Best Heartbreak Poems
There’s a beguiling danger in beauty…
seduced as I was by the fickle fingers of fate musingly stroking my hair,
I envisaged
this lusciously lavish landscape
of sun-raptured heavenly hills and valid valleys
to be a lush, plush place for me to land ~
alas, such deception my naive perception did offer.
Buried beneath the facade of a fertile dream-come-true
and a mesmerizing mirage of natural light and zephyrus breaths -
where your thoughts hugged the horizons of my mind
like clouds on the edges of prairie dog skies
and where your stampeding passions trampled my inhibitions -
were delicate bandeaux of ice;
finespun and feathery like polar gossamer
that formed on the stems of your ruptured dreams
that then became my nightmare
when you had your hard freeze
while warm sap still flowed through your veins,
pumped and pushing through your broken being
and freezing on contact with the chilled clime
cocooning me, in a sudden silken surge of your glazing gauze
holding me, in the vivid wild magic of your frosted crystallized clutches -
fossilizing me, in icy opalescent ribbons of ornate whorls.
Unable to escape the grasping glacial petals of your exquisite pain,
your frost flowers plunged me into the frigid heart
of your bitter bluestem’s prairie winter...
There’s a beguiling beauty in danger
hypnotized and hijacked
as I was by the rhythmic sways of your tall grass ways -
your flickering tongue tasting my air
as my emotions were extorted
till I was bled white -
obviously oblivious
that I was being preyed upon
by a stealthy force of nature motivated by indigenous instincts.
Susan Ashley
March 13, 2018
~ First Place ~
Premiere Contest: Poetry for the Sake of Poetry
Sponsor: John Lawless
*bluestem: tall grass native to the Great Plains with bluish leaf sheaths*
*frost flower: thin layers of ice extruded from long-stemmed plants in autumn or early winter. These thin ice layers form dainty ‘ribbons’ or ‘petals’*
Evergreen flavored mantras
did nothing to purge bitter bile from my lips
nor slake the smoldering thirst for a Rosary remedy.
Tick-tock petals unfurled one by one
as your poppy shed its last sepal
releasing a scarlet sigh across sunset skies
whilst I placed a tender kiss upon your twilight.
If but for your gossamer bloom in persimmon perfection,
I would not hunger for your ambrosial whispers
nor rue the earthly drought of undying nectar.
I stray, a waif lost with my armful of loss,
blind behind the tear-rusted folds
of a weeping veil’s eclipse.
My psyche a pauper
rich in the poverty of penniless promises,
empty as echoes in hollow holes
ringing with wringing reverberations.
In the grasp of atheist fingers I clasp Holy beads
tilling cries and whys.
Every tear a sorrow sown in brambles,
whose sloe fails to ripen sweet redemption
in the fertile sham and barren sand of my humanity;
crushed by the tusk of this damnable dusk.
Susan Ashley
April 13, 2020
~ First Place ~
February 5, 2023
2022 Poetry Marathon Qualifiers' FINAL Placement Poetry Contest
Sponsor: Mark Toney
~ First Place ~
Premiere Contest: 2022 Poetry Marathon Mile 9
Sponsor: Mark Toney
~ Third Place ~
Premiere Contest: Your Best Poem Ever
Sponsor: John Hamilton
~ Seventh Place ~
Premiere Contest: Crushed
Sponsor: Anthony Biaanco
~ First Place ~
Standard Contest: Your Best Free Verse 2020
Sponsor: John Hamilton
Too good - to ever last suggested bpm 80
Vs1
When we first met, I never thought
that you could ever love me...
You were the brightest star shining
so high up above me...
Bridge
I loved the way you stared, with your sparkling eyes...
I loved the way you laughed, out loud until you cried...
I loved the way you moved, with such grace and finesse...
I loved the words you used, the way you'd catch your breath...
Chorus
Guess it was too good... to ever last
I knew the end was coming... but not so fast
I thought the good times... just might be enough...
I guess you got tired ...of my simple love
Vs2
I remember when you said our first kiss
gave you the shivers...
And every time that we made love,
I'd watch you gently quiver
Bridge
I loved the way you stared, with your sparkling eyes...
I loved the way you laughed, out loud until you cried...
I loved the way you moved, with such grace and finesse...
I loved the words you used, the way you'd catch your breath..
Chorus
Guess it was too good... to ever last
I knew the end was coming, but not so fast
I thought the good times, just might be enough...
I guess you got tired ...of my simple love
Postlude
Now in the heart of the night,
nightmares fade from view
Sometimes when I find peace of mind
I still... dream of you
When we first met,
I never thought that you ...
could ever love me...
December 4,2019
John Hamilton
https://youtu.be/-gDinVAmtA0
Chopin Nocturnes
Listen....autumn rain is gently falling
Within enchanted hour of twilight sky.
In my heart, Chopin is softly calling
Lovely piano notes that make me cry.
As Luna slowly rises in the east
Her soft lambent glow lightly veiled in shrouds,
Taming the spirit of both man and beast
By roaming mesmerizing misty clouds.
My spirit soars within this peaceful scene
Enthralled by every note of Chopin's tune.
Beguiled in nature's calm, I feel serene
As stars appear and mingle with the moon.
This music and enchanted night reveal
New hope my mourning heart will one day heal.
January 13, 2021
Poem of the Day January 14, 2021
O, weeping willow shed your sorrow
on whispering breeze to soothe your grief
within whose breath's a healing yarrow
to whisk away tears upon your leaf.
Sweet rustling zephyr embraced in sway
as misty-eyes sigh mournful wind-song,
a wistful heart in bosom ballet
with shadows dancing as currents throng.
Weep not, soulful shimmer 'neath sun’s gold
for chartreuse vines fly the west wind's bend,
enlightenment seeps in roots to hold
as yarrow's pink kisses blown to mend.
Susan Ashley
August 13, 2018
~ Second Place ~
Premiere Contest: 2019 Poetry Marathon Mile 1
Sponsor: Mark Toney
Royal blue sky scattered sapphire clouds
On horizon embroidered in navy blue attire
Summoned by the onset of marigold sun
Emitting amber gold on tuscan yellow fire
Where tapestry of fluffy lavender floats
Decorating patterns of designs periwinkle
Mosaic of colors then spray-paint the water
Spreading a layer of golden yellow cover
Shimmering gold dust on twilight ripples
Abutting brushstrokes of dark blue egyptian
I saw you briefly where first time we met
On the lonely bridge that extends into bay
But as the dark landmass peeked its head
And the lifeless vegetation glinted despair
The tangerine breeze announced your exit
Quivering our aura beneath glittering riffle
For you refused to witness impending flame--
Broken vows ablaze in last breath of sunset
Written: August 4, 2018
Submitted on February 6, 2023 to:
2022 Poetry Marathon Qualifiers' FINAL Placement Contest
Sponsor: Mark Toney
Submitted on December 7, 2022 To:
Placed 3rd: 2022 Poetry Marathon Mile 22 Poetry Contest
Sponsor: Mark Toney
Poem of the day on August 7, 2018
Placed first in standard contest #180 by Brian Strand
Midsummer Breeze
How may I extol a midsummer breeze?
As soft as rose petals in cooling wind
That flutters leaves upon the verdant trees,
And endeavors to make the blossoms blend
From blooming boughs whose wistful petals drift
In a mélange of hues that blankets grounds
In vivid masterpiece of summer's gift,
Sharing red rose’s splendor that abounds.
Ten summers have passed since we said good-bye.
The son you never knew still causes tears
As evening shadows fill this twilight sky,
Through him I've loved you more all of these years.
Soon all is hushed in shadow's silhouette
When moonrise turns blue skies to violet
7-29-18
Not Just Any Old Rose Poetry Contest. ~Poem of the Day Jul 31, 2018~
Sponsor: Mark Massey ~7th placement premier contest~
I rise and fall like melancholy tides
in ebb and flow of wistful disrepair,
our separate in consciousness divides,
the whiff of grief fills broken-hearted air.
Neglected now, heartstrings' rawhide, I mourn
with briny beads that water my dismay,
eyes teary drizzled mist, inside forlorn,
my psyche pierced by thorns in love's bouquet.
Whatever will I do, this emptiness..?
A gnawing hollow where my heart should be.
My lonely preys me like a lioness,
a simba stalks this lost love refugee.
Soft morning sun does gaze into my eyes
enlightening the depths of agonize.
O Winter, why this desolation? Trees, once verdant now stand bare
Flowers, long in hibernation; clouds that frown with ominous stare,
Bleak winds chill the rain-soaked bones and blow the leaves from yard to yard
Winter is for hardy souls whose skin is thick when life runs hard.
Come quickly, Spring, just weeks away, fulfill your promise: life anew
A ring to give, a vow to make, a oneness where there once were two
A fleeting, tragic, rain-drenched moment. One is gone, just one is left.
Foul Winter, taking one too soon, and leaving one too soon bereft.
Intrepid one - my dear, strong niece - you face the future minus one
Yet Spring is poised to soon return with yet another hope-filled sun
I throw a penny of good wishes in your fountain of love lost
What's this? Another penny there; another, and another tossed...
By end of week a million pennies tossed by those whose love pours out
A million small expressions of compassion for your winter drought
You're not alone, O precious one, you live enveloped by so many
Hope is winter's antidote; and love is spring's eternal penny.
Written the week my niece's 29-year-old fiance died in
an automobile accident, 2 months shy of their wedding day.
Written 8 Mar 2015
In the silence of sadness,
what will the winds bring tomorrow?
In the sadness of silence,
my soul sighs soft breaths of sorrow.
Where did those rainbows go,
reminiscing happier times?
Thunder brings further misery -
am I victim of my own crimes?
I must have betrayed the sun,
for it offers no sanctuary.
Moon refuses to shine in the darkness,
since when were you my adversary?
When there was love,
it never rained so violently.
Winds would come and go,
fading away so silently.
Mind drowns in a somber cesspit,
struggling to cope with your demons of pride.
I don't know what I've become,
since you left, I've died a little inside.
Simple Musing
Silent One
7 February 2019
Example for I died a little inside contest.
[Verse 1]
Just another sinking tear
In this river full of pain
Racing fast to nowhere
In a world that’s gone insane
Hope hung herself in silence
Before I got to speak
Now I'm haunted by your absence
And promises too weak
[Pre-Chorus]
They say it gets better
But they never knew the fire
That burned us down forever
Left me buried in the mire
[Chorus]
But it’s alright — you’ll never know
I’m living dead, but I don’t show
Empty words and hollow eyes
Behind this smile, I hide my lies
Yeah, behind this smile... I hide my lies
[Verse 2]
Everyone’s got the answer
But none of them are right
The blind lead the broken
Claiming they’ve found light
Love — a cruel illusion
A fool’s delight, they say
Left me cold and naked
In the night that stole the day
[Pre-Chorus]
They offer silver linings
While I’m drowning in the grey
Their voices can’t reach me
In the wreckage where I lay
[Chorus]
But it’s alright — you’ll never know
I’m living dead, but I don’t show
Empty words and hollow eyes
Behind this smile, I hide my lies
Yeah, behind this smile... I hide my lies
[Bridge – Preserved, Enhanced]
Handcuffed by this culture
To a grave of silent screams
Treading water in the shadows
Of once beautiful dreams
Too far gone to rescue
Too lost to even fight
Alone beneath the surface
Under a waterfall of night
[Final Chorus – Lifted Emotionally]
But it’s alright — you’ll never know
I’m living dead, but I don’t show
These haunted eyes still memorize
Every truth I try to disguise
Behind this smile... I hide my lies
Yeah, behind this smile... I hide my lies.
Memories Of Bygone Days
O' yes, how well I remember her still
giant black oak atop big wooded hill
Those treasured days now long flown by
our free spirits flying so very high
Summer days within Nature's fine realm
majestic views that did so overwhelm
Cloudy days in the meadow far below
flowers galore, O' what a great show
My lady and I went up there to park
glorious scene set our hearts to spark
Under canopy of that old massive oak
she sweet words of undying love spoke
Our tree saw our love start to bloom
picture of that oak in our bedroom
Two years it watched our love grow
how was it to ever see or dare know
Life came and flew on us so fast
love came deeply but failed to last
Fate sent us onto far different treks
love destroyed, both lives were wrecks
Now I pass that massive tree on the hill
memory recalls her beauty , what a thrill
Time destroyed the scene it ruled then
O' the love of what should, could have been
JULY 2015
Blue moon rising
on a stormy night
I sit sobbing
without you
Sadness,
when we fell out of love
The point of no return,
drifting apart
You broke my heart,
my fragile heart
Now you're gone,
I'm missing you
Guess it's over
Tell me why
Whispers on the wind
Words:
disappointment
dejection
disillusioned
rejection
A true tragic tale
heartbreak
loneliness,
sad eyes
a single tear
Reflections
in the moment
precious moments
carry me away...
The scent of your soul
breath of love
shadows from the past
personal memories
After the rain
I will survive
letting go
Spring is coming soon
a new beginning
inner peace
Best Titles Contest
Sponsored by Laura Loo
(Every Line used is the original title of one of my poems)
June 11th 2017
Another lover's touch
There's never been a love,
that's ever been enough...
You keep searching for...
another lover's touch
Why do I even try,
I should stop wasting time...
You say that we are fine...
we both know that's a lie
Chorus
I can see the ending,
in our book of love...
Well I try and I try and I try,
but it's not enough...
I see the curtain falling
on our romantic play....
I never thought our love ...
would end this way
I remember that first look,
the first chapter of our book...
We thought we'd found a love that would never die
The days turned into weeks,
so many nights without sleep...
The love we felt was an unrelenting fire
Chorus
I can see the ending,
in our book of love...
Well I try and I try and I try,
but it's not enough...
I see the curtain falling
on our romantic play....
I never thought our love...
would end this way
Chorus
I can see the ending,
in our book of love...
Well I try and I try and I try,
but it's not enough...
I see the curtain falling
on our romantic play....
I never thought our love...
would end this way
There's never been a love,
that's
ever
been
enough...
You keep...
searching...
for another...
lover's...
touch.
John Derek Hamilton
November 22,2019
re-posted with music and vocals
January 27,2021
Copyright © John Hamilton | Year Posted 2019
“It was a mistake," you said. But the cruel thing was, it felt like the mistake was mine, for trusting you.”
David Levithan
I will forever be as pure
as white virgin fibres,
in your onyx
field of ravens.
When the
star-crossed
silhouette of
bleeding ink,
ricochets like
vindictive arrows,
within your
hollow walls,
quenched with
muted echoes,
I am reminded of
your ebony eyes,
cradled under
black decomposing flesh.
I shove my
misunderstood identity
into a pocket journal,
embalmed with a
fragrance of peace lilies
and rhapsodical prose,
amidst doleful dusks
painted with
past mistakes
hidden beneath
narratives of sinful
tangerine nights.
But, remember
that your fallacious
name is an
erased footnote
in the history of
relentless runes.
My tormented tongue
has become
immune to
your false screams.
There is no need
for close-fisted
fingers to flip
through pages,
of the story
I left behind,
as visions of
venomous verses
cremate into
ashes in my mind-
as mere memories
of monologues from
ice cold monsoons,
which don’t define me.
I’ve sculpted fragile
paper boats and
watched them ferry my
demons,
floating on daisies
in a ravishing rivulet
of truth and tranquility,
whilst you chase
impassioned imprints
within chapters
written in patterns
of insincere phrases.
I am a survivor of
your storm,
drawing dreams in
drowsy darkness,
blooming my
amethyst artistry,
which vibrantly
beats to burgundy
evolutions of a
blossoming flower,
who's scent you
will never savor.
My petals
may be fragile,
but I refuse to remain
prisoned in toxic
traits of a
weathered wildflower -
I only attract
majestic butterflies.