Best Harkened Poems
At eventide,
Under the roseate glow
Of the receding evening sun
I sauntered down the road
To where my beloved dwell
Not far-off from my own abode
Fast by his threshold
A low moan issued from his room
I made open the unlocked door
And so I happened upon him
Mightily taking his mistress
My eyes grew wide in shock
I made as if to storm,
But then stopped
Loosed upon me, an exquisite pain
Felt with every fibre of my being
Soundlessly, I turned around
Post-haste, homeward bound
In great dolour, I walked onward
Carrying my enfeebled feet
Heedless of the lowering clouds
Lightning flashing, thunder pealing
Yet I walk onward
And so the heaven opened
Pouring, the rain
The entire me suffused with it
Thus I quiver in frost, yet
I walked my leaden leg in the drenching rain
And so the inky blackness of the night cast over me
The evanescent rain went home
Afterwards , I gained my shelter
All rain-drenched
I laid, inert in my bed
With an unblinking stare,
My eyes cast into the void
Benightedly, I fell in the arms of Morpheus
And I saw the door opened with a groan
Came in, my inconstant lover
He drew nearer and sat fast by me
I couldn't cast a look at him
For scalding tears welled up in my eyes
He pillowed my head on his chest
And nursed me in his arms
Touched his lips to my locks
Now patting, now caressing
My shoulder, my tresses
His heart beating pitter-patter
He held the nape of my neck
And with an undertone voice
Whispered to my ear
Forgive my failings, my Inamorata
You're a vision of beauty,
And you're my true love.
I harkened to the honeyed words
Falling from his silver tongue
My heart leapt
Thus, hungrily,
I bathed his lips with sensuous kisses
And I melted into his embrace.
I arouse from my slumber, behold!
E'en the murky darkness of the night
Has passed away
And the sun, smiling in the heavens
But my heart, still heavy with pain
Alas! Who to bring solace to my lugubrious tear-stained visage
Categories:
harkened, betrayal, break up, feelings,
Form:
Ballad
Hello Friends... I suffer from Severe Bi-Polar Disorder and this submission was inspired by
actual events that occured during one of my especially critical manic episodes. Be sure and
read Part 1 first so as to get the true gist of the poem and leave your comments here on the
Part 2 submission. Thank you for allowing me to share my pain for pain shared is pain
diminished.
Me, Myself, and I... (continued)
“Your, (Or “Our”), symptoms seem to intermit
And the fact that “You’re,” (“We’re”), a hypocrite
Tis no wonder we’re having such problems with diagnosis”
Then “I” had an idea so grand
To dispense with this at my own hand
A self-inflicted coup de grace would be my prognosis
So while the “Me” and the “Myself” squabbled
With courage newly cobbled
“I” spotted the dresser drawer and made my run
With fingers fiercely fumbling
Whilst they continued grumbling
“I” produced from the depths of the drawer a shiny gun
And now my life, though ill-fated
Was soon to be vindicated
This would affect us all equally the same
Would be no myself or me
No you, him, us, or we
But an inclusive all would be to blame
It took me a moment to figure
Out the safety on the trigger
Then “I,” (or “Us”), prepared to do the dirty deed
Then the barrel found my temple
And as it settled into the dimple
A still small voice did my “selves” choose to heed
Hence a moment of clarity
Harkened me to posterity
And I thought what a legacy to leave behind
“Can’t we all find a way
To save this miserable day
And avoid a broken body for someone to find”
And then deep within my soul
I felt and heard a simple drum roll
And the differing sides of me just subsided
And with my mind now as one
I worked to get this all undone
The whole business of this stuff I derided
And tis now true of fact
That I survived this ordeal intact
And lived to raise my face unto the sky
And here now as it ends
I find I’ve made good friends
With the “Me”, the “Myself,” and the “I”
Thank you for taking the time to share in my poetry. Please feel free to leave your thoughts
or comments here on this page.
J. Scott Burns...
Categories:
harkened, angst, death, depression, faith,
Form:
Narrative
The Name Above Every Name
“ 9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Phil 2:9-11 NIV
Christ took the nature of a servant
And was created in human likeness.
He humbled himself before all;
His obedience provided our righteousness.
God exalted His humble Son
And gave Him The Name Above Every Name.
At this name every knee will bow,
In heaven and on earth His praise proclaim.
Every tongue will confess
That Jesus Christ is Lord of all.
He glorified the Father above
And harkened death’s necessary call.
He made us children of God;
Changed from slaves to heirs instead.
The Name Above Every Name—
The lamb of sacrifice to wed.
The Name Above Every Name
Is upon the lips of His faithful servants,
Not through force but love alone;
The Holy Spirit's implants.
We should be so grateful,
That Christ died for us to be saved;
That He rose again from death’s pit;
Eternity on our hearts engraved.
The Name Above Every Name
Is to be glorified for all time.
Let’s worship Christ and give him thanks,
For His love so heavenly divine.
Let us shine like stars in the evening sky,
So that all who look up will see,
The Name Above Every Name,
To be worshiped for eternity!
Copyright © 2011-2012 Maureen LeFanue
Featured in my Easter Poems Book published 2012
www.maureenlefanue.com
Categories:
harkened, faith, inspirational, god, easter,
Form:
Rhyme
Lost in a vacuum of darkness
Hearing beats of a distant drum
A marshaling cadence that harkened
Together we'll overcome
Advancing I paused to listen
The sonorous pounding increased
It's volume and rhythm did hasten
My lonely anxiety had ceased
I knew nothing now could stop me
Adrenaline numbed all sense of fear
My pace became more lively
As the darkness began to clear
Then suddenly another thumping
I tried to make sense of it all
My nerves were raw and jumping
From within I began to recall
With confidence I ventured
To soldier on about
Alone I fought my battles
Sowing seeds of fear and doubt
I found my path had gone astray
And led me far from home
Pride and shame would guide my way
In darkness left to roam
So longing for the sunlight
Without torrential rain
And thoughts of bright tomorrows
Without regard for pain
Into this light still brighter
Casting sins of my confession
The heaviness within my soul
Was lifted from oppression
His grace there to receive me
In my greatest hour of need
Thankful is my heart and soul
His call was there to heed
That beating drum still resonates
In such a blessed way
Now, at last, the prodigal
Is coming home to stay
Spiritually speaking,
Daniel Turner
& Jeannie Minor
Categories:
harkened, blessing, courage, faith, forgiveness,
Form:
Rhyme
Beyond the trembly weald to glassy glane
beneath the wooden breath where thoughts remain
'twas a harkened land called Wordingtane.
The Wizard of Words ruled this land
in grips vernacular he had sturly hand, gimbly grand.
None in Wordingtane fair match for him
he needn't fiat, he could whim
his ekel pronouncements in spelling fusion
for peasants quiet conclusion.
Speaking by riddles it's easy to say,
save a fool, the perfect way.
Long swiffen over time to mumbly masses
in rhyme, it nestled in just fine.
Amber all who would argue
fribbled and frambled tied up
and scrambled, brains rambled,
fell off trillig tracks while
simpering sloggers couldn't get back.
The Riddler tacked to try who came
from afar he posed an answer assert
that vored in abyss and he lost his head.
"No place for his hat", the Wizard said,
"That was that", the crowd anored
in callactic dord their cries flayed
and all obeyed.
Then the Fiddler spun his music trick
and the Wizard metered in time,
felled him with a trocken rhyme.
Then proclaimed the silly Fool
entered his aclaim so tangled a wordmess
he'd profess, using words unheard,
the Wizard unslurred, spinning in a web.
So rilly and rich the "Wiz" confused began
a twitch to twitch he did till flabbergast
through the night till morning past.
Whence he fell asleep at foolish feet
with his verily own vorpal blade in hand
the Wizard's head, in a wreck left his neck,
and the fool would rule in grim humor
this land to tell so trundly true,
the end 'twas justine jewel.
Now the sky is bright, land just right,
'tis the wave whilst the Fool did fight
and twisted foils stretched in hand
he won his refrain, startling reign.
Categories:
harkened, confusion, dark, fantasy, onomatopoeia,
Form:
Rhyme
Lost in a vacuum of darkness
Hearing beats of a distant drum
A marshaling cadence that harkened
Together we'll overcome
Advancing I paused to listen
The sonorous pounding increased
It's volume and rhythm did hasten
My lonely anxiety had ceased
I knew nothing now could stop me
Adrenaline numbed all sense of fear
My pace became more lively
As the darkness began to clear
Then suddenly another thumping
I tried to make sense of it all
My nerves were raw and jumping
From within I began to recall
A memory beckoned sweetly
Of days forever gone
Tucked away so neatly
For sake of moving on
Convinced my chance was over
For happiness and love
My world grew cold and lonely
Like a hand without its glove
I, the seedling, springing forth
After I had died
Know the measure of the wealth
Of love when last I tried
Then suddenly the beating
Of the drums began to sync
Oh, the possibilities
My mind began to think
Here was I, a lonely man
In darkness, Till the end
I've heard the call to see the light
Which shines on me again
- An honored collaboration of
Daniel Turner
& Jeannie Minor
Categories:
harkened, dark, future, life, light,
Form:
Rhyme
I met a man -
one could hardly deem old.
His smile was warm, yet
his hands were quite cold.
I asked the gentleman:
“Do you remember my name?”
I queried the chap:
"Do you know why I came?"
I solemnly wondered
if this tranquil soul heard.
Again, the man beamed;
speaking nary a word.
I harkened his heart
'bout my wares as a child -
the man calmly listened;
he comfortably smiled.
I prattled on
'bout my debonair Dad -
how I truly valued
the cherished moments we shared.
Private passioned spirits
rivaling a deity's gold.
Handel's honored messiahs
chanting secret fables untold.
I asked the quiet nobleman:
"Can a son's tears be reposed?”
My Father simply smiled as
his maple-casket lid -
closed.
Categories:
harkened, father
Form:
Rhyme
Lord--
turn not away Thy face
Thou desirest not the death of a sinner
Thou desirest for men to come unto Thee
so that Thou mayest gather them
the way a hen gathers her flock
i have not been true to Thee
i have not harkened to Thy voice
11/3/07
Categories:
harkened, angst, faith, forgiveness,
Form:
Free verse
Remember when life seemed easy
And the dance came so seamless;
Music seemed to pour from the sky
And summer nights were soft and dreamless.
Remember when you and I together
Waltzed step and step in love;
And conflict and rancor were unknown;
We moved together while stars danced above.
Remember when a smile would mend
All the tensions of the working day;
And the sound of your voice harkened joy;
We never thought to censure what to say.
Remember when our memories were sweet
And separation meant only a few hours apart;
Those days have passed, my dear;
What remains is only my broken heart.
Categories:
harkened, lost love
Form:
Rhyme
The story is told
In the Rome of old
A man took the road
Bearing the load
The cross of shame
Guilt and blame
All to us shove
His unending love
The story had been told
A prophecy that waited to unfold
He who had eyes beheld
And was fortunately compelled
He who had ears harkened
News that saddened
That the innocent was slain
All to bear another’s pain
The story is always told
That forbearance and love may hold
As the wisdom that ought to be sought
Even profitable if bought
Not for sale but for keeps
That a man may make leaps
Peaceful even with his enemies
With speech full of remedies
Categories:
harkened, christian,
Form:
Couplet
She said she would stay if I gave her more independence,
that I had to give her more flexibility in how she handles her affairs.
She told me she would stay if I maintained her allowance, but allowed her to generate her own cash, and keep whatever she made.
She said the cap-in-hand approach that had served us so well these many years, no longer met her needs.
She told me that she would stay, but that we had to change the terms of our relationship,
that the world had moved on but that the way I treated her harkened back to a bygone era.
She told me that if I couldn't conform, she'd already found another suitor.
That she, could easily be even more successful, as part of another union.
And I admit, I did not react well:
I did not tell her that she was amazingly beautiful.
I did not tell her that she was inspirationally intelligent.
I did not remind her that together we had once ruled the world, so what would we possibly achieve apart?
I did not reassure her, that whilst my heart wholly craved for us to be together,
if she chose to leave, I believed she could do whatever she put her mind to.
But all of this could have been forgotten.
All of this could been forgiven.
If not for one thing my dear friend.
In all of this,
she did not once tell me,
that she loved me.
NOTE: This is a poem about the September 2014 Scottish independence election, where the people of Scotland voted to remain part of the United Kingdom. The constitutional ramifications for the state of the entire union are still playing out.
Mike Concise
www.mikeconcise.com
Categories:
harkened, political,
Form:
Free verse
From seas of green, to darkened woe
The winds do blow the grief
In Maelstrom's tide, to havens low
We waken death from sleep
Harkened to the evening star
The evil calls the foe
Into the tide of the Maelstrom
Into the deep below
Dark haven, cruel Raven
Where shall you then depart?
The whole ship has sunken
Into the whirlpool's heart
The moon will shine from up above
Till darkness ends the light
The moaning mist of deadened love
The sad, lost wings of flight
Demon waters drown the glee
Of all remaining hope
The gift to hear, the gift to see
Left us long ago
Dark haven, cruel Raven
Where shall you then depart?
The whole ship has sunken
Into the whirlpool's heart
Dark haven, cruel Raven!
Where shall you fall tonight?
The whole world is shaken
In Maelstrom's sick delight
6/17/13
-experimenting on this verse;
trying to make a four part
acapella...wish me luck!!
Categories:
harkened, absence, abuse, adventure, allegory,
Form:
Lyric
Thee Apple Hove Bing an Herbivore...?
(hint – app peal)
Sans maintaining a strict carb on diet
(for Peat Sake) iz like really coal
man, cuz carnivores consume meat,
which genetically modified organisms
engender incredible non edible size foal,
these agribusiness farmed animals shot up
with synthetic hormones
spurring heightened development
accidentally, inadvertently, and unleashing
King Kong monstrous outrageous gnoll,
whereat each footfall taken
by scary creature resembling
a humanoid hyena
results in said frankenfood digging,
one after another humungous hole
resulting in dirt pile
cresting, kickstarting, and
rivaling a mini
spring mount tin knoll
necessitating massive
manhunt to cap cha
lurching, pounding, and thudding
beast whereat entire
motley crue all harkened
from places named Lowell,
nonetheless heil lee calf full
to arm themselves with more'n one
tranquilized tipped pole
anachronistic cautionary expedition generating
masterfully baiting monster
with immense gritty buttered roll,
whose gargantuan ramp
aging spree across
world wide web
found endangered population
tuff lee from their
picturesque enclave i.e. Floss
on the Mill as zee unbridled
quasi jabberwocky took a selfie gloss
silly attired (trumpeting
"FAKE" ska don face mask)
likening pulling up moss
as coiffed "hair...hm..." all the while
gabbling, instagramming,
snapchatting, and toss
sing fearsome Frankenstein
with especial bent toward
those sharing surname Voss
in tandem to flagrant
disregard to paradigm
housing hefty prime
statutes of grammatically
correct syntactical rhetoric, plus rhyme
ming showcasing a novel
discovered talent to enrich pantheon
until the end of time.
since times of auld
where linkedin note able people
(some long haired others bald)
plaintively, suddenly, and called
urgently to be importantly installed
to brainstorm figuring a solution
to vanquish, nightmarish,
and hellish abominable madness!
Categories:
harkened, 11th grade, 12th grade,
Form:
Enclosed Rhyme
Who wanders amidst rose petals, starved of love, reaching for the thorns?
What destroys the heart, sacred, more than loneliness from bitter winds born?
When light dances above the fallen, peace and hope remain alive...
Where our prayers are held, the spirit longs to reside, longs to thrive...
Why then why does the poet weep harkened from a wilted garden?
Categories:
harkened, depression,
Form:
Rhyme
Down the difficult road,
they harkened to
go before me.
They were sick and tired
of being dragged down here
And the desert and the palm trees
were calling ..
The night was so dark
But they heard of no fear ..
At dawn,
taken by heat and thirst,
down the difficult road,
they burst into tears ..
They left the horses in the stable
without a prance or saddle
And set the mules to rumble
so as not to wheedle or muddle
They caused everyone to pandle
Why life is so hard to handle!
Down the difficult road,
they harkened to
go before me.
~ Chokri Omri
(Regueb, Sidi Bouzid, Tunisia, 2020)
Categories:
harkened, betrayal, courage, feelings, lonely,
Form:
Free verse