Best Idled Poems
One day I delivered a poem
one that seemed to be premature
so I swaddled her up
and set her aside
to grow 'til I felt reassured
How she yowled and howled for attention...
how she cried so piteously!
How she coughed and she sneezed
whimpered and wheezed
then threw up all over me!
Still I tenderly tended her bedside
and lovingly nursed her along
determined to sacrifice everything
to raise her up healthy and strong
As she grew and recovered, she wandered
and crawled over everything
and I found I had trouble containing
my rambling, unruly offspring
She became an inexcusable bounder
a wayward and bratty ingrate
who despite all my love and affection
refused to make sense or read straight
She dallied in questionable places
she idled and shiftlessly shirked
lazily lagging, ignoring my nagging
while I selflessly, endlessly worked
Firmly applied discipline to her
and structure, and meter, and rhyme
but she bucked, and rebelled, and bit me
and stayed up beyond her bedtime
We wrestled, and wrangled, and brawled,
bickered in bitter altercation
if I didn't do something quite soon
she would ruin my good reputation
At length, I decided I'd had it
we had reached the end of the road
and although she clung like a wet paper towel-
I flung her and flushed the commode!
Categories:
idled, humor, humorous, silly, word
Form:
Rhyme
Paradise Psalms
Island drums midst strewn drafts, echoes,
Involved labyrinths summon by themes,
Some rhapsody erupts, purging rocks,
Every village, swelling amid chants,
Empty huts, crowds around fires,
Swayed hips, held lips sparks,
Duality exposed in harmony,
Illuminates isles inherent,
Entertaining charisma,
Captivating trusting,
Vessels in passing,
Amongst alluring,
Souls escorted,
To a dreamt,
Paradise.
ship swells midst idled
labyrinths heed gifted calls
answers anchored hearts
2020 June 25
Categories:
idled, inspiration, song, sound, uplifting,
Form:
Haibun
Tidal Waves
Brackish debris filled surf retreats
depositing into hard sand graves
pictures stolen from post cards
Shards of a city strewn disjointedly
still ticking clocks idled in the moment
streets awash in decorative disarray
liquid mud roiling through the streets
ravenous pain stalking its victims
cold shock of sunshine’s failure
hands clutching grabbing
carried on the crust of fear
waving in silent farewell
luxury and comfort crushed
wild furor of seismic waves
expending tectonic energy
John G. Lawless
5/12/2015
submitted to - Show but Don’t Tell – Poetry Contest
sponsor – Thomas Martin
Categories:
idled, horror, natural disasters,
Form:
Free verse
GOD’S SHADOW/for contest
There were prayers – hollow, empty – prayers.
Oh, the hands were folded, heads bowed,
voices muffled in saint-like submission,
reverberating the words – following
as children do - just a little behind.
Prayers of supplication, beseeching forgiveness
for the unimaginable sin of being born – in sin.
Humble prayers of thanks that “we” were not like “them”,
that “we” would be saved by this God of unconditional
and unreciprocated love.
We prayed “in the shadow of the church”, literally
its twin spires towering above us, we prayed in
the “belly of the beast” – bright, shiny, gold, frankincense,
and murmurs of a past. Silenced before the idled saints
frozen in eternal heavenward gestures.
I hid the child, protected him, allowed him time
to find peace with himself, to learn to trust
in the beauty of a flower, touch the truth in
solemn strength of twisted Elm, hear the
near soundless song of the flowing river.
Upon awakening, we joined souls and prayed.
Giving thanks for the strength that held us as one,
the tenacity to continue to live, courage to know
there is a “god” and we are one.
I am the shadow of that “god”.
John G. Lawless
5/18/2015
submitted to – Prayertime Memories – Poetry Contest
sponsor – Isaiah Zerbst
Categories:
idled, childhood, prayer, religion,
Form:
Free verse
The colors of my mind
Collide in conversation
But all I see
Is black and white
Thoughts so empty
That feeling should
Not be there
And yet I still shed tears
Unknown to myself why
Loss,love,hate,loneliness
Idled Truths of past reason
False hope and gutless actions
Limitless but not limited too
Pain,sorrow,love, guilt
Categories:
idled, deep, emotions, feelings,
Form:
Dramatic Verse
"I carry your heart with me (I carry it in my heart) I am never without it..." E.E. Cummings
Hello my dearest darling, it was our time to wake,
The rustic rooster had already roused my reverie,
Heralding the dewy dawn
Of our new great day.
For I could never live without you.
I yearned for your presence all the time.
Everywhere in the countryside was peace
And crowned with our steadfast love
With the sound of nurturing nature.
As I lay on our comfy broad bed,
I looked at my still-slumbering wedded wife.
Her fragrant freckled face looked on so serenely,
A soft sweet smile hovered on her luscious lips
So peaceful and fair,
As if she were amid many pleasant placid dreams
So I could not bear to wake her up and spoil
Her various favorite fantasies.
Suddenly her emerald eyes fluttered wide open,
And saw my boyish grim smiling seductively at her.
She grabbed my head and lowered me on her lips
That smell of lavish lavender filled my nostrils.
This was a harmonious heaven on earth.
Later we went down for our favorite food,
We rode our bikes and pedaled hard,
Admiring the snow-capped mountains that rose far.
Cedars, larches, and junipers adorned the steep slopes
Where eagles, kites and vultures flew
Searching for their potential prey.
Whilst on the grassy picturesque plain,
Warblers, thrushes and orioles
Twittered their serenade symphony songs.
Finally, we arrived at my Taverna
And beckoned the masterful Manager.
Heard the required report on the gains I made.
Everything was smooth
For I wear my enchanting emotions up my sleeve.
We idled the dreamy day away,
Hugging and kissing most of the time.
Partook of a delicious dinner for two,
But at closing time we went back home,
To a well-needed restful rural repose
In each other’s enticing embrace.
Placed 1st
Categories:
idled, love,
Form:
Alliteration
Sweet silence of a Sunday morn,
The world of weekday chaos shorn,
Not even the honking of a horn
As traffic idled,
Held back by the arms of the Law,
Impelled to wait, with tempers raw,
Stewing in the sun's hot maw,
Impatience bridled.
And as I stood outside a shop,
Wondering why the world had stopped,
Out of the stillness came a "flop",
A sound so faint.
Repeated with a steady beat,
Approaching from the small side street,
Till into view, with flapping feet -
A sight so quaint -
Emerged a plodding mother duck,
Welded to her scrambling pack,
Never once e'en glancing back
To take a tally!
(Which baby duck would ever fail
To follow close on mother's tail
When upon the pilgrim trail,
Or dare to dally?)
A Moses on full purpose bent,
No glance to right or left she lent
As straight across the road she went,
To lead her brood
Down into the flowing stream,
Where ducks may swim and ducks may dream,
Safe from the ire and hissing steam
Of traffic queued.
And did she realize her luck
On reaching the promised land, Ma Duck?
That out of danger she'd been plucked,
By humans saved?
For some observant soul in sight
Had soon foreseen approaching plight
And brought the police upon the site
To part the waves!
Categories:
idled, animals, caregiving, faith, nature,
Form:
Personification
The Robin knows the time of day,
the time to stay, the time to fly.
The story goes, or so they say
this is the way to Lora Lai
Pinch me once, pinch me twice
or better yet, don't pinch me at all.
Just do your best, defeat the test
then grab the bar and never fall.
Climb the rocky road to dreams.
Jump for joy as you arrive.
Keep your heart idled in gear
with your head in overdrive.
The journey, though long
is gone in a flash
What was, now isn't and
what remains seems brash.
Topsy-tervy we then pause.
We rant, we rave, we analyze,
We lip service poor advice
from those who recognize
That we like all the rest
who flip and flop and flail,
who complain, cry, yet fail;
have the sign upon our door,
- - -beware of fate- - -
Ours is but to run the mile
to shell the peas one at a time.
Not to ask how many more
buckets lie just beyond the door.
And in the end it shall be said
We did the best with time we had.
Charles Henderson,
Dec 24, 2016 ©
Categories:
idled, allegory,
Form:
Rhyme
With much trepidation I visited the local "hair stylist" today.
It was a "hair raising" experience as compared to barbers of yesterday!
'Twas thirty years since I'd heard the snip of a barber's shears,
Since my long-suffering wife had trimmed my hair for many years!
My hair had become somewhat bushy on the sides and nape,
So I needed her to thin it out and my sparse coiffure reshape!
I was the only guy there, suffering the ladies' intimidating gaze.
"Will this agony ever end?" I thought, for lack of a better phrase!
Displayed in her tidy shop were various creams, dyes and oils,
Plus a variety of glosses and shampoos to beautify the goils!
It took about five minutes for her to snip and groom my hair.
I paid eight bucks plus a paltry tip and scurried out of there!
Now, in the barber shops of old idled the usual jovial blokes,
As the barber recited a litany of the latest risque jokes.
On the walls he displayed posters of women scantily clad.
There was none of that in the "hair stylist's" shop to be had!
The barber shaved and powdered your neck among his amenities,
(After abiding rowdy razzing and very colorful profanities!")
You left his shop reeking of Vitalis and/or pungent bay of rum.
All of this for just six-bits - a nickel tip was the rule of thumb!
Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired
(© All Rights Reserved)
Categories:
idled, funny, hair, hair,
Form:
Rhyme
A SUBTLE JOURNEY
I have dipped my feet in the seven seas.
I have seen great wars between adversaries.
Many mountains I have climbed to overcome atrocities.
The ***** I have is from within.
I am on my life journey of refinement.
Sadness has caught me in the gorge.
I was uplifted by an inner voice.
Hoisted to the peak of joy,
I have wandered to discover what life has in store!
The universe is a space to define.
Crystal ball is rubbed to prophesize.
My itchy feet will not be idled.
I will drop my load of burdens via my travelling.
__________________________________|
VERLENA S. WALKER
FOR WANDERLUST CONTEST
PENNED ON AUGUST 16, 2014!
Categories:
idled, adventure, age, appreciation, courage,
Form:
Rhyme
My share of mistakes I have made,
Detours I’ve taken, dues I’ve paid.
In dubious company I’ve found friends,
Indecision followed the best-laid plans.
Loneliness has rushed me into love,
Courting heartbreaks and a cold rebuff.
By my errant mind I was ill prepared,
For Fortune’s intentions undeclared.
Ample time has been idled away,
For pleasures that indulged no delay.
The crowd’s folly too quick to chide,
Long have I stayed on the outside.
For triumphs by discipline not groomed,
To small victories by apathy doomed.
Half-hearted dreams were left to rust,
In random luck I’ve placed my trust.
A few hardships I have gamely braved,
Too little done for the freedom craved.
All these I confess to you, my son,
My past a gift to my dearest one.
Not one of the mistakes I’ll regret,
If by my lessons you’re better led.
As you embark on life’s great race,
I hope my steps you won’t retrace.
Categories:
idled, character, father, future, growth,
Form:
Couplet
Seemed like eons to Pa since he began another daily grind.
The more he tried to stay ahead, the further he got behind!
The boss harassed him all day long - nothin' at all went right.
"Lord, have mercy!" he prayed. "Relieve me of my miserable plight!"
First, he botched a simple job on his drillin' and planin' machine,
Causin' him chagrin and agitatin' the boss, who made a scene!
This blunder brought work on the line to a three hour cessation,
Causin' the boys in the front office very little jubilation!
Pa ate his balogna sandwich alone avoidin' the hostile bunch,
Thinkin' ill of Ma who forgot to pack a Twinkie for his lunch!
He mused, "Help me through this day without gettin' fired, Lord!
Only twenty years 'til retirement - an axin' I just can't afford!"
He gave his all that afternoon, aware he'd blemished his career,
Heedin' details and avoidin' the boss whenever he came near!
He waited for the shift to end, the siren to sound quittin' time,
And gettin' home to his lovin' clan and much needed peace sublime!
Quittin' time finally came and he joined the fleein' herd.
Met by his adorin' brood, they asked him what that day occured.
He hugged and kissed each one, answerin' with a puckish smile,
"Oh, nothin' much, 'cept the plant was idled for quite a while!"
Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired
© All Rights Reserved
Categories:
idled, funny, work, day, day,
Form:
Rhyme
It seems to me my life,
since a time not very long ago,
has somehow been restored.
That again my world is bathed in light
though I had seen the sun disown me
beyond some distant, dark horizon.
And it seems that blood's warmth has been rekindled
where frost's hard grip was slowly tightening,
that belief has resumed its unpretentious way
where doubt's destructive forces once had raged,
that spring is flaunting blossoms sweet and new
where wintertime's expected gloom impended.
And, where had idled uncharted regions of my soul,
there is you.
Categories:
idled, love,
Form:
Free verse
'...the great tide that treads the shifting shore.'
Edna St. Vincent Millay
Sluggishly the waves steal in like guilty
lovers, apologetic,
smothering the shore with gentle kisses
of contrition;
the ocean lies at rest, the surf recumbent,
anorectic.
Suddenly the heavens burst, tides no
longer in remission,
swells that idled now surge into shore
their temper rages,
'sotto voce' once, now they roar like tigers
in their cages!
Categories:
idled, nature,
Form:
Verse
Once was a man who loved with all of his heart
But it was because of that love that made him more dark
A darkness unlike any night and void of its depth
Then like a cocoon of baby spiders it crept all through his flesh
For the world was his passion so bright and so green
But another man had different dreams that created the machine
And although accomplishment was to his hearts content
He gave it to idled hands unaware of consequence
They began exploiting the weak as they took what they pleased
The world became frightful, poor, and diseased
One mans hymn of praise became another mans curse
As thy flesh fed the machine and his blood quenched its thirst
While the street became flooded from tears of the damned
The gutters overfilled with uprisings and demands
But the ones that were in power refused to be overthrown
So the weak destroyed the machine and thus everyones home
For the hands that built it knew nothing of the dream
And the ones who controlled it cared for nothing it conceived
The head and hands need a mediator and it must be thy heart
Or the world will bare witness to a civilization torn apart
~ JJF ~
“A great civilization is not conquered from without until it has destroyed itself from within.”
~ Ariel Durant ~
Categories:
idled, corruption, courage, grief, poverty,
Form:
Free verse