Best Lends Poems
'Neath umbra skies I seek a mirrored moment
the breeze a capricious charmer
blows serpentine sways to life
a ballet of tall switchgrass dancers
sweeping edges raspy green
dulling in the ever dimming light
their brassy symphony a soft cymbals’ siss
lure my thoughts to ramble a willowy maze
mesmerizing my mental landscape at sunset
whispers lulling my linger
moon-shimmer lends its voice
to chanting chimes in magenta magic
dropping notes afloat on aging August’s currents
like a sprinkling of stardust
upon a cradlesong
hymns of Venus vespers soothing me
my silhouette glides
a twilight shadow an astral body
with a vitality all its own
as the unwed wind ushers
my air brushed footsteps
to where wild whimsy wafts my sighs
free from fetters
a fading breath liberated to dusk
vibrations in violet call my name
I have found the echo to my essence
a spirit aswirl in a whirl of charcoal veils -
I seize a sylph’s escape
and amidst the darkened veils.. we dance
Susan Ashley
August 24, 2019
~ Fifth Place ~
Premiere Contest: A Brain Strand Choice No 1185
Sponsor: Brian Strand
~ Third Place ~
Premiere Contest: 2022 Poetry Marathon Mile 8
Sponsor: Mark Toney
~ First Place ~
Contest: N/A Rerun 3
Sponsor: John Hamilton
~ Poem Of The Week ~
Week of September 1, 2019
Categories:
lends, angel, august, death, emotions,
Form:
Free verse
I Think Of You - Ground Zero (Part 1)
Leaving under a blood moon
in a jet plane rising
los angeles falls behind me
and I...
You.
Two.
Clouds dance
to the song of the spiders.
Latent sun rays fall on me like rain...I
...They say third time's the charm.
On planes again.
A sky...endless... and then finally
from the other end of the world to here.
A continent, an island,
an australian flower drunk on wine.
Her...uniqueness lends to her beauty.
...and I
A fourth night.
A church spire at sunset.
At a distance bats fill the sky,
resemble a smoke plume.
...I
I plead the fifth.
It's all these moons.
Tonight a hunter's moon.
She's unable to hide
even with her bowl of clouds.
It's no help.
She has no spoon.
Her luminous rays give her up.
Moonshine in the moonlight over the sea.
...I
I count...five,
six...on the beach.
A purple nightshade,
a sand flower,
Irish eyes speak uniquely to me.
....I
I, you...
you can't roll a seven with one die.
Back on a plane.
A snow fog blinding.
From my window seat a one of a kind view.
Alone,
...I
I eight...ate...need to eat.
Africa...a Safari.
A plant chloroform green
has holes like cheese.
A large swiss leaf.
I laugh and I...I distract myself.
A stitch in time beats nine.
Back in North America.
A dilapidated fortress stares down
an overwhelming thunderhead.
...I
I camp out.
It requires a tenth...tent.
An Eagle never blinks.
No eye lids.
An unimpeded view.
...but I...I surrender.
There is no place in the world
I can escape.
...I
i think of you.
You are living art.
Here.
Now.
What I perceive
is what I live.
I perceive us.
I can picture you.
I am photography,
the camera, the lens.
I absorb your image,
process it.
A form of plagiarism
I didn't borrow.
I stole.
Inhaled you but
...I
I dream
and I...
...i think of you.
Armand
March 11 2015
Categories:
lends, introspection,
Form:
Free verse
The heart when young, so blissful and knows no sin
the mind's ego knows no bounds, its strength within
The earth, sound and steep, its fruits the soul entice
the taste of spice great! to every slice a price
The eyes rain and the mouth would savour its pain
when dry is your land, sow no seed, reap no grain
Valiant steps fear no edge nor the burn of sands
wish die for the glory of walking God's Lands
Specks of dust make souls blind can turn lives to dust
just a spark of deep Faith heralds paths to trust
Ascend and observe, gems in you aim to earn
What seems as harm, a blessing if you would learn
God for you paves paths and lends many a hand
a deep well of Love granted to flood your land
Those warm drops of Love and Life, in time of birth
brought heaven under your feet, mothers of earth
Peace and joy in voice of heart to God raise praise
light in soul, a power with beauty would blaze
Brushes and pens paint and a language translate
the soul ebb and flow beyond language and state.
Categories:
lends, beauty, blessing, devotion, faith,
Form:
Couplet
Seduce me in Black and White
You reach toward my face
and touch my lips
Tracing the slightly raised pink curve of them
gently - lightly - before
the urge to kiss me seizes the opportunity
Surrealistic sensations immortalize
as our lips seek and lock
Interchange of strange, new emotions
flow as our tongues entwine
Sun having a siesta under his canopy of clouds sends
sombre golden light slanting through the old colonial blinds
Enough for me to see ~
I want to see ~
Caressing fingers don’t stop as kisses linger
moving in seductive circular motion
Circling - tracing - moulding
twin peaks to unashamed pertness
Tantalising ripples course my body
Like the soft waving flutter of butterflies winged kisses
creating sensuous ripple upon ripple
Of pure undulating pulsating
I want to see ~
Fingers urgently move now to my navel
circling, tracing, tinkling
Like a pianist on his keys
of black and white
Are they really only two colours?
Why then do they lilt a rainbow of colours to my ears?
On my fevered skin caressing fingers script my Rhapsody
The slow whirring beat of the ancient ceiling fan
picks up a harmonic note
of a solitary flute
Wanting to add to the sultry scene
It lends its own mysterious charm
A tantalising urge to arch
I want to feel ~
Impatient now for them to move further
Fiery Desire entices curious fingers to touch
dew that cumulates dusk to dawn on my awakening rose
Exciting, enticing emotions
The aromatic rapture floats me to you
a tortuously slow feeling to satiate
Propels bodies to engage
I want to feel ~ I want to feel ~ I want to feel you
A frog croaks discordantly outdoors
Snapping me out of my reverie
Startling me out of my romantic fantasy
Eyes fall back on monochrome words of my book
I long to dwell in this erotic moment
Weaving the music into a mesmerising crescendo
However
The old wooden blades of the ceiling fan
resume back to the rhythmic measured clickity clack
The spell now broken
I reach for my phone to call my lover
He awaits my call …
Video Clip - Yanni - Romantic piano
Categories:
lends, sensual, sexy,
Form:
Free verse
If I should reach out, will you take my hand,
and hold me ‘til I reach that promised land?
Will you stay with me after tears have dried,
and close these lids the moment I have died?
Might you remain for just a moment more,
shall I but falter, tumbling to earth’s floor?
While curled up gently sobbing on this floor,
my friend, will you still stroke my weary hand,
meet my eyes’ gaze, convince me there is more
to living, loving - feet upon this land?
My soul embraced the darkness when it died
as wells once full had emptied, nearly dried.
Within these walls where fountains had run dry,
my love had left me trembling on the floor
with haunted mem’ries; left alone to die.
Yet as I tried to swathe these bleeding hands,
I hoped and prayed that I might safely land
where love abides, for I believed in more.
Such fortitude I trusted would bring more
to sate a thirst that left lips parched and dry;
for in my dreams, I soared across this land,
not stumbling, falling, ever on the floor.
To Him I cried, and reached with heart and hand,
“Please show me, teach me. Speak, before I die.”
Though heartache lingers, Love has never died,
for long, dark paths contain some light; what’s more,
I now believe He lends a sturdy hand
when hope has gone and springs have all but dried.
He finds us crawling, spent, upon the floor;
provides a map, helps navigate this land.
I must admit, inspired thoughts would land
upon this heart, but frightened, each had died.
My soul kept getting trampled to the floor…
each time I gave, each time they took some more.
No longer will tears drown before they’ve dried;
I reach out swiftly, firmly grasp His hand…
And I will land in strong arms ever more!
Despite death’s grasp, Love’s well will never dry,
And crawling floors oft guides us to His hand.
Categories:
lends, courage, depression, faith, loss,
Form:
Sestina
This misty river, scented sweet
From bare land you enthrall,
To quench the evening's sultry heat
Beside your cooling wall.
Low tide lends splendor to this rite
To twirl upon the dew
Then lacquers every ledge with white;
And powdered shades of blue.
Tanned cacti swoon to windy breeze
Quite mellow to the ear,
And harmony's drooled chant can seize
This desert atmosphere.
. ............ . .
Short Form Contest; Brian Strand
8/6/8/6 syl count--rhyme
Categories:
lends, creation, hope, uplifting,
Form:
Quatrain
Lighthouse Litany
Statuesque and stalwart in your seaward gaze
There's such comfort in your beauty, you amaze!
Seafaring ships lost in wayward windswept seas
Conjures fears of drowning in crews prayerful pleas
As sailors catch sight of your luminous light,
You guide them to safety on a moonless night.
Your gift of guidance upon this rocky shore
Lends soulagement to nightmares of mystic lore.
To many you’re deemed an angel with Lord's light
With your elevated beam into the night.
So beloved also by those upon the earth...
You've earned the honors bestowed upon your worth.
12-23-18
Lighthouse Poetry Contest~Third Place~
Sponsor Eve Roper
Categories:
lends, light, sea,
Form:
Couplet
My imagination
soars on delicate wings.
I'm a kite without strings,
a bird in migration,
leader of a nation,
heir to the throne of kings.
When my adventure ends
there's no need of sorrow,
for when comes tomorrow
my mind will make amends
when life graciously lends
the visions I borrow.
On whimsy's back I'll fly
Reality... "Goodbye."
March 20, 2021
Hexsonnetta Contest
Sponsored by Emile Pinet
Categories:
lends, imagination,
Form:
Verse
There's a river that twists in the mind
that I plunder and ravish with sieves,
on crusades to the summit of rhyme
where my Phoenix of tropes and schemes live.
In a war to free diction's fair Queen
where the Soldiers of Babel bemuse
and the modern day graceless regimes
are in battles to stifle my muse!
In my quest for her verse of prestige
I have traveled a nexus of words
with this Lexis of language on siege;
where the dissonant hum drum is heard!
Oh, the poise of my bayonet firm
as I pin down my thoughts in a rush!
Oh, the will of the language it squirms
as her essence of glory I brush!
She's the Queen Muse that whispers within
as she watches me battle with style,
she supplies me the yarn that I spin
as she lends me her rhythm awhile.
It's the moment her Highness is freed
that the Armies of Dissonance fall
and the sound of Perfection can bleed
in those lyrical sounds that enthrall!
Categories:
lends, imagination, on writing and
Form:
Rhyme
When dreamtime leads me to a mystic land
I saunter quietly ... climbing a hill,
For the kingdom of fairies and elves reigns
With gossamer wings and jewels in their hair.
A sapphire castle laps with ambient winds
Robed in diamante from godly hands.
Sweet mist of air and silver voices echo
Through quivering rock pools of hawthorns green.
This lofty place thrills bright imaginings
Upon glittered sands like tiers of limestone,
Hard marbles and finely-polished pebbles
Lie dotted through rainbow of stardust ,untold.
Tasseled wands bestow spells on the courtyard
Beguiling my eye with pixie- waltz steps
Until, at the height of enchanted awe
Fairy Queen lends magic, then fades in dreams!
Second Chance # 3 Contest of Broken Wings
Posted 4/21/2016
Judging Finalized 4/27/2016
Categories:
lends, fairy, magic, places,
Form:
Light Verse
Who are those funny poets
Be it Jack Ellison or Jan Allison,
their witty pens invariably giggle,
Eileen's passionate words set ablaze
Dave's love lyrics urge us to dance.
While Paul's imagery leaves in awe,
Nette and Andrea trick with riddles,
Linda and Skat the souls of soup,
Carrie's creative brush paints vivid
Frederic lends throbs to emotions
Richard's positivity puts to dance,
Hats off to romantic Tim and Olive
Constance dips her nib in ink of heart.
Judy places at number one to shimmer
Silent one and rob bestow fortunes,
Missed are Carolyn's wise words
and Dr Ram Mehta's brilliant fun writes.
Written Dec 12th, 2015
For contest "Who are those funny poets" by Judy
1st place win
Categories:
lends, beauty, fun,
Form:
Verse
"Like the silence that screams cursing solitude . . .
whispers of faith sing patiently with prayers."
Quote by: Regina McIntosh
When the world seems to be asleep at dawn's blush
and sweet silence lends me an attentive ear
I pray in undertones of a whispered hush
Doves in chorused unity; their trills I hear
In splendid harmony they sing as day breaks
Deep within my heart, I know that God is near
As though in sunrise stillness, His presence makes
my faith strong enough to touch my trenchant soul
In those solemn moments, my piety wakes
I feel His blessing to comfort and console
At morning's spill, I'm with my Father, my Friend
instead of floundering in a shallow shoal
All the troubles in my harried heart transcend
I take delight in humming a calm refrain
envisioning life in Eden, without end
For that I'm thankful to the One who was slain
Jesus Christ, the Day Star, risen to the skies
Son of God Almighty, who'll forever reign
Hope descends to me; on Angel's wings it flies
sent to enhance my faith in the Lord above
I greet it each morning with exultant cries
Grateful for the mercy I'm unworthy of
and honored to offer Him my steadfast love
January 22nd, 2021
Heart Universes~Terza Rima
Contest sponsored by Regina McIntosh
Categories:
lends, morning, prayer,
Form:
Terza Rima
Sitting on the beach in the dark of night
anticipation counts every heartbeat.
And when waves wash ashore in the moonlight,
I laugh as the tide tickles my bare feet.
I had you promise that you'd meet me here
under starlit skies, for our rendezvous.
Love's more real than lust and braver than fear,
it intoxicates and overwhelms you.
When you fall in love, you do silly things,
it's the elixir of eternal youth.
Fueling fledgling dreams, love lends hope wings,
tethered to your soul and anchored to truth.
When fantasy and reality meld,
life's so splendorous; it's unparalleled.
(Sonnet)
01/26/2020
Categories:
lends, 10th grade, 11th grade,
Form:
Sonnet
A glistening snowflake
blown by Winter's kiss
melts gently on a heart
Asleep in the arms
of a sweet melody,
as fragrant as the
soft Spring coolness
of morning's dew
A first awkward
touch that felt
of Summer's glow
A voice that echoes
from your senses,
like rain through
Autumn's cascade.
As time gives
a moment chance,
Love lends its loyalty
with such a deepening
Grace...
C.W.S.
03/10/2020
Categories:
lends, love, seasons,
Form:
Free verse
Written: June 22, 2024
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lovely, two-week luster.
lasting sylvan smell,
lavender, blue, crimson, lilac, pastel
light lifts people's mettle
leading light is a liking illustration.
loamy land leaning of landowners.
Lubed language is silky and crucial.
land lightly in people's whimsy
locution of literalism logicality
lasts for a lengthy time, if not longer.
Lapis lazuli lanes link labor.
limitless loop layout lends a look of light.
lost from landscape left walls in flux.
looking for love losing out
learning to love may launch
letting love lurch may be a loom.
lift by living a loving life.
lasting love is pulled to lead
Living every day, listening to the wild.
learning life lessons by laughing
lifting lethargy, limiting lemons
loving our Lord, love one another.
love talk leaks recall, lie seal.
loving recalls rekindle love's loyalty.
lips locked, long-lasting.
long, salty lacking friends.
love, latch loss, live for those who care.
looking for a soulmate alone looks cruel.
limping life’s path, listening to voices.
lambaste the bamboozled mind.
laugh, scream your feelings loud
Lustrous eyes reveal loneliness.
lost will, loyalty remains.
lockets and lullabies depict it.
lyrics praise long, dull winters alone.
lacking friendship, grieve less.
Licensed to fix wrongs, omit loopholes of lies.
lure rivals to confess, and learn their lies.
Categories:
lends, light, love,
Form:
Free verse