Best Honorary Poems
Polka Dottie
When the up-tempo “Beer Barrel Polka” began
I grabbed sweet John’s arm, curtsied to my man
The Polish side of my family hit the floor
While my new groom wished he could slip out the back door
There was only one dance I’d ever seen John do
His “variation of the twist,” shuffling one shoe
In fear he stood at first, wishing he’d taken lessons
Then hoped he could fake it, capture polka’s essence
But his sister Dottie could see poor John’s distress
So she hoisted up the hem of her bridesmaid’s dress
My family cleared way as Dottie started to prance
Oh, yeah, this gal surely knew how to Polka dance
John slipped behind the bar with a bottle of gin
As Dot spun me ‘round and my legs did a tailspin
So fast we twirled that I quickly became dizzy
Barrett fell from my hair and wild hair flew frizzy
Now what was I seeing, not one Dot, at least two
The Polka Dots took lead and when the dance was through
Dot told me she’d done it to rescue her brother
Who was now being helped to the loo by his mother
Dottie became an honorary “Pole” that night
Pleasing me and saving face to my groom’s delight
Written January 11, 2019
For Edward Ibeh’s Polka Dots Contest
Categories:
honorary, humor, wedding,
Form:
Couplet
Dad gave me my first wood baseball bat
an Eddie Mathews signature model, 28 inches long
when I was 10 or 11 ('66 or '67)
shortly after he got me my first lefty glove
(I still have it, so small! with a bullseye crudely hand inked in the center!)
after a few years, it splintered near the handle
I tried nailing it back together, the hickory
shaft was tough to penetrate, but I kinda got
it done, then wrapped the job in some electrical
tape I found
whenever I tried using it again, hitting a pitch
sent shivers thru my hands and wrist like a
lightning bolt shocking me
before long, I left it in the sports closet Dad built
into the canned goods cabinet in the basement
he made for fall canning
so whenever I opened the cabinet door, the wonderful
smell of wood and leather combined with the
rows of gleaming jars of fruits and vegetables
delighted me!
canned beans, peaches, pickles and more
all lined up to select from when Mom or Dad
would send me downstairs to choose side
dishes for supper
frozen meat was kept in the 8' freezer chest
in Dad's workroom thru the door
being sent for that was a special privilege
my brother and I relished
( my sister, being 3 years younger, didn't get many chances!)
I remember there were honorary sports relics in
the closet on the top shelf
a leather football helmet Dad's Uncle Depot wore
before WW11 along with his old softball, the kind
with the exposed seams (I still have it)
wonderful memories
from a
magical time
I will always treasure
© james marshall goff
Categories:
honorary, family, joy,
Form:
Bio
Pure beauty is eternal bliss.
It permeates our existence
And lightens a burdened soul.
The most beautiful thing is love
(Without judgment or assumption)
Fostering acceptance that—
Nourishes the famished
And empowers the meek.
Aesthetics make a pleasing world
They personify lasting trends,
Stimulate creative minds,
And entertain world consciousness.
Delight embraces desire,
Passionate words inspire,
Art refutes retire,
All get to admire.
To be of beautiful spirit
Unleashes outward radiance--
A gratifying notion
To be of a beautiful mind
Fetches cognitive recognition--
An honorary triumph
Loving your own beauty
Transcends all other thought.
***Inspired by Catie Lindsey's "Focus on Syllables" Contest***
Categories:
honorary, philosophybeautiful, beautiful,
Form:
She said maybe to so many things, I was not sure she had an opinion
But after awhile I realized she has an honorary degree in diplomacy
Always accepting, never judging
I had not found anyone else like this in the world yet
I was amazed and pleasantly surprised
She never put anyone down or used derogatory names
I wanted her to be the queen or the president,
but she was not excited about either
preferring to be a neighbor, friend, and nurturer instead.
Categories:
honorary, women,
Form:
Prose Poetry
I
need
a minute
to breathe
when I can lock
the door behind me
and not hear
a single sound
not even
the chatter
inside my brain
I need that minute
so very desperately
when I can
close my eyes
and whisper
just a sigh
and listen with
ultimate delight
to the bubble
of silence
around
my
head
AP: Honorary Mention 2021, Honorable Mention 2021
Submitted on December 26, 2018 for contest 2019 POETRY MARATHON MILE 4 sponsored by MARK TONEY
Originally posted on October 16, 2018
Categories:
honorary, cheer up, peace, perspective,
Form:
Free verse
N atural beauty that dazzles the eyes
E nveloped by the Alantic ocean it lies
W inters are long with lots of storms
F og so thick it defies the norms
O ffbeat people who like to have fun
U nusal named towns, ***** is one
N ewfinese slang, a translator you may require
D angerously high winds can sometimes transpire
L oads of tiny islands, over 7000 waiting for you to explore
A bundance of sea food, oil, ice burgs and moose to hunt for
N icknamed 'The Rock', breathtaking mountains and hiking trails to ascend
D are to be 'screeched in' and become an honorary Newf and forever friend
*Screeched in: An initiation ceremony where the person must drink screech rum, kiss a cod and speak some Newfoundland slang.
The participant then becomes on honorary Newfoundlander.
04/30/2014
Categories:
honorary, culture, home,
Form:
Acrostic
How fearlessly some charge into lust’s fervent flames,
Though they may burn to ashes and dust in those flames.
Oh, but the lengths to which lovers willingly go
Cursed by Eros sweet madness they must dance in flames.
Each day and each night craving that special delight
No matter if all else may soon burst into flames.
How he smolders and burns with passion to ignite
Her, know the fragrance of her sweet musk in his flames.
How she yearns for his arms holding her close to him
And the sound of their heartbeats at dusk in her flames.
Secret rendezvous, quiet chambers, their furnace,
With only each other’s charms to trust in those flames.
Sol sinks his mighty fire slowly into the sea
And their deep embrace is shadowed just as those flames.
In that furnace where they meet at last, both ablaze,
They exhaust and satiate with each thrust into flames.
It may be that one may appraise them with caution
And warn that they will burn in the gusts of loves flames.
But do they hold themselves in regret or wounded,
Spent, from tumultuous hours at dusk in those flames?
Carnal pleasures in life they have known, to be sure,
May be far better than being a husk in the flames.
Across the skies as meteors flare, so briefly,
All of us come to ashes and dust in such flames.
So alas, although I may be Theophilus†
I too succumb to the fires of lust, lost in flames.
†Theophilus is a mystery figure in the New Testament. Among many different views it is considered an honorary (academic) title. In Greek “theophilos” means “friend of God” or (be)loved by God” or “loving God”. [Source: www.wikipedia.org.]
Categories:
honorary, love, lust, passion, romance,
Form:
Ghazal
My pure white pumpkin,
well, maybe more a gourd,
was given to me, free.
Now that, I can afford!
I mustn't waste this gift,
for it came from the heart.
I'll plan it out well,
before I even start.
An eye hole goes here,
then a sinister sneer.
A carved scar or two,
maybe even pointed ears.
No! That's not right.
It seems so common,
for just one night,
to scare some hob-goblins.
Ah, I know just what I'll do,
to enjoy this sweet gift.
Here on the table, it will sit,
to give my centerpiece a lift.
I'll add colorful leaves,
some nuts and twigs.
A few Indian corn.
Now, not too big.
Turn the white pumpkin,
to show its topknot.
Its personality shows,
in its honorary spot.
Through Halloween
and in to November,
this Fall decoration,
I'll always remember.
For the contest; "What No Orange Pumpkin"
sponsored by Carol Brown
Categories:
honorary, holiday,
Form:
Rhyme
"To love is nothing. To be loved is something.
But to love and be loved, that’s everything."
When you are in warm handshake with love
All you ever imagine is to fly up high like the dove
You never cease soaring in aptitude to dissolute
Your thirst to drink more from love’s well is absolute
By devotion of countless emotions
The extent you hope to sail is beyond oceans
Nothing seems impossible
And by counts, every dream achievable
My story to tell is like most few ever told
It began on one late night, a walk alone in the cold
From afar beneath the cloak of total darkness
From henceforth arose my redemption from coyness
A portrait work of God’s intellect and perfection
Her appearance flaunts in blissful ignition
Nature’s gift hardly to reject
And by acceptance, patiently unwrap and inspect
Elizabeth by name, in her prime of life
Swore I to champion her test, master in all strife
Failing is an option potion to auction for glory
In such stature of her nature, I offer my best act honorary
Seasons washed ashore, the bonding mightier
The relationship happier and healthier
My queen no longer was one but two
By an act profound, her being two only takes two
A charming prince forth joins the family
Merrily and happily, the family chants joy so lively
Having my queen trust and love
Seeing my prince smile out of love
My greatest joy definable by no records
Descriptive by means of no words
Categories:
honorary, appreciation, beauty, best friend,
Form:
Free verse
Her Comments, entranced me: Her POEMS even more so
Her POETRY enhanced me: She watered me, so I could grow
A Bow, an Honorary Golden Pen, My Respect I give to thee
To my Sister Sharon, Love I send, FOREVER throughout Eternity
We share a kindred Spirit, our Emotions, Heartbeat, Love and Fears
L’il Sister Writes; I hear it, I feel her words of joy, love, sorrow, tears
“Is Your inkwell filled with my thoughts?” “Yes, and YOUR “Inspiration”
I will not attempt to change Your thoughts: “become a POETRY “Inspiration””
Your lyrics, on the roads of my mind, Your Spirit beating in a Loving Brother’s Heart
I know not where to begin the path of my mind, “Your Love for “Lenore, Always a start”
With quivering hand I grasp my Quill, dip it in the inkwell, Lost in the words LOVE Writes
To Honor YOU a Brother’s; “Thrill”. HGarvey Daniel Esquire, (HG) ; Harry wrote these Writes
So sad to see YOUR Pen Laid down my Most BELOVED ; Sharon Weimer ( “ L’il SIS “ )
I Thank-YOU for the POETRY and the times we have (SHAR)ED, I give too YOU a Loving
( " K I S S " )
A Sonnet Tribute to : SHARON WEIMER, A former POETESS on this site (We Miss YOU)
Categories:
honorary, family, love, sister, words,
Form:
Sonnet
Well and there is a LOST SEA
Somewhere running through
The crystal caverns down and
Around the foot hills of the
Appalachian Mountains...
I remember some kind of strange
Indian folklore from many lifetimes
Lived before, you look into my eyes
By firelight and you can clearly
See all the tribal signs of mine and
I got this sense of de ja vu all over
Again as voices come whispering to
Me in the wild night wind...
Well I can feel the a strong vibration
Of an ancient and powerful magic
Sense the beginning of creation, in
The shadow of the moon's shadow
As you begin to chant and I enter into
A trance, seeing the faces of the ancestors
And the elders, as the sacred smoke
Rises high up in the midnight sky and
Talking to me as if they were alive...
Well it's the ceremony of Sequoya
And my re-initiation into the secret
Indian nation as raven's circle my head
In a giant star like formation...
Somewhere down and around the
The hallowed grounds of a crystal cavern
Somewhere under the foothills of
The Appalachian Mountains...
Well I am led down now to the LOST SEA
And reborn an honorary wet winged
Cherokee!
Categories:
honorary, lost, mountains, sea,
Form:
Free verse
Today was the day Dragon’s brother Joey graduated from Nursing School.
And yes, Dragon wanted to be there, it was, really, going to be Sooo Cool!
Parents and students gussied up in all their finery, a sight truly to behold.
The University never, truly, looked better, as future dreams began to unfold.
And Joey gave Dragon, the best-est thing ever, his very own, special invite.
Now, we all know how things go amok, when Dragon is allowed on the site.
Every-thing was truly prepared, or so they thought, as Dragon sallied forth.
His own fire retardant Cap, Gown, and tassel to be immortalized, henceforth.
He was a part of the ceremony, to light their candles, in a symbolic gesture…
Before to the world, they, go forth, Why Dragon? Cause he’s such a treasure.
Yes, He’d receive an Honorary Degree, for all the lives, from fires, he’d saved.
Grandpa Troll was on the College Board of Directors, we were all amazed!
Apparently, Grandpa Troll had donated, a burn ward to the local Hospital…
Where our son Joey, would work, jump-starting his career, just a wee, little.
All the people Dragon had saved from fires, would be there to sing their praise.
As Joey wanted to dedicate his Nursing Career to burn patients, all his days.
It’s amazing how lives change, when strangers, are first allowed, into our lives.
And the Carpenter Trolls signed up for College, Architecture, was their drive.
Such determination, from a little Dragon egg, that was brought into our lives.
It brought so much purpose, to so many, when he chose, one morning to arrive.
Dragon roared out his glee and fire, sigh, as a surprise degree, was given to him!
All agreed no one needed the curtains, podium, or stage, as all sang, their hymn!
Hundreds of ready fire extinguishers, came into view, a new tradition was formed.
3 new degrees, came to the College curriculum, as thankfully, no one was harmed.
What three new degrees were added, you ask? Fire fighting, Burn Units Nursing,
Plus a Psychology Degree of “what change can do for your lives, if you let it in”.
Yeah, we’re all nuts! But very innovative, as our son, suggested, the new degrees.
Then he and Dragon led the hat toss, before leading all, out the door, to be free…
Written celebrating Joeys Nursing College Graduation. 5-15-2016
For Contest: Not written for any contest... Contest
Categories:
honorary, celebration, fantasy, funny, graduation,
Form:
Light Verse
How faithfully I gave you priority
I even built you a Queenly home
As the centerpiece of my Life.
How reverent I was to your desires
I even built you a sacred temple
Where like a star your interests shone,
As I looked at you;
Bowed - with glittering eyes.
How every thought I would dedicate to you
Reserving you a special table -
In the Galla where Life's events are held
I even made a status-bearing label
And hung it on your thronely chair.
It simply read 'Honorary Human',
But around it I inhaled its majestic air
Oh How I did my best to serve you;
Oh how I always served you first.
How eagerly I took your orders
How promptly I'd respond.
But oh how I failed you self
How I served you
But did not serve you well.
Self serving was my great expense;
My intention was to give to you.
Yet nothing was all I bought
For selfishness is worth naught.
Categories:
honorary, confusion, devotion, growing up,
Form:
Free verse
"Blessed are the peacemakers," He saith
seek to end conflicts wherever you are;
just as thy body that needs to bathe
so end quarrels near and far.
"...for they shall be called sons of God,"
isn't this just a nice reward?
imagine to bear this honorary title
love's never too big or ever too little.
Well let's start this first at home
begin with thy parents and thy mate;
as a soap cleanses with lots of foam
make peace present like a phrase well said.
Even if you never achieve the results
it still counts, you've tried your best;
just remember to stop insults
to God we trust, He does the rest!
Amen!
One of the Beatitudes in Matthew 5 states:
"Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called sons of God."
Amen!
Categories:
honorary, bible, peace,
Form:
Rhyme
Almost forty and I feel as if I'm in my prime. I look up to the ones I love and admire, and see their downward decline. Granddad, who's done more than his share of living, slowly has things stripped away. Cadillac sits parked. Ladders and lawn mower cultivate cobwebs. He fights to keep living, but he has a kinda pride that lets us know, "who are we kidding." God's about to turn the street lights on, and the kid in him will hurry home. Have an aunt just a generation away has the same fight as her pops. She visits the hospital more frequently. She's family and feels like a best friend to me. Can't help but put her situation in my own life lessons. Taught me so much about God and religion I could be an honorary deacon. Don't know why this reflection is suddenly upon me. Don't know why I decided to take stock of my life so early this morning, but I'm thankful. Whether in your prime or on that slight decline, a little love makes getting by alright. No one knows when that diagnosis will come; when God turns the porch lights on; or when the caddy stays parked and kango collects dust adorned on a coat rack; so it's best to get living. I guess my sentiment is for good health long after the holiday season. All the gifts won't amount to time spent so save your money this season and spend time instead. Time filled with so much love it makes those in decline feel like they're in their prime and those who are in their prime feel doubly alive.
Categories:
honorary, blessing, time, wisdom,
Form:
Prose