Best Grow Strong Poems
There’s an old river course with beginning and end,
now the river runs straight without this river bend,
where the water is still and the reeds do grow strong.
New life has taken over in a billabong.
The mat rush is spreading replacing the sedge,
and old fallen gum trees lean in from the edge
creating a haven in the shelter below
for smelt or gudgeon, and the common minnow.
There’s a ring on the water, so danger is nigh,
and life is now over for one caddis fly.
Dragonflies hover on their predator flight,
so mosquito and midges best keep out of sight.
There is many a song around a billabong
to break up the still with an assembly throng
from birds of the forest, and wading birds too,
so the billabong offer is there to pursue...
... for blue heron and egret, coot and the teal,
and for the banded rail that the bulrush conceal.
In the billabong shadowed by gum and ti-tree,
bellbirds are tinkling; wattlebirds disagree.
An oft-diving grebe keeps on searching for food
for the striped downy chicks of its latest brood,
and a hunting kingfisher waits keen for its prey
from a twig of a gum tree it frequents all day.
There is many a scent around a billabong,
filling the air with the perfume quite strong,
from black wattle and mint bush, or mistletoe
cascading from gum trees where only they grow.
Painted lady butterfly flit upon flowers,
and blue banded bees keep on working for hours
on lilies and orchids, heath, sweet appleberry
and clusters of flowers on a native cherry.
Ribbon weed, nardoo spread out in the shallow,
with buttercup, duckweed; an introduced mallow,
struggling for survival near the water line,
aiding coral pea that does lightly entwine.
The banks of a billabong are dangerous too
with predator snakes not so often in view,
but they are aware, that the growling grass frog
will climb from the water onto an old log.
But tigers and copperhead, red-bellied black
often lay in the sun on an overgrown track,
where the wombat or wallaby travel along
to graze on native grasses near the billabong.
So life still carries on around the billabong
where water looks stagnant, a bond is still strong
with a river now rushing it’s way to the sea,
past the billabong living, where the course used to be.
Like an ebony rose in a province
of ivory and golden flowers,
you poisoned each peaceful petal
with your senseless scent of death.
You were never just another floret.
Was I a fool to sow your seed in
hope your roots would grow strong,
portraying saffron scarlet hues with
an emerald stalk flourishing with
verdant leaves in serene sapphire skies.
When winds blew too boorishly,
I held your supple sepal with bamboo hands,
so your sunshine spirit would not perish
to toxic storms from organic forces.
I was willingly the earth to your foundations,
but your breaths became too bitter,
stinging in selfish stubborn sympathies,
as wild weeds strangled your stalk.
We could have nourished nectar with
hungry insects in need of nurture,
but your grudge left behind
broken bridges with a trail of
crumbling caterpillars seeking wings.
Cuts from your thorns remain,
ingrained as internal inflictions,
but still I plant bulbs to bloom.
To create an oasis of graceful charm,
where blossoms of compassion
softly soothe petals of pardon
in a garden of a wounded soul.
Forgiveness is a heavenly light.
A radiant beacon illuminating
through a canopy of trees,
eradicating shadows of hatred you
left behind like excessive weeds.
A melody of redemption whispers in
harmonious refrains breaking chains
of regret with burdensome pains.
To let go is like maturing buds
releasing the grip of timeless hate,
as my meadows are a symbol of a
divine mantra only welcoming peace.
Twilight has it's own wings and its own melody
Battles with the mystery of a sun setting horizon dawning hues
Pearl white smile's from the moon, in a mood of beautiful seduction
Oracle within one thousand chants dances with the shadows of night shades
For you, I will catch every star that I see in the evening sky surrenders
Sparkling silver dust their trails leave magic spells whispers deeply winds
Drinking from the milky way a mix of delicious chocolate
Icing of a thousand shape shifting patterns emerge glowing
Soft caramel and gorgeous nougat smiles golden melting
Under a canopy of stars you remain cradled forever beautiful
I would love to dance like planets that circulate around the sun
Blood's rivers are like red cherries and float like wine
Its colorful aura exudes amazing happiness
Sweet like a dream, I lean my cheek on lace pillows
Everything feels so right, our love will grow strong
A collaborated poem
Anne-Lise Andresen and Liam Mc Daid
11.01.2018
Copyright © All Rights Reserved
* Poem of the Week ; 14.01.2018
Goodnight my dear boy and what's that you say?
You want me to chase the bad monsters away?
Well, I'll tell you a tale that may just be true
And if it's made up, it is done just for you...
I know you're afraid of the dark and the gloom
When you lie wide awake all alone in your room
'Scardy cats prowl and their tattle-tales pester
Goose bumps may prickle and worry-warts fester
Shadow-ghosts creep up and crawl to your cover
You roll on your side but then you discover
The thump in your pillowcase whispers too loud
So here's what I've done and I know you'll be proud...
I've met with the monster man under your bed
He thinks you will find he is not much to dread
He just needs a friend and to know that you care
So if you reach down he'll shake hands from his lair
I've found where that boogie man hides in the wall
He's cramped and alone and he waits for your call
He believes you're convinced he is ugly and mean
And hold him to blame when you have a bad dream
Your monster man's fierce and has razor-sharp teeth
But he understands things that may stir underneath
Your boogie man knows what you don't want to find
And what's around corners and hidden behind...
They'd like to come out and tell you a story
(Perhaps something scary but nothing too gory)
Sit up and talk with them late into night
Come morning they'll gladly slip back out of sight
But at night they'll grow strong to protect like they should
To face down your fear and show evil what's good
Stand watch while you sleep, they will stay by their mark
If you wake you might catch their eyes glow in the dark...
It's then as you grow you may find you walk bolder
With two fearsome friends striding close by your shoulders
They'll go anyplace as a general rule
(But maybe you'd better not bring them to school)
If witches and dragons can streak through the sky
Then monsters and boogie men surely must fly!
At the edge of your sleep (when you just start to doze)
Whisper the password and wiggle your toes...
And they'll sweep you away to soar like a dove
Over the rooftops to heavens above!
Up into orbit to your own private place
High on a mountaintop floating in space
Sit back and relax with a satisfied grin
Laughing and singing as you watch the earth spin
Hum along while your boogie man growls a brave tune
Count stars while your monster man howls at the moon
September, you are a wistful song
Summer sheds a tear when you come along
Sunny summer melodies yield to your mellow song
Its melody fades while yours grow strong
Summer ends and a certain sadness ensues
Sunny days make way for winter blues
September gives us glimpses of summer
Though days be short and golden leaves slumber
The vibrant colors September brings
disguise the coming winter sting
As summer dies it makes one last sunny stand
But will return, for thats how it was planned
Until then we must endure a harsh season
All bundled up, keeping warm is the reason
When the first snow falls
The pristine beauty leaves us enthralled
Soon summer will begin anew
Gray clouds make way for skies of blue
We awaken from our winter slumber
And welcome the butterflies of summer
For Joanne Grisetti's Copy Cat contest
:Inspired by the poem: September
Which was written by: Andrea Dietrich
O dear Lord, let my thoughts fly upwards,
For we have sinned abominably against you,
And never bothered to think of You.
We raised false idols of our own making:
The gods of power, money, and lust.
Our corruption goes so deep,
That we realize too late
How very much unhappy we are.
Thus, our old temples crumble
Like the golden one of Jerusalem.
Yet there is always hope for the future.
The trees of Lebanon will grow strong again.
The evil serpent will be bound in irons
And thrown to the depths of Hades.
But we cannot achieve this without your help.
Forgive our heinous misdemeanours, Lord
And allow us to enter your new abode
The heavenly New Jerusalem.
And please forgive our many sins
As we forgive those that sin against us.
Amen.
His sun falls across my bare shoulders
Seeking a tender thought
Breathing light along the hopes
That gentle my mind and my heart
His moon pours a wispy affection
Across the music of my soul
Coloring me in hues of acceptance
Simple joy to my sight
His stars reflect all the shimmer
Beyond the seas and waves
Where azure laughter sinks deeper
Than the silence that fascinates
His voice caresses my spirit
With faith flowing in my veins
Creating crimson whispers
Bright as the fire’s flames
His vision keeps me focused
On kindness that soothes and sustains
Capturing the dreams of forever
Inside the blazing firefly dance
His grace cascades like a waterfall
Gushing with gladness and peace
Arousing soft feelings of pleasure
Grown famous by the unending mercy
His inspiration nourishes my soul
In angel’s hymns that raise my thoughts
Of joy, peace and sacred prayers
Sweet sighs of faith painting warm praises
His light guides me through the storms
Lifting the shadows that might harm
Giving my mind a chance to grow strong
With the rays of love falling from His spirit
His is a love that knows no bounds
He sends it down from the highest heavens
Illuminating and reflecting all the joy
Caught up in the soul who knows His worth
His is a grace that appeals to the senses
Guides hearts from the worst
And reveals the truth about giving unconditionally
From a heart who knows that love is the greatest gift
Lift your eyes to the highest stars
See the moon, the glow of heaven’s hope
Whispering insight through your thoughts
And know that love is alive on the inside
This world can be cruel
and people unkind
but love is a jewel
Each of us can find
Desperately lonely
He's feeling alone
The explorer is searching
For someone of his own .
He'll search forever
If that is what he must do
To build a life together
With the love he feels is true
Through disease and sickness
Heartbreak and pain
Once his heart is given
In love he'll remain.
So he travels the oceans
Across borders and skies
Following his heart
For its there all truth lies
Time has no meaning
Forever has no face
Be it determination or dreaming
He roams place to place .
If his heart is to be sated
He'll find what was meant to be
So long fate has waited
To find love eternally
Then they'll build a new life
Into the country they'll flee
A simple man and his new wife
Escaping life's misery .
In the midst of a forest
A new log cabin they erect
Building a new life of beauty
Built on love and respect .
Families will grow strong here
True love will thrive
They will work together
For the rest of their lives .
True friends are welcome
To visit our idyllic scene
We'll even help them
If they wish to share in our dream.
For any poem#17
Sponsor Poet destroyer A
Today we are here to unite two stars
And bring them together
And so they come together
Now
And together they will be
As all the stars are together
In the sky forever
Though stars themselves can die out
The timing is not within even our grasp
And through the dust, and the chaos, and the loss
A spark is lit
A new light forms to shine
Stars grow strong
Yet even they
Are sometimes weak
Which is why we see them sit together in the nighttime sky
Because they are surrounded by dark
They twinkle together
And cast light, love, a helping hand
Upon each other
When alone one might be snuffed out
Which is why we bring these two together
And in doing so
Cast that light, love, helping hand
Ignite the spark that begins a new star
Today we are here to unite two stars
And bring them together
And so they come together
Now
And together they will be
As all the stars are together
In the sky forever.
©Demand4poetry
Quote used "I do not like green eggs and ham. I do not like them, Sam-I-Am.”
Dr. Seuss, Green Eggs and Ham
My mum says I’ve got to eat all my greens
They’ll help me grow strong, guess l know what she means
But why green eggs and ham, I just want to eat jam
For I like to eat jam whenever I can
Jam on potatoes, oh that’s simply delish
I spoon it on carrots and it covers my fish
I eat jam for breakfast and always on dinner
Mum says I’ll get fat and I need to be thinner
Why does mum always think that she’s right
I need to eat jam morning, noon and night!
Every night time I kneel by my bed and pray
I thank God for letting me eat jam every day
But why won’t he listen for he knows I don’t like greens
I’d put them in firework and blow them to smithereens
Sadly mum disagrees and still gives me green food
It makes me all grumpy and puts me in a mood
But I eat them all up as I don’t want to fight
I still tell mum I love her every single night
Jan Allison
7th August 2015
Contest – Dr Seuss Quote Prompt
Sponsor Casarah Nance
A Chinese lad was at table dawdling with his pork and rice.
This upset his mama-san who reprimanded him in a trice!
"Clean your plate! Children in America are starving, son!"
And she continued to berate him - her tirade had only begun!
"Your papa-san has a great job while dads in America are on the dole.
Our economy is booming while that of America is lagging, on the whole!
Papa makes good money to provide Americans with the things they need.
You should be very thankful for the jobs they send here, yes indeed!"
"Kids in America can't get a job even with a college education,
But, son, America will provide you with a job in any old vocation!
This is the land of opportunity, my boy, thanks to American capitalists!
You must appreciate all they have done for us Chinese communists!"
"Not so long ago your father and I didn't have a yuan to our name.
Now we have a house and brand new car - life will never be the same!
So I don't want to hear any of your sass or fiddling with your food.
Thanks to the generous Americans, they have lifted our nation's mood!"
"I want you to clean your plate and grow strong to follow in your dad's shoes.
Uncle Sam needs you to make TVs and shirts or anything else they choose.
No more lip! Clean your plate! I want to see those chopsticks flying!
Think about the kids in America who'll got to bed tonight hungry and crying!"
Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired
© All Rights Reserved
Is this a world of lies and deceit?
Is deception the norm of the human life?
Must heartache reign for infinity?
Is living a lifetime a nightmarish hell?
Where can I find the solace I need?
When masks of deceit abound
And I know not who's friend or foe,
Who truly lends a hand in need?
Or is just calculating his own growth?
I feel resentment grow in me.
Am I to be a recluse, escape from all?
Am I to yearn for days gone by,
When childishly I trusted all?
I pull the brakes and little rays of hope
Amass and grow strong in my soul.
The dawning sun shines on the forest green.
There is a blessing in the dew that drips
From newly sprouted leaves of trees.
The white crisp frost thaws slowly
As the day grows slowly old like me.
The beauty of creation embraces all:
An ageless gift forever new.
And so I realize that God is there
With me to fill each of my lonely dreams
And fulfils me forever with His hope.
In a land of rolling gentle hill,
grass of rich green scents embrace,
cotton clouds drift in parade.
One lone oak crowns a summit,
regal on blue sky's horizon.
From under spread canopy
a small voice is heard in question.
“Father will I soon be grand as you?”
“Patience my son, you are but a sapling
risen in Spring's promise,
your time now just begun.
Think not of your destination,
but the journey that lies before you.
This is a time to sink your roots deep,
draw from the rich earth her gift of life.
Grow strong and straight in full bloom.
Learn to stand in strength of challenge,
yet bend when need calls.
For in your time winds will change,
gentle breeze will sing of peace,
and gales will speak of distant war.
Embrace the falling rain as giver of life,
but reach deep your roots with knowledge,
lest floods attempt to wash you away.
Spread your branches wide in invitation,
filled with sweet fruit in open offer.
For you are the provider of those in need,
your reward will be the song of life.
They will come to seek your embrace,
your days filled with song and family.
As seasons roll like waves upon the sea,
fear not the long cold Winter's sleep.
Rest well of clear conscience,
for Spring's morning will come in renewal.
Life is but a day,
the sun rises and shall set.
Through you my son I shall live on,
for you are of my fallen fruit.”
So it was the young sapling grew.
Season upon season strong and tall,
through the old oaks message of life.
In a land of rolling gentle hill,
grass of rich green scents embrace,
cotton clouds drift in parade.
One lone oak crowns a summit.
~
Youth is a time of growth and learning,
seek strength yet be not unbending.
Make knowledge your foundation,
for wisdom is a guiding light.
Live in peace and harmony
and give freely to those in need.
To friends and family offer your embrace,
for life is but a day.
Robert Gene Stoner Jr ©
7/11/16
open your mind go with your heart and soul and be a story worth telling
life begins at the edge so step into your fear and just let go (I can and I will)
inspire to be inspired if your dream is not scary it is not amazing enough
a challenge can change you in unfathomable ways never give up (never)
find your purpose in life and happiness will be your reward change rejected
into re-directed inspire to be inspired think beyond yourself always
and let your dreams make you great be your own wonderful inspiration
life is like a garden plant it water it well and it will grow strong and healthy
don't be afraid to fall or to fail (to be not perfect) pick up all the shattered
pieces (put the puzzle back together) sometimes the wrong choice is right . . .
_________________________
September 16, 2015
Poetry/Free Verse/be a story worth telling
Copyright Protected, ID 15-710-015-0
All Rights Reserved. Written under Pseudonym.
Submitted to the contest, 10 lines or less,
sponsor, Rob Carmack
Fifth Place
i hear your voice and i start to shiver
form my lung to my heart down to my liver
i hear your voice and i grow strong
my love for you is forever this feeling cant be wrong
for you id give up all my demon ways
your love is a drug and im in a daze
my darling i count the day till we meet
and when im with you my heart skips a beat
i long just to feel your breath on the side of my face
and when im with you i feel like im in space
you are my world and all that is inside
and when you leave me i feel like ive died
and so its starts over i count the days till we meet
you are my center you make me complete
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