Best Just Around The Bend Poems
sergeant pepper smokes his stogie in a capsized submarine-
lucky lucy clad in yellow wears her purple diamond ring
rainbow demons play gin rummy on a sunlit july morn-
captain kirk on planet cestus wrestles with a lizard gorn
love me tender leaves them weeping/ uncle miltie turns them red-
joseph stalin keeps them hungry/ adolph hitler slays them dead
genocides and ethnic cleansings purify the holy land-
christians burning with their Bibles on the stake at pope's command
gen'rals gather in their masses/ death and hatred to mankind-
just like witches at black masses poisoning each brainwashed mind
helter skelter shelter me
save me from catastrophe
turn the corner love your brother wish away all hateful dreams-
join us in this celebration all is not quite as it seems
take a moonwalk with your neighbor/ sail away on saffron seas-
meteoric skies are dawning let us get down on our knees
modern prophets sound the message babylon will see her end-
kill the godless beast she rides on yea, 'tis just around the bend
ziggy stardust sings soprano/ alfred neuman's lost in space-
jello pudding wooed bill cosby now it's just a big disgrace
wanting red but getting turquoise/ loving her but missing you-
children in the distance crying breaking achy hearts in two
shine on you crazy diamond
shine until the break of dawn
love
joy
be
*see how many cultural references you can find and recognize
`
As we sit looking out over
weary western skies,
breathing in the solitude
of twilight’s scented breeze,
remembering the passing day
and dreaming of spring flowers
waiting just around the bend
I see the evening’s first star
appear beyond the barren maples
above a drowsy horizon,
an opal on a deep violet canvas,
a single heartbeat pulsating
in the late winter heavens,
and I make a silent wish
Chilly winds waft through the fields,
their quiet rush flowing
in tempo with this celestial heartbeat,
when you take my face in your
silken hands and kiss me,
sweeter than rose petal pudding,
taking my breath completely away
Then resting your head
on my shoulder you sigh telling me
I am everything you have ever wished for
and you will love me forever,
when I feel three heartbeats forming as one
and glancing up at that star once more
I whisper, “thank you”
3/20/20
For A Star’s Heartbeat poetry contest
Sponsored by Chantelle Anne Cooke
A strange sight upon a lonely road.
A dream ripped in half.
Looking closer, I wonder what was the travail.
An old price tag attached, making me wonder at what price it was sold.
Along the edges, tattered and torn, it gave forth an evil laugh.
As if some sly devil concocted a way to turn someone pale.
Onward I traveled, with pack upon my back.
To the left and right of the road were littered with more broken dreams.
So many that one could not keep track.
Some having been blown into the parallel stream.
So, I checked the pack upon my back.
And, yep all my dreams were there in a stack.
Cold winds howl, trying to rip my back pack to shreds.
Freezing were the winds, but forward I march.
Never losing sight of my dreams in spite of many dreads.
They all hold up strong even though many times I'm in a lurch.
Suddenly I see people returning to the road.
Going back and picking up their dreams.
Dusting them off and restoring them to their pack.
Each and every one said to me, you are quite bold.
To go forth and not let the cold winds of fate not destroy your knack.
To face life as it comes and not give up even if offered gold.
Good, bad fortune, are likewise of no importance.
Put a failed dream back in your pack and maybe a new day will appear.
Where you can unpack that dream and give it another go.
But, for today, march forward, today's failure might tomorrow's dance.
You gave it your best, and win or lose, that game has ended with a spear.
Win or lose, that game is done so pack it's knowledge away in your pack and grow.
Suddenly down the road a new vista appears and a brand new game.
Left high and dry or victorious are the two possible ends of any venture.
But in truth, knowledge is all you will have, win or lose.
For tomorrows game is just around the bend, all the same.
Win or lose, the game of life only ends for the moment within sight of the new adventure.
So, to quit and call it the end, only makes you look like a goose.
I think of summertime as an old friend,
for it’s when school let out and I could play!
Just like a young girl, still I hate its end.
I know that summer’s just around the bend
when warmer days begin in early May.
I think of summertime as an old friend.
I long for days when at the pool I’d spend
my time with pals. In sun’s gold rays I lay!
Just like a young girl, still I hate its end.
On that vacation yearly I’d depend
for carefree days that left me no dismay.
I think of summertime as an old friend.
I always wished so badly to extend
those happy times that each fall went away.
Just like a young girl, still I hate its end.
Romantic August poetry I’ve penned.
I’d go back to those nights with no delay!
I think of summertime as an old friend.
Just like a young girl, still I hate its end.
Aug. 23, 2022
For L. Milton Hankins' First Person Villanelle Poetry Contest
It was an illicit affair, you'd think, they wouldn't dare, they believed, if we handle it with care no one would be aware. Bur they made a grave err and it became a very heavy cross to bear.
Now the woman had flare with long, wavy hair, very well to do, a millionaire, she was known as cleaver Clair. Clair was doing just fine, marriage in tact, the woman was stacked, walking a straight line. Out of the blue, her life turned on a dime.
When she met a man who looked to be grand, seemed to have the upper hand, in complete command and he was called dapper Dan.
Dapper Dan was a secretive.man, although he had a wife and kids, he kept it very well hid. But Claire didn't mind, felt she needed to unwind and leave everything else behind, traveling a road completely blind.
Now they both were prominent the very substance in life they seemed to represent and all the people were looking at them with amazement. Until they looked into each other's eyes and was taken by surprise, they became mesmerized, what came next was very unwise.
They threw caution to the wind and committed the ultimate sin. It felt a so right, it couldn't be wrong, they were singing love songs, two people that just didn't belong. Things soon started to go wrong.
When they had to settle for quickies as their lives became tricky and the affair really sticky. No matter how hard they tried to keep it hid, life opened the lid then came an awful smell when life dropped a bombshell. It was time to say farewell.
Yes the jig was up and they had to drink from an extremely bitter cup. And they were genuinely sad for they could plainly see the beautiful lives they already had. Since they knew they had strayed they became afraid, for the first time in their lives they prayed.
Eventually they put their lives back together but they had to go through some awfully stormy weather. For those beautiful lives they earned. A hard lesson learned.
You see, you can work your game but it will take aim, put a bead on you like a sniper, then strikes like a pit viper, although your schemes can have you feeling hyper. Remember, just around the bend there awaits. The Piper.
Holiday Acrostic
Holiday joy, may it always remain to be yours!
Old-fashioned, fun-loving, cuddly, sleigh-ride tours.
Lots of hot apple cider, in mugs filled with happiness to drink!
It's the most holy birthday of The Christ Child!
Do attend Church, do be meek and mild.
Anticipate, family and dearest friends, at your door.
Yuletide greetings, be yours~Christmas is just around the bend!
12/10/2024
A dime out of every dollar, a penny out of every dime;
I only want My children to give Me what is Mine.
I blessed you with a job, it pays good wages too!
And all I ask you to give Me is the ten percent I am due.
I promised you in My Word, that I would bless your finances,
If only you would put me first in all your circumstances.
If you would acknowledge Me in all of your ways,
Then I will give an increase and bless your remaining days.
If only you will trust Me, and believe what I say;
Then bring your tithe and offering to My house today.
I'll open up the windows of Heaven and you will plainly see,
How to prosper and be successful, and be a blessing to Me.
I am waiting for you,
I am just around the bend.
And when you make one hundred;
Remember, I am only asking for ten!!
GOD
The last leaf has fallen from my tree;
tumbling to the ground; so sad to see.
Brisk breezes finally blew it free;
to join its brethren scattered about.
Winter is coming, there is no doubt;
the nights are longer, and it's cold out.
And that one leaf was the last holdout;
clinging to life to the very end.
I felt it had a message to send;
hanging there alone without a friend.
Though Winter was just around the bend,
I was hoping it'd never let go.
But wild Winter winds started to blow;
gathering grey clouds laden with snow.
And soon, the snowflakes began to show,
blanketing the land in downy white.
Winter approaches in all Her might;
the dead and dying buried from sight.
And in contemplation of this night,
the last leaf has fallen from my tree.
"His River"
I saw Him in the day, I saw Him in the night,
He never could leave me, never escaping from my sight.
I saw Him as I woke, I saw Him in my dreams,
I saw His smile in the tides as I walked along the streams.
I would see His face in the treacherous waves,
But now? I am blind, I can't see His eyes,
I can't see The Man made up from my own lies,
And now all I am left with is the whisper of His cries.
For it was all an illusion: He never did return,
Never to view as the seething waves hissed,
Never smiling back for he never did exist,
Each day in the morning's awakening mist.
I cannot go on without Him here,
The waters are what I've long became,
Wait, like Him, am I the same?
Wait, do I hear Him calling my name?
Is this where I may be let free?
A place no longer forced to pretend,
A simple escape just around the bend,
For is this only the beginning, not the end?
So I head back to the rivers once more,
No land left for me to roam,
Feet grazed against its soapy foam,
His river I shall now call home.
-
They call me names
and play their games
But they can't feel my pain
Of the razor I use to make my life a little smaller
They say that I'm worthless
That I'm just another name
In their suicide game
I'm not the first
And I won't be the last
To cry at night
And pretend that I'm alright
I cut my wrists
using that small blade
And I think I'm loosing
their suicide game
One more round and
I'm down for the count
I can see the end
Just around the bend
So I played
And I played well
But it was all in vain
Because I lost their suicide game
The story of two different highway drives
But it all amounts to a strive
The event is a Greyhound male bus Operator named Jeff
The Female Trucker being Jennifer
It was the California Highway 101
Just around the bend
Suddenly the bend came a when
The Female Trucker broke down on the side of the road
Then there was a behold, Greyhound Bus Operator Jeff pulled his bus right behind the Female Trucker’s trailer
Jeff approached Jennifer and asked, “Do you need some help?”
At first, Jennifer seemed skeptical that a Greyhound bus would stop on the side of the road to help somebody else in need
But the question became an answer in proceed
Now mine you, there were Greyhound bus passengers aboard, but the bus schedule was behind
Will this put Jeff in a bind?
Jennifer responded in an abrupt matter
But you will be surprised in what happened after
Jeff knew exactly what was wrong with the truck
After all, he once drove a truck before coming to Greyhound and was once a mechanic before that
In Jennifer’s mind, Jeff and the Greyhound bus having all the right tools
But Jen was no fool
Jen thanks and kissed Jeff on the cheek
The truck was fixed and ready in being complete
The Greyhound bus passenger’s all applauded, and stated, “Forget the Greyhound ride as we all just witnessed our own live movie love stride”
Jen then drove off onto highway 101
Jeff pulled off onto the highway informing the passengers that next stop will be Los Angeles, the final stop
The highway bringing maybe two hearts together
Yet it is a secret between the two
Now don’t look further into
This is not for us to pursue
As a finale, sometimes this is what love can do.
So many years doing what I should
Daughter, sister, wife, mother
Expectations to meet, unrequited dreams to fulfill
Oh how exhausting it all proved to be
Stretching myself thin, reaching for the brass ring
Child, woman, seeker, believer
Knowing all my dreams were just around the bend
Always just around the bend
Is it any wonder I lost myself
Naive, hopeful, loyal, passionate
In time the girl I was found her voice again
To damnation with their expectations
A mid-life crisis they say
Foolish, anxious, emotional, angry
Not herself, just a phase to be endured
Oh how great was their surprise
Standing like an autumn maple
Strong, confident, colorful, true
Singing a familiar song not heard in decades
Finally rounding the bend
If a mid-life crisis it be, bring it on, I say
Dreamer, achiever, lover, friend
I am the butterfly emerged from sleep and ready to fly
Fly with me, see the beauty in life, or be left behind
I am small
and gaining WEIGHT
from the chips that I had ATE
Just around the BEND(I can barely do that,FRIEND)
Gut around the MIDDLE while my nephew tells a RIDDLE
Exploding sudden GAS ,it came from my rotund ASS
Chicks no longer LOOK at this unsightly SCHNOOK
as I eat my TWINKIE,the underoos are getting STINKY
What do men and women FEAR-besides an enema to the REAR?
unbearable stomach SIZE of a fatso that we DESPISE
Mother wants to give son TREAT by buying hamburger,Burger King SWEET
Dom Deluise has shown me the WAY to get more pound and flab
by expanding every DAY
Spaghetti and a MEATBALL to placate hunger and it's tasty CALL
Love handles is a feeling WHICH..
I quite fear,
life can be an unfair -ITCH!!
Streams are running quickly and the snow’s still on the ground
When lightning strikes the mountains and there’s thunder all around.
It’s raining in the foothills and the water’s coming down.
It’s headed for the city, to the center of the town.
Bow rivers banks are swelling and the Elbows running high.
Them dark and heavy clouds just keep on hanging in the sky.
The waters coming fast now like a mighty rising tide.
There’s panic in High River and they flee at Sunnyside.
Farther on below where the Oldman meets the Bow
They’ll be rising up together building fury as they go
Into the South Saskatchewan just North of Grassy Lake.
The lowland folks are leaving with as much as they can take.
It’s pouring in the mountains and it’s pounding at the snow
Til there’s nothing left but water and there’s nowhere else to go.
Into the lakes and valleys and the rivers far below
In a rage of rushing rapids running wild into the Bow.
If you’re anywhere downstream by the river in the Hat
You’re gonna have to leave, there’s no quandary about that.
You can bag until you’re blue but that won’t help you in the end.
Mother Nature’s racing here, she’s just around the bend.
Thirteen wasn’t lucky for the lowlands in the south
The year the rains came raging, rivers foaming at the mouth.
When the big skies of Alberta open up both far and wide
You better take to running, you better find some place to hide.
http://mike-martin.net/Thirteen
One tentative step,
then another, bolder,
breaching vastness
unbounded.
It is the resolute study of
empty pages
hopeful
of a happy ending
to what is yet written
It is predatory bloodlust
too intense
and transcendent
of the present.
Contracted muscles,
surging adrenaline,
narrowed vision,
and felled prey.
Everything else shrinks,
momentarily,
to nothing
'til time catches up.
It is an embrace,
accepting,
fully ignorant,
but sweetly,
all that lurks,
creeps,
lies in wait,
just around the bend
with a deceptive grace.
A plummet,
cascading free-fall,
awash in misty glee,
upheld by angel wings
and the river
recklessly
toppling
over a cliff.
Blinding swirling passions
disorientation,
oblivion,
battered
but alive.
Alive
and
confident still.
09/02/15