Best Great Poems
between the plant pots and the trays
the cobwebs had seen better days
and for all the wood and damp and soil
the smell was one of paint and oil
as flies and wasps lying in state
were curled up past their fly-by-date
and nails and screws and metal hooks
shared space on shelves with brewery books
beneath a clock with broken hands
where time stood still amongst the cans
and jam jars full of pip-like seeds
stood next to things that no one needs
and while her tears had stained the glass
that looked out on the unkempt grass
upon the floor amid the mess
..a letter
and her wedding dress.
I Know of Great Love
I know of great love...
the kind of passion that
surpasses ecstasy into
a world of oblivious bliss
soaring among the clouds
in the ethers of heaven
with a newness that
never grows old or faint.
I savor these golden
treasures within my heart,
within my mind that is
filled with memories of
past and present as I look
forward to our future
moments, suspending us
in love's rapturous arms.
No love song could express
the joy you have given me,
nor the Valentines of
intimacy written by poets
with profound adoration.
Your voice is my love song,
your tender touch, my bliss,
your warmth, my security in
feeling, I know of great love.
You are now and will forever
be my beloved Valentine!
1-23-19
Midnight Valentine Poetry Contest ~N/A~
Sponsored by: Chantelle Anne Cooke
I Saw The Great And Mighty Wave
I saw the great and mighty wave
As it came,
The emerald glistening of its heart,
A chasing spasm under blue-lit sky
Dawn's glow gave a twinkling start
And in the mist doubt flew right on by!
I saw the great and mighty wave
As it came,
The revealing of a newborn fawn,
A mystery in Nature's golden sphere
O' what glory rises in each new dawn
And we mortals walk blinded in our fears!
I saw the great and mighty wave
As it came,
The power of this world's dark abyss,
A dream that withers on the vine
Beauty in a rose, in a warm kiss
Sweet honey, love, love on which to dine!
I saw the great and mighty wave
As it came,
The emerald glistening of its heart,
A chasing spasm under blue-lit sky
Dawn's glow gave a twinkling start
And in the mist doubt flew right on by!
Robert J. Lindley,
Rhyme,
( From the Inside, Peering Out )
What Holds More Resplendent Gifts Of The Great And Vast Beyond
Seas of poetry orations, I once took my swims
being strong in spirit, stouter in heart and lithe of limbs
What dread had I of illness or passage of Father Time
when great beauty of verse sang so deep, dancing in its rhyme
Waves of its amber grains, its sandy beach, its great pleasures
stirred heart, pleading soul in immeasurable measures!
If tired, I cast myself upon lands flowing true and fair
seeing magnificence in Earth, Life, Nature- everywhere
Before dawn, before slumber flees this soul's poetry dreams
of paradise shores, poetic thoughts, soft cast golden beams
Winds of change and sublime words to describe and thus to match
castles of hope, beauty's grace and golden eggs- set to hatch!
Fearing not of, high flying fancies and heavenly flights
of lost romantic desires, cast adrift on stormy nights
Or that of abandoned ships left behind in gleaming seas
for poetry gifts its love and blessings of granted pleas
Bountiful harvests of word-seeds so pleasurably sown
are but summer days sending cool winds so gratefully blown!
What holds more resplendent gifts of the great and vast beyond
than poetry, its powers, which poets are so very fond
How its paintings, colors memories one sweetly recalls
of life, living and flames of hot-romance youth often falls
Beyond poetic seas of white-cropped waves and foaming foam
may this old poet's soul, in death, forever gaily roam!
Robert J. Lindley, 12-03-2018
Rhyme, (Inspired verse) (Poetry is Life and Treasure too)
Note- I dedicate this poem to my very good friend Susan Ashley and her wondrously inspiring new poem that inspired me to write this today.
Her new poem titled, The Red Leaf- set me to thinking of its beautiful poetry
and life. And how much poetry means to so many dedicated and in love with poetry poets!
I sat down and this flowed right on out, early this morn.
Note: Use in my poem of "white-cropped" = "white" for good, "cropped" for "appearing unexpectedly".
Thus translated- beyond poetic seas of = unexpectedly good waves and foaming foam.
Definition of “crop up” - English Dictionary
American
English
“crop up” in American English
See all translations
crop up
-pp-
— phrasal verb with crop US ? /kr?p/ verb [ T ] -pp-
?to happen or appear unexpectedly:
Wrinkles and gray hair
get me in a rage
and I say to myself,
“Why don't you act your age!"
My poor aching feet
remind me to wear sensible shoes
but these black stilettos
take away the blues.
.
I wear glasses to see
but they're tinted green
and make me look
cool and mean.
I have a million pills to swallow
and sometimes I think my head is hollow.
I forget my keys, my purse and my coat.
Where in the hell did I put that remote?
Once I was so limber
I could touch my toes
but I refuse to talk
about my ills and woes.
When pouring the tea
if my hands shake
I simply say,
"Another earthquake!"
What was I thinking
When I bought that new car?
My old one was fine.
It just couldn’t go far.
I’d go on a trip
if it weren’t for my hip.
Maybe I'll give up drinking.
Well, I’ll just take a sip.
Okay, I’ll take my pills
for all my ills.
I’ll take a walk around the block
but I will not wear those damn compression socks!
Well, I guess I’ll hang in there
as long as I can
just to see my grands
build castles in the sand.
I'll exercise each day
while in my head I’ll say,
“I still feel like I’m only twenty-five.
Thank God, it’s great to be alive!”
By: Carole O’Terry Duet
Copyright: 6/20/2020
“All Rights Reserved”
I have been to places of great death:
walking the battlefield at Gettysburg,
as a lusty young man of no firm belief
who stepped between the great rocks
of Devil's Den and felt his soul shudder
as though he had been a soldier there,
and died in fear a long, long time ago.
I taught my tongue to the gentle Khmers
as civil war raged and the killing fields
were being sown-- I left before the
heartless murdering began, the killing
of over a million: teachers and students,
doctors and peasants, the old, the young,
each with a photo taken before dying,
their images taped to classroom walls.
And when I visited Hiroshima, now myself
chastened by death's touch, and knowing
my soul real, knowing of meaning absolute
and of unseen forces working good or ill,
as I stood at the first ground zero, I once
again shuddered to feel the pull of madness
(though I knew not if it was my own or some
remains of that evil which brought the fire
and brimstone of a world wide war...).
But by then I knew I could pray, and so
opened my desperate heart and sought
His mercy. Suddenly I saw a sort of angel
who took me from that place of insanity,
healing me while we wandered by the
beauty of the Inland Sea as my storm
calmed and left me, never to return....
I have been to places of great death, and
I have felt death's cold, careless hands.
Yet now I know what death itself fears:
the Light, the light eternal which carries
souls beyond time itself, like the winds
of a Love exceeding all understanding.
Dancing with the sunbeams deep sea reflections
so beautiful adoring on cloud nine sitting pretty
upon golden sands shifting salt of the ocean turns
Each wave a blessing in disguise
standing regal one moment in time
looking back captivating starlight was born
Mirrors mist over arched jewels colour radiance
fixing thoughts on an image beholding your word
no diamond ever cut comes close to you
To wake each day, alive and whole!
Verily a gift for all to behold.
We assume, we will see another day?
Anything can happen, petition....pray.
Going to bed and not thanking the Lord?
You are here now and were spared Death’s sword.
It takes but a minute or two, to be humble.
Cease thinking we are mini gods, who just grumble.
There truly is only one great poet!
We forget we are not Him, and arrogantly show it.
Remember, do.....our days are numbered.
Think seriously on this, before you slumber.
6-21-2022
The difference in saying you,
a great big unseen pointed finger, or we.
I didn’t know. Some figurines
wave while others scrutinize with wizened eyes.
The analytic panics, hairs raised by static.
The simple leans in to catch butterflies. One is cynical.
The other sensuous. One slaps your hand away.
One squeezes it. Personality
like the word itself broken in pieces, a flotilla.
In the storm the words like jigsaw waves.
In placidity, the sun’s too hot or doldrum’s ebb and flow.
We will make it!
Still, even in this exchange, coarse sand,
a castle with a moat. Your motives sought - there I go again
“Y O U R…”
Sisterly size-up. Am I trying to win? I didn’t know
we were preparing to arm wrestle. I’m unshaped,
neither the flat piece of a puzzle or linked.
The dreamy sky from the beach. Salt in the air,
eyes on the horizon, lap of the waves —
the same lift I feel when swinging high and higher.
The excitement of adventure, no one’s judging
my every word. I’m breathless…it’s breathtaking
when my feet float above the ground.
There I’m in the arms of love. There I point
and God answers with his digit reaching out, touching mine.
I am reborn by the finger of God.
We will make it!
12/19/2020
God is great,
God is good;
Let us thank Him for being here;
And remember, just remember it's Him whom died for us;
Remember, oh, remember He embodied Jesus Christ;
God is, God is good;
God is, God is great, God is good;
God is great,
God is good;
Let us thank Him for creating us;
remember, remember it's His mercy and grace;
remember, just remember He creator of all space;
God is, God is good;
God is, God is good;
God is, God is good, God is great;
God is great,
God is good;
Let us thank Him for being Him;
Remember, just remember it's Him who died for us;
Remember, just remember He allow Jesus to die on the cross;
To save all sinners lost, to redeem all mankind cause...
God has forever love for us....
God is great,
God is good;
God is good
God is, God is good
God is great
Written by James Edward Lee Sr.© 1974,2017
from demo "All Alone "© 1974
July 12 1974
Sound Recorders ™
Today is great, and the sun is shining within,
The storms have said adieu to my joyless soul.
My sad, heavy heart instantly starts to grin,
Today is great, and the sun is shining within.
As somber clouds left, I felt like I could win,
Seeking happiness is now the ultimate goal.
Today is great, and the sun is shining within,
The storms have said adieu to my joyless soul.
My sad, heavy heart instantly starts to grin,
Today is great, and the sun is shining within.
As somber clouds left , I felt like I could win,
The storms have said adieu to my joyless soul,
Seeking happiness is now the ultimate goal,
Taking all that melancholy days have stole.
0/6/05/2021
Contest: WRITE A "TRIONET" FOR ME
Sponsor: L. Milton Hankins
POEM OF THE DAY
I've deleted this acrostic from the competition for personal reasons.
SORRY, J. D.
G lorious was the morning I climbed the Scottish highland
R adiant warmth of Summer's sun shimmered over the trail
E mblazoned with clover, near a forested Wych Elm stand
A stonished at the scenic vista, my lofty imagination set sail
T raipsing across the North Sea, I was Captain in command
E lusive was the tailwind on my adventurous nautical escape
S cotland clamored for my return, 'Make haste. Hurry home!
C ast your notions upon the wind. Your spinnaker, undrape
A nother day will you play, when in illusory flight you roam
P erchance invite another dreamer and don your Tartan cape
E mbark upon a getaway beyond the heathered hills of loam'
(Honor Sent To Great Bard, Alexander Pushkin
Second Tribute Series, Fifth Poet)
(1.)
Poetry Gave Its Deep Rich Brilliance Unto Thee
Bard, what bright Light graced thy soft serenades
In late midnight hours, moonlight streaming down
Alas! With Time's fleeing flight, thy fame fades
Yet thy verse treasures gave thee world renown.
Bard, thy prowling ship upon open seas
Delivered thy Art, to this sad world please
Fate, its dark hand did thy youthful life take
For thy wife's honor, thee would not forsake!
Bard, from thy glory this poet now feels
Pains of sorrows at thy early demise
From thy fruited verse, this world so oft peels
In its beauty, words so precious and wise!
Poetry gave its deep rich brilliance unto thee.
As thy muse sent thee magnificent melodies.
Robert J. Lindley, 11/23/2019
Sonnet, 10,10,10,10 (Closing verse 12, 12 )
Second Poets Tribute Series, Alexander Pushkin
(2.)
New Dawn, New Life, To Heaven Rose My Cry
Pray I, to One that made ground and blue sky
Giving us earth's beauty for Heaven's sake
With bounty that mankind can not deny,
Thus fallen on grassy greens so, Pray I.
By heavens, Life caresses soul in me
Yet in blackest blackness of darkest night
In my wayward youth, this I sought to flee
And into black blackness of darkest sea.
Pray I, for salvation before I die
And true to His grace, faith was reborn true
With promise of dear life a bounding tie
Thus dark went away and sweet thanks, Pray I.
New dawn, new Life, to Heaven rose my cry
And soon I heard an angel chorus sing
Into its sounding midst, I did thus fly
With sweet teardrops that fell from misty eyes.
Pray I, others this blessing from blue sky
And Love and Peace such gift, God truly brings
Dastardly road took, I shall not deny
As bowing my head and with joy, Pray I.
Robert J. Lindley, 11-22-2019
Rhyme, ( When Darkness Lost Its Wicked Grip )
Alexander Pushkin Tribute
Of The Life, The Great Loss, The Solemn Plea
Across the cold chasm of that great divide
were flung the salty tears I could not hide
and epic darkness of a weeping soul
aching sorrows that took a heavy toll
O'gasping voice- shall thy complaints be heard
by whispering wind or by poet's word
in that a life mystery there gave birth
from those youthful days and innocent mirth
pray I, joy again of a much freer me
with swifter rescue from despair's aching sea!
O'mercy, dare thee this heart quickly heal
bless this soul, renewing love's dancing zeal
cast happy net, its loving gems therein reap
beauty and truth, gems to forever keep
whilst in my pleadings- I beg for much more
than unjust solitude on a foreign shore
remember what you asked me to swear
now failure- my loss more than I can bear
may I sworn rendezvous now truly keep
and you forgive me before my final sleep!
Fated were the blues of that darkest day
perhaps even these words I must now say
you my darling, were everything to me
but of freedom's needs, we could not agree
I that sought far, far more than was my due
live now despondent despair missing you
can you feel intense pain of this broken heart
with your tender heart gift us a restart
gift our lives, treasure of renewed love
so again, we may kiss 'neath Heavens above!
O'mercy, dare thee this heart quickly heal
bless this soul, renewing love's dancing zeal
cast happy net, its loving gems therein reap
beauty and truth, gems to forever keep?
R.J. Lindley
July 17th, 1976
Romanticism,
( The Sorrows Of A Love Lost )
Old note,
July 17th, 1976
: deleted
New Note: 6-14-2021
This is from my ancient graveyard of hidden poems.
Another time that in my youth I went far astray
I when looking back, see it like it was yesterday
And can yet again feel the pangs of a love destroyed
This may now, see the bright cleansing light of day
From wild youth, when I once let my vanity hold sway.
Decided to not edit this, leave it as was written when in
throes of deepest sorrows, heart was cut to shreds..
If I told you, Donald, my love was true
Would you dance for me, glad to be my boo?
Or give a mean retort
Making a piggish snort
No Valentine's kisses from me to you
Melania is getting done with Trump
All he cares about is his nasty rump
The Epstein files don't lie
Knows he's guilty as pie
When his term ends, he'll be sent to the dump
If he tells me, I never wear a smile
It's because I think he's a pedophile
Ungodly as a papist
And a guilty rapist
Who knows what else is in the Epstein file
King Donald Trump thought Greenland he’d steal
Used threatening blunder in his spiel
This Valentines Day
Thought he’d have his way
Greenland said, “Up yours, Donald. No deal!”
Don Trumpty is totally impotent
He can't get it up for any event
It remains very slack
Can’t perform in the sack
On Viagra his bucks have all been spent!
Donald J. Trump held a Valentine's Ball
The world's dregs... he has invited them all
There was Kim Jong and Putin
Khamani and Rasputin
His ego boosted, he felt ten foot tall
No roses to give from the rose garden
He paved it with a black heart that's hardened
Installed gauche golden bling
and destroyed the East Wing
Criminals and crooks, he's given pardon
Melania said that they’d never part
And told him she loved him with all her heart
She held his waist tight
Squeezed with all her might
Poor Donald gasped and let out a fart
The President is standing in the buff
Posing nude and trying to strut his stuff
I guess he supposes
Wife wants sex not roses
But sadly, his old todger is too duff
Donald forgot it was Valentine's Day
Was too busy with targeting his prey
By grabby their tushy
His bare hands, so pushy
All the red roses sold out anyway
The FLOTUS put Donald in his place
In the bedroom he can’t touch first base
Cos he bedded Stormy D
Then Epstein files, oh dear me
The POTUS has got egg on his face
I'd be his Valentine if he'd hold still
Long enough for me to give him a pill
that would put him to sleep
And freeze the nasty creep
Putting him in a cryogenic chill
Cupid's arrows missed their mark, A collaboration of thoughts by
Jan Allison, Tania Kitchin, Tom Cunningham and Lin Lane