Best Lifts Poems
Standing with feet spread and arms opened wide,
I give myself to the beauty of this ocean night.
Though at a calm inlet’s entrance, my ears bear
witness to near crashing waves focusing their roll.
My solitude loves ocean sounds as favored music
while I absorb comfort from stars so brightly lucid.
Consolation is no illusion, night invites my intrusion,
calms my confusion and lifts all my cares on high.
In daylight, I hide, keep fears inside my weep
until the world sleeps and I may dare sneak
to the freedom of infinite sky and sea.
Placing my float upon the water, I then lay
face up, give way to the inlet to steer my coast
and to stars sparkling endless dreams evoked.
I dangle my fingers in the satin water ripple,
sigh as night upon water eases all of ill fashion
and natural darkness washes me with peace.
I am grateful to night for its water cradle,
for clear dark sky where angels sparkle stars
until all twinkles sigh signal away my fears.
Though I must depart the night’s embrace I lust
before the daylight begins its revealing start,
I stay prayerful for the night and water pattern
that stroke me with hope while afloat their passion.
disillusionment gathers
like an incoming storm
with impending doom
rainless clouds
become the reigns
of the thunderous rage
toppling statues like trees
along paved walks
where peace one gathered
flags now burn upon the grounds
and those that fought to protect
lie unearthed within the fury
as headstones tumble
like dominos downward
common grounds become trampled
battlegrounds now redrawn
as the world looks onward
through the haze of destruction
awaiting the smoke to lift
yet the storm
rages on
unscathed
June 28, 2019
N-A rerun 9
Sponsored by John Hamilton
Brian Strand new poetry contest 2
Contest judged 6/29,2020
(it's the only n/a I have from this time frame, I don't consider it political but if you do and care not to place it, I understand!)
Here I am again, just waiting by the phone.
You said that you might call, ‘cause you hate to be alone.
So, here I will wait, until your voice is on the line,
And though you’re far from me, I’m with you all the time.
And your love lifts me
On the wings of an eagle,
And I soar, wild and free
When I am with you.
I think I hear the sound of your footsteps near the door.
You said that you might call, but I knew you wanted more.
Here, take my hand and I’ll kiss away your tears,
‘Cause we’ve walked a thousand miles
And held on all these years.
And your love lifts me
On the wings of an eagle,
And I soar, wild and free
When I am with you.
© Cherie 1998
winter nature's prize
creamy alabaster ice
wears hill queen beauty
sun's heartfelt soft smile
beams upon her shying face
she lifts her veiling
When love lifts the veil
When your despondent soul desperately searches for love
looking for years without success and you feel like giving up
sadness overwhelms you like tsunami waves pounding you with grief
when love comes to you, lifting the veil of sorrow it brings you relief
From a distance love's possibility suddenly arrives on the scene
hope begins to rise anew in your troubled heart although unseen
First a glimpse of love's possibility from across the crowded room
second glances bringing promises of romance is astonishing you
Then arrives the first shy smile, then is heard your first hello
heart beating faster and faster, galloping onward losing all control
Then comes your first dance together, followed by your first kiss
you always dreamed that your true love would happen just like this
Then comes the true confessions, along with your love's concessions
Love lifts the veil of hidden secrets and desires, in rapid succession
Happiness and loyalty enshroud you protecting you from wrong desires
Love has shone it's gleaming light upon you, both your souls are on fire
Now comes the I love you's, and the proposal you've been patiently waiting for
Vows are made, you say I do, love lifts the final veil, love reigns forevermore.
May 01,2016
John Derek Hamilton
The drone of the engine humming,
a bull-wheel around which chairs swing,
skiers all rushing to the line,
beginners are never in time.
A rapid lift up a height,
the bar comes bar to calm the fright,
high view of white trails swooping down,
figures below zipping around.
A few of them fall, full yard-sale,
some smirk when they see others fail,
the teens will laugh, as young men do,
forgetting they were novices too.
The tall tower, the rolling sheaves,
gray cable rolling over it,
low squeaking sound as it goes by,
you're moving slow, but still you fly.
The growing view of mountains close,
tall, frosted pines trees break the snow,
there’s skiers out there, in the glades,
they thirst for woods with powder paved.
A snowgun blasting, hide your face,
pins-and-needles pain as it sprays,
short annoyance, with which we deal,
nature’s stingy with snow that’s real.
The summit station looms ahead,
up goes the bar we are led
to a ramp that slides us down quick,
some first-timers don’t know this trick.
The attendants will help them up,
at first the sport is rather tough,
but once you’ve learned the chairlift seems
a machine that paints winter dreams.
And then comes the fun part…
Falling into the rise
You pick me up
Lift me high so I might see
What is below and behind
Something I must leave...
Softly cradle my dreams
What is true and what is not
Your breath of life
The wind on my face
Lift me high so I might see
Something I have to be...
Turning the tides
As the shadow falls over the moon
Up to the heavens, whisk me, take me soon
You lift me high so I might see
Falling into the rise
Something, Anything, set me free!
Falling into the rise
You pick me up
Lift me high so I might see
What is below and behind
Wait! Set me down! I’m not ready to leave!
My God He lifts me up
Jesus has embraced me
Suffered for me such
I will exalt the oh Lord my God provides
All, all my needs oh Lord my God I cry out to thee always
9/8/22
Written words by James Edward Lee Sr © 2022
Roses look redder
Sunflowers sunnier
Chrysanthemums brighter
Queen Anne's lace whiter
Leaves waving like pennants
Puffy clouds sail along
Grass green and refreshed
Birds sing their song
The breeze lifts my spirits
One click saves and submits it
Then teachers like ladders,
They let the children climbing up,
Holding ladders in care until finish,
Now teachers like lifts,
They let the children get in and vanish!
The fold lifts - he's there in the mist
And the world tumbles aside.
We come together and meet lips
As Night's stars fill our eyes.
It's a world of two - two in the world.
The rush - the fire of his touch
Enshroud us as a cocoon would
And it's everything we want.
The fold suddenly lifts again -
A secret knowledge now in its stead.
I face the garish morning sun
With a smile - though twisted.
Father I lift my friend to you
He needs you like we all need you
He too has a promise planned destiny with you
Show him reveal to him what to do with you
We cannot do this thing alone but with you
my friend is in need of you
He loves you
He adores you
He expects his love to always be genuine toward you
Oh you
you know just what you have planned
for you are you and there is no one like you
My friend needs you
Like a parachute flying high in the sky he needs you
Like leaves floating upon the water he needs you
Children playing in the park on a sunny day he needs you
Tears falling down his face he needs you
He needs you to supply a comforting need from you
Yes you
we all need you
When we stand we need you when we fall we need you
When we lose we need you when we win we need you
we all need you
Since I am close to him now and no one else I need you to give me the wisdom and answer he needs to help him
Speak you
I will listen to you
you have been there for me too
Oh you answer all calls and I receive the given response from you
Yes you
We need you!
When facing a wall of fear and pain, I stand.
Laughing, as hope and calm slip from my hand.
I climb tree branches, easily, swiftly and timely.
Each thread a steady beam that holds me upright.
Up in the canopy, I cheer up, and start to sing,
A hymn of praise that only being there can bring.
I rise higher, holding trunk and bough with delight.
Each fork a foothold lifting up into the light.
I rejoice in the chaos of tangled twigs and leaves,
That encases me with living walls, roofs and eaves.
Their whispered voices rustle solace in the breeze.
Bringing peace and joy, untangling my spent unease.
A careless slip — I lose my grip and start to slide.
But the tree clutches me, with a sudden, saving guide.
It breaks my fall and sets me softly onto the ground,
Its roots bear and steady me — till deep peace is found.
In pursuit of curves, some choose the lift,
A quest for beauty, a transformative shift.
But amidst the surgeries, a deeper tale,
A journey where self-love might set sail.
No judgment for choices, the paths we take,
Yet ponder the reasons, the risks we undertake.
Society's pressures, perceptions we bear,
A world where self-worth is laid bare.
South African souls, playing a role,
In the pursuit of beauty, losing their goal.
Attachments for love, a side hustle unfolds,
Prostitutes and marriages, tales to be told.
Relationships falter, lost in the void,
A nation sickened, values destroyed.
In African hair, judgment is cast,
Weaves worn proudly, but shadows are cast.
Obsessed with material, souls for sale,
Range Rovers and Mercedes, a tempting tale.
In pursuit of dreams, they trade their core,
Yet later, reflections bring insecurity ashore.
Selling bodies for riches, a path they tread,
But marriages suffer, innocence shed.
In the mirror, they question love's essence,
Forgetting the purpose, losing their innocence.
When Winter lifts some clouds with heavy rain
The ones that write ominous across the sky
That engorge themselves on heaven's grays
So much weight can not sustain this vision
Peoples eyes can only take in so much distance
Elements weigh heavy on the mind in Winter
Cold has no boundaries when snow comes down
Crowds gather at the fireplace in center city square
Warmth made from frozen logs and matches
They are the only light created in this misery
Dim as it might be
It is the only thing worth seeing
When clouds surround the city
Winter lifts some clouds in our direction
They may come but never leave
When fog sets in