Best Floundered Poems
When sleep deserted me
I crawled out of my bed unseen
To delve into the crevices of the dark
With the curiosity of an explorer
And the near comatose of a somnambulist
I walked up and down the steep slopes of the night
Like a night watchman
Without a lantern in hand.
When my legs grew weary
I sat on a rock
Covered with moss and lichen
Staring into the dark night sky
With no constellation of fireflies
Flashing their torches anywhere
Sitting there, in that bewitching night,
I listened to the song of night birds,
The rustle of leaves,
The howl of wolves,
And the night wind’s rave.
Looking into the dark pockets of the night,
I thought of human mind, a deep gorge
With many an uninhabitable corner
Where serpent desires lie coiled,
Scorpions crawl with toxic pincers
And predators roam to prey upon helpless victims.
The mystery of the night absorbed me,
Her muffled sounds, her dark beauty
And her elusive charm, like thick night fog,
Percolated deep into my consciousness,
And I floundered in a fathomless sea,
Swirling in her eddies and currents.
It whisked me away to lands far…far!
But on being washed ashore,
I was in a creative delirium.
I am now in No Man’s Land,
Where everything is in a coma of stillness,
Where no light glimmers,
No door ajar
And no one in sight!
Here the poet in me breaks open,
The somnambulistic comatose,
And down way flow my thoughts in indelible ink
Which only I can read.
Like a night bird,
Roosting among the branches of a tree,
I sing of my heart aches,
Of my yearnings and longings.
In the barely audible whispers of the night,
My song reverberates in the eyeless abyss down,
And in the dark desolate valleys below.
People say, ghosts walk the earth at night.
Oh! I am not scared!
I am not eager for the dawn to break,
Nor want to put my pen down!
Categories:
floundered, fantasy, night, poetess,
Form:
Free verse
Was it a sheer accident that I became a poet?
Poetry, I didn’t pursue, rather it cropped up
As a late-night guest, quite unexpected.
A teacher’s career, I have been bent upon
And prefer to be known more as a teacher than a poet.
In my eyes, teachers are a venerable sort,
Happy that I could belong to that ‘special’ lot,
Instilling in young ones - newer insights gleaned,
Enriching their lives - with atoms of knowledge pooled,
Brightening their paths - with millions of lanterns lit,
Rowing them away - from the perilous shoals of life,
And leading them to be anchored on safer shores!
A teacher sure stands taller above,
Every other mortal who serves!!
Numerous are the guise a teacher has to put on,
And cleverer the tricks she has to play,
To tackle the wards in her all-out care,
And launch them out into a world to fare.
I have played all at once myriad roles,
More of a mentor and not just a tutor,
A physician who heals, a nurse who tends,
A parent who cares or a pal who shares,
A patron who supports or a lawyer who argues,
A scholar who learns and a master who trains.
As Christ taught his disciples - with parables many,
As Socrates instructed the youth - through endless queries,
As Sullivan led Keller - to the new dawn of light,
As Aesop enlightened kids - with countless tales,
I strove to be a TEACHER.
An erudite soul with a mission!
A sculptor who sees an angel, veiled within a rock!
An architect building an edifice to last a lifetime!
A warrior uncompromising in war,
On Ignorance – the most ignoble foe!
I don’t know where I presently stand,
Nor do I know how my students would rate me,
Though often floundered or failed to act,
In the manner I ever so longed to do,
I would rather be a TEACHER all my life,
A ‘guru’ out and out, from hilt to heel.
And I would wear that mantle with pride!
Categories:
floundered, destiny, inspirational, passion,
Form:
Free verse
Feeling hurt owing to belied expectation
The earth entity floundered hither and thither
Spiralling gloom causing consciousness contraction
The wound cut deep since he relied upon his transgressor
Pain amplified by cyclic thoughts plunged him into despair
For healing he visited a reputed clinical psychologist
Listening patiently seated on a swivelling chair
Of no avail were therapists or hypnotists
Finding no way he asked this question
Who feels the pain and why is relief not simple
This line of inquiry brought him to a clear recognition
Cause of suffering delusion dwelling in images ephemeral
Reflecting deeper if an animal is ensouled in human form
It goes without saying that it’s actions will be feral
We expect not from a carnivore embrace warm
Thus our cognition should be spherical
Meditating thus in silence and stillness
He knew each being acts as of his evolution
With all our flaws we too seek divine connectedness
Yet hastily condemn others by our jaundiced eye perception
The afflicted soul then rose in the light of clear understanding
Looking at the other with kindness and compassion
His own orientation thus prayerfully correcting
In quietude of transcendental meditation
17-January-2021
Categories:
floundered, forgiveness, muse, spiritual,
Form:
Rhyme
There’s a horse that I so hate to see,
and at night sometimes he visits me.
His attacks to my thigh
make me think I might die.
Wild "Charley Horse" acts horribly.
For he comes out of nowhere, so fast!
And he brings a sharp pain like a blast.
I scream like a loon
hit by a harpoon.
Then my husband awakens aghast!
But my hubbie can’t help me. That horse,
though invisible, has such great force!
How I love my reprieves
when the little beast leaves.
But his kind never stays gone, of course!
My poor calf he attacked in a pool
while I swam, and I felt like a fool
as I floundered around.
Well, I could have drowned!
He’s a mean little horse and a ghoul.
He’s got kin, and they all like the game
of bringing folks pain. One has fame
of attacking your womb
in a hospital room.
Now THAT one puts Charley to shame!!
By Andrea Dietrich
(note to those who do not know this common
American expression: Charley Horse is a leg cramp
and all the his kin are assorted types of cramps!)
For PD's "Any Poem Goes" Contest
Categories:
floundered, funnyhorse,
Form:
Limerick
Dr. Seuss-style-Mister Obama Please Tax The Rich Man!
Mister Obama please tax the rich man!
The cost's are up.
The pay is down.
Tax.
TAX!
All over town.
There is tax on GAS!
There is tax on tan.
Mister Obama please tax the rich man.
There is tax on CARS.
There is tax on trees.
There is tax on our food.
No
More tax.
Please!
We can't pay.
There is tax
On LAND.
ROCKS, DIRT, SAND
There is tax.
There is tax
This I know
On tobacco, too.
But tax, tax, TAX!
The rich do, do, DO!
Mister Obama
Please tax the
Rich man!
There is tax on pills.
There is tax on HEALTH.
There is tax on insurance
Just for wealth.
Just for wealth
There is tax
On telecom.
And on low tech
And CD-ROM.
Mister Obama
Change the queue.
Tax the rich man.
Just do, do, DO!
Now start this show!
Please Mister O.!
There's even tax on electricity.
There is tax on our dog...
Ducks and hog.
There is tax on our water
And imbibements we drink.
There is tax on our underwear
...and clothes.
Middle class has floundered.
It shows!
Mister Obama!
Tax the rich man.
Mister Obama!
Please tax the
Rich man!
It's time
For
No
More
Drama!
Tax the rich man
Please...
Mister Obama.
deborah burch©
4/30/2012
Book: "Marvin K. Mooney will you please go now!" by Dr. Seuss
Categories:
floundered, life, people, political, satire,
Form:
Rhyme
For Timothy Lee
I floundered, lost myself to then be found.
I shattered, broke as pieces to be glued.
His love restored me newly, wholly-bound.
No man have my emotions better viewed.
No love so warms my life as does his heart.
No face in smile could better stroke my joy,
or truer lover paint my soul deep art,
than brushes my man has at his employ.
When he is playful, I do romp in cheer.
When he is somber, I do listen best.
No matter his mood, he is my sweet dear.
No matter his need, he is my heart zest.
As warmth, he soothes away my daily aches.
As safety, he protects our love’s deep stakes.
Categories:
floundered, love, relationship, romantic, soulmate,
Form:
Sonnet
Awake, he felt asleep and struggled, for
it seemed upon his back there had been flung
a mantle of fatigue he drably wore,
and like a hag accursed, to him it clung.
His children, sad to see his heavy pace,
then fixed him up with Clara, widowed too.
He floundered when he saw her sweet bright face
and gazed into her eyes of crystal blue.
Immersed in Clara's radiance, he dined
and listening to her laugh, became entranced.
His burden cloak unraveled as she twined
her arms around his shoulders while they danced.
An ardent kiss. . . and then was gone that coat.
For with a jolt, he saw that he could float!
For Deb Guzzi's "Celebrate the Light" Poetry Contest
Categories:
floundered, love, uplifting,
Form:
Sonnet
There’s a fish that lives inside my head,
The bigger he grows the more he gets fed.
And when anglers come to take a look,
They dangle their worms on a fishing hook.
Or they toss him bits and bites of bread,
Which makes him grow and expands my head.
And he longs to swim with fish in the sea,
But here he remains stuck inside of me.
But now he’s grown too big today,
And there’s enough to be a filet.
Cutting him down makes him easier to swallow,
But like a puffer fish they’ll find him hollow.
Now where there once floundered a whale,
Is left a little minnow to grab by the tail.
Categories:
floundered, funny, fish,
Form:
Light Verse
what makes the heart feel for something it can't touch?
his tears caused contractions for his heart to pulse
floundered, looking for loves heartache to clutch
whimsical solace of her essence startles his impulse
shouldering the bane of a kiss that foreshadowed trifles
kooky huh? how time unleashes emotions restrained behind pride
losing his beloved inamorata to an admirer she mollycoddles
his heart became friable to the echo of her suicide
It was the absence of a note that left his worries unverified
what makes the heart feel for something it can't touch?
Now alone and without; a lovers heart is mummified
he will never love another as much
the “ghost orchid” has become her epithet
the rules of this game have changed, misère ouverte.
I chose Bonnie Raitt “I can't make you love me” because when I listened to it it brought
back memories of my childhood feeling second to my fathers work. His physical presence was
always their, but his heart belonged to his work and still is. After listening to the song 5 or 6
times I thought of the question, what makes the heart feel for something that it can't
touch----like love, and went from there.
Categories:
floundered, beauty, betrayal, courage, emotions,
Form:
Sonnet
Gone with the wind
Gone are the days of indecision
Gone are the days of determination
Are you sure?
You will forever be indecisive
Because God decide
You will forever be hesitate
Because God has the final plan
And it changes at the last minute
So forsake - go on
Know that the Determiner has a Hand on you
That He determines everything
from the day you walk
To the day you talk
From the one you marry
To the one you fly
From ahh whatever
You get the message
One thing for sure
- He will not leave you floundered
aimless
He always has a plan
And therefore you have a plan
You just don't know it yet
Or do you?
Like I said
Don't be floundered
Aimless
Like you have a choice
Categories:
floundered, faith,
Form:
Free verse
I was looking out at the great beyond
I saw you staring back at me
you were amazing to look at
with silvery hair and your piercing black eyes
and somehow they shone piercingly
and your aura, so mesmerizing a face,
amazing to see.
I remember when so many years ago
a faith in you so strong
it was so reassuring to know that you were always there.
I hope and pray that one day…
I feel your presence, as I did before
if I forgot you or maybe I didn't look?
I now do realize what I had missed…
its crazy I know, it hurts I know but life drew me away....
my reflection, makes me look and ponder.
As I looked unto the heavens
I see mom, dad and my baby sister
happy moments of joy and laughter
blissfully unencumbered by guilt or tears,
and I saw all your beautiful creations.
Everyone I loved has gone now
It's been soooo long for me.
Forgive my follies, dear Lord
I just want You to be my guide
Feel your presence by my side
when I turned my back on You
I was scorched by searing pain
floundered,
which way to go ...
I will be fine to go on with my life with You
so dear always by my side,
with a longing heart for YOU
I pray, please don’t forsake me
I know You are the one who loved first!
Deliverance is what I seek of my present agony
so of my agonizing past please do set me free…
Brooke
Categories:
floundered, spiritual,
Form:
Quatrain
A part of the upper crust of society
I certainly have never been
Methinks “down to earth” more accurately
Describes this old *****sapien
No airs, no talking big, no flamboyant flair
Just little old simple me
Now that word “simple” can be misleading
I don't think I've ever been considered simple
In terms of brain power
But at the other end of the scale
Certainly never classified myself a genius either
Somewhere in the middle... an average joe
This is my comfort zone
In my teen years, I floundered around
Wondering what life had in store for me
Until I realized I had a flair for creativity
And in particular “graphic design”
I have never ever regretted my decision
To head off in that direction
In fact, at 79, I'm still active to a small degree
With a show of hands...
How many of you enjoyed your chosen profession
To the degree that you never wanted to retire
Let's see, one, two, three... oh and another!
© Jack Ellison 2014
Categories:
floundered, life, simple,
Form:
Narrative
We let loose the untamed winds
As boulders crashed eleven ships were lost
With storm unabated into the Laestrygons we ran
T'was one lone ship which hit Circe's land
As boulders crashed eleven ships were lost
Fair isle it was of verdant green, of misty hills
T'was one lone ship which hit Circe's land
Warm welcome and viands was Circe's fare
Fair isle it was of verdant green, of misty hills
Odysses, Circe's love was spared as we were turned to swine
Warm welcome and viands was Circe's fare
Spell broken with Herme's help we all were back on board.
Odysses, Circe's love was spared as we were turned to swine
Thence we sailed to Hade's land where roam the souls about
Spell broken with Herme's help we all were back on board.
We were counseled on how to beat the odds
Thence we sailed to Hade's land where roam the souls about
With beeswax we stuffed our ears and Odysseus was tied to the mast
We were counseled on how to beat the odds
The Sirens' serenade was in vain
With beeswax we stuffed our ears and Odysseus was tied to the mast
Next Scylla and Charybdis were sate with six of our doughty men
The Sirens' serenade was in vain
Our last misfortune as a crew was on Helios shore
Next Scylla and Charybdis were sate with six of our doughty men
We tasted off succulent meat and were struck by Zeus' bolts
Our last misfortune as a crew was on Helios shore
Of twelve ships and their crew only Odysseus survived the sail
We tasted off succulent meat and were struck by Zeus' bolts
Past Scylla and Charybdis again, Odysseus floundered all alone
Of twelve ships and their crew only Odysseus survived the sail
Bedraggled and beat, a weary man he was trapped in Calypso's thrall
Past Scylla and Charybdis again, Odysseus floundered all alone
For seven years did Calypso's arms embrace the valiant hero
Bedraggled and beat, a weary man he was trapped in Calypso's thrall
Finally, on Hermes' plea Calypso let him go.
For seven years did Calypso's arms embrace the valiant hero
Great heroes we consigned to flames
Finally, on Hermes' plea Calypso let him go.
We sailed the seas from Trozan shores
~11 Jun 2016~
Categories:
floundered,
Form:
Pantoum
At a Ripe Old Age tired and weary,
You slipped into that relaxed mode;
Your bones and joints having waxed and waned,
No longer performed as in yesterday.
Muscles, tissues, ligaments and cells
Floundered and slowly chug like a choo choo
Train, to a halt into a Train Station that
Once ran wild in their haste, never seeming to stop.
Past the blessed Three Scores and Ten,
Into eighty and more, you gazed
Back upon your former years,
Thanking the Lord to have worked in his Service.
You perhaps prayed for generations after you ,
Be productive in service to fellow men!”
Acquiring new skills, better ways
To care for this earth God entrusted to us.
Tired and weary bones brittle and dry
You pray for those younger in years
“I thank God for former resilience
That served all those who I encountered
Along my life’s journey, I was happy to
have met them.
Categories:
floundered, blessing, christian, courage, encouraging,
Form:
Elegy
We were one people, neighbours and kin
Before independence and the politician’s whim
In August’47, the brotherhood ended
The country was partitioned and we were independent
Democracy worked in India, floundered in neighbouring Pakistan
Victim to army rule and the power of the gun
And many a times since ’47, the two nations went to war
As defender of sovereign territory or blatant aggressor
A tenuous existence was Pakistan’s, to our east and west
Their land and race divide put this bond to test
The East staked its claim to governance on the people’s mandate
But unwilling to yield power, the West unleashed a campaign of hate
Aspirations muzzled after twenty four years, bypassing legislation
Saw the birth of a defiant East yearning for liberation
A hotbed of political activity, Dhaka University was targeted
It was spring that night in ’71, the campus was surrounded
Troops loyal to the West sealed roads under night’s cover
And shells were fired in haloed ground from battle tank and mortar
Shrieking death, it is said, arced through the sky that night
Exploding amid the campus buildings, in blinding flashes of light
Besieged and battered was the East’s cradle of intellect
A grim warning for the masses, March 25 was the date
Then ground troops with weapons of death silently moved in
To slaughter at close quarters, academics and their kin
As flames licked the sky from adjacent slums
Fleeing residents were mowed down by soldiers with machine guns
The stench of burning flesh filled the night air
As bodies piled on streets were set on fire
The sky glowed red that night, as Dhaka burned
The orgy in the campus ended after all found were gunned
The handful, who escaped death, shed silent tears
As ghastly fires burned to ashes, family and peers
Categories:
floundered, history, night, night, sky,
Form:
Narrative