Best Hours Poems
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The clock hand breaks, suspended mid-swing~
a fracture in the air where yesterday
still hums, untouched. You reach, and the moment
folds like origami, a crane of might-have-beens.
Your father’s laugh echoes ahead of you,
already gone. The future is a room
with all its doors ajar. You step through
and find your shadow waiting, older,
holding a ticket back. The present
is the only place you’re never allowed to stay.
(Valentine's Collection)
25.
my Valentine, our temples entwine in the dance of midnight hours
beloved, you shine in golden pleasure before my eyes
our shadows dance upon the wall as body temperature rises
temples perspiring as we dance to the song our hearts now sing
oh, gentle grace, your golden light does fill my very core
we rise and fall in adoration before Luna's light
Flooding through the open window, her light touching our souls
my starlit treasure, we shall dance into passion's thrall
together, forever, in our paradise of joy
my beloved, our love painted on the wall, painted by Luna's light
I shall ever hold you close within my loving arms
With tender grace, your hand in mine, we'll walk God's timeless sea
each night, within midnight hours, precious love we shall share
two shadows dancing on the wall as temple's sing love's praise
23/01/2019.
for days unending and hours slow
Where we stand,
these distant shores
beneath a moonlit canopy,
stardust shimmers gather
on hibiscus tides whispering hello
as long walks take soft turns
leaving destined footprints
on my mind,
wandering lost in coastal desires…
I think of you,
toes in the sand,
feeling the waves caressing
this island dream, this wish
for days unending and hours slow
while lips ignite passions
reflecting on faraway horizons,
tempting fingers,
exploring nature’s endless bounties,
bronze skin sensuality…
Enchanted by a smile, a voice
a touch, softly lingering
like the silent surf,
quietly beckoning in amorous patterns
as we lie on cool shores,
drenched in an evening
made for only two,
writing love poetry on a beach
we now call our own…
Good night Soupers
Early morning hours greet me quietly after my rest
All that can be heard, are the birds calling from the trees
As the darkness fades and the light of day emerges,
My mind is clear, my body calm, as what stands before me
--- It is a new beginning ---
Quality time waits at my doorstep for me to walk into
Consciously knowing, I can make the best of it all
As the birds call and the sun rises, I am ready to start
I am ready to move forward, beyond left over thoughts
--- To be all that I can ---
--- As I transcend ---
--- Into a new day ---
Heidi Sands
8/17/17
So doth each nameless grain of sand
Deny the fate of those who went before
Believing there is purpose to their flow
As waves believe their haven is the shore
Idly they joust in momentary queues
Unable to resist time’s ebbing tide
Each grain a silent second paying dues
Destined to complete its senseless ride
Thus, pride becomes ensnared in ego’s dread
Of those who challenge reason’s need
Join the depleted ranks of reason’s dead
Believing somehow they will all be freed
Hold still, cling to your dream, the die is cast
Death’s hours will encompass first and last.
John G. Lawless
©6/16/2023
I woke to the sound of sizzling bacon, the aroma of fresh baked Muffins and my Beautiful Lenore in her bright green Teddy. "Nubbies", I said, "what time is it." Lenore said" for You it is 3:30P.M., June 27th, 2013. You are in the O.R. at Dartmouth Hospital. For me it is time to bring YOU to Eternity for a short time."What are You talking about; Baby." I died last night before we had time to go to the Bridal Suite. I do not want You to go through that pain again. Please come with me to the railing on the starboard side of the ship."Below the shuffle board deck?""Nubbies, just
trust me." As we walked outside, I noticed there was no air,no breeze, no sea lapping against the side of the boat, the sun seemed pasted in the sky. Where is Mom and Dad;where's my Ma, Where is everybody? Harry we are frozen in time, for last night and today; never happened for you. I asked the Lord to give us this time together. I was 3 months pregnant when I said "I DO" I want you to see JoAnne Naomi Grow up. Now
Full Moonlight Stand on the railing with me and when I say 3; Jump. 1, 2, 3. You would think we would plummet into the Caribbean Sea, but we splashed into the Full Moon. The sun was warm,the birds sat on my shoulders, singing a song of Life Forever. The Peace, Serenity and Tranquility was unearthly. I then saw GOD and the Son of Salvation hugged me and in a Mezmerizing Voice said Welcome Home.
To be Continued
I want to apologize to those of YOU who are punctuationally bound to Poetry I do not know how to punctuate people talking. I know I'm suppose to use "" marks Sorry I LOVE YOU ALWAYS and FOREVER YOUR Liege...Harry
The night is still, and all asleep,
while the Moon shines on land and sea.
All creatures now their silence keep;
for this day, dear God, we thank Thee.
The water's calm, and flowers bow
their sleepy heads; the day was long.
For every leaf is tired now,
and every bird has lost his song.
Nature sleeps through the quiet night,
as God, with watchful eye, will see,
that nothing will disturb the light
the heavens cast on land and sea.
No, this slumber is not a dream,
but the end of another day.
As all is lit by the moonbeam,
our troubles and cares fly away.
Thank God for these hours of peace,
for later all things will arise.
The glow of Moon and stars will cease,
another source will light the skies.
This star will rise and warm the Earth;
birds will sing in a joyful way.
For the sunrise will now give birth,
to a happy and brand new day.
We ask Thee God to bless this day,
as we toil and work with might.
Keep us away from sin we pray,
so we may rest again tonight.
So we may rest again tonight,
as God, with watchful eye, will see,
that nothing will disturb the light
the heavens cast on land and sea.
Sandra M. Haight
~1st Place~
Premiere Contest: Contest No. 257
Sponsor: Brian Strand
Judged: 01/04/2017
~1st Place~
Contest: Night Silence
Sponsor: Nayda Ivette Negron
Judged: 06/13/2016
In twenty four hours life can drastically change.....
One moment blissfully happy walking on cloud nine
Thinking life is beautiful and wonderful, oh so divine
Then something happens that fills you with despair
Feels like you have been sent to hell without a prayer
Maybe doctors tells you have some incurable disease
Up to the heavens you look, reciting desperate pleas
Or you have cancer and you must battle for your life
It is like being stabbed in the gut with an invisible knife
You find out the one you adore, no longer loves you
The life your shared together is suddenly bid adieu
Or you lose a loved one, death causes so much pain
Barely holding self together, trying not to go insane
In twenty four hours life can drastically change.....
One moment living a life filled with sorrow and strife
Questioning your fate and the purpose of your life
Then somethings happens that fills you full of hope
A glimmer of an incline instead of a downward slope
Your disease is treatable, quality of life still intact
You decide to fight with all you got, stop being attacked
Your cancer has gone into remission, life is yours once more
You promise to live each moment fully, like you never did before
A person enters your life and shows you what love truly is about
This special love will last forever, this you know without a doubt
A newborn enters your life whom you cherish and adore
The unconditional love of a child, no one could ask for more.
In twenty four hours life can drastically change.....
It's how you chose to deal with life curves is what really matters
Try to be positive and not let negative thoughts rip you into shatters
Find the courage and the strength to face each day anew
Everyone has hurdles that their trying to live through
Their is always someone that is far worse off than you
Let family and friends help hold you together like glue
Remember you matter to those that hold you dear
Have faith and hope, don't let yourself succumb in fear
Don't dwell on yesterdays sorrows, for you can't change the past
Tomorrow is beyond our control and comes without being asked
Live for today and deal with each battle as they come
For your life is the last thing you should abstain from!
Another eve of another day
shrinks to wee hours;
the only light flashes dim
from a distant lamppost.
My mind’s contrarily still charged
with words, chores, lists, sacred places,
mountainous memories,
and then a thought that hasn't visited in awhile…of you.
You, a caricature of your best self,
a demon of strangled hearts,
a name chiseled into a monument of stone like expressions –
of numb feelings where tears no longer flow.
Love carried you through life…a family
bestowed a stave for your symphony,
undeserved yet wanted.
Have another drink…hide in your dank basement
drive aimlessly through town through lives through dreams
with your empty bottles sliding on the floorboard.
You became the monster of nightmares.
How did that happen? Why?
Did it lie dormant in hidden spaces?
Bottles shatter into a million pieces…they tear at souls.
Go ahead make a joke, tell a story of long ago,
sing a song with rich baritone notes…
I loved you once when pigtails brushed across my shoulders,
when you pushed me on a swing, when I was innocent…maybe
a part of me still loves who you were back then…the forgiving part of me.
Maybe if I knew all…the harrowing truth, the covered-up lies,
the sinister side, my forgiveness would be withheld.
No…some things are better left unknown.
Another eve of another day
shrinks to wee hours.
Years go by, and I think of you less…you, a man of good and evil,
you, who sang in the choir…every Sunday…
pretending.
I close my eyes with a conscious attempt
to find peace in forgiveness –
then comes thick darkness
as the flickering lamppost dies.
*a work of fiction
.
The last tint of orange sunset faded
into hints of lilacs and blues
trailing the depthless paths
of a promising horizon
On the glistening sand I lay
into the first hours of twilight
My eyes reverting from early stars
to follow soft gentle ripples
of playful waves lapping
onto the silent shore
The scent of salt~ spray
and margeuritas
wafted in the air
'Neath the moonglow
that seperates our lands
...And I thought of you
...Of your last letter
Of every pulse of your heartbeat
pouring crimson in a cup
of rose-petal water
Yes,once more I thought of you
like I always do
And everything was beautiful
and everything went still
till the trickling drops of crystal dew
welcomed dawn.
through hours of rain
nightfall bursts with mint scent
as pines droop low…
my farewell walk trembles
in the vault of moonglow
Brian Strand's Contest No 217
~Modern tanka
Written 3/20/2015
When I was born, who would have thought
I’d grow up to be ruled by a clock.
Clocks mock dreams while hours gawk -
clicking off our minutes, letting seconds go - -
Did I turn the coffee and iron off,
remember drops for my cough ...
oh, I don’t know, darn traffic is slow.
Kindly push your pedal and go – go,
come on now! We need to roll.
If I am late, I’ll get penalized so.
Got to chew fast and ignore my dog's wag.
If I dawdle, someone will get mad.
So much to deal with, rules, rules and more,
so much crap I cannot ignore.
Are there more points for being on time
than for completing work that is prime?
I want to shout for upper brass
to remove their clock from my ass.
There’s a complete person who I am,
yet my wants get the work week cram.
Job clocks are feeling-lame, greedy-aimed
and make my life a punctual strain ...
AFTER HOURS
Dudes in duds broken down brims
cocked and bent creases in trousers
when thugs were gents
People with attitude women too
demeanor and outfits like
Ebony's front pages
Dudes in duds broken down brims
Money on backs eyes watching
the eye's of watchers
Entrances and exits.
Wink or nod jazz in smoky
rooms groomed and manicured.
sashay across the room stepping off in
Bally's shoes shined no scuff
after hours.
high profile.. Dudes in duds
broken down brims.
Men creating temporary illusions
Clean to the bone
deliberate sashay tempo exaggerated
tempting and teasing pleasing the eye
karat's on fingers scents linger
Exquisite cologne clean to the bone
faded edges -role playing no script
Dudes in duds
Broken down brims cocked and bent.
Attitude in threads
We wait to be called in that back room
Where they'd spit "Gangsta Wit".
before videos
Was dudes in duds with sweet tongues
making their points in after hour joints.
Live and direct we upstarts
learning our parts we'd sit
internalizing gangsta wit
like understudies to a movie script
In after hours joints........... delighted...
24 Hours
My observations are my own,
They are a product of my realm.
I see good people reveal humanity
I feel the desperation of an innocent man
I acknowledge the appreciation of my gift
I determine narration to be lies
I witness the love between mother and son
I loathe drunk drivers
I impose pride for vinyl collection
I depict pain in my son who lost his
Brother
Kids
Daddy
I let the lyrics of my spinning disc alter my mood
I experience the gift of empathy to share with a friend.
I receive gratitude for guidance I give to the addicted
I witness the numbing of pain
I accept rewards for my passions
The properties of today will navigate my path in life
Such dusty mats of coconut, and hats,
and wicker chairs that creak; and chats, and cats
on sills that suck the early sun that spills
through glass to pass into the frills and twills
that talk and twitter, pass the time till tiffin,
pass the time of day this way until
the chills of morning pass; and cups and saucers
clink and find the sink.
The daily round’s
begun and yarns are spun in sun and shade
until the fading light brings night; and glass
that’s black as peat reflects the hats and cats
upon themselves while vats of black-tar dark
and bats are kept outside; and clinks announce
that time again that brings the hour for drinks.