Best Lasting Poems
Humble this moment under skies of grey
Reading poems of furtive words wrote with you,
Contemplating where you are now this day
With an ascetic mind of times we knew.
The love we shared on a day once like this
A time so long ago the spring of youth,
My heart heaved in heavenly days of bliss
Speaking words of unmitigated truth.
Yet you went away far over the sea
With nonchalant parents on life’s voyage,
Waving with a kiss as you left the quay
Shallow sunset that swallowed the cordage.
I was only eight and you barely nine
Wondering if ever your thoughts as mine.
© Harry J Horsman 2018
All I have
of lasting value
is my heart to give
the antiques
in the attic
just gather dust
plastics become brittle
and metal to rust
cloth disintegrates
and if sentiments on cards alone
what true value is a poem?
as museums
need constant
renovation --
an indentured
in and out curator --
while the heart stays with me
everywhere I go --
awake or asleep
unlike tides that ebb and flow
my love for God is constant
enough for me that He eternally
know....
Emotions flare
While hope whispers
Do not give in to anger
Fight the need
To say things you will regret
Words you can’t take back
Pain fashioned by fury
Somehow leave a lasting scar
©1212131510
A better man, she’d never met.
Within a month, their stage was set.
Each was the other’s biggest fan.
She’d never met a better man.
A love so sweet, he’d never felt.
With lovely ring in hand, he knelt.
Their future plans were then complete.
He’d never felt a love so sweet.
In six small rooms, they made a life,
enjoyed good times, and weathered strife.
Then children came, two lovely blooms.
They made a life in six small rooms.
*****************
Their anniversary, today.
is number forty. Both will say
that they’re so blessed. It’s plain to see
today, their anniversary.
Some don’t believe accounts like this;
they doubt that life, for some, is bliss.
Though many do forever cleave,
accounts like this, some don’t believe.
April 20, 2019, entered in Carol Connell's Swap Meet Poetry Contest
Placed 2nd
December 28, 2019, entered in Brian Strand's Strand Special 11
I heard her singing to the morn
Soft and still, as if meant to warn
Where the black night dwindles to day
There is a joy that’s sure to stay
Whisper of the bluebird in flight
Rising from the murkiest night
Honest as one who kneels to pray
There is a joy that’s sure to stay
I never knew such precious grace
As the love on His gentle face
Love far brighter than the sun’s ray
There is a joy that’s sure to stay
Gentle words so softly spoken
Lifting up the heart who’s broken
Peace in the soul on the Lord’s Day
There is a joy that’s sure to stay
Rise to hear the song of the wood
Revealing the hope that withstood
Listen to God’s word and obey
There is a joy that’s sure to stay
Sing to the night, sing to the light
Wherever He is, all is right
His sweet love will never betray
There is a joy that’s sure to stay
Write it down, poetries in word
Breath of wonder, at last we’ve heard
Believe and never go astray
There is a joy that’s sure to stay
It rises on the wings of praise
His love will forever amaze
He is the One who ends the gray
There is a joy that’s sure to stay
Silence the windstorm with His still
Blessing souls, He’ll ever fulfill
Our sin debt, Jesus took away
There is a joy that’s sure to stay
All the fears, the tears and the years
Are quieted when He appears
And, when our lifetime, we replay
There is a joy that’s sure to stay
Follow the One who came to give
Saving souls so we’ll always live
In the sky, in heaven someday
There is a joy that’s sure to stay
My Lasting Letter
I have written these words
a thousand times, each time
so differently identical. They
have been written on the wind,
blessed by the idle warmth of
sunset, scratched into the
setting concrete of a life.
I have breathed them in the sighs
of simple joy, basking in the
laughter of youths folly,
shouted them in anger at
times passing, whispered them
into empty rooms, spoken them
to vacant playgrounds, motionless
swings, yellowing grasses.
I have left them twixt the ether of
our beings knowing someday
they will be opened in your heart.
9/20/2014
For Elly Wouterse – Maybe the last letter – poetry contest
Lasting Treasure (2/11/23)
Lord, in this Bread
I see Thy Face
Bread that’s not bread
Sight of which, the only trace
O Jesus, Your countenance
With radiance shines
Garment of white
This beauty, Thine
Highest Priest, adorned in glory
Red stole, Your mercy reminds us of
Your Body and Blood always given
On Your altars from Above
Your peace streams forth
From Your welcoming smile
Pulling us to You to
Love You and stay a while
Your heart of gold
Your perfect will
Draws me further in
To be closer still
O loving Host
Christ, not bread
Keep hold of me
That on my final bed
This time spent aching
For You eternally
Be granted to Your servant
Lowly though I be
Each moment I crave more
Though treasure these moments, I do
Break my chains of sin
My lasting Treasure be You
Since you’ve come into my life everything has been so new.
I never thought I had it in me to love another the way I love you.
You’ve opened my eyes and given me what I desire.
That’s why when I see your precious face its sets my soul on fire.
Doubts lead to patience which lead to understanding.
At times we both can be so damn demanding.
Tears meet with fears.
Battles with severe emotions.
Which clearly showed how much we’ve devoted.
My heart yearns your attention and affection.
Take one look and there’s your reflection.
Living without you is impossible and so unreal.
Loyalty, honesty, and sacrifice seals the deal.
It starts out and ends up with Love
for a partner you think the world of
Yet the middle poses daily tests
where the verdict of a marriage rests
To list all these tests would take a book
So let's just take the briefest look
At qualities you'll need in spades
To earn yourselves a passing grade
Acceptance I feel is number one
It keeps a marriage healthy, fun
Use it when you learn that 'perfection'
Is a goal wise couples shun
Next comes mutual respect, understanding
Never accomplished by grandstanding
Always respect each other's space and privacy
Know when hugs are needed, or a gentle "I see"
One last quality that's key is good cheer and optimism
Loving greetings and goodbyes - never negativism
Encourage, inspire and support; lend a helping hand
Cultivate all this and Love ~ even marriage can withstand
If you allow my love to
enter then the fear will
will surely go away
The doubt which tries to
creep in as a genuine love
seeks now to stay
If you let my love enter pass
the invisible walls which you
have set in place
Then nothing will hinder the
beginning progress of a loves
sweet tender grace
Allowing you to embrace the
enchanting magic of hope which
brings to your life a taste
of lasting bliss
Opening the entrance to your
heart wherein lies the beauty
of a lovely soul to kiss
You will begin to taste
how wonderfully beautiful
love will cause each day in
your life to be
As your world fills with this
priceless blessing of joy which
from your life will never leave
For this moment of perfect joy
was predestined, to taste of a
love’s beginning breaths
Because within our hearts we
both prayed to God asking
that we would never receive
anything less…
Then a genuine selfless and
breathtaking love.
April 1977,
Keesler AFB, MS
I waited and waited but maybe
the time has passed...
Just one last time , a look, a
smile, something to grasp...
The birds fly over head so free
and so tranquil...
I watch them all, each flight not
new but never dismal...
Maybe one bird will have a note
that might say a reason why...
Or maybe I shall walk away and
see this was a goodbye...
The place I sit is absorbed in different
stages of memories...
From a start of coffee to long walks
that formed a love story...
As the trees changed and the seasons
have gone...
There is no escape from this distant bond...
a past experience,not forgotten ....
Still as the color gray, stone cold
And unfeeling,
Like a sorrow that has been paid
By the heart who loves, loves gently,
Gladly, with sincerity and affection,
A trembling sense of joy and generosity
Raining light full of blessings.
Silent as the crisp, cool winter, bitter
And stifling the feelings
Who bleed light, soft and gentle,
Into the heart of each snowflake that settles,
Beyond the dark night,
Beside the shimmering stars, the moon
So bright it seems to sigh it’s phantastic,
Wonder so bright it grows wise in its song.
Soothing away the darkness, the night
Softly glowing with heaven’s delight,
Insight into the realms of peace, so alive,
Like butterflies and winged creatures,
Angels who abide past prayers,
In shadows, so graceful, arranging for love,
Trembling adoration, awake and calm,
Shining as bright as the morning sun –
Pouring out joy, on and on…
Nevertheless, there in the whispers
Fondling the darkness, the memories
Exploding on hearts who hear her quivering,
Breath, flowing like the enchanted truth,
Wings winsome, bringing beauty,
Souls marked by hope – spontaneous light,
Freezing in place the joy, the grace,
Unaffected by the doubts,
Deception all around, yet it cannot wound,
It is here and now, where we see…
Through the hesitant words, into the rhythm
Homeless poems, making a way through the deserts,
Wilderness of verses unknown, unheard, unbroken
Words, dead like the promise of a heart…
Seeking peace from the dark – seeking
Light from the murky waters of doubt,
Seeking love in the cold winter of a past,
Where love was trampled out of hope’s grasp,
A past where love never was asked…
Could it last? Oh, dear… could it last?
~The Ever Lasting Love Of A Child~
You live and still living through thee only love that can last a
whole life time between us,that same love we knew yesterday
when we were born remains with us today, tomorrow, and after
tomorrow.
A love so deep that only you our mother can feel it,as it
Is an unconditional love that has no end,your giving,your
love that knows no boundaries,Its real we feel it in our depth
daily when you are not surrounding us,Its for good,Its not an
illusion mom,because Its pure.
A love which transforms our shadows to experience the
need to stay alive,your existence in our lives will never
fade away,our respect,our missing you allows our tears
to leave traces on our cushions during the night.
That instant love of the moment when we were born Is an
everlasting love,we feel it,our loneliness vanishes,memories
do not seem far away,that reality will always remain in
process of becoming even when aging.
A love without pain this is what you made us feel,a love that
cries out loud even be heard with the rumbling of thunder.
That same love can be felt between electric wires,our phoning
you everyday,its so full of truth so beautiful it feels like
a spiritual love, our beloved mom.
Seconds never pass unaccounted for,you even wipe away
our clouded eyes,that kind of love mom can even predict
our happiness no matter what the outcome of our
coming years would bring.
That same love has so much emotions it illuminates our souls,
its untouchable,immeasurable,unforgettable,it is a reason
for our existence,your love cures our pain even when
too much time has passed away.
Mom, we both your sons will love you,forever an everlasting love.
Sorry Mum we couldn't be with you in person, but our heart
cries out for you, Happy Mothers Day. Your Sons.
Contest for PD. Happy Mothers Day
13/5/2013 (Win No. 8)
How the thought of her smiling, sick, rude face
repels me. What ever was I thinking?
My time lost in her sickening embrace
was loathsome, base, gross, foul, vile, and stinking!
O, why gave I myself to one so whorish?
So eager was I to love; young, naive,
and simple, I failed to see then how boorish
she was—so blinded was I to receive
her. In hindsight, I would undo the past,
and remain forevermore a virgin—
pure, and chaste! No shame's in that; but the waste
of not reserving myself was my sin.
For me, carnal knowledge came at great price;
I've learned my lesson, and I'll not err twice!
It feels long ago.
When I first got to hold.
The tenderness of love so bold.
And I stored the folklore.
Should in case everything go.
That I may have memories of
gold.
Living on for eons, never seen
before.