Best Kind Poems
I will not dim my light so you can shine
I will not still my voice so you can scream
I will not quench my blaze so you can burn
I will not hush my thoughts so you can dream
I will not stifle truth so you can preach
I will not slink away so you can claim
I will not be demure so you can boast
I will not bend my head so you can blame
I will not hide my thirst so you can drink
I will not stave my wants so you can eat
I will not follow, just to let you lead
I will not stand so you can take my seat
Equality is what I’m striving for
The days must end when men demand to rule
My voice will not be silenced; all will hear:
A woman is a blessing, not a tool
She is the beauty of bejeweled night
She is the wonder of the dawning day
Her wisdom she can temper with her might
She is the one to show Compassion's way
You do her wrong when you suppress her song
When callus hearted-mind sees but her form
Her virtue is her gentle loving soul
Tranquility is she when not the storm
I will not be untrue to gendered grace
to fit the manly notions of your mind
I’ll speak and love and laugh, and yes, I’ll thrive!
With pride I’ll see you bow to womankind
Eileen Manassian
Proverb 12:25 "Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up."
a stray lost
in her thoughts
i saw her
sitting there
nursing a frown
so i
reached out
compelled
to offer
a warm hello
no reason
no motive
simple
unadorned
unpretentious
the smile
on her face~
it startled me
made me forget
my troubles
suddenly
all seemed
so insignificant
it was a smile~
that changed
in one instant
the color
of my sky
AP: Honorable Mention 2020. Honorable Mention 2021
POTD November 15, 2019
posted on November 13, 2019
Her brush strokes sorrow upon her canvas,
as oils drip with sadness.
He captures images of silent spirits,
drifting in blackness.
In her black and white world,
her fingers weep with grief stricken strings.
He inks poems cleansing his eyes,
metaphors veil words his heart sings.
In darkness their cries are like wolves,
madly howling at the moon.
They follow the stars, till light kills their dreams,
hopes burst like a balloon.
Morning flowers bring no joy,
all they see is a garden full of weeds.
Storms bring melancholic melodies,
it's too cold to plant new seeds.
A blank canvas, an empty page,
yearn for the return of the muse.
Dusty piano, closed camera,
have no motive to amuse.
When an artist's world lacks colour,
absence means a premature end.
Wounded souls view life with closed minds,
slaying their soul's creative friend.
Silent One
Simple Musing
29 September 2019
While at my window seat, I watch spring's Dawn
come easing into day with amber rays.
She lays a gilded glaze upon my lawn
and with her advent, scatters gloomy haze.
Like butter on my morning toast, her light
is smoothly spread enticingly across
my portion of the universe, for Night
has yielded to the magic of her gloss.
I quickly dress. Behind my house I run
to see her at her zenith. Dawn now spills
a plenitude of honey from the sun
onto a field of brilliant daffodils.
How kind Dawn is, how lovely to behold
in seasons when she touches Earth with gold!
First Place in Brian Strand's Contest:
Up To Thee Max 14 Lines
Now entered in PD's Contest for #1 poetry
I am broken
there is no one
to pick up the pieces
no one to melt the gold
to let it flow
and bind the pieces
to make me whole
KINTSUKUROI
it is nothing but a lie
broken, I die
I pull the pieces of me
the shards cut
I bleed
my tears mix with the earth
I try to form clay
piece by piece
I make them stick
blood, tears, saliva mix
the liquid of pain
my only gain...
I stand
insecure
the clay will not hold
I topple
I fall down
Crash to the ground
More pieces than before
No gold to bind
for "nothing gold can stay"
Then you come along.....
you are the LIGHT
Magnificent, bright!
I close my eyes
as I feel myself being lifted
lifted...higher and higher
lifted....
gently
tenderly
lifted
you are the center
the core
you encase yourself
with all the pieces
the pieces of me
you build me around you
the pieces come closer
closer
but never touch
broken
I remain broken
broken enough
for your light to shine on through....
My kintsukuroi
IS YOU!!!
Eileen Manassian
The Sounds of Silence
By: Simon & Garfunkle
Hello darkness, my old friend
I've come to talk with you again
Because a vision softly creeping
Left its seeds while I was sleeping
And the vision that was planted in my brain
Still remains
Within the sound of silence
In restless dreams I walked alone
Narrow streets of cobblestone
‘Neath the halo of a streetlamp
I turned my collar to the cold and damp
When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light
That split the night
And touched the sound of silence
And in the naked light I saw
Ten thousand people, maybe more
People talking without speaking
People hearing without listening
People writing songs that voices never share
No one dare
Disturb the sound of silence
And the people bowed and prayed
To the neon god they made
And the sign flashed out its warning
In the words that it was forming
And the sign said “The words of the prophets
Are written on the subway walls
And tenement halls
And whispered in the sounds of silence
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciERzSFRwzk
---------------------------------------------------------
With a Little Salt and Lime
Hello Jose my old friend
I've come to guzzle you again
The party started before afternoon
I started sipping on you far too soon
My last SENTENCE I fear was slightly slurred
(Vision blurred)
Forgot to EEEET----my breakfast
They look with pity upon me
'Can't hold his liquor', they agree
Now I'm weaving when I try to walk
Senseless babble when I try to talk
Then I feel the NEEEED to flee to an old-oak-tree
(To heave and pee)
but cannot LOOOZE---- my breakfast
Did not like his tone at all
Got myself into a brawl
I quickly put him in his rightful place
Broke his knuckles with my pretty face
Shoulda’ had my OOOATS but didn't so alas!
(I kiss the grass)
and now my ASSSS----is breakfast
In the morning I awake
moaning with a bad headache
Bright-sun glaring through the window pane
I whine and whimper in my wretched pain
In the next room a TV-is-blaring
and screams in my pounding-ear
(No thank you dear)
Believe I'll PASS on----breakfast
*Moral of the story: Never drink before noon OR on an empty stomach...
I see God in nature, surrounded in the beauty of our earth.
As God may speak with his spark of life dwelling in me,
Expressed though HIS thoughts in my poetic word’s birth.
“Now all of my children born and reborn in this world,
I will be your parent, grand teacher, and protector.
Know you are part of me as your earthly body is unfurled.
Fragrant flowers should be known as your sister and brother.
Breathe in deeply of the varied glorious tree’s blessed breath;
A gift from me, your omnipotent father and mother.
Each season praises that divine dominion of poetry.
With each season new life emerges with the beginning of spring
Into the warmth of summer across verdant fields and forestry.
Do not fear as I cause autumn season’s winds to blow
In seeming wrath, set upon colorful trees, leaves are freed
To invite winter and the blessings of new fallen snow.
Receive my blessing of light that opens a direct path to me.
Let it shine bright in your life, in all that you say and do.
Share your delight of this blessing through inspired poetry.
Be aware of your words for they embrace the real you.
Others may be hurt by careless words spoken.
Remember, words mean as much as your actions do.
Any kindness you display by reaching out to those in need
Is always a welcome gift and returned to you in kind,
Only in much more abundance to help YOU succeed.
As you question the heavenly stars in their distant galaxies
The answers lie within yourself, if you will be still and meditate.
You may seek the truth in your own mind for life’s realities.
I am near you always, within and without, have no doubt.
I only wish you love and happiness, even though I know
You must experience difficult times to learn what life’s about.
For you are my child and I rejoice in lessons you’ve learned of.
Teach your children to revere and love me, not fear me,
I’m here to guide and protect them, for you see, I am LOVE!”
Please put your trust in me both below and above
For my divine power and glory is centered in love.
© Connie Marcum Wong
For Brian Johnston’s contest: “God’s Kind of Poetry”
An eagle finds the highest mountain to build its nest
And lays the first layer of nest with sharp objects
Such as thorns and stones for the unborn with zest
And next, covering that layer with soft targets,
Such as wood, feathers and the animal fur.
So as the baby birds are hatched, gets protection.
As they grew a bit, the mother eagle takes
The nest materials and mixes them up.
The jumbled mass is now a mix of sharp and soft
And sometimes sharp edges may cut babies’ skin.
And next, the mother stops putting food
From her mouth to the mouths of the babies.
Making their comfortable world into painful one.
The discomfort becomes so great for the babies
They begin to fly away to get out of the nest.
This analogy of God explains the value of pains.
We don’t seek god when happy and comfortable
We turn to him only in times of troubles.
God does whatever it takes help eagles fly
It’s a wake-up call to teach every one of us
Not too much indulge in physical comforts.
God removes the soft coverings to remind us
That this life is painful and full of sufferings
And its solution is to soar in spiritual realms.
+++
September 25, 2014
Form: Free Verse
Dr. Ram Mehta
First Place Win
Contest: God's kind of poetry by BriAN Johnston
He writes His poems in the sun…
Streaming through the trees at dawn.
He pens a beautiful stanza…
When the deer takes graceful flight.
He rhymes the words that we feel…
With more than a sing-song appeal.
He whispers affection and compassion…
Through the words that bring us acceptance.
God’s kind of poetry is more than words and phrases.
He murmurs his greatest feelings through intimacies…
Appealing to our hearts and that part of our souls…
That will reach out with vulnerabilities, entreating…
Needing the ultimate peace, the dream, the love…
Love that is everything – love that is unconditional.
He writes His poems in the rain…
That brings fresh air to all that it cleans.
He pens His greatest phrases….
In the songs of birds who sing delight.
He rhymes His words together so sweetly…
That we feel the warmth within.
He whispers a deep and meaningful expression…
Through the words that tell us we are loved.
God’s kind of poetry is more than rhymes and stanzas.
He sighs out a beautiful sentence of compassion,
A deeply abiding affection that reminds us…
His love is deeper than we can understand.
He cares more than we can comprehend.
He is wiser than the wisdom we try to grasp.
And His love is all that we will ever need to live…
A life that is filled with every hope, faith and love….
All the joys sent from God above.
Some people have a reassuring smile
Always at ready no matter the time
Regardless of untold things on their minds--
They're the street-lamps burning all night
Comfort rules when they come around
For grief and pain then remain at bay
And aches of the night retreat in awe--
They're the dawn that illuminates dark
Answers they find when questions storm
They hold a sign when someone's lost
And when they speak, that becomes the norm--
They're the phrases wisdom is made of
Flowers in the midst of desert lands
A rain shower soothing in prolonged drought
Hope on the faces of distressed hearts--
They're the strength of weakened hands
Never confused between right and wrong
How they act mirrors the way they talk
Magic or special powers they don't have--
They're the goodwill of human hearts
July 10, 2020
Placed 2nd: Warrior poetry contest by Silent One
She doesn't think herself as beautiful
but there is magic in her eye
my head is always spinning
every time she walks on by
her gait is smooth and graceful
she doesn't miss a stride
swaying to an inner music
exciting emotions deep inside
She doesn't think herself as beautiful
but there is comfort in her soul
caring, kind, and giving
always the first willing to console
offering up a friendly smile
for all those who pass on by
lighting up a rainstorm
on a drear and gloomy day
She doesn't think herself as beautiful
but I see it everyday
the way she spreads His message
in many unexpected ways
her heart is undeniable
it will knock you off your feet
she's humble, meek, and mild
one beauty you need to meet
She doesn't think herself as beautiful
but I need to speak my mind
she's cute and fun and silly
She's not only beautiful, she's one of a kind
If I could,
I would love you each day for the rest of my life as if there were no more tomorrows.
If I could,
I would show you the sheer rhythmic splendor of a true heart that yearns for only you.
If I could,
I would wrap you securely in my rugged loving arms and whisper baby your heart is safe with me, never again will it be broken or shattered by callous thoughtless fools who never knew your true worth.
If I could,
I would unleash a raging storm of passion in loving waves caressing every part of your luscious body ebbing just long enough to fulfill your every desire until you fall weak from the rapture of my love.
If I could
I would make you my queen of love dropping to my knees to devour your succulent flower until your back arches, your eyes roll back, and your screams of unbridled ecstasy rape the night’s quiet.
If I could,
I would make a foolish boyish attempt to be your greatest hero by being your anything and everything.
If I could,
make your heart love me like mine loves you for only a single day I would treasure each second.
If I could,
make you mine I will have captured the scarred unicorn and turned my greatest fantasy into a reality.
If I could,
I would change everything that separates our two restless hearts just so an us could be a possibility.
If you let me,
I would love what’s left of you even after more men have left you scarred and broken on the floor. I would then spend the rest of my days trying to love your shattered tear soaked heart back together.
If you let me,
I would knowing your life was coming to an end lift you up in my loving arms and say not yet baby one chapter has not yet been written and it may never be unless the last dance is mine and only mine.
If you let me,
I would show you the one love you have never known, a forever kind of love.
O ever changing sky, blue-gray and maudlin
your mood and unsettled ways, meld with mine.
Clouds seem but blemishes upon horizons
as weary as the soot smudged cheeks of urchins.
Bruised in hues at once fresh with pain and longing,
not yet healed by the riper rise of next day’s bloom.
O ever changing sky, the nascent forest’s buds.
Its lashes linger in the purple poignancy of dusk
and whip thy brow with thrashing maple limbs.
Eyeless vault of heaven cry for me, release my plight
erase with thy wonders this tattered visage so forlorn.
The sky of night holds many jewels of delight.
O ever changing sky, clear to crisper shades of sapphire,
ping with shooting stars and glowing diadems of light.
Let lavender blue soften my sorrows for I like Merope*
need Orion’s might to lift my heartache, to point the way.
May thy constant rebirth give hope which melds with mine
and brings a beauty brighter than your Venus** to the day.
*Merope was Orion’s star crossed lover.
**Venus is the Goddess of Love and the Morning Star
I formed the poet to be my clay pen
To dance on the pin tip of my understanding
I delight in words
All things came into existance through my words
The planets
The stars
The moon
The sun
The universes beyond what you can see
They are tethered by my imagination
I am a God of order
I delight in repetition
My ways are perfect
What you see a chaos, fits perfectly into my plans
I occupy all the spaces
I exist within each breath
My energy flows from beginning to end and back again
I allow you to glimpse my shadow
For my full Glory would consume your human form
I am beyond your comprehension
Yet I wish you to know me
Ponder me
Come into my loving arms
My words are written on ancient scrolls
Each verse contains my essence
My invitation to a wondorous feast
Taste the succulence of my bounty
The flavours my affection
My consummate Love
Do not be concerned with the temporary
Trust in my grace
For I know all your needs
This world will one day disappear
Paradise will reside under your feet
I will be your completion
Dancing will have new meaning
Rivers will sparkle like diamonds
The skies will no longer need the sun
For I will be your light
We will walk through a new Jerusalem
Streets of gold
Buildings encrusted in precious gems
Trees will be laden with fruit
No hunger
No tears
My children will know freedom
Strength will course through veins
Angels will walk in their midsts
Age will no longer be their enemy
Death will be a forgotten memory
For I am God
My words
My poetry
They can be your reality
Make use of your free will
I am bound by my own promises
You must choose my path
Be a vessel of my Love
You my clay pen
Can flow
With golden ink
For this contest I am asked to write from the perspective of God.
It is an insurmountable task for one as limited as myself. I humbly
submit this attempt and pray that it honors my heavenly Father.
Krummes Holz gibt auch gerades Feuer
Crooked logs make straight fires [Work with what you have.]
Downcast eyes scan; the larger fear’s in deeds.
Germany thrives on the allied dollar
having culled the herd; they bank euro collared.
I, remnant of the tribe of David, take heed.
Full, again, of pride, the German strides
bold as brass across the pristine Alpine
scene, offering migrant shelter in line
with its own future needs as need coincides.
Who will be the tinder, the next confined
and the fly to the spider’s gruesome tale.
Prominence ignites dominance, the grail
binds with the golden eagle enshrined; it blinds,
yet, how few the choices, the wretched wail;
the tempted homeless yearn within the gale.
Published by Page & Spine 2016