Best Journeyed Poems
Frothy waves stretch to kiss toes
Hikers plodding sandy coasts
Leaving imprints on the shore
Who journeyed here, perhaps this morn
As the orange orb created dawn
Summoning sun worshipers
Footprints far too large to fill
Descended down the shell-strewn hill
Then hugged the waves low tide
The retirement community
Sends scouts here daily just to see
If the sands of time still wait
Alas, they do, imprints remain
Sacrificed to sea again
When evening tide returns
Their legacies erased each day
Another scout, another age
Will surely cast its prints anew
Categories:
journeyed, introspection, life,
Form:
Free verse
Mourn not my Son... your Father's dead
And there's nothing to be done.
Do not mount the battlements in my defense
As the race was fairly won.
The kitchen table has not been set...
My chair lies stark and bare.
No one leans against the window sill
To enjoy the good night air.
The wooded trails lie hushed and quiet
Where my thoughts no longer stray.
The geese who consumed my crusted bread
Grow more peckish by the day.
And excuse the Baker if he looks confused
When I am not there to buy his rolls.
And commit to the Ferryman two copper coins
As we all must pay his toll.
And Nature will seem modestly indifferent
As the Sun will rise again.
But remember well this road we've traveled
Where I called you Son and Friend.
Gird yourself against the slings and arrows
And receive my falling torch of deeds undone.
But before you walk the hallowed ground
Be sure to overindulge a little fun.
I weep for those who have not journeyed
Upon the wondrous track to mark our gain.
But with you my Son...who really knows?
We may yet... get to do it all again.
Mortality is lovingly given by the Grace of God
And to its betterment all should strive.
But alas our lives have one primal flaw...
No one here... gets out alive.
With this my spirit soars to celestial heights
So please accept this well-earned death.
And as Son and Friend... we will meet again.
When you partake your final breath.
And be not shy... about my demise
That allows me to walk on Heaven's path.
As only a fool like me would keep a toaster...
In the same room a person takes a bath.
The End
Categories:
journeyed, appreciation, death, humor,
Form:
Rhyme
daylight hours
Ozzie and Ben at the picnic table
milkweeds dance across the board
chess match underway all day, every day
many stories shared, some repeated; neither cared
till knights and pawns cast long shadows
eyes straining, elders would bid farewell
violet sunsets escorted them home
one brisk morning, Ben waited for his friend
hours on end, until the orb began to sink
fading light from the spectral sunset
usher of regret
Ben sauntered past Ozzie's home
black wreath on the door
Ben cast chess pieces on the street
no longer wanted to compete
after that day, Ben’s zest for life faded away
sun still journeyed across the sky
but Ben rarely rose from bed
twilight hours found him there, recounting the past
tales he and Ozzie had told
in his mind never grew old
memories locked within his heart
shadowed recollections of a fallen chess king
Categories:
journeyed, death, friendship,
Form:
Free verse
Simple Man, Just Striving To Have A Simple Soul
There was no great air of mystery about him
tho' kind, too much of his life had been sad and grim.
Truth, he would rather take a beating than tell lies
seeing others in hurt brought tears to his blue eyes.
In his gentle life he sought love and common sense
about his past he spoke with no storied pretense.
Upon waking and giving thanks for each new dawn
he sat on his porch, admiring green of his lawn.
Simple man just striving to have a simple soul
live life in peace, love his family was his goal.
Tho' life once led him down a very darkened path
he wore no hatred and displayed no burning wrath.
I felt his great strength, his kindness bore into me
I sprang from strong, blessed roots, his genetic tree.
Now he has journeyed on to his blessed reward
I have faced this world alone, its been very hard.
On blessed nights he appears to me in my dreams
oft telling me to walk besides cool mountain streams.
Then when things get too hot, step in cool aching feet
Find wisdom to not just foolishness dare repeat.
Have you guessed, this true friend, was my beloved dad
loved me with all his heart even when he was mad.
This my humble tribute, inked in poetic words
he taught life, love, beauty of dawn's sweet singing birds.
R.J. Lindley,
May 26th, 1973
Rhyme, (Tribute To A Great Man, My Father)
Note- ANOTHER OLD POEM , FROM MY PRIVATE JOURNAL.
Written back when I was a young nineteen year old, remembering my father, his death four years prior and wondering would the deep heartache ever stop.
Categories:
journeyed, death, deep, endurance, farewell,
Form:
Rhyme
The Girl with The Quiet Voice
One of many children
Somehow she was hard to hear
She still craves just a bit of attention
Just a simple “Thank you dear”
A little girl in a photo
From the bottom of the stack
I looked into her eyes
and with sadness she looked back
Years don’t seem to matter
Home still doesn’t feel like home
It’s hard being with all the others
When you feel like you’re alone
Still that little girl in the photo
From the bottom of the stack
You wish you didn’t crave his affection
But you do and that’s a fact
You give of yourself freely
Prepare his table and his chair
The gift of a loving daughter
Yet somehow he can’t see you there
So you pick up your own photo
Place it in a pocket near your breast
You’ll honour those sad eyes
In your heart you know what’s best
For dear girl you are born of power
With deities you have been
You have journeyed upon mountains
Within the universe you are seen
A little girl in a photo
Look closely and watch her smile
On a fridge where you can see her
Just be with her for a while.
Dedicated to my friend.
My choice for Caren’s Your Choice contest
Categories:
journeyed, angst, courage, father, relationship,
Form:
Quatrain
Thus we follow little Puff Puff brave and true,
For the Castle of Magic was within her view…
She will journey far under the skies of blue,
When she gets there, will she know what to do?
The Dragon Queen was angered and sent her men,
To look for little Puff Puff for she had escaped again…
“No one shall leave the Queen” from her Dragons den,
Huffing & puffing letting loose a fireball now and then…
Yet little Puff Puff journeyed tranquil and quite serene,
Unknowing she had tempered her Grandma, the Queen…
She decides to rest upon a rock near a relaxing ravine,
She sees movement followed by a silent smoke screen…
“Hi” a welcoming smile, “I’m Heidi the holographic fairy”
Created by the Queen for the forest to be rather scary…
Over time she had become kind & gentle on the contrary,
Thus venturing together toward the Castle joyful & merry…
Just behind them the Queen’s henchmen Victor & Gershon,
Protectors of the land who would tickle you upon desertion…
“Stop! Now, by the Queen’s command, your exiling exertion”
The men being weary, asked to tag along in their conversion…
Off they went, now a foursome to reckon as happy as can be,
The Castle a stone throw away, with water above their knee…
Puff Puff & her crew decided to cross the water in their spree,
But it was too much for Victor & Gershon for they had to pee…
The Castle in sight, the drawbridge opens observing the team,
Slowly tippy-toeing in, huddled together they hear a scream…
Before them stood a magnificent creature out from the steam,
“State your business, for I am Illuminatra the Empress supreme”
...to be continued...with more characters!!!
Oct.14.2019
Composed by Winged Warrior
Background...Internet Composite
Two-Headed Dragons & Little Puff Puff...Illustrated by Winged Warrior
Background Music...Children's Fairy-Tales from the Internet
With a female virtual voice
The story is based upon Aklia, Brenda Chiri's beautiful granddaughter
Thanks to everyone for their comments & making this poem POTD
Categories:
journeyed, 1st grade, character, children,
Form:
Rhyme
Eloquence and Grace were sisters on the run
In a place that valued hate
They found that they had none
They sought a world of kindness
Where love and friendship grew
They hoped that such a place exists in 1692
They heard of a new world, a welcome mat for all
From every meager walk of life
Where freedom will stand tall
They journeyed far to seek a life
In all love would allow
I wonder how they’d feel today, if they could see us now
Categories:
journeyed, hope,
Form:
Free verse
Somewhere in midnight’s nocturnal hallways
As the chill settles down with starlight
While the world stands silent in waiting
There abiding with his flock walks the shepherd
Hopeful in thought and yet weary of foot
He moves his charges through the bite of night
His hope in the coming dawn lifts his burdens
Filling his minds eye with warm musings of tomorrow
In tones they beseech the day and challenge darkness
But through this constant cycle of shine and shadow
The guardian of the flock stands steadfast and waits
The promise begins as His voice appears cherubically
Falling in fear and praying for strength of faith
The radiance in the sky softens ever slightly
Speaking of the vow and announcing the messiah
Who brings the world a love and a hope yet tasted
Tremulous breath’s as the promise is spoken
Awing the greatness with a loving and respectful fear
Silent in belief beholding the coming miracle
He stirs the somnolent flock down the slopes
To bestow upon all the gift of this divine hour
His breath brittle’s the final icy moments of dusk
He labors the trail with renewed strength of heart
Proclaiming hushed gratitude within every step
A beacon of brilliance converges in the heavens
Beckoning his faithful west toward little Bethlehem
Dropping to his knees his face wetted in thanks
Finally understanding what is gripping his soul
He sees the precarious pathway laid before him
Though he has journeyed into the unknown before
None had brought with it a promise so precious
Categories:
journeyed, devotion, faith, history, inspirational,
Form:
Epic
Answers were needed, like wind direction,
she could feel him heavy in her heartbeat,
it was a good weight, the kind carelessness brings to capricious carress,
his toe prints still in the trail of beach paths in her fantasy's shores,
were his words an omen of futurity's obsession,
is his face a language for love or lust,
could there be blessings in knowing his total nature,
is he alive as art in her soul, or is he a bore when brought before her banquet,
to the mountain mystic she journeyed with joltings in her guessings,
a Seer who fed the mountains spirit syrup from a collection of wasted wants
spread forth by reused wine bottles, labels changed but all blue from experiences,
the gypsy, to wise to be pretty, and too natural to be ugly
enquired of the woman with youth as a weapon and curiosity as a concern,
"What is the most dangerous thing you've ever done?",
and she replied, 'falling in love', smiling out of embarrassment,
the gypsy smiled too, remembering all that,
after being given the man's name, a simple photo, and a birth date
she stared into Time gone missing, exhaled from a soft stun
and told the inquisitive girl,
"He'll meet you in these mountains,
where gypsies speak of love in cards and legacies in crystals..."
J.A.B.
Categories:
journeyed, adventure, love,
Form:
Romanticism
We Walked The Night Sands, Moon Shining Down
Walking the white sands by the windy sea
Lost in my deep thoughts of love, you and me
Nights in private, locked in long held embrace
In hearts glow, our most cherished hidden place
I walked flowing hills, where we once danced
Waded flowering meadows, where we romanced
Sun and blue sky both reminded me of you
If only, once again blessed, we could do
We journeyed into Nature and love's bliss
O' how that time, I now so sorely miss
We lost our way, coming storm tore us apart
I could not forgive, when you broke my heart
We walked the night sands, moon shining down
I still see you, in your white flowing gown
R.J. Lindley
June 11th, 1975
Categories:
journeyed, angel, dedication, heartbroken, lost
Form:
Sonnet
In Thrall
I’ve scooped plasma from the sun
To cook meals and heat my bath,
Moved Mount Everest just for fun;
None can ever walk my path.
I’ve had dinner on Saturn’s rings,
Kicked the moon like a soccer ball,
Plucked light rays like guitar strings—
I should adorn the walls of great halls.
I’ve swum the depths of every sea,
Journeyed to the center of the Earth,
Drunk molten magma like green tea;
My mind suffers no dearth.
I am the Law, the Order, and the King,
Free! Only to my mind am I in thrall.
I relish the escapes its figments bring,
Finding ways out of my every fall.
I’m a minstrel with an unchained mind
Or some raving loony in sanity’s cloak.
It’s no matter to what you are aligned,
Life is easier if seen, in part, as a joke!
Sept. 23, 2018
Categories:
journeyed, fantasy, fun, humor, life,
Form:
Quatrain
Though unconscious we are born
In pains we live, we fade, we die
But life like river flows on
Quickly and slowly we pass bye
The wave, the tide
They blow and kick us about
We wrestle, we fight
We cry, we laugh out
Life is for a season
Like flowers in sunrise
The tour for a reason
In life we strive to rise
On the path we stumble
Depressed and forlorn
The undulation unbearable
Bliss! Bliss!! We beckon
Life is really a journey
Some exit, some excel
Like pilgrims we journeyed
Though its path no one can tell
Like wayfarers we progressed
Dark cloud on our path abound
The rain, the sun our goal repressed
Excruciating pains, still we onward bound
Categories:
journeyed, journey,
Form:
Verse
It’s been a while
I know your need
I read your smile
The way you breathe
The style you brush
Across my skin
The tone your words
Begin and end
The romantic feel
Of every move
Your manly hands
Our tongue and groove
It’s been a while
I released my guard
Clinching counter
Viewing yard
You explored
I didn’t flinch
Lips to skin
Inch by inch
We went away
Just us two
you swept me up
And saw it through
Palm to thigh
Thumb caressing
Becoming anxious
You undressed me
One by one
Each button and strap
You, the compass
I, the map
It became too much
For the kitchen
To our bed
You lured me in
Feeling sexy
It’s been a while
I can’t keep quiet
This night is wild
My bottom lip
Your hot tattoos
I’m ready for you
I’m letting loose
Like a glove
I hold you tight
You push it deeper
To my delight
And when you think
To pull it back
I grasp your hips
And give no slack
Now in sync
Raw and real
I cease to think
Only feel
We journeyed down
That extra mile
Just in time
It’s been a while
Categories:
journeyed, husband, marriage, sexy,
Form:
Free verse
Reminded of a summer tune
I heard one summer’s day in June
so long ago when life was raw
and fresh eyes saw the things I saw
I sat and pondered life and time
and echoes of a life sublime
I played that tune and journeyed back
and listened to my own soundtrack
The song evoked a sun filled sky
as all the clouds had waved goodbye
the sand was hot, my feet on fire
an ice cold beer was my desire
A Juke Box lured with satin sounds
so I began to make my rounds
I crossed the boardwalk, ushered in
and let that velvet night begin
The ocean’s memories still hold
a wealth of stories yet untold
but to this day, that song I hear
recalls the sand and sun and beer
Categories:
journeyed, journey, memory, nostalgia, seasons,
Form:
Rhyme
I know I’ve made a thousand journeys,
withstood the tests of time and foe
shed the dust and shouldered worries
struggled onward against the flow.
Unconforming, seldom bending
straight the path I ever took.
Challenge was my unending passion
contradiction I forsook.
I’ve battled tempests ‘fore and ‘hind me,
I’ve seen the devil at my heels.
Seldom knowing what lay before me
never knowing how respite feels.
I’ve seen the Valkyries and Forty Furies
their mazy circles in the sky,
taunting, haunting, ever daunting
beckoning from their aeries high.
I’ve crossed the searing sands of Gobi
and scaled Himalaya’s rocky tors,
badlands, wastelands all behind me,
walked upon the Seven shores.
I’ve gazed upon the Northern Lights
and seen the Southern Cross at sea.
I’ve traveled east and journeyed west,
no home or kindred claiming me.
No ebb of tide did succor bring me,
no place of solace ever found
but grappled fiercely all that challenged,
gaining purchase on the ground.
I rose against what life beset me
with courage the gruel for my soul,
hampered, harassed, never emptied,
firm and resolute toward my goal.
But it’s finished now, I’ve done my part
and I’ve left nothing uncompleted.
No looking back, no ruing thoughts
all my convictions undefeated.
And now I’m on that final journey
through all meridians of time and space,
with hope to meet the God that gave me
aeonian fortitude to run the race.
© August, 2015
Categories:
journeyed, adventure, courage, freedom, identity,
Form:
Carpe Diem