Best Gratuity Poems
There are cities of sonnets to map
Quests of pantoums and villanelles
To harness, and ride
Across the wide
Tangled grassland of gratuity
Unwritten, unruled
Anarchy of expression
Empty lines can entice
And immobilize
The choice of choice
May embolden, or paralyze
But the space you embrace
Is where you hear your voice
In the discipline of daring
The dance of chance
The only choreography
You need heed
Is your pen.
11/27/19
For 'Free Verse vs Structured' contest
Sponsor: Line Gauthier
Shared 2nd Place
Poem of the Day, November 29, 2019
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
His language was colloquial~
the tongue of the field hand,
the woman hanging laundry in the wind,
the child chasing butterflies in the tall summer grass.
He heard their music,
the unpolished truth
in the rhythm of their days,
and created poems of roads less traveled, of snow and shadow.
He spoke softly like the wind
blowing through New England’s sugar maples,
the rustling of leaves that told of sap and seasons,
of roots gripping the stubborn earth.
He wrote of that patch of old snow stubborn, denying spring,
a metaphor worn smooth
yet still holding the chill
of a deeper understanding.
He knew this place,
the bite of wind,
the quiet conversation of the earth,
spoken in monotone.
His blank verse wasn't blank at all,
but an empty canvas stretched taut,
ready for the brushstrokes
of a farmer's hand, a lover's lament, a child's bewilderment.
His poetic technique
not just of form but of feeling~
the heart beating its own iambic pulse
in quiet New England afternoons.
He wrote with humble gratuity
not seeking grand pronouncements,
but the whisper of a leaf,
the argument a woodpile makes with winter.
Life, Frost seemed to say,
was not a theorem to be proven,
but a landscape in which to live,
each image he created a doorway, left slightly ajar.
Note:Robert Frost's last words are reported to have been, "I took the road less traveled by, and that has made all the difference." This quote, often paraphrased, reflects the themes of choice and individuality that permeate his poetry. However, it's worth noting that these words are attributed to his legacy rather than being an exact recounting of his final utterance, as he passed away on January 29, 1963. (duckai.com)
There is a beat to the world,
it burns and bites, it can calm & comfort,
it will arouse and it will anger, it is a romantic rhythm,
immutable and immaculate,
an unselfish music it is, life provides this sensative song
and we all perfom a dance of danger, delight,& determination
as a humble gratuity for it's majesty,
how could any rational person contend that Nature is imperfect,
who dares accuse life of wrong doing,
how does such turgidity exist, minds on meger budget,
oh but they do, ugly creatures of hollow heads have argued so pompously
to indict the cosmos with error like how fowl beggars cavil
about quality of charity,
huffing, moaning, and squirming in their rationalizations for feeling indignant about life
inglorious as dirt on silk,
wrangling like gluttonous mosquitoes, vile & clumsy,
if they were to admit life's absolute perfection
then more self accountability for actions need ensue,
how could they slander Deity without blame,
I spoke to a religious zealot, pious as pain to wounds,
he said, oh no, life, including human discretion cannot be perfect
for there is sin and gross debauchery,
I discussed the matter with a scientist, calculating as the I.R.S., he replied,
no no, you play semantic games, nature is immensely imperfect,
like the price of fame,
I politely requested an example of imperfection from him, he smugly said,
" genetic mutations ", what unabashed ego I thought,
his response seemed word game,
I debated a logician on the subject, thorough as an army ant this one was,
she remarked that the idea of imperfection
could cause imperfect reality,
I said, if anything occurs it must be, otherwise it would not happen,
imperfection is that which should not happen,
all that becomes real is present time impeacability -
J.A.B. %
I came across a path
I peered and wondered
Where's this leading to
Has life suddenly betrayed me
The silence of my thoughts
That says look within you
And you shall find
I came across a crossroad
Of vintage and dismay
I came across shame and disgust
I wondered in my silence
Has life suddenly turned on me
Has life suddenly flouted on me
Through the silence
Through the terrains
Through the commosions.
Who am I in this unravelled turmoil
Turmoil of the soul
Turmoil of the mind
Silent whispers whisked and smiled
Confide not, for it is in this broken dreams
that you shall equivocate
To eternal gratuity.....
This night
darkest night
dressed in black
to please your sight.
Dance and drink
just to summon
your approving wink.
Seeking your gratuity
attention from you
to ease my insecurity.
Then the fight begun
blaming each other
pointing fingers at everyone.
You could not let it go
bathing in my pain
wanting you to know
the ache I feel below.
You claimed you loved me
losing my breath
your noose around my neck
sensing my death.
The death of our love
death of affection
gasping for air
doomed in devastation.
Barely alive now
I reminisce
of a love
that was cancerous....
How can I say thank you for all the things you do
When they're all so never-ending from a heart so very true?
No gratuity could measure the amount I count on you,
I'm sorry and I'm grateful; for now, It's all that I can do.
I know that I am blessed because you mean so very much.
I thank God for your presence and every part of me you touch.
It's through you that I am learning the art of give and take,
And I'm educated often for all of goodness' sake.
The integrity in your heart and your thought-provoking ways
Keep me motivated through most of my darkest days.
And when I peek outside my box, I see you being there…
You hold my hand and cradle my heart, and it means more than you're aware.
Through the worry and frustration, you soldier your way through…
The ways of love and how it works, I have learned from you.
How can I say thank you for all the things you do
When they’re all so never-ending from hearts so very true
No gratuity could measure the amount I count on you
I’m sorry and I’m grateful; for now, It’s all that I can do
I know that I am blessed because you mean so very much
I thank God for your presence and every part of me you touch
It’s through you that I am learning the art of give and take
And, I’m educated often for all of goodness’ sake
The integrity in your hearts and your thought-provoking ways
Keep me motivated through most of my darkest days
And when I peek outside my box, I see you being there
You hold my hand and cradle my heart, and it means more than you’re aware
Through the worry and frustration, you soldier your way through
The ways of love and how it works, I have learned from you
Thank you to my Daughter, Frank & Kayli
A Matriculation Poem to Welcome Freshers at the University of Makeni
Welcome to an academic home of excellence,
Where hunters hunt love in excess
And fishers fish knowledge and accumulate providence.
An academic place above;
Where we build a civilization of love with no curve.
UniMak has nurtured her seed in civilized love and education of quality.
Her breed is scattered all over, serving society
While her students are victimized by Government gratuity.
Are we not children of Mama Salone?
That we should be left to wander in this journey alone!
We build a civilization of love
As we believe in the Holy Cross as a dove.
We are but benefiting under the nomenclature of Fatima’s love.
A kind and lovely mother,
She edifies us on how to build a civilization of love without borders.
We are the Genesis of love in this countryside,
And the orthodox of scholastic civilization as our pride.
We are on an academic ride;
A journey to love all and to transform society
Oh, mother! Help us now, as we build a civilization of love in purity.
I wanna tell you a story about a little girl
A beautiful sweet little girl
who enjoys living in her
own world of recluse
hopscotching to the beat of
her own drum
She's a dreamer and boy let me tell you
her imagination loves to run wild
You may find her gazing at the stars
envisioning the birth of an
ORANGE MOON
while love RAINS DOWN
Once gray skies dissipate
Heaven then opens up
as the GOLDEN LIGHT OF THE SUN
sticks to her skin like HONEY MOLASSES
She imagines taking A
LONG WALK to admire
the beauty growing
from the branches of
an APPLE TREE
reminding her that she too
grew from her family roots
to become BEAUTIFULLY HUMAN
She is CROWN ROYAL
BLESSED to have witnessed God
line her journey with FOUR LEAF
CLOVERS to impregnate her
with luck in the form of strength
It empowers her to move mountains
and dismantle walls 20 FEET TALL
Fearing no DANGER
she marches ON AND ON
like a SOLDIER pushing through
rivers of obstacles GETTING IN THE WAY
of her purpose
The SPRING SUMMER FEELING
leaves her SO IN LOVE
as she quietly confides in the flowers
by telling them
"the ancestors are WATCHING ME"
all while dancing to THE EARTH SONG
wearing peace and
blessings on her feet
while basking in the
manifestation of gratuity
He mother nurtured her
with food for thought
refilling her with infinite wisdom
She can hear her mother's gentle voice
telling her "GON' BABY, DON'T BE LONG
TIMES A WASTIN' and
be sure to pack light TODAY so you
don't hurt your back trying to
reach your NEXT LIFETIME"
The sticky sweetness
of an EPIPHANY rest on her mind
She levitates amongst the clouds
to swing on a rainbow
She don't want nobody
next to her on this journey
but the good Lord
guiding her beyond the ROLLING HILLS
and the valley low
holding her hand
until reaching her destination
to the woman she aspires to be
In her possession she has $3 and six dimes
a bag full of scribes
and a book filled with PENITENTIARY PHILOSOPHY
written by Mumia Abu-Jamal
I am proud of this beautiful sweet little girl
who enjoys living in her
own world of recluse
hopscotching to the beat of
her own drum
She's a dreamer and boy let me tell you
her imagination loves to run wild
©5-11-2020
In silted apron blossoms baby
Incubating heat fondles canopy
From leafy trellis sprouts progeny
With briny tears, warmth grows quickly
Acorn melded to fertile tree
Succoring streams flow freely
Ballasted perch shared dutifully
Fragile shell tendered stem's realty
Paternal arms clasp twig-end tightly
Structural beams foster stability
Nutrients funnel expanding the cavity
Well-rounded hull with shared identity
Truant winds the bond doth atrophy
Shaking strands that clutch lovingly
Ripening acorn longs new vistas to see
With heavy heart falls from caring tree
Dry, barren ground leaches each gratuity
Rotting leaves fondle exterior incessantly
Surface ambitions soiled by limited mobility
Predatory marauders pilfer each, bright opportunity
Acorn will not stray far from security
Paternal shadow hovers patiently
With overarching wings shield calamity
During trials, trickle down tears of empathy
Service workers wearing fake smiles perform for the customer. Catering to their needs; pretending. Insecure bosses put the pressure on making it known that you are replaceable. Treated as a number, employees wear name tags. Told what to wear and that opinions don't matter. Corporate policies drive the machine and the answer lies in the picture book. Great emphasis put on consistency, resulting in robotic behavior that is rewarded. Individuality is highly discouraged. In matching uniforms to represent a company; divided into groups and stereotyped. A job well done is expected without acknowledgement but mistakes are called out from the other side of the window. Two faced co-workers throw you under the bus and get tongue tied when confronted. It's obvious that their own insecurities drive such behavior. The bigger person feels compassion. Walking on egg shells in their presence and justifying his behavior with hard work. Fools buy into the lies and carry it's message with confidence. Creating an image of someone they don't even know. Judge mental mentalities that boost egos at the expense of someone else. Ambivalence is rare in this word of mouth to mouth industry and your secrets aren't safe. Gossip queens give dirty looks and stick up their noses. Little do they know that they actually know so little. Often shocked when they find out the truth. I see through this transparent behavior and I don't get involved. I'm too old for the drama and my time isn't wasted on such issues. These attitudes are contagious and so easily adopted. Breaking the cycle and avoiding it's virus, calls for a man with life experience. Someone who has already been through this and been in the shoes that they wear. It takes an open mind built on a foundation of acceptance. This is an attitude that cannot be taught, closed minds won't listen. Lead by example, an impact can be made. Lowered expectations influence less judgement. People are born into a harsh world and at the end when the waitress presents you with the check; gratuity is not included.
There’s nothing finer, in a sense,
Than certain words in present tense.
Words which are incredibly,
Etched on your mind indelibly.
Immaculate, petulant, magnificent, sinew,
Incredulous, superfluous, to name just but a few.
Sacrament, procrastinate, intestate - may seem,
Draconian, Dickensian, obsolete, obscene.
Gratuity, embouchure, gnaw with silent 'g',
Juggernaut, cantankerous, words which I must decree,
Are remarkably, stupendously, fantastically sublime,
And should be used magnanimously, each and every time.
Biblical, whimsical, statistician, brie,
Words which are surprisingly, absolutely free.
Insatiable, perpetuate, onomatopoeia,
Existential, exemplary, words you shouldn’t fear.
Exponential, candid, xylophone or muse,
Malign versus benign - never to confuse.
Reptilian, gazillion, fragility, beguile,
Elucidate, excruciate, go the extra mile.
Psychopath, pedestrian, sesquipedalian,
(That last word I must admit is somewhat alien),
But never doubt, you have some clout, with words that randomly,
Demonstrate, accentuate a sense of liberty.
Dead alive divine
Alkali
alkaline
earthy and noble
tried and true
gaseous gratuity held by a glutton...
cocked fist held fast by none other than you.
The essence of wit is brevity
which interestingly evinces chivalry
delivered verdict to hex hoar size
(once and for all) president
dons mantle of deviltry
and trumps constitutional credo
defining American elementary
particular edicts denoting, enshrining,
framing, grand honorable inalienable rights
when foolhardy lobbyists prevail
evicting execrable“enemy”
i.e. forward thinking (progressively liberal)
which subsequently might help
timid citizens to invoke probate, procure, produce cojones
in opposition against rabidly power hungry,
misogynistic courting among the body politik
fostering future feverish fortuity,
toward risking life and limb sans
Uncle Sam selfless gratuity
(especially as Benjamin Button syndrome –
reverses aging process
acquired thru heredity
gets in full swing) stamping mindset
nonestablishmentarian identity
with my Kosher blessing despite any infamy
permission to go ahead with jocularity
from a superstar coach named Kennedy
thereby garnering homespun liberty
where icon bank on direct
laudable, linkedin longevity
with unrolled Scottish grandeur
(Pomp and Circumstance broadcast)
synchronized with precise
unrolled welcome mat
yule receive granted “FAKE” feted soiree
as curtain call doth close toward
final decade of mortality
yet dismiss bing hash-tagged
a scofflaw at any opportunity
especially if legislated mandate
earmarked as priority
in tandem with the key quality
apothegm stipulates decrease sing sanity
as the hands of father time
spin (Doktor Dude Little) backward
away from present day turbidity
increasing revanchism uber victory.
I was borne with wings of innocence
Able to soar as imagination rose
Circumstance clips the wings of young
Fate shackles Mercurian ankles in its throes
Tethered to the ground of normality
Directed to the beaten path
Tread the quicksand of conformity
Join the multitude or feel its wrath
Such is a stifling courtship with maturity
Foregoing the whimsical notions of the past
Join the age of production and gratuity
Accept the roles as they are cast
I must find those wings that let me soar
Discard these chains they call the golden age
Ride the winds that whisper of forgotten lore
And break the gates of this earthbound cage
gkl2010