Best Gatekeepers Poems
In the deep blue realms of sadness
Floats the madness of my soul
No happy childhood dreams to cling to
No cherished memories left to hold
A crippled smile hides the weary miles
And scars carved deep within my heart
Ive searched this world for better horizons
But it seems those aspirations fall apart
Ive questioned God of my creation
And the reasons why im hear
But every time i think i see the light
The vision slowly disappears.
So ive made friends within these four walls
With the gate keepers of my soul
And i cozy up to my madness
Alone in the dark and cold.
Categories:
gatekeepers, crazy,
Form:
Rhyme
His granite form against blue skies
Rippling on the bulging eye, wild waves
Of muscles the netting cloud defies
Reason in concrete, his pride raves
In self glory of athleticism, what a gem
Hard and shadowed without a diadem.
I know that man, I lived inside him
Long ago, slurping applause like a child
Incomplete in potrait, morally dim
About the treasures I often defiled.
That man is just a screen of muscled skin
A pampered fear that won't give in.
He will not cry, because he was taught
It's wrong for boys to show emotions
His destiny by a web of lies once caught
Leaves him lonely, old aspirations
Become wrinkled raisins in the callous sun
Manhood and wood subterfuge the pun.
Tired of being told he cannot become
From school to dull signs of no vacancy
I hears the sirens penning his freedom
He looked for himself, found no legacy
In history or family achievement that will
Stand up to the praise of gatekeepers ill.
He feeds his hungry urges into children
Fatherless because his woman must think
She cannot balance her budget with heaven
And for welfare cheque he's o'er the brink
Thrown, used, demonized, discarded, weak
Now, no virile glory left in love to seek.
He turns to her helpless in his helplessness
Angry with the impotence of history
Mute before her need to have forgiveness
The saddled statue slouches into misery.
You know him too, the black man, proned
Against pale paperbag of evening, stoned.
In Africa he was redeemed by mother, queen
When things fall apart, in America his old
Structures uprooted, he cannot be weaned
Of the nurture that never existed. The mold
Upon his life is history, and only the lover
Carrying the cross can be another redeemer.
Look at him like a child asleep after his spawn
Of delapidated family and garrots of dream
Only ego keeps muscle bulging under the brawn
The heart is mute, and pride wil not scream
For pain though like a white cataract it drowns
Him. How still the victim 'fore the victor frowns!
Categories:
gatekeepers, black-african amerfamily, family, pride,
Form:
Verse
You can return to earth for two days they said,
but not in that worn out body.
I knew that; and I was glad; it was almost blind,
and had a touch of dementia any way.
You have to go incognito, they told me.
They were stern, and stuck up angels,
Not the kind I was expecting to meet my
first hour in heaven. Assertive even.
Here were my body choices: fourteen year old boy,
red hair, freckles, square chin.
Eighty-nine year old body, old lady, wrinkled,
spotted hands, sweet smile, looked serene.
Or two-year-old female, blonde hair, plump and perfect.
I could not see their eyes, for the eyes do not appear
until you enter the body suit.
Two-year-olds can be dancy-prancy. But that would mean
I would have to have gatekeepers in the form of parents,
probably, and I wanted two days of freedom not naps.
Being eighty- nine did not appeal to me at all.
I have never enjoyed arthritis in my feet or a humpback.
“Fourteen year old boy,” I told them. They nodded,
being smug angels, and my self-chosen-spirit-guides for many lifetimes.
All of my relatives stared at the giggling freckled
red-haired teenage boy at my funeral.
They speculated that he had escaped from the
boys’ group home on the corner.
Every time one of them got up and said something
nice about me, the boy burst out laughing.
They did not escort him out, because weirdly enough,
he had my witch-laugh, and it comforted them.
Categories:
gatekeepers, spiritual,
Form:
Lyric
I am not retired, I am too young
And too broke with too many dreams,
I have promises I did not make hung
Around my neck, and often screams
At my potential to go ahead
But every thing I touch lies dead.
I paid my dues and went to school
Did it all right supporting common law
While gatekeepers invisible made the rule
Building walls and growing claw
It's not my fight for material right
I am better at watching hawks in flight.
I'm better at letting words seed my brain
With images of trees, a fight is worth more
For eternal things, even in the siorm of pain
That in the lonely night cries on the shore
Like waters in the wind. Water makes roots
But dead branches make no fruits
Categories:
gatekeepers, on work and working,
Form:
Verse
In summer my garden comes alive
as graceful butterflies make it home.
Peacocks with vivid colours flit
from blossom to blossom
Busily working gathering nectar
pollinating as they go on to next
flower. All so pretty I love them all
visiting my climbing rambling roses.
Red Admirals, Swallow tails and monarchs
adding swathes of brilliant colour
chased by Skippers and Orange tips
as each one vies for one more bloom.
While Gatekeepers and Clouded Yellows
delicately sip from my hibiscus.
A cloud of Fritillary's descend on stocks
and Painted Ladies mock the sweet peas.
A drone of bumble bees sets the tune
for Tortoiseshells to dance to.
Purple Emperors set the scene
as they visit my asters and begonia's.
Ah! sweet summer flowers, all
are kissed by Comma's and Coppers
bringing my garden to life
with joy as they all busily work
written 08/12/2015
contest Skat's Butterflies
Categories:
gatekeepers, butterfly, flower,
Form:
Personification
1
At peace perhaps too much
a fine Spring rain
we seek news from the desert or capitol
of those who have dedicated their lives to losing their lives for us
adventurers, ancient honor, land runners
this campaign a must to advance one's career
a war president needs war
2
All you need to know is the names of things
chambers of commerce and large corporations
elements, products, decay fungi, egg masses
cultivars and their relation to wild grasses and the edge
uses of herbs, languages of mammals,
purposes of insects, placement of rocks
the names of everything by which we know our way
3
I've read about those remarkable souls who maintain self-control
among murderers and the unentertained multitude
who may have even spoken persuasively
at the right moment for speaking
and thus attracted a now unwanted immortality
there are only two ways you can tell
a bird of prey from a vision - humor and ritual
4
the Fedex gal
would be unlike taking off Emily Dickinson's clothes
over the counter perfume and spray paint hair
postman's shorts, black socks
a woman's legs are much like a man's
yet she too is beautiful, too beautiful, weekends
boating with her man
5
Suburbs, lawns, blankets
in a long, long nursery of babies
napping, old, blameworthy
and, I say this respectfully, blind
certain and uninterested
in motives more subtle than their immediate comfort
Who am I to complain?
6
Plants, poems: riches
our financial advisor doesn't count. Good and simple
a man as he is. Comes tousled
from early morning golf and puffy
from a late night fight or lovefest with his wife.
Inchworm
letting out its rope down an oak.
7
Late afternoon meeting
like the dry samara, achene or capsule surrounding a seed
how often have I tried to escape
my need, community, chamber of commerce
you cannot drive
the roads are theirs and the signs, perhaps
you can walk if you can name the plants and rocks and are willing to die
8
O happy family
there's some contentment in letting community and family decide
your place in it. Gatekeepers -
unconscious god, invisible hand, natural selection -
kind when refraining from violence
when not responding with force to the universe's effort
to extinguish us.
Categories:
gatekeepers, adventure, family, god, happy,
Form:
Verse
Sent down from Heaven, their jobs are sure tough
But they don’t fly away when the going gets rough
They rise to the challenge to bring back wonder and hope
Failure does not happen in their line of work
Cuz’ Angels, no Angels, they don’t sing the blues
Angels sing strong from the high mountain tops
Sometimes it’s a rock song to wake spirits up
Sometimes it’s a ballad when babies must sleep
Or a love song in country that just makes you weep
But Angels, no Angels, don’t sing the blues
They work behind the scenes to enlighten world faith
Always there when you need’em, our Heavenly base
They make house calls to heal another broken heart
Gatekeepers to the soul, they lighten the dark
The sky is the limit as only Angels can know
When times are a troubling, their first on the scene
Not afraid to help out or even dirty their wings
The tune that they dance to, comes from Heaven above
Giving rhythm and gospel to everyone they love
Cuz’ Angels, no Angels, they don’t sing the blues
And you know Angels can’t read music,
but they sure wing it well
As they learn from the Almighty,
Who swings with, the heartbeat of humanity,
From Heavens high hill
Angels sing strong from the high mountain tops
Sometimes it’s a rock song to wake spirits up
Sometimes it’s a ballad when babies must sleep
Or a love song in country that just makes you weep
But Angels, no Angels, don’t sing the blues
They just don’t sing the blues
No, Angels don’t sing the blues
Angels don’t sing the blues
Categories:
gatekeepers, faith, inspirational, song-song, love,
Form:
Lyric
THE REVOLUTION WILL BE TELEVISED
All the news you can use is no longer completely controlled
by CNN, ABC, CBS OR NBC,
The new GATEKEEPERS because of our cell phone, web cams
and these new toys have become you and I.
Cops killing Black Folks, put on social media and the news
spread all over for the world to see
That the land of milk and honey does not follow its own
laws, and that Black folks continue to die
So the rich and famous will live off the sweat of our brow.
I am tired of being a third class citizen in a land my people
helped to build, design and form,
Tired of walking on eggshells, being leery of people that my
taxes pay to protect and serve.
Slavery still exists, subservience in the mind of our people
is reaching the level of a class five storm
And we want deserve and demand our “HUMAN RIGHTS”
and we also want to preserve
The dignity that comes with being born in THE GOOD OLE
US OF A.
Reid J Lewis 11/30/2014
Categories:
gatekeepers, black african american, destiny,
Form:
Narrative
Tell me Eve,
does this Garden have everything we need,
do you think the walls are too tall,
are the gatekeepers reasonable, tolerable, right about it all,
what did Lilith know, where did she go
far past the mountain snow,
why does Father insist that we do not bleed,
why does He profess perfection like a pantomime
only to reinforce rules that stymie our affection,
The Angels are so quiet around the pond
musing over our naked naivety
smirking about our romantic creativity,
I hear things in the shapeless distance Eve, things colorful and unbound,
Father says I'm feral in my desire, doesn't know if we will shine,
I want you to be mine, out there Eve,
where the stars seem nervous for our redemption,
let's roll Eve, take that scroll,
in our dawn there is no wrong, no ruinous toll,
We're gonna start a New Age,
Year One, a couple that courage stole...
By Poet - Adam/J.A.B.
Categories:
gatekeepers, bible, christian, desire, devotion,
Form:
Epic
I’m well rested on this bed of cold cement
With passersby borrowing me their eyes for a blanket
Oblivious to the fact that I now lay victorious
Adding salt to my open wounds
inglorious
I put words into action as my compass
With passion and determination my gate pass
And challenge the barriers that came and stood before
Internalised gatekeepers that I chose to ignore
laugh at my insignificance
feed on my intolerance
But still seek residence inside me like repressive laws
To the battlefields, to epic sword fights
To fears piercing hearts
To lies testing the truth
To honour giving birth
To a purpose, I fight for
Stand for, and am willing to die for
Every weakness a potential target
With the odds against me I must erect
a strong defence
And an even better offense
Irrational and methological
Biblical and methodical
Sacrifices to the Gods and Zeus
Prayers to God and the unborn Jesus
And mast the highest sail
Strategies and plans of attack to foil
To propel my battleship with gale force winds
With canon fire passed sinking minds
An army of ten thousand strong charging against
Whatever manner of creature may metamorphose
From the deepest part of my conscience
Troy was destroyed from within
Superstition, a weak mind to begin
Arrogance
and self glorification a mental disease
The enemy will attack
Prepared, victory I will take
Categories:
gatekeepers, emotions, feelings,
Form:
Rhyme
I left California a week ago Sunday.
Alone with my map, I found the way.
Initial trepidation gave way to wonder.
Beauty of the land enhances the spell I'm under.
From Novato to Tahoe, the drive was slow.
Allowing the remembrance of freeway driving to grow.
Expecting Nevada to be a long, boring drive.
The high desert vistas permitted my juices to thrive.
The interplay of clear blue sky and the light
Creating wondrous hues and vistas of pure delight.
Drifting along with the tumbling tumbleweeds,
A wide-mouth frog carved in the mountainside winked at me.
A ribbon of highway stretched across the Salt Flats.
Looking more like the desert I expected awhile back.
The Great Salt Lake out of nowhere appears
Glistening in the sun like a clear, shiny mirror.
Turning south in Salt Lake City, a planned detour
The Utah rock stars I wanted to explore.
The landscape changed as ever higher I climbed.
Mesas in the distance of color sublime.
Zion and Bryce Canyons... magnificent to behold
Paled in significance as Route 12's glories unfold.
Each bend and curve created a new scene.
From pure, sheer red rock to pine mountains of green.
Land of the Anasazi, the Ancient Ones.
Lived in Boulder, Utah; an oasis in the sun.
The Escalante Grand Staircase is dedicated to them.
Feeling their energy as I traveled the rim.
Torrey to Moab and Arches Monument Park
The formations of red rocks truly touched my heart.
Guardians, gatekeepers, animals, angels and more
Chiseled in stone that was once the ocean floor.
Petrified sand dunes spread before my eyes.
A white rolling desert of rock under clear blue skies.
Opening again to wondrous chiseled formations.
Natural arches and windows of the mountain nations.
Treated myself to lunch in the “Eklektica Cafe”
Met a young man there who made my day.
He gave me the perfect response to "Why Boulder?”
Tell them, he said, “I'll let you know when it's over.”
Touring now behind me. I'm ready to roll
Heading full-steam to Colorado; pine and aspen to behold.
As I cross the border, I am greeted by a sign.
“Welcome to Colorful Colorado. The Trail Through Time.”
I have come full circle somehow I knew
Driving along, I remembered each view.
While there is no ocean; rivers and lakes abound.
It feels very much like I'm homeward bound.
Categories:
gatekeepers, nature, blue, red,
Form:
Couplet
You hold the flame that tamed my heart
That came to me in the light of the dark
On fire from the very start
Life itself could not pry our love apart
Meeting in the middle like a dancing fiddle
That sings out like a weeping willow
That reflects from the glisten
Out of the corner of your eyes
Have I ever felt a love that testifies
No matter how hard I try
Finding the kind of love that you supply
That makes your heart touch the sky
A love that makes all life's special moments magnify
Like the sun dances off the morning dew
Through and through I will always love you
The woman who holds the key to my heart
From the moment we met you ignited amazing sparkes
Touching my soul as our love unfolds
That makes my life so fancy and new
Making all my dreams come true
Oh gatekeeper of my heart
How I loved you right from the very start
Let us never tear our love apart
Or take it for granted
Because of the kind of love we planted
Is forever enchanted in our hearts
Where we keep all the amazing starts
Categories:
gatekeepers, romantic love,
Form:
Ballad
A repetitive stamp on a passport
can expedite our joyous first meeting.
Love spurs a nervous heart
towards a new, unknown life.
Papers collected and shuffled,
we pray for official acceptance.
The gatekeepers eyes penetrate
with suspicious glares of denial.
The bureaucracy divides the masses.
A mother, a brother, a lover
denied access to greater connections.
Mercy is not spoken by the immigration clerk.
Phone calls, email, and goods travel across borders.
People are not granted such freedom.
What is the price to enter the fortress?
Only those with fat bank accounts enter this land.
I would risk prison to touch your warm hands,
clasp your sweet face between my palms,
inhale the tender aroma of your fine silk hair,
graze the soft delicacies of your smooth skin.
Where must we flee to share a moment together?
Free from the interrogations of the government forms.
Is there a place on this globe for lovers?
Where fences give way to fertile orchards.
Categories:
gatekeepers, love, political, social,
Form:
Free verse
When
our
stories
shall
be
told
and
our
chronicles
opened:sad
empty
tales.
Who
will
not
spit
and
denounce
such
shameful
tales?,
what
eye
shall
prode
on
it
without
reeling
a
curse.
An
era
that
polished
their
gourds
with
the
blood
of
their
dead
and
in
it
intered
their
natal
milk.
What
eye
shall
view
such
shame?
What
tongue
shall
tell
such
tales?
Such
stories...such
history,let
it
forge
a
pole
star,to
draw
our
feet
lest
we
stumble
again,or
our
children
consider
an
ominious
alternative
as
we
did.
Promising
though
it
sounds;beguilling
in
fact
that
history
teaches
us
nothing,than
the
nostalgic
euphoria
of
once
upon
a
time.
It
grinds
frenzied
chronicles
into
an
inert
dust
of
mere
reminiscence
and
few
leave
the
detritus
unaltered.
Even
the
remains,though
authentic
or
hoax,complete
or
distorted
kicks
us
in
the
face
and
we
ferry
them
like
gatekeepers
across
the
river
of
greed
as
a
frivolous
otiose
hanging
painfully
on
our
neck.
So
when
our
stories
shall
be
told,either
by
groits
or
paid
minstrels;of
our
self
inflicted
doom.
What
ear
shall
hear
such
tales:sad
tragic
stories
and
not
laugh
mournfully.
Categories:
gatekeepers, social
Form:
Free verse
From what I have seen
America is a well-oiled machine
Our military always ready to fight
Together with so much might
Leaving their homes night after night
Saying goodbye believing it's not your last sight
Living in a hole with rations and a bedroll
Or on a battleship ready to rip as they skip
To the next flip
In the air, so they can take care of our guys
As they buzz the sky blowing their targets up From way up high
Trained to shoot
Giving our enemies the boot
Standing proudly always ready to salute
The best at bagging America's enemies
So we might know this land of the free
Home to you and me
Our sons and daughters they stand and fight
For our constitutional right
They constantly keep sight wearing their dog tags
Ready to go to their grave in any conflict wave
They pave the way so the rest of us
Have a world that's not ready to bust
Never look at what they do with disgust
Trust our generals do it because they must
The people of the world need to stand strong
So today's leaders will have to get along
Keeping balance in the kingdom of God
Like a lightning rod ,all take their oath with a nod
Live or die you will never hear them asking why
Americas bravest they fought the wars
So we might know this land of the free
This land God blessed for you and me
Let us all see our military is why we live free
Be sure and pray that they all find their way
Unfortunately, some are left as reminders
Of the price we had to pay for their valor
Until their last day
Be sure you stand up and say
Thank you for your service today
For the sacrifices you have made along the way
So we might know this land God blessed
For you and me
So we can live free
Because our brothers and sisters
Gave up so much for you and me
They are still the gatekeepers
That holds the key
To why this land is still free
Like God intended it to be
Categories:
gatekeepers, military,
Form:
Narrative