Best Futilely Poems
We see ourselves unimpeded initially
Some are stricken with a view artificially
We are told by others very specifically
There is a ceiling so proceed timidly
We try in vain with no support futilely
As we age blazing the path dizzily
Sometimes we see the results dismally
Eventually we learn to climb skillfully
We began to achieve sufficiently
Eventually finding success brilliantly
Living life with dreams so vividly
Sadly, a haunting voice still speaks flippantly
Reminding us of the ceiling frigidly
We remain in the arena mistily
Each overcautious step taken judicially
We endure the voice shouting viciously
The battle to continue is done willfully
Categories:
futilely, psychological,
Form:
Monorhyme
Fantasy Spy
Would that I, like a Monarch butterfly,
Could fly across the fertile land and spy,
Top tree and lilac bush in the evening hush,
Swooping down above the late traffic crush.
Then on to foamy shores I would wander,
Over firs and pines, dark forests below,
With graceful freedom across the sunset,
Over Key West’s mansion and beach to go.
I would see a pirate ship in the sea,
Rushing rudders futilely try to flee.
Storm clouds over thatched roofs on the Goal Coast,
Colorful dancers, busy merchants’ boasts.
Would that I like a Monarch butterfly,
Could fly across our wonder world and spy
Categories:
futilely, analogy, fantasy, world,
Form:
Sonnet
Dispatched by Mark Antony to fetch his queen
An Egyptian with beauty of world renown
Five-thousand mighty Roman warriors sailed
Committed to driving Egypt’s army down
Cleopatra was basking on a Nile barge
While the fleet remained offshore waiting for night
‘Neath the cloak of darkness warriors arrived
To surprise defenders and battle incite
Fully armored Roman forces held the edge
Razor-sharp swords pierced Egyptians’ tanned skin
Into the gently flowing Nile, Egyptian blood spilled
The desert soldiers’ garb was softer than tin
When heat rose with dawn’s light on the pyramids
Only a few hundred Egyptian soldiers remained
But they fought with the courage of a thousand more
Determined to protect Cleopatra’s reign
Defenders fought with valor; none sought mercy
Just as victory seemed within Rome’s grasp
A bloody trail to the palace had been carved
But Cleopatra lay dead, bitten by an asp
Noble Antony awaited his army
Rejoicing when the first ship came into view
But they’d waged their fiercest fight futilely
Now they mustered to strength to tell Antony too
Warriors’ hearts were filled with compassion
The sign of a truly devoted band
As they offered support for their ruler’s loss
Antony felt the power of each and every man
*But for the fact that Antony and Cleopatra
were lovers, this poem is entirely fictional.
Antony and Cleopatra actually wed and
Antony moved to Egypt.
Entry for the “Roman Legion” contest
Categories:
futilely, war,
Form:
Rhyme
June Second at the beach we played scrabble
He protested the use of “ode”
I told him of the “Ode to Billy Joe”
With friends we laughed the entire way home
And when they left, Daniel proposed
He tied a string 'round my finger, said it would be replaced by a ring
It was the Third of June
(another sleepy, sandy Florida day)
When Daniel picked me up for a dip in Dog Lake
I suggested we swim across
He was reluctant, but swam anyway
Reaching the middle of the lake
“I can’t make it,” he called to me
“You’re kidding,” I laughed, turning to see
Daniel splashing futilely
Although I tried to pull him to shore,
We crossed underwater plants
He must have thought they were snakes and broke away
Dark water with tannic acid
Where did he go? I screamed for help
The search was underway when paramedics arrived
Linking hands, everyone walked into the water
But it was Daniel’s friend Art who found his hand
“It was like he was reaching out to me,” he said
Of course, it was too late
My sweet man had met his fate
And I made a vow
Every June Third, I drive out to Dog Lake
Remembering the good times we shared
And praying Daniel found eternal rest
*Entry for Joann’s contest. True story.
Categories:
futilely, lost love, dog, dog,
Form:
Free verse
Lost In a Thought
Who am I...a tossed thought left to ramously rot in a sea of insanity?
What am I...a wondering wave a shackled slave a crumb of humanity?
Where am I... drowning in a whirlpool a salivating drool of organity?
Why am I...amidst the stars with battle scars in a universe of infinity?
Like a restless rust a defenseless dust futilely falling inside my being
A life unjust a windless gust perpetually lost within thoughts of fleeing
A wounded wreck unknown a depleted drone unadorned and unseeing
A cataclysmal clone in this realm I’m thrown my thoughts are bleeding
Watching the hands of time a mindless mime of the words unspoken
I am an endless evolving enzyme in a parasitic paradigm of the broken
Losing grip of reality a frantic flee adrift within the obstreperous ocean
Lost in a lost a condemned cost of evaporating memories of emotion.
Sept.29.2017
Lost
Sponsored by: Debbie Guzzi
Categories:
futilely, confusion, loneliness, lost,
Form:
Monorhyme
THE WAITING GAME
I'm playing the waiting game,
not futilely nor waiting in vain.
My delivery, my parcel my expectation;
forces me to ambulation.
I want it now,
my elixir my kisser;
sit and lull for the lister;
who swore to me a delivery vow.
For what do I wait,
as the hours grow late?
And why won't it come now!
Anticipation sloths, it insists I allow,
as time cannot expedite it's rate,
Heavens! give it to me now!
When the bloody hell will it be,
is some great force slowing delivery?
I must have it.
I cannot wait one bit.
Wait! I make no demand; we did agree.
My tactic is only made idly,
and can wait out eternity.
Ooohhhhh when I have it in hand!
Patience called into my spirit land.
I am closer, I count clock's tick's;
Calm. Tools down.
For it will come around,
as it was assured by honor bound.
Can you relate to this, my expound?
Then I can be more comfortably sound.
The duration of stagnation calls for liberation
with such I am spared ruination
I've gone through elation and vexation and frustration,
Yet yes, I will have my placation.
This trial and tribulation is vocation of sedation and stagnation.
An empty marathon that knows not capitulation.
I will have my unification.
My determination matches my frustration across the duration.
In the end I sidestep ruination and have my elation.
Categories:
futilely, time, wisdom,
Form:
Rhyme
Memories tumble through my mind,
rolling aimless, some have been...
missing for a while.
I try to fill in the blanks. Others,
I sweep into already dusty corners.
You know, the ones far easier forgotten.
Tumbleweeds...my memories
have become tumbleweeds.
I take snapshots of the cherished ones,
file them away
giving them a home...
before they blow away in the savage wind.
I yell out to my own echoing voice -
"Did I tell you my mom liked to dance?"
"Yes", I remember.
I hear her music, rock-and-roll,
her long hair bouncing with each step.
She doesn't dance anymore...
I see my step-father, hands dirty, working
always working, but sometimes
stopping to joke or tease.
Moments gone...memories fleeting...
begging them to stay
a little longer or at least
visit my dreams.
"Did I tell you my dad played drums?"
"Yes", I remember.
I hear rat-a-tat-tat in my head,
primal beats, rhythmic beats -
complex man, gentle soul...
I would sing at the top of my lungs while he played.
He never seemed to mind my shrill, little girl voice.
I miss him, I miss his drums. Music is not the same.
Nothing the same.
I close my eyes and another memory
blows through empty spaces.
My brother is racing his bike down the street FAST.
He is about ten, all skinny legs in his shorts.
"Where are you going?" I call after him, too late.
"Don't go, please don't go!"
He is gone and I wonder if he was ever here, there,
anywhere within my reach.
Some do go astray, I remind myself.
Missing memories...missing love -
loneliness finding a home in my heart
when least expected...
"Wait, come back", I yell to him. "I'm still here."
Ruminating, I ask myself if we ever know,
really know, the ones we love.
No, not really. I remember.
Frantic, I reach for the tumbleweeds, grasping.
I reach for my two earthly fathers who are long gone...
I see them, each so different yet loved. Then,
they blow away, missing again.
I chase them futilely. The savage wind still blows,
across grains of desert sand...
I will never know why, never know.
Tumbleweeds...my memories have become
tumbleweeds
blowing in a savage wind.
* one of my favorite early poems (maybe it doesn't seem happy, but
it includes some of my favorite memories)
By Rhonda Johnson-Saunders
March 2, 2012
Second Place in Chris Aechtner's Let the Masks Fall Contest
Categories:
futilely, angst, family, life, loss,
Form:
Free verse
So it was that tragedy, which lead me finally,
Have another invasion, upon my lands-never,
To guard my boundaries, and bolster my army,
Let the pain in my heart, with cold fury- wither
The petty palisades of wood, are now of stone,
Upon ramparts are erected, many cannons strong,
Mighty swords sharpened, arrow-heads honed,
Wishing anger to sustain me, keep my vigil long
Much has been done, and more has been sought,
I promised to be mighty, not conquered futilely,
Often I be dismal, when I stare down my moat,
Need I be strong always, but eternally lonely?
Thence once these lonesome times, I look at you,
Saw a princess lovely, aloof and shy,
Could such beauty hold, a heart pure and true?
“No” I told myself, knowing full well I lie
Every moment then, are filled with longing,
For I knew you were special, a fragile innocence,
Could my night watch finally, see it’s morning?
But I won’t give up easy, what I built so far hence
To harsh self-flagellation, this denial has turned,
Fiercer heart-rending than, being left for a fool,
More formidable even, than all the days I mourned,
For rejection of affection, is now my first rule
Behind my quiet hard eyes, I ask you fervently,
Underneath my grim and dark façade, lies a question,
Hoping against hope, you will hear this mute plea,
Allow me once again, to breath Love’s desperation
Hear this entreaty, asked in silent despondency,
Words are not needed, Just feel my agony……
Could you be the Trojan horse,
To capture surreptitiously my heart?
Free me from this maddening curse,
Shatter this misery to the tiniest parts
Categories:
futilely, inspirational, introspection, lost love,
Form:
Sometimes I'm compelled to roar right now I think I'll whisper
Beyond these doors cant hear a sound Im talking to my sister
Listen
From within pull strength thats heaven sent
This worlds rhetoric is irrelevent
Pray
Keep nourishin the positive notion That bein outspoken
Means your chosen to heal the silently broken
Teach
They ridicule the knowingly spectacular
In attempts to futilely taint the chapters
Overcome
Categories:
futilely, inspirational,
Form:
Free verse
Dear God, my love for you flickers in wavering shadows,
Caught between the whispers of evening prayers
And the intoxicating allure of liquor’s path.
I am well aware that this habit I cling to displeases you,
Yet I beseech you, dear God, how can I find repose?
How can I surrender to sleep’s embrace?
Your kindness, a radiant beacon in the vast expanse,
Leaves me in awe.
But within your world, cruelty dominates.
From the break of dawn till the descent of dusk,
I confront the unyielding face of Your world’s reality.
A realm steeped in injustice and hostility,
Where love and compassion are futilely sought,
Their traces lost amidst the clamor.
In the sheltering hours of twilight,
I yearn to release the burdens that plague me,
To erase the echoes of nonsense, pain, and regret
That haunt my being.
And so, I turn to the amber elixir,
With its seductive allure,
Hoping to numb the jagged edges,
Seeking refuge and respite
In its transient embrace.
But God, please understand,
I do not fit into the vast tapestry of your grand design.
This world, this test of existence, eludes me,
Leaving me adrift in its absurdity.
Chaos and suffering entwine,
Weaving a complex web that ensnares those within its grasp.
And yet, despite this darkness that enshrouds,
My love for you remains steadfast,
Clutched tightly in my trembling hands.
I extend my apology, baring my heart’s vulnerable core,
Yearning for you, God, to witness and share
In the weight of my burdens,
The profound depths of my pain.
In your infinite understanding,
May I find peace and love,
My spirit reaching towards
The solace of your compassionate embrace.
Dear God, let your smile grace my wearied countenance,
Illuminating the path as I traverse the trials of this desolate place.
In the twilight’s whispered prayer,
Within the sweet surrender to liquor’s embrace,
I seek but a fragment of peace,
A fleeting glimpse of your boundless grace.
Though I stumble and fall amidst this relentless test,
Let it be known that my love for you
Will forever find its resting place.
For I am naught but a human,
Flawed and fragile,
Yet in my unwavering devotion,
Let my spirit prevail,
Resolute in its pursuit
Of your eternal presence.
…
Categories:
futilely, allah, america, atheist, bible,
Form:
Blank verse
Just a smile, a muffled snow-quiet one,
deafening in its silence when hearts ache
at parting, and dreams crash on barren shores -
the ebb and flow of love-tides cease to surge.
The sails of our ship were whiplashed by storms,
still I held on to dignity unfazed,
a saving grace biding steadfast with me,
and I was not sucked into your abyss.
We played a circle game of loves and hates,
a love-tide maze infinite and daunting,
no sense chasing after dreams beyond reach.
We shrugged off cloaks of false sensuality.
Love’s intoxication have been heady,
but like tides in seas battled by tempests
we were carried away from safe anchor,
struggled futilely and not finding land.
Now our love-tides are soothing, finding calm,
conflicts resolved, forgotten, forgiven.
The future beckons - an alluring path
for us to explore. We have moved on.
@jjote 022521
Categories:
futilely, forgiveness, heartbreak, lost love,
Form:
Free verse
You’ll never know how much you speak to me
I just can’t fathom the beauty that I see
Your heart goes out in everything you do
Your mind spews rain of music so true
I am lost in the light of your unimpeachable words
Everything around me, in me, feels so damn absurd
I futilely try and fight a battle never won
And realize that I am already gone
Ooooh
I am mesmerized
Oh, I can’t be surprised
That I am mesmerized
You can see it in my eyes
Am I blushing?
Am I rushing this through?
Are you laughing?
Oh damn, he knows it’s true
I am mesmerized
Oh, I can’t be surprised
Oh so mesmerized
He can see it in my eyes
Knowing you’re far from mine
You’re words still stop all time
Because you’re so damn sublime
You’re simply out of this world
So just get out of my mind!
Oh! I’m mesmerized….
If there was a way inside your mind
There still wouldn’t be me to find
You’re moving so blasted fast
And I just can’t reach the mask
Man, it seems so useless, to try and make you see
That I want you beyond all reason, knowing it can never be
As you thrill the crowd, as you kiss the girl
I’ll just stare at your pictures, wishing I was her
Ooooh
I am mesmerized
Oh, I can’t be surprised
That I am mesmerized
You can see it in my eyes
Am I blushing?
Am I rushing this through?
Are you laughing?
Oh damn, he knows it’s true
I am mesmerized
Oh, I can’t be surprised
Oh so mesmerized
He can see it in my eyes
Knowing you’re far from mine
You’re words still stop all time
Because you’re so damn sublime
You’re simply out of this world
So just get out of my mind!
So lost, so gone, this war was never won
Mesmerized
* Dedicated to the singer Anthony Snape,
And...a secret person that no one shall know about! Muahahaha! (except Becca)
Categories:
futilely, confusion, dedication, friendship, funny,
Form:
Lyric
Beautiful Brenda was bewitched by a man she created in her novel,
Blissfully absorbed in her imagination with this man she marveled.
Boats and the sea were his lifelong passions.
Besotted with the ocean, it sparked supreme satisfaction.
Beguiled with this boater, Dan, the author had imagined,
Brenda futilely fantasized about this blue-eyed man with abandon.
By chance, she was invited on a cocktail cruise with some friends.
Brenda decided she needed a break from her passionless pretend.
Blustery and brilliant, the day azurely arrived.
Brenda was unaware a blind date had been craftily contrived.
Befuddled at first she met this new man called Ben.
Blushing and irresistible, the inevitable dance began.
Ben was uncannily alike the magnificent man in her book,
Brawny, with a sensational smile that required a second look.
Ben was the boat owner, and loved the seductive sea like Dan.
But he was not imaginary, and the romance took off and ran!
9/10/16
Written for "Brenda" Contest
Sponsor: Julia Ward
Awarded 1st Place
Categories:
futilely, boat, ocean, romance, sea,
Form:
Alliteration
“Tis torture, and not mercy. Heaven is here”
Floating freely amidst the thoughts in my dreaming heart.
Burning futilely, its fiery passion into my soul.
Days spent dreaming go forth unfulfilled.
A soul unbound, without love’s embrace, witherth.
Merciful God in heaven, why curseth thou me so?
Dost thou not see the lusting worming within me?
My living in worth naught lest true love be fulfilled.
And passions contrived are as a squeezing corset.
Doth she not steal from me every tranquil breath?
Hoping surroundeth each waking moment.
Heaven lies here in imaginings that bindeth forever.
Alas, such sweetness as true love dieth in the mind…
Unconfessed –
© July 25, 2011
Dane Smith-Johnsen
Written for Poetry Soup Member Contest: Romeo and Juliet; How tragic is love… Sponsored by:
~*Wandering* Butterfly*~
Categories:
futilely, angst, lovelove, me,
Form:
Free verse
Night and day, a thrashing
like an invisible whiptail
surge van hail,
doth swell me bosom
excruciatingly, doggedly blackmail
capriciously be-numbingly,
aggravatingly assail
mine conscience in
what paltry pale
capacity of this gamboling male,
I can "pay forward,"
whatever means shale
be moost apropos avail
to offset bewail
ling (internal psyche doth ale
hankering) against utter
lifetime (mine) peppered
with emotional, physical
and social destitution
bereft, viz fail
ling to maximize inspiration
reverberating as vibrant detail
lacking even justa minimum
desire to live
(visa vis no way
discover ring, nope nar even
"FAKE" king minuscule appeasement
of my body, mind,
and spirit triage during)
hell...shove (shelve) aside
such gloriously noble benighted role,
amidst upending folktale
re: King Arthur and His Knights
of the Round Table
futilely searching for holy grail
where steadfast conviction
emboldens this heart and hale
spirited mindful,
sincere hard drive spurs
(neigh saying horse
sense of mine)
where ambition saddled
to air (dan sing) quailing,
yen propelling (yours truly),
with sincere humanitarian,
(i.e. blood driven)
philanthropic spiritual zeal,
I tried to unveil,
this reasonably rhyming thumbnail
sketch poetically versatile
within this spurious verse despite
any trials undermining travail
rather mine heart felt genuine
motive fueled by impetus
to contribute within e kale
logi, fizzy hollow gee, humanity,
with integrity, magnanimity,
and quality fervency,
while still adept, adroit,
agile, and alert,
(cuz America needs more lerts
to become great again)
ironically steel tougher than nails,
duh pleating ability dovetail
to bug (or wug) gee wholesale.
Categories:
futilely, 11th grade, 12th grade,
Form:
Free verse