Best Hold A Candle To Poems
You called me Memory
not realizing that is all I want
I couldn't ask for anymore
than to be a lovely memory in someone's heart
To be remembered is a great responsibility
I will wear this name well
I'm proud of this name bestowed to me by one of my heroes
One of my friends
One of my sisters
One of my own
One of my most precious memories
A memory with a future
My dear sweet loves
Silver cannot describe your voice
It's far more valuable
It's like gold to my ears
Comfort to my soul
Honey to my throat
It coats me in love
It muses my own thoughts
An ancient way of thinking
I'm an artifact
But don't put me behind glass
Leave me buried or clean me up
but appreciate my beauty either way
I'm too lovely to be forgotten
So don't think that you can leave without thoughts of me
I'll haunt your own memories and gain the trust of your dreams
I'll stay in the creases of your heart and be the sleep in your eyes when you wake
I can turn necks with a simple smile
Don't hold a candle to me
For it will only pale
The rust and dirt that stains me are contributions to my selflessness
I'm a warrior of time
A bandit of sorrows for I will wear yours as my own
I'm cracked but I've withheld against wind a torment
A treasure lost for far too long
The map that leads to me has been smudged beyond repair
But I'm not...
No I'm not the shiniest or the one filled with the most riches
But I am to be cherished
For I am only one
The caverns of my heart are to be explored with reverence
I'll open up but can easily crumble
I know how to rebuild but I've come too far to start over again
I've withstood the test of centuries and I will make it to the end
My treasure hunters
You've found me
Don't look anywhere else for what I can hold
It's too great for most
But you can handle it
I was made to be found by greatness
To hold greatness
And that is what you have filled me with
You've prepared me for wondrous things
Things that can't be reached in just one lifetime
No wonder that I have so many more to live
Wind, your double essence is well-known.
Whispered summer breezes you exhale;
Then suddenly you turn. You surge and wail,
Expelling rage, you bluster or you moan.
Your brute relentless nature then is shown
For you become a cyclone, Hound of Hell,
Or show yourself a monsoon, squall, or gale.
Unquelled, a devil’s wrath with dust is sown.
As you intone, we’re stricken by your power.
Whipping wind, who thrashes us below,
You’re merciless until that final hour
Your vehemence ceases. Gust, I hate you so.
You scour Earth for those who next must cower.
Two-faced tempest, most indeed you BLOW!
For the NETTED by WORDS: HER SILVERED, TENDER WEBPoetry Contest
I used the theme found in "Wheeze of a Wind" which had been entered
by Nette in another of Cyndi MacMillan's contests:
Timeless Yet Contemporary, A Sonnet Thang
Note to Nette: My sonnet cannot hold a candle to yours. I think your contemporary one was better than my traditional one; however, I hope you can feel my anger about wind in it!! I just love how you did your modern sonnet for Cyndi!! BTW, I MISS you. Where ARE you anyway???
The Prayer Meeting
I felt a raindrop on my brow;
Twas just the other day.
Out in the Pasture all alone,
By myself to pray.
The rain fall oh so gently:
I felt the grass beneath my feet.
The wind rose sweetly round me,
On my little rocky seat.
A Mocking bird sang me a Carol.
And a tiny Wren sang me a hymn.
There was never a human singer;
Who could hold a candle to them.
The trees loomed strong above me;
And I knew they love him to,
For they raised their arms in His praises
In a praise that is always new.
I felt refreshed and nourished
For I'd been alone with God
Yet others praised Him around me.
And I thought it not one bit odd..
How does one compete with a Frost or a Keats,
a Dickinson or Whitman for words,
how can we say in our language today
what we feel within has been stirred.
Like those in our past who intrinsically grasped
the secrets to living and more,
their visions, dreams, and ideas it seems
came through their own secret doors.
I make no pretense I could ever dispense
the levels of beauty they wrought,
Wordsworth, Thoreau, Tennyson, and Poe
A sampling of pure genius thought.
The list could on from Homer to Donne,
Psalms to Shakespeare and Blake,
but this I know well, they cast quite at a spell
on this amateur poet of late.
I beg their forgiveness to think that I may
hold a candle to a stanza or line,
that any one of them penned, each one a Godsend,
still echoing throughout time.
Dare I call them “exalted ones”
though fading voices by and by,
I wonder if in one hundred years
will they still bring smiles and sighs?
Will the books remain with all their names,
and thoughts and deeds be told,
will some still grasp the readers task
is to open wide one’s soul?
I rest my case here in this place
for answers befuddle me,
but I for one am glad they came
and left their lasting, loving legacies.
My leaves never droop and my flowers stand high
I bloom through the year as the seasons pass by
I witness the daffodils stand proud and tall
I see warmer weather put paid to them all
The alliums follow, the marigolds too
Then plants that will flower the whole summer through
Impressive by some standards, you might agree
But none of these plants hold a candle to me
The roses come close as they bloom into fall
And still here I stand as I scrutinise all
I watch as the wind brings down apples and pears
I won’t drop my leaves but I see them drop theirs
For I was put here by a man with a spade
Because it gets hot and there isn’t much shade
And all year I brighten this spot where I’m placed
I’m plastic - and there’s no accounting for taste
Hold all my calls
I’m by your side
I’ll hold your hand
You’re not alone
I’ll hold you tight
We won’t lose hope
Holding our breath
We’ll stick together
And we’ll hold on
Just you and I
No one can hold a candle to you
With better days ahead
Hold on tight to me
Do not despair
We’ll hold it all together
I’m right here by your side
AP: Honorable Mention 2020
Posted on April 25, 2019
Forget that first glimpse of the tower of Pisa.
The glorious colorful tulips in their beds at
Keukenhoff Gardens in springtime.
The Eiffel tower blinking in the darkness.
The Grand Canyon gilded at sunset.
The wandering mist from the power and
thunder of Niagara Falls.
The magic in the sails of Sydney's
Opera House on the harbor.
The bright beauty of Tokyo city lights.
Disney World and all its sights.
Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria's green hills.
Views from Seattle's Space Needle, day or night.
How the cool smooth metal of the towering
St. Louis Arch changes color with the sun.
Atlanta's pride in her Stone Mountain carving.
Forget the impressive beauty of the
Statue of Liberty on her own tiny island.
The thrill of traveling the everglades by air-boat,
Hong Kong's breathtaking skyline.
Enjoying Auckland's shoreline by horseback.
An enchanted river cruise down the Thames.
The awesome art museums each city offers.
Ancient Irish castles and countryside cottages.
The music and lights of San Antonio's riverwalk.
Marveling at the golden gate bridge swaying in the wind.
The warm aqua Hawaiian Surf and pearl white sands.
I now have my greatest sight. . .
Those button shaped ebony eyes that twinkle
Those cute little chubby cheeks and
A smile that lights the heavens.
© 2012 Connie Marcum Wong
*Note: During my flying career I have been blessed to see all these sights
and more, yet they can't hold a candle to my g. children Carissa or Brody.
Hemingway’s famous “Old Man and the Sea”
Simply couldn’t hold a candle to me
I caught Ahab’s great white whale
Did some surfing on his tail
Made him jump through hoops ‘fore I set him free
In Scotland I gave Nessie a big scare
As with my huge net, the beast I did snare
I held on as Nessie tugged
Then set her free as I shrugged
To tell the truth, Nessie hadn’t a prayer
And now I’ve set my sights on the Kraken
Oh yes, I’m more than a fishing bumpkin
And so for Norway I sail
To prove women aren’t frail
This giant squid is simply a munchkin
.
Written for Susan’s “Ridiculous Self-Exaggerations” contest
*Last line is the metaphor
In an attempt to establish an uncertain linkage between 2 parables,
Ivo Torena resorted to impress his colleagues all night long; hence,
awkward as a cow on a crutch, he was cowed into pilfering bananas,
and when he was caught red-handed by the deputy, his eyes showed
no response even though his arteries were friendly. Thus, a series of
tribulations took place inside his troubled mind for outlandish
reasons, and his whereabouts were commended by one of the top
enemies of the state: The twerp from Antwerp. On a serious note,
a cabal of notorious hotshots devised an agenda to unnerve Ivo
until the cow comes home. Still and all, Torena has a truly unique
composure, unlike the belligerent Belgian, and his mannerisms
can't be reciprocated with ease. Furthermore, the notoriety with
which he prattled and sprattled was momentous! His uneventful
birth can't hold a candle to any cinematographic invention although
his water bottle company is a candle in the wind and the pieces
begin to assemble duly without second thoughts whatsoever.
Yarns Of A Seafaress
Hemingway's famous "Old Man and the Sea"
Simply couldn't hold a candle to me
I caught Ahab's great white whale
Did some surfing on his tail
Made him jump through hoops 'fore I set him free
In Scotland I gave Nessie a big scare
As with my huge net, the beast I did snare
I held on as Nessie tugged
Then set her free as I shrugged
To tell the truth, Nessie hadn't a prayer
And now I've set my sights on the Kraken
Oh yes, I'm more than a fishing bumpkin
And so for Norway I sail
To prove women aren't frail
This giant squid is simply a munchkin
This wonderful poem epitomizes Carolyn's love for everything about the sea.
She has so creatively and entertainly regaled us with her delightful writes based on
her own personal sea adventures that have become and will remain classics.
I can picture Carolyn standing on the prow of a boat, her hair streaming in the wind,
as it charges full steam ahead as she seeks further swashbuckling challenges beyond
the horizon. She has been a supporter and encourager to me not only in poetic matters but personal matters as well. I pray that her well of verse will never run dry!
Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired
My words wont ever hold a candle to Poe or Byron.
Rhymes about whiskey and loose woman.
No that pulitzer there really is no need in admiring.
For Im the guy that get's wasted and jumps
over fire.
Gives everyone a good laugh.
But im far from what women desire.
Im a jackass of poetry. Hi kids it's your
old buddy john.
Ya know that jerk that slept with your sister
hit on your mom and passed out on the front lawn.
The cop asked me for my license to which
I replied what the hell is that.
Officer Tillman I belive i met your wife in a restroom
down at the laundrymat.
She didnt do ya justice.
Cause you arent all that ugly
but you are kinda fat.
No my last name isnt Knoxville but I
sure had some fun in Tennessee.
Met darlin that left a burnin feelin behind just for me.
My life is like a tweenty four hour cartoon.
A wreckless wonder.
If ya wanna ride along theres always room.
Gotta babydoll I often reffer to as Tinker.
She's my favorite semi insane funsize drinker.
Got a amigo or two.
Some fake ID's cause some people just happen to be looking
for me.
I thought you already knew.
Some people like to hate.
Clive. Forrest. Ian.
Dont be jelouse your still living togather in the same basement
no hope ever having none inflatable
date.
Iv'e taken some pretty hard licks.
Put my mind in a blender .
Now all im left with is becon bits.
Im the Jackass of poetry alone I hold the crown.
Some might call me a village idoit.
But I would say im most fun fella in town.
And if ya read this work and still cant see.
You can go to hell.
And thats one thing apon me my imaginary friends
and my little badass tinker agree.
Wherever you go, don't forget
Bring your own sunshine along
To brighten up the path you travel
Singing a happiness song
It's certainly possible, look at me
Can't wipe this smile from my face
Mona Lisa can't hold a candle to Jacko
Brightening the darkest place
Am I happy with my life so far
Bet yer sweet bippie I am
Was never much of a complainer ever
Or a down-in-the-mouth type man
So wherever you go, don't forget
Give everyone your big high fives
Never leave home without your sunshine
You'll brighten up so many lives
© Jack Ellison 2015
Reading captions besides smiling lips.
Reveiwing lifesyles and basics.
Choosing in a moment or over quiet deliberation whether
to reply to a flirtatious glance.
Finding, more and more, that I have little experience at this game.
In its ruless, non-conformist, strange land.
Where one easily becomes prey to wolves and vultures.
Some introducations drip of the bitter venom;
Others no etiquette with little skills of we social animals.
Regardless, we all call out seeking some one to fill the void prior relations left.
Some were a literal " Yikes!"
Their manner seemed afraid that smiling
would either break the camera or their face.
Others were the hearldings of wounds previous relationships had inflicted,
leaving them open to fester, ooze, and putrify.
I do not wish to be the antibiotic they need;
a Florence Nightingale they want to tend and bangage these sores.
Others have no interests save the industry paying for this lot of cyberspace.
Fairly boring not much to say.
I would not be able to carry on a conversation beyond pleasentries and introductions.
Though I do not understand if it is me or them at fault
More to the point when I allow myself to be taken by the hand by another touched on theneck by a gentle hand A kiss so soft so warm melting the icy armor,
coolness of my demenor.
Diva gladly abdicates her throne.
Needy for a touch of a lover, consistant and sincere.
More cautiously do I proceed; not to let anyone, just anyone, in marring up my house.
Too many years I have tucked away
these true feelings boiling deep with in me.
So very few in the world can hold a candle to my expectations.
For the moment diva will keep her crown.
Form:
The VOW
I can't recall the day or time when I fell for you,
That precious, defining moment when I grew fond of you.
That's how much I have grown obsessed with you.
But I guess the answer lies deep inside,
In the once-empty void I call my eyes.
spend a lot of sleepless nights thinking about how all this is going to play out.
You wanna hear my vow so bad, it makes you shout.
Sadly, despite the volumes of dictionary and literature I seem to consume, I can't find words that hold a candle to you.
I can't bear the thought of anything being a fluke.
Through the bloom of spring to the harvest of autumn. All I know, today, yesterday, and tomorrow,
Is that I will love you through joy, rain, sunshine, and sorrow.
The glimmering light of a full moon or a beautiful sunrise
Doesn’t affect me like when I look in to your eyes
The light blue sky the deep blue sea
Doesn’t come close to what you do to me
The wonders of this world are amazing to see and do
But there is simply just no comparison to you
A walk on the beach makes me feel grand
But its nothing like the touch of your hand
The sound of music sends me on a relaxing path
But it doesn’t rank higher that the sound of your laugh
The wonders of this world are amazing to see and do
But there is simply just no comparison to you
My favorite all time hobby or the elation of vacation trips
They will never hold the same excitement of the kiss of your lips
When I’m watching my favorite home team win and I hear the roar of the crowd
It doesn’t hold a candle to you saying I love you out loud
The wonders of this world are amazing to see and do
But there is simply just no comparison to you