Best Hms Poems
(Inveniam viam)
Far beyond these eerie things, where limits have no scales
Fish are replacing gills, with turbine aerated tails
Sea level’s losing all meaning, for the humpback whales
Ships piggyback them, harpoons syphon wind from their sails
Today I woke up early, lately I’ve let dreams flow
Into an abstract yonder, where visions often go
A wave came over me, up from my downy pillow
When tidal forces passed away, many moons ago
As the ocean waved goodbye, I called for an encore
Behaving like a poultice, the beach drew back old gore
You could’ve bowled me over, sent ripples to my core
Never again I’d sleep soundly, near this bloody shore
After a fretful lie-on, facing truths with each turn
My sundial running on empty, stars can’t always churn
Moribund in dimness, til an old spark can return
Reigniting glory days, (let supernovae burn)
Overhead the vacuum grows, just to make more space
Stretching my dysmorphia, to align with gods face
No one knows for certain, who enhanced his human race
Gave an artful hand, outsmarting evolution’s pace
As life spirals forward, in a world out of control
Entropy dismantles, stripping back our maker’s role
The poet in me keeps goofing, digging deeper holes
He’s a junkie rhymester, overdosing on this soul
So hail all billionaires, who never walk down my street
Flying above fake cripples, with power in their feet
Prodigies of bad and worse, scheming to make ends meet
Leaves an aftertaste of smugness, one that will repeat
As for those big questions, some take a straightforward twist
Two things I thought might go away, stubbornly exist
Not death or taxes, I’m already over that list
Each day I arise, how come lies and bullsh!t persist?
First there was oblivion, til I woke up and saw
Now fully awake, dead ahead looms a fatal flaw
But so long as I can dream, and able to guffaw
It only hurts when I laugh, Don’t you think? vents my jaw
By David Kavanagh
Hms
I
An ode to the courageous hummingbird
The tiniest bird, but bravest of all
He flits about without saying a word,
When most unexpected he comes to call
Fluttering gossamer wings rapidly,
He graces the feeder in an instant
While hovering in usual fashion,
His colorful feathers preened nattily
The ruby at his throat most dominant
--Epitome of avian passion.
II
His coat glistens with iridescent hues
Most easily seen in the bright sunlight
He’s glaring at me from his fleeting views,
Interrupting his bold, erratic flight
I look back at him with determined poise
Enraptured by his slow backward retreat
With rare aplomb think him taken aback,
I hear his delightful low humming noise
As he refuses to admit defeat,
Comes quickly to my face, spiraling back.
III
Oh, sweet little fellow so loved and prized
Topic of bird-lovers conversation
Yet when you appear, I am so surprised
Enamored with your gay presentation,
Wanting to hold you to my gentle breast
To say I have made you my little friend
Your colorful beauty so astounds me,
So far surpassing Mother Nature’s best
Lovelier shades always make up your blend
Love you, hummingbird, my pleasure to see.
[NATURE]
Submitted to: "2022 Poetry Marathon Mile 2" Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Mark Toney
June 15, 2022
FIRST PLACE WINNER
Written April 28, 2022
Syllables check with HMS
written for "O Form - Ode - New Poems - Poetry Contest"
sponsored by Constance La France
#4 on BEST NEW POEMS LIST
Poetry Soup
May 27, 2022
I write upon the nimble hands of fleeting time
careful not to leave my musings behind
Sometimes penning with haste and speed
trying not to forget
a relevant word or phrase seen in my mind's eye
that could be a crucial poetic thought
When tremulous mourning escapes my wistful heart
I am overcome with sorrow and cry
tears of desolation, and yet,
it is the balm I need.
Writing offers comfort, but never peace of mind
Love sonnets, I still write for him, in rhyme.
When the clock swings its pendulum and starts to chime
I become annoyed but always resigned
to accept that my heart will bleed.
Happiness owes a debt,
paid when loved ones are taken; a price much too high
as the clock mocks me, "Time cannot be bought."
January 31, 2021
My Invented Form - I Write Upon Contest
Sponsor: Constance La France
Syllable count verifed with HMS
By David Kavanagh
On second thoughts
When instinct becomes
an educated guess
And improvisation
demands quick redress
Like thinking on one’s feet
if too drunk to stand
Be found all at sea
throwing up on dry land
Twisted situations
we find ourselves in
When bundles of joy
reek original sin
Smack on the butt
for showing a bit of cheek
Do everything perfect
get labelled a freak
Gestures, signals,
often appear to confuse
High five or fist bump
sweaty handshake defused
One or two fingers:
the bird a sign of peace
Kneel with respect
submissive purr on a leash
Diversions, promises,
never black and white
Passive aggression
silent treatment for slight
Jack in the box, ripper
jumps out with a knife
Break a leg, for the
performance of his life
Police warning: never
mess around with guns
Gut reaction sparks a
stampede, or the runs
Playing it very cool,
whilst feeling much heat
Praying devoutly,
burnt at stake for deceit
Sticking out one’s tongue
in contempt, no a kiss!
Sigh of relief
they were just taking the piss
Such is living, such is death
come friend or foe
On second thoughts
syllabic verse, or sh!tshow
By David Kavanagh
hms
Where hills lay barren, and bedrock’s stripped bare
let me take you away to county Clare
Huge cliffs climb sheer, dwarfing waves underneath
atop the Burren my heart skips a beat
With nothing to see, apart from the view
all makes perfect sense, rain comes right on cue
And whatever I feel, it’s in the air
desolation yes, but without a care
Where fields seed pebbles, and pastures reap stones
through Clare’s vast rawness, I trek on my own
A whitewashed lighthouse, beckons away
scouring heavy seas, beneath clouds of grey
Gulls are crying, as they happily do
rising and falling, going nowhere too
Still makes me wonder, where I’d rather be
than here by Clare’s dolmens in reverie
Later I take in, what nature left out
my pipe, tobacco, and bottle of stout
Hms
Love begins with joy,
sidestepping thought ploy,
sharing and caring,
with all souls pairing.
Love is not a trade,
nor assigns a grade;
it's a warm embrace,
akin to God's grace.
Bliss bubbles passion
is love's compassion,
holding each soul near;
all to our heart dear.
When true love's seeded,
no echo's needed,
for the flame burns on,
each breath a new dawn.
Like the pristine dew,
each love hue is new,
magic on display,
making earth life play.
Fires of love let's stoke
in heart to invoke,
bliss fragrance sublime,
to heavenward climb.
21-August-2022
HMS, Rhymezone
The Meaning of Love Poetry Contest
Sponsor: Anoucheka Gangabissoon
The whispers of diamonds and moonstone,
Starlight’s infusion of butterfly wings.
Flutter of lady’s eyelashes in Spring.
Lullaby murmuring - Jane’s not alone.
Sweet puff of air, rustle of lilting voice.
The whispers of diamonds and moonstone,
Shuffle from ear to ear, play telephone.
Host’s sunrise hair - the inkling day’s rejoice.
Sotto voce of floating flutes. Daydream
Of droplets barely spritzing window-zone.
The whispers of diamonds and moonstone,
Reflection of lone eyes, glimmering stream.
Undertone of Autumnal leaves, strewn, sown.
Olive, lemon, plum - radiant and hushed.
Silent lips of a second chance, not rushed -
The whispers of diamonds and moonstone,
7/17/2021
Whispers
Sponsor: John Lawless
*HMS used - 10 syllables per line with two exceptions -
diamonds (2 syllables instead of my variant 3 syllables)
Sotto Voce (3 syllables. Should be 4)
Don’t try to straighten tulips, dear - they spread.
They lean and bend…they bump and crowd…infuse
Their sunrise glow - the perfect rainbow-red.
The priceless, Holland-choice, symphonic hues,
Impress a smile from lovers’ lips, a test.
They lean and bend. They bump and crowd. Infuse.
In comely youth, great happiness expressed -
Relinquished to the bulbous fate of time.
Impress a smile from lovers’ lips, a test.
The glass panel aflame - half-dozen rhyme
In partial sun. Such glory circumscribed,
Relinquished to the bulbous fate of time.
Across the morning sky, their light imbibed.
Each vibrant cup with verdant leaves adored.
In partial sun - such glory circumscribed.
When glimpsing life through glass, don’t bind with cord.
Don’t try to straighten tulips, dear - they spread.
Each vibrant cup with verdant leaves adored.
Their sunrise glow - the perfect rainbow-red.
4/20/2022
AN ORIGINAL TERZANELLE
Sponsor: Milton Hankins
HMS and Rhymezone
Song of Love and Joy
What tune is this that stems from heart,
The voice of soul love-vibes impart
To light that flame before too long,
Before love dies and passions part.
Sing now, sing, of her love stoked song
Let her feel, how there you belong,
In her domain that strums romance,
Where lyrics of love laud lifelong.
Waltz with allure of graceful stance,
Spin with tease of her stolen glance,
Stand not still as your dreams pass by,
Lure your life to a gracious dance.
Smile with the dawn that thrills blue sky,
Watch it thrive donning crimson dye,
Wear your joy while you trumpet life,
Snatch her before love goes awry.
April 5, 2023
Placed 1st: Free Submission Premium Poetry Contest
Sponsor: Sotto Poet
Placed 9th Brian Strand Premium # 1209
Eight syllables per line (HMS.com)
Form: Rubaiyat
Rhyme: aaba, bbcb, ccdc, dded
Pretending can be a bold form of experimentation
and inventiveness. In pretending joy or happiness,
we may discover or enhance our capacity for it.
Harriet Lerner
Lord Leofric: The waging of war is man’s affair
Lady Godiva: Then wage war in your way, M’Lord,
and I’ll wage war in mine
Movie, Lady Godiva of Coventry (1955)
MASQUERADE
Quivers the man traversing the icescape.
Queen dominates the saddle with her eyes.
Size five, bare, narrow feet melt snowy floor.
Masquerade - his wife dreamy in disguise.
Flesh, smooth as ice rink, after zamboni.
Warm hearth behind the seven veils of d’sire.
Godiva tresses descend to her knees.
Bright red lips, parting flames, a flute of fire.
Singes where cherry makes contact...shivers
and moans like Winter Nor’easter through trees.
Memories malleable — tongue to ink.
Lobe, neck, thighs surrender to cold night tease.
Quiet warmth underneath the satin sheets.
His eyes wide open - concedes his defeat.
2/1/2021
Sensual Poetry
Sponsor: Charlotte Puddifoot
HMS Line 1 lists icescape as 3 syllables but it is 2
I find beauty in the unkempt places ~~
Sticky beehives with perfectly formed combs,
A child's playground sea of dirty faces,
An overgrown garden with ugly gnomes,
Sagging gables of long-deserted homes.
I look for more than people likely see ~~
Wondrous events occurring in past tense,
Places long untouched, lovely by degree,
Feelings of beauty lit from innocence,
Well-crafted stories hinging on suspense.
I long for beauty in the dour mundane ~~
Making the minus a clear positive,
Finding some loveliness in the profane,
To be learned in the raw provocative,
Turning low grades into superlative.
[LIFE]
SECOND PLACE WINNER
Written July 1, 2022
For "It's All About Three Q's" Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Constance La France
[15-10 syllable lines in 3 Stanzas checked by HMS
The ababb of the English Quintain with rhymes
checked with Rhyme Zone]
#16 on Poetry Soup's 100 Best New Poems List
August 24, 2022
#20 on Poetry Soup's 100 Best New Poems List
August 15, 2022
I wished to ascend,
so I called a friend,
who knew of such things
and how to grow wings.
‘God’s abode’s within’,
he said, ‘so begin,
by simply choosing,
head and heart, fusing’.
‘Each impulse distil,
aligned with His will’.
So I set out thus,
aboard God’s love bus.
I reached heaven’s gate
and there chose to wait,
for the gate was locked,
so I stood there docked.
A voice then affirmed
that I’d have discerned,
the gate’s my ego,
which I must forgo.
Once there’s no blockage
and no desires rage,
cleansed of every sin,
I may then walk in.
I cowered in fear,
for my life was dear.
What’s left, if I die?
Is heaven, a lie?
Conscience egged me on,
ego shorn, reborn,
the false dropped away;
I saw then God’s play!
I was living light,
shining day and night.
The gate was but thought,
fears, ego begot.
The manifest world,
but intent unfurled,
to know all are one,
each being God’s son.
Life’s a lucid dream,
where thought forms do stream.
To exit this game,
simply take God’s name.
The rot’s sunk in deep.
How long will we sleep?
There’s no gate, dear friend.
Vaporise! Ascend!
23-June-2022
One In Five Poetry Contest
Sponsor: Joseph May
Syllables: HMS
*Image of Silence Effects by Pixabay.
the power of silence
his soul yelled her heart screamed~telltale faces held a deafening silence
2022 October 04
*1st Place*
The Power of Silence
~~JCB Brul: 2022 October 14
*HMS; 17 syllables.
frisky newborn lambs
gambol on the lush green grass
black crow collects twigs
checked with HMS 5.7.5
Spring - Traditional Haiku Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Malabika Ray Choudhury
02/24/21
Hark, I hear bells tinkling in tune.
Spring has arrived , a big hooray.
For bluebells are now in full bloom.
Look yonder, my friends and admire
Enchanting violet flowers
So melodious and fragrant,
A delight for nature lovers.
A favourite with the fairies.
An incredible spectacle,
Known also for their herbal cures.
1 April 2022
Form L - Lay - New Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Constance La France
Theme Chosen: Nature
8 syllables per line (HMS.com)
Placed 1