kisses will suffice.
Oftentimes, I write poems
along the lines of wanting more when I know less is best, so tonight I just want to expose you to the lost pages of my dairy, place your lips around the alliteration of my sentences, and feed me your favorite lines. Entangle our souls to the point there's no separation. Let us be judged as one because heaven would be hell if you weren't in it. And please keep your clothes on while I undress your mind. It's pen time.
The soul of a gorgeous woman
Portrayed by the sublime
Facets of her beautiful eyes
Perfect body does climb
Her body overheats in a flash
Colors express their own
Delight opens her exposure
Displays every light shown
She has lost her figure to lust
Eyes scope out her being
A form of love is before me
No stitch of want leaving
From behind there is much grandeur
Leaking beautiful thoughts
Colors bleed from her every pore
Nothing that is store bought
She exudes this scene of passion
Heat enveloped around
I suffocate within her form
She has surely been found
Russell Sivey
A form of Poulter’s Measure
Abreast in tank top
Seeds deflower battle myths
Red lace lingerie
Under shadow of turret
Flowing combat above doubt
Garland of poppies
Sword unsheathed for wild conquest
Guns orange roses
Heavy metal for comfort
White flag intimate cover
Make love and not war
Coronet for a bouquet
Tiara of peace
Sweet surrender in motion
Wreaths for a renegade cause
18th February 2020
Contest Let the Pens Flow Tanka Poetry
Sponsored by Jenish Somadas
Syllables checked howmanysyllable.com
Traditionally a tanka does not have a title, but I have to give one to submit the
poem. I hope that Exposure enhances more than it may distract.
On a summer night up in Labrador,
a couple was having fun by the moor,
but the flies were lighting
and frequently biting
so it was best to make whoopie closed-door.
Set in Cicely in Alaska
running from 1990 to 1995
centres around Dr Joel Fleischman
star Rob Morrow brought him alive
This a real quirky town Cicely
characters of every imaginable kind
even the Moose strolled around town
makes this a real super find
Joel and Maggie never hit it off
developing a relationship of love and hate
Maurice owner of local radio and newspaper
dj Chris a real friendly mate
Holling owns the local restaurant
tall and strong like his bar the brick
waitress Shelly lives with him
a real cosy pair who really click
Ruth-Anne owns local store
sometimes not always fully in stock
Ed helped her along sometimes
and made movies really rock
So that's a few of Cicely's characters
one to fit every kind of sort
a real success story to be sure
it filled our life's not just a quart
AUTHOR NOTES:
Northern Exposure is an American television series that ran on CBS from 1990 to 1995,
with a total of 110 episodes. It dealt with a New York physician, Dr. Joel Fleischman,
who is sent to practice in the (fictional) town of Cicely, Alaska.
Early episodes dealt with Fleischman's culture shock in the small town. As he became
acclimated, more attention was paid to the town's quirky residents.
I caught up with it on DVD as I'm in Scotland.
Dominating beyond my weakness' pile
Miss Distress emerges with annoying smile…
Radiating pressures’ enigmatic guile
Exposing my grievous reaction file
Midst what I testify as anti-stress tenacity style.
Then there's Slothful Lassie, lying upon carnality's crest
Oh, yes... she's seducing me to enjoy vanity rest
Toying with my pleasurable mirth of leisure’s zest…
Rekindling hearty moments' win over anguish-test
Whispering, "Too much toil robs you from triumph’s harvest."
Anyway, Mr. Reality Check, midst signals sending
Prudently asserts what he's unceasingly reminding
"Your faith fortitude's steadfastness God is upholding…
Keep trusting* the Lord, His miracles beholding
As in His will, your heart is settled; His delight finding."
*Psalm 112:7 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.
October 28, 2019
3rd place, "STRAND SPECIAL 11..." Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Brian Strand; judged on 12/29/2019.
“Fédération Internationale de Football Association”… that’s FIFA’s whole name
“International Federation of Association Football” is its English translation claim
“F" in FIFA Women’s Cup can stand for “Females” who play the sport-game
“Achievements” of ladies are highlighted midst acceptance issues’ flame.
Women’s Football as Women’s Game of victory, wows me along its history
Opening me to gender-reality concerns, subjugated by resilience-glory…
Meeting marginalization-struggles, moving despite global ban’s misery
Empowered energetic lady football enthusiasts exhibited mastery
Nurtured with zealous trainings to become exemplary…
Savoring triumph while influencing others by their determination-story.
World now watches the lady football warriors of women’s dignity-height
Oh, to me, an avenue to celebrate accomplishments with delight
Recognizing and respecting athletes in their own right
Learning from them as they do their best with all their might
Determined to succeed and persevere, despite pain, in the fight*.
Called to be a soccer champion in life’s football field through faith’s gesture
Upheld am I by God, my Sovereign Coach, upon His cup of service-venture…
Playing, praying, performing well with my team to win for His exalted posture.
*2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”
July 5, 2019
3rd place, "2019 FIFA Women's World Cup" Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Mark Toney; judged on 7/12/2019
God showed Himself to me through my parents firstly
Appearing with their sweet smile, welcoming me warmly
Manifesting fatherly kindness wondrously
Highlighting maternal love-care abundantly.
Growing, I was acquainted with God midst home’s bliss
Where teaching of charity is a sure practice
In family bonding with hugs, embrace and kiss
Propped by prayer for all --- of Dad, Mom, Brods and Sis.
God did expose me well to His active presence
Displaying His great creation’s magnificence
Controlling the universe in its existence
Acquainting me His with gracious omnipotence.
When I was invited for a Bible study
God revealed His nature against claims’ parody
Expressing Scriptures’ truth, immutably sturdy
Offering me redemption from sins’ malady.
In my quest to know Him more through genuine worship
The Lord granted me faith for right relationship
Of vibrant fellowship and fruitful stewardship
Around Christ’s friendship by His perfect leadership.
God through the Holy Spirit* shows me His goodness
Mercy and forgiveness for confessed guiltiness
Mighty deliverance assuring peacefulness
Miracles that uphold against trials’ hardness.
Praise-filled, I yield myself to God with gratitude
Since He owns me, bracing up my faith’s fortitude
Cognizant that He is my life’s infinitude
I show Him to all midst triumphant attitude.
*John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
January 23, 2022
Narrative in rhyme form
Edited on June 15, 2022
Black panther
Striped tiger;
Stray cats challenge
~~~~~~~~~
Takeaway meal
Fast food dinner;
Family feast
~~~~~~~~~
Street bazaar
New offerings greet;
Dazzling array
~~~~~~~~~
Crowded mall
Strangers congregate;
Celebrities entertain
~~~~~~~~~
Busy walkway crowd
Strange faces meet;
Loneliness loiters
~~~~~~~~~
Tired old couple
Sun drenched faces;
Hair greying with late bus
~~~~~~~~~
Child care centre
Noisy kids mingling;
Care-giver disciplines
~~~~~~~~~
Hotel atrium
Tourist traffic brisk;
Coming and going
~~~~~~~~~
Supermarket shelves
Global brands assemble;
Mini United Nations
~~~~~~~~~
Morning kung-fu
Martial arts dance;
Healthy self-defense
~~~~~~~~~
Mirror image peeps
Self-realization stare;
Grey hair and wrinkles
~~~~~~~~~
Leon Enriquez
31 August 2014
Singapore