Best Fortieth Poems
jesus died and jerusalem went black
the wind howled and the sky thundered loudly
people ran in fear as the earth moaned
but the beloved stayed
jesus was buried in the early evening
those who believed in him carried his limp body
and the mary's and others followed weeping
they washed and anointed him with myrrh and aloe
wrapping him gently in a linen cloth with no words spoken
in sadness they rolled a huge stone over the entrance
leaving him in silence within his tomb
it was in the hush of dawn on the third day the mary's returned
they found the stone rolled away and the tomb empty
the soldiers who had been guarding the tomb had fled in fear
an angel in brilliant light appeared
telling them that christ had risen from the dead
frightened and in shock they ran to tell the apostles
after his rising, jesus appeared to many
he could eat, walk and talk to those he visited
showing them the holes in his hands, side and feet
and allowing them to touch him
for forty days he remained and on the fortieth day he rose
he was carried up into heaven
and we the followers celebrate his death at Easter
and his rising on Easter sunday . . . defeating death
_________________________
April 1, 2015
Poetry/Ekphrasis/the meaning of Easter
Copyright Protected, ID 04-658-844-01
All Rights Reserved, 2015, Constance La France
Categories:
fortieth, death, easter, good friday,
Form:
Ekphrasis
We gathered for our thirtieth class reunion at Lydia's Smorgasbord.
I'd avoided such past events since in school I was largely ignored!
But my spouse proclaimed we would attend, thus ending that debate!
The dreaded encounter is expressed in verse below that I will now relate!
A social hour preceded the buffet where the booze freely flowed!
I looked about the room to see if I could spot anyone that I knowed.
I hardly recognized the campus queen - she had acquired a heap of weight!
That once haughty snob now tipped the scales, I judged, at one ninety-eight!
I saw the big-man-on-campus who was named most apt to score success.
He had a dearth of hair, an ample gut and an astonishing lack of finesse!
Some gal with purple hair staggered up to me and planted a slobbering kiss!
Must've been one of my old flames as I mused, "Now, who in hell is this!"
Guys gravitated my way boasting about this and that bending my ear.
They bored me with nasty jokes and trivia that I really didn't want to hear!
Of course I told all how great they looked, staring them dead in the eye,
And asking the Lord's forgiveness and crossed my fingers for telling such a lie!
The jocks were trying to impress one and all with their waning capabilities.
Most were hobbling about with canes discreetly masking their disabilities!
'Twas an interesting eve and the grub was great, of that there is no doubt,
But for our fortieth, fiftieth and sixtieth reunions, please include me out!
Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired
© All Rights Reserved
Categories:
fortieth, funny, school, me, me,
Form:
Rhyme
Tishmandu
My eyes can see
That the sand is like sea
And it stretches to the end of my mind
On a ship set to sail
with four legs and a tail
Tishmandu I set out to find
Now the wind is of sand
and can lend a hand
in tearing the flesh from your bone
So your head you keep wrapped
your snaps keep snapped
and you never travel alone
The heat at midday
is to kill and waylay
if the body and soul are not one
So you pray to the east
and prepare for slim feast
begging passage under full sun
Caravan of the seed
born on camels that breed
in an endless march between wells
Over lost count of dunes
under God and full moons
blessing passage with incense and bells
At the end of the day
when gold turns to grey
and the stars brighten the skies
A device is brought forth
to determine true north
and the path where Tishmandu lies
On the fortieth morn
pressing lips to the horn
a signal beckons us wake
Leaving water behind
on a course now refined
the final leagues we must take
Tishmandu is a place
where a white mans face
has never been seen or allowed
But the people have need
and my service agreed
in a land under sky without cloud
Like feathers of blue
in the distance I view
the flags on top of the walls
Though my limbs are worn
my very fabric is torn
I move towards Tishmandu halls
At last in the shade
a walled shelter is bade
I meet with the maker of rules
A service I bring
but to rules I must cling
or a tortures price must be paid
Twenty days and seven
in the passes of heaven
I treated the sick and the lame
With rules on my mind
the medicines I grind
The devil of Tish for to tame
As I washed the sick
and avoided blunt stick
the God of the desert did smile
For the people made well
in this fortified hell
where spirit is subject to trial
In the end I am paid
for the journey I made
and the healing and medicine new
On my camel back
salted meats in my pack
I Bid farewell to Tishmandu
RAMA, Ink
Categories:
fortieth, adventure, dedication, fantasy, health,
Form:
Villanelle: The only game solution to the human condition
The only game solution to the human condition
“Don’t nobody move a muscle” and hold your breath
Stop having sex with the opposite sex in motion
In a billion years men will pass babies with their motion
And suffragettes will be the toothless kind with bad breath
The only game solution to the human condition
Our girls will all live up to receive the Nobel unction
While our boys will all learn to shoot crap in stealth
Stop having sex with the opposite sex in motion
Lao Tse said “Reduce the size of the State and the population”
Border guards made him cough up The Way in lieu of wealth
The only game solution to the human condition
Time somebody put an end to this unfair competition
Girls have only from fourteen to barren fortieth
Stop having sex with the opposite sex in motion
Naked ****-stars roam Holy Woods far cry from titillation
Chain-saw massacres take us beyond deep-freeze death
The only game solution to the human condition
Stop having sex with the opposite sex in motion
© T. Wignesan – Paris, 2014
Categories:
fortieth, satire,
Form:
Villanelle
To My Brother on His Birthday
You’ve been to me a brother and a friend
A great support and comfort through the years
The sadness of my life with joy you blend
And when I cry, you help to wipe the tears
To childlike eyes you were the hero great
I stood amazed at strength and boyish skill
As King and Queen we played to challenge fate
Our little games, a source of wondrous thrill
You made me want to be the very best
To rise above the challenges of life
The bar you raised and helped me pass the test
And made me thrive despite the inner strife
Much more than brother, dear, you are to me
You are a source of strength and constancy
Eileen Manassian
June 18, 2015
8:11 am
My brother, Armond, is four years older than I am. It's his birthday today, and I wrote a little sonnet in his honor. He wrote a lovely poem for me on my fortieth, which is framed and hanging on my wall. I can't describe the source of inspiration that Armond is to me. He is an intellectual giant. He has his doctorate in Accounting from the University of Calgary. He is a fantastic teacher. Everything he sets his mind on doing, he can do. I've lived in his shadow in more ways than one! ;) He plays the piano better than I do...when he joined my French class, he outdid me. He's just amazing. Recently, he attended my MA thesis defense and just knowing he was there gave me courage. :) He has always been there to help me with my struggles, and I'm truly blessed to have him in my life. :)
Categories:
fortieth, blessing, brother,
Form:
Sonnet
I was in-processing my Army unit in Germany when the fortieth anniversary of D-Day happened; but, alas, I couldn't leave. I wanted so much to be there to meet the old surviving veterans, to shake their hands and hear their stories. I had read accounts of D-Day-- June 6th, 1944. I had already seen several times the film The Longest Day, based on the book by Cornelius Ryan.
Eventually my family followed me back to Germany, and we later took a vacation that included Normandy.
We visited Sainte-Mere-Eglise, and I pointed out the manekin of Private john Steele--the paratrooper that had gotten stuck on the church's steeple.
We visited the upper German fortifications of Point Du Hoc, where Army Rangers fought their way up impossible cliffs.
We paid our respects at the US war cemetery on Omaha Beach, and my sons and I walked where so many Americans had died to free Europe.
My wife was very somber and respectful at these sites; she is French, and grew up hearing stories of the German occupation.
I often still watch on June 6th either The Longest Day, or Saving Private Ryan, and try to imagine my forebears on those beaches.
Categories:
fortieth, beach, remember, soldier, vacation,
Form:
Narrative
leading to our room. . .
fragrant petals you had strewn
lavender roses
whose hue was that of the sky
when passion first bloomed for us.
lavender roses -
your anniversary gift
for our fortieth . . .
where the path of blossoms ends. . .
we recreate fantasies.
for topic: love and the progress of love affairs
in the "One or Two Tanka -" Poetry Contest of Rick Parise
Categories:
fortieth, love,
Form:
Tanka
A rare Arab and Asian identity which is distinct in topography;
blessed with an excellent human resource in health services;
its heart, destroyed and rebuilt seven different times;
having a name unchanged and sustained to reach historic zeniths;
surviving a number of years more than the number of Brazilian Airports
while its tongue resonates in three different dance moves.
This land historically occupied by over 19 intruders
holds the world book capital and appears in the league
of the most popular shopping destinations globally.
In the global skyscraper of night clubs, sky Bar stays at the top.
The creation of the first boat and the establishment of the first sail
makes the Phoenicians topple Christopher Columbus to reach America.
Down town Beirut raises its flag high above all others
in the building of its law school.
Rooted from its gardens is the creators of Tom and Jerry
and holds the shield of pride as the first constitution driven Arab Nation.
A plug in the large socket of the Arab peninsula
is this land with the highest percentage of Christians in its league;
having a city named after the combined scrolls of the Christ-like religion
and sidon signifying the first miracle center of the Messiah;
with the popular belief of the divine plantations of the cedars.
It is sealed by the several mentions of both land and tree in the holy scriptures.
Even though it is a fortieth of the entire religious empire
its garage gives out a large chunk of the peninsula’s publications.
Unique in its spring, when skiing and swimming are both possible;
possessing fifteen flowing waters, each coming from its own mountainous source;
with four times more compatriots outside its landmark
than within its territorial fence.
Its past time events of the wild fire of civil wars
all ignited by the sparks of inter-religious differences
reflect a large society harbouring eighteen different faith
to form a nation with hidden political and economic influences.
Categories:
fortieth, arabic, community, earth, education,
Form:
Ode
I am living in a world where the wind no longer blows through your hair my love And the warmth of the sun no longer falls upon your face Sometimes I feel like I am doing something wrong Being here without you As if someone is going to stop me in the mall and demand an explanation I know in my mind that for both of us I will carry on But sometimes my heart tries to rule the day Happy fortieth anniversary Sweetheart
Categories:
fortieth, anniversary,
Form:
Free verse
Married fortieth year, now alone in despair. Home after an argument, sees his wife on the floor, breathing no more. Drops flowers brought. He is an old fool, his first thought. Feels undeserving, with sorrow, fear, and guilt; a culmination without vindication."I'm sorry. I love you,” can be said no more. Calls 911, then he drops to the floor.
Categories:
fortieth, dark, death, deep,
Form:
Rhyme
There he is again
The kid from next door
At my window
Making faces like before
It wouldn’t bother me so much
But I live on the fortieth floor
Categories:
fortieth, funny, scary,
Form:
Verse
My spouse and I attended my thirtieth class reunion at Lydia's Smorgasbord.
I had avoided such past events since in high school I was largely ignored!
But my wife proclaimed that we would attend, thus ending that debate!
The dreaded encounter is expressed in verse below that I will now relate.
A social hour preceded the smorgasbord where the booze freely flowed.
I looked about the room to see if I could spot anyone that I knowed.
I hardly recognized the campus queen - she had acquired a heap of weight!
That once haughty snob now tipped the scales, I judged, at one ninety-eight!
I saw the big-man-on-campus that was named most apt to score success.
He had a dearth of hair, a girth of gut and an astonishing lack of finesse!
Some gal with purple hair staggered up to me and planted a slobbery kiss!
Must've been one of my old flames as I mused, "Who in the hell is this?"
Guys gravitated my way boasting of this and that, bending my weary ear,
Boring me with nasty jokes and trivia that I really didn't care to hear!
Of course I told others how great they looked, staring them dead in the eye,
I asked the Lord's forgiveness and crossed my fingers for telling such a lie!
The jocks were trying to impress one and all with their former capabilities.
Most were hobbling about with canes discreetly masking their disabilities.
'Twas an interesting eve and the grub was great, of that there was no doubt.
But for the fortieth, fiftieth and sixtieth reunions, please include me out!
Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired
(c) All Rights Reserved
Categories:
fortieth, school,
Form:
Rhyme
Never did I meet a man so warm
Full of live and a sunny smile
Sweet like the Scottish cream
The perfect gentleman
Never did I meet a man so warm
With simple gestures and classy acts
Humble yet suave and full of charm
The perfect gentleman
Never did I meet a man so warm
Who at forty has a heart younger than twenty
Elegant, soft yet firm
A perfect gentleman
Never did I meet a man so warm
Who has a kind word for every soul
And a heart so large, so warm
I could go on…
…But as you turn forty my friend
Remember life is just beginning
Laugh to your heart delights
Drink the freshest of wines
Spend time with your kids and wife
Be merry, passionate and never stop loving…
A prayer for you…
May you last long like the Iroko Tree
Bringing warmth, love and happiness to-
Your Family and friends
Happy Fortieth Birthday Babafemi
My perfect gentleman friend and brother!
(This poem is dedicated to my colleague, friend and brother- Babafemi Aina on the Occassion of his 40th Birthday. I wish you many more years of success friend)
Categories:
fortieth, happiness,
Form:
Verse
For forty day and forty nights, you rode upon and Ark,
Animals traveling, two by two waiting to disembark!
As you peek out the porthole, at the sky’s overcast,
In the distance, there is thunder and lightning’s energy flash!
High winds blowing all around, with white caped waves about,
Your vessel rocking to and fro, as the family sleeps throughout!
Then suddenly there’s calmness, as the sun graces the sky,
On the fortieth day you send a raven, who quickly says goodbye!
A few days later, a dove of white, after two days it did appear,
Nestled in its beak an olive branch, a treasured souvenir!
The branch, a symbol of dry land and vegetation too,
New land, new life, a fresh new start, as you bid the past adieu!
© Dec. 12, 2015
Categories:
fortieth, adventure, animal, appreciation, bible,
Form:
Rhyme
Paulette went on a holiday
Visiting Italy and France
To mark her fortieth birthday
Paulette went on a holiday
Saw the Arc de Triomphe today
And adored Venice at first glance
Paulette went on a holiday
Visiting Italy and France
December 21, 2021
Paulette - 2 Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Julia Ward
Categories:
fortieth, vacation,
Form:
Triolet