Best Known Poems
Ohh the days have been many here
but that day her name was seen
struck a fear deep inside.
Could she really be that mean?
Time passed as her name
echoed in my head aloud.
I looked at her work in amaze
at how beautiful she can inspire
the words in poems she wrote.
Soon we were souper friends
continue to inspire others work
so they would become the best.
Contest she made work
so all could see the finest.
She will be missed here
but a destryoer she was not here.
Dedicated to my best friend the poet destroyer
Had I known love, flowers would have bloomed in Spring
I would have danced when hearing whippoorwills sing
But in my heart no seeds of love were sown
No one brought bouquets or called me his own
I wear no wedding ring
I could not soar above clouds on love's wing
There were no strong arms to which I could cling
Into my breast, Cupid's arrow would have flown
Trails of my tears would not have been windblown
My lonely heart would not be aching and ailing
Had I known love
I was never a Queen, seated beside her King
No seductive words pulled at my heart string
It beats like all others; not made of stone
My laments would not be heard in pitiable drone
My eyes not glisten and my hands not wring
Had I known love
5/22/17
you carve your words precisely
like a master does a flawless diamond
infuse your images on the head of a pin
not a letter wasted
you who
speaks from deeper within
with every new write
never one or one hundred reads suffices
each new recite reveals something new
grabs the readers heart
and we the better for it
you are the poet writes
like the brush of Van Gogh
his emotions vibrant in every stroke
every painting a work of genius
in your poetry
we find that pearl
hidden too deep for the diver
now opened and revealed
blinded by its light we see
what was once previously
invisible
now!
transparent
like the gentle prophet
you sew and lay a carpet
that sensitizes us
from the very bottom of our awareness
to the peak of our understanding
it is LOVE that enshrines your words
you!
the fabled unicorn
we
the fortunate
that by your cause
confirms
our childhood dreams
DO exist
september 29 2015
armand
One brother, not well-liked by me,
is friends with early light.
Born in a prior century,
he measures day from night.
He comes with neither fangs nor claws,
and yet it makes me cringe
to see him at my door because
he darkens evening’s fringe.
I much prefer his modern kin,
who from man’s tampering,
keeps coming round and round again
to greet us in the spring . . .
A rescuer this younger one!
His middle name implies
he lengthens days by helping Sun
prolong light in the skies.
That brother, Daylight Saving Time,
the one I like the best,
departs each fall. Oh, what a crime
He’s not a constant guest!
For the SAVING DAYLIGHT Poetry Contest of john lawless
A valentine for poets we have known
I now compose – a valentine for those
whose thoughts (when they upon the earth were sown)
live on with beauty like a blossomed rose.
To those whose names I easily recall -
sweet Linda, Matt, Lucilla, Daver and
Tim Ryerson, I miss you one and all.
You left your mark on me, and it was grand.
To other poets who have left us too
in these ten years since to the Soup I came,
this valentine I also write for you
although I have not mentioned you by name.
To poets that we gave a last goodbye,
may all your words remain and never die.
Feb. 16, 2021 for the Valentine Contest of Richard Lamoureux
Love substance seems to be twain
by the natural human brain
and will always remain the same
as thinking remains on a natural plane
When human concepts we clip
beginning to touch angel wing tips
arising from lies, earthly disguise
realizing demise, as an angel wing flies
Agape returns, precept we learn
we’ll know what we’ve missed
by heavenly love we’ll be kissed
we’ll know as we’re known,
for by love we’ll be honed
All life is love in action
diminished in earth by human faction
perfection by heaven, loves action
diminishes human plane diffraction
How could I have known
that the beauty of it all
would rob me of coherent speech.
That my eyes would find all else
pale in comparison.
Ears that once they have heard
such a passionate calling
would never want anothers song.
How could I have known
Featured Poem on Poetry Soup February 7, 2010
Placement:3rd
With cavemen like grunts they extract themselves from their pit
Unable to communicate on a level you can understand …
spouting three letter syllables such as ‘IDK’ and ‘meh’
Eyes red from lack of sleep, but what do they care
Too much time playing on their computers and phones
You worry they don’t interact with ‘real’ friends
Your fridge gets raided; milk is glugged and gulped
Cereals and bread disappear at an alarming rate
When you open your cupboards they are bare
The beast then stumbles into the bathroom
When they finally emerge you gag under a cloud of deodorant
Try asking them a question about what time they will be home …
They react as if you are subjecting them to interrogation
This species is not uncommon – many of us have one in our house
TEENAGERS!
Received N/A in a Contest finalised on 04/05/2016
submitted to second chance#3 sponsored by Broken wings
04~03~16
Watching the ocean breathing in and out,
Nature's truths lap at the shores of my doubt.
And I search the sky for traces of God,
amongst trillions of stars scattered about.
Walking upon the same roads, preachers trod;
I find their fire-and-brimstone sermons odd.
For I do not believe in damnation,
or else unconditional love's a fraud.
Free will designs our moral foundation,
what is sin but yielding to temptation?
And these thoughts cascade like unceasing waves;
as I contemplate hell and salvation.
Obsessed by what may lie beyond our graves,
we find ourselves led, like religious slaves.
And want guarantees against the unknown,
assured by the belief that prayer saves.
I don't accept that God sits on a throne,
nor that we're born sinners who must atone.
For I believe God's love is eternal,
and unconditional; I'm not alone.
As the trees shiver with delight
at the fresh autumn breeze,
The cycle of life has met
his match with her.
Her cloak now adorned with all
the fallen acorns,
while gently the sun abates
for less to see.
Its sensual warmth no longer felt
by lovers in fields.
Unaware of the web of love,
I allowed my heart to falter.
Now struggling in a world so cold,
I fall.
I fall grasping for breath that
perhaps may fill me with
the joy I once knew.
They say I'm like my daddy
I'm his kid through and through
I have characteristics
Of a man I never knew
Long ago he left me
Soon after my mom died
Put up for adoption
Couldn't count the tears I cried
But now I hear the stories
Of this man I'm like so much
The way he used to phrase things
His funny quirks and such
He loved his ribald humor
And loved to cook and sing
Played guitar and often wrote
We're alike in everything!
My sister says I have his looks
The Italian side of me
Sometimes enjoyed a glass of wine
Was nothing if not free
He dated younger women
Was quite the charmer too
Had so many dear friends
And had his moods of blue
Well now the years have passed by
And all these things I've heard
But daddy is long gone now
So I have to take their word
"Light travels faster than sound".
A fact that appears quite unique.
Conversely, sometimes people appear to be bright,
until after you hear them speak!
Things don't always stay the same
if you know what I mean?
Consequently, "Change is inevitable".
(except from a vending machine)
Patience can be a misnomer,
so don't let yourself be coerced.
The "Things that come to those who wait",
are what's left, by those that got there first!
To get "Justice by going to trial",
can turn out to be kinda fruity!
You're putting your trust in 12 people,
not smart enough to avoid jury-duty.
What is "a fine and a tax"?
Well friend, it's easy to tell.
A "fine" is a tax for doing wrong.
A "Tax" is a fine for doing well!
I've gone thru all my poetry notes
and this is the best I can do.
It's probably not what you're looking for,
but I'll leave that up to you!
Ralph Taylor
Familiar stranger
Speaking echoes
Of memories
I cannot recall
Singing sweetly to my soul
And in a dream I knew you
I remember it now
Your touch lingers
A ghostly caress
Leaving me breathless
The soft penetration of your gaze
Reflecting in my eyes
The heat of your flesh
As it burns in my hands
And radiates from my lips
Your voice is the sound
Of a distant song
My heart has always known
I, I don’t understand the book known as bible
The book that is mostly common to many doors
But the book that is not known and read by many souls
The book that is carried by many
But mostly it is not read and liked by any
The book that is only seen once a week
And when it is seen, it is only few pages and it’s also quick
I don’t understand this book known as bible
I don’t understand this book that has many sizes
The book that has been translated into all different world languages
But yet not be lead and understood by multitude from different families
The book that has different versions
but only one edition
the book that is wise because it was written by people with visions
I, I don’t understand this book known as bible
This is the only book that has all university course and lectures
The book that starts with the lecturer of art, where all things were designed and created
And then lectures of Agricultures have been explained as GOD Identifies the texture of soil as from it a man was created
Anatomy and physiology was firstly discussed in this book where by the position of Adam’s ribs was allocated
This was done before the first surgery class was explained as Adam’s chest was operated
This is the same book that have many lectures of history,
The book that’s explains the pharmacology, the philosophy, and the prophecy
I don’t understand this book that has everything, the book that is known as BIBLE
I don’t understand this book when it tries to explain the course of music
more especially the pharmacodynamics of the violin as it healed soul
but I get more puzzled when it comes to the 10 commandments as it was the first class of Law
but who wrote this book? Why is it that every question in this book can be answered?
And why is it that all world affairs in this book are tampered?
Why is this book regarded as the best?
This is why am in the maze of thoughts…thoughts that can’t give me rest.
I don’t understand this book known as bible
KNOWN JUST TO GOD AND ME
The Unknown Soldier
Rows and rows of snow white stones, no names upon their face.
Thousands more who went to war and left no earthly trace.
One unknown for all unknowns, Canada for thee,
I am the unknown soldier, known just to God and me.
Mother country’s call to war awakes a young man’s dream.
Escape from toil on barren soil to a uniform’s esteem.
No thoughts of mothers losing sons, just of a chance to roam,
A year to spare, go over there, defeat the Hun - come home!
Dark train rolling through the night toward the eastern sea.
Young soldiers seeking glory, not knowing what will be.
Last sight of home, across the foam, where the unleashed dogs of war
Will soon declare no glory there, just mud and blood and gore.
In Vimy’s tunnels warriors stand awaiting dreaded dawn,
Each one a knight in someone’s eyes, each one a front row pawn.
The hand of fate soon to decide the minutes or the years
Left to the souls who leave dark holes to face their greatest fears.
Comrades all around me fall, each fought his private war.
With will and might we take the height where others failed before.
Amid the sleet, the roar, the heat, the chaos all around,
I do not feel the bullet strike that drives me to the ground.
Buried in a blanket shroud, forgotten and alone,
“A Soldier of the Great War” inscribed upon my stone.
But then I’m chosen to return, across the same grey sea,
Back from my hell of shock and shell, back from the Ridge Vimy.
I lie in state and share my fate with mourners passing by.
A moment spared for one who dared, a tear in every eye.
From where I came and my own name known just to God and me,
In a hallowed space in a state of grace, I will spend eternity.
And once a year again I hear the cadenced cannons boom,
And feel the love from those above, the poppies on my tomb.
A country’s grief for her lost sons who kept her strong and free,
The Canada I died for upon the Ridge Vimy.
Rows and rows of snow white stones, no names upon their face.
Thousands more who went to war and left no earthly trace.
One unknown for all unknowns, Canada for thee,
I am the unknown soldier, known just to God and me.
I am the unknown soldier, known just to God and me.
Ellis Pringle Craig
June, 2019