Best Lighter Poems
lighter than a wisp
afloat on a midnight breeze
delicate whisper
AP: 2nd place 2020
Posted on September 25, 2020
Categories:
lighter, uplifting,
Form:
Haiku
The road is long,
unexpected happenings
I found the perfect place to live,
not knowing the crisis I would endure
The waves rolled in,
The world spun around me
As I literally fought for my life
While I recover, I have many thoughts
I don't focus on the disruption to my new peaceful place
I am grateful for the timing, the lighter side of things
- that this didn't happen where I was before -
Heidi Sands
6/13/25
Categories:
lighter, appreciation, change,
Form:
Free verse
The sun provides me light from without
My faith provides it from within
On days when no light shines on my skin
What’s within dispels any doubt
Categories:
lighter, faith, sunshine,
Form:
Rhyme
It's a matter of pressure, the weight of exchange
Affection we share now, in a different ballgame
I won't leave you red faced, embarrass, or shame
Tho' my impulse commands to squeeze you the same
But your school chums are watching, so I keep arms restrained
You've been climbing the ladder, to your middle school days
And I'll admit that the changes are much harder for me
Than for you who resolves to grab hold to each year
And wear them like badges, on your way to be free
My cherub remembered, is no prize you would own
Yet my feelings, regardless, are the same as before
When I rocked you, my baby, how I cherished dark nights
I never once pondered, how soon wings take flight
I would cradle and hold you, my lips on your cheek
I sang nursery stories, and called you my sweet
The world of surprises with each passing while
As you wander a tightrope, between a man and the child
So I hug you now gently, I must stifle my gushing
But the touch of you fills me with rushes of longing
I can’t swallow you whole, like I did long ago
But the love hasn’t changed, and the touch is much lighter
But the love is the same , we both know it, somehow…
..................
For Deb's Contest: "Touch"
Categories:
lighter, family, love, school, love,
Form:
Free verse
The kindly old lamplighter ambled about the village green,
Lighting lamps to add a glow to that Norman Rockwell scene!
Sitting on a bench in the shadows to reminisce for awhile,
He recalled many by-gone scenes that evoked a wistful smile!
At Yuletide, carolers stood 'neath the lamps singing joyful songs,
To herald the birth of The Savior to the happy, strolling throngs.
Huge, feathery snowflakes drifted gently to the earth.
The lamps' mellow glow brightening faces adding to the mirth!
Young lovers stood 'neath secluded lamps in passionate embrace.
Recalling his youthful days, a knowing smile creased his weathered face.
Silver-crowned sweethearts paused 'neath lamps to reminisce.
She'd give him a playful slap should he try to steal a kiss!
Watching kids playing marbles 'neath a lamp was a delight.
How he longed to join them, but they'd think him an awful fright!
Lamp poles were a refuge to which clung the town ne'er-do-well.
On Saturday nights the constable escorted him to his usual cell!
For nigh on fifty years he'd tended the lamps on the village square.
He'd seen just about everything 'neath the lamps' revealing glare.
Now, his soul refreshed with memories, he slowly trudged away,
To return on the 'morrow to dim the lamps at dawn of a new-born day!
Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired
© All Rights Reserved
Categories:
lighter, nostalgia,
Form:
Rhyme
I’m not much into phonies
And I love to play the ponies
I spend too much shoppin’
And do too less moppin’
I love my amazing hubby
My fantastic cat, Chubby
Starbuck’s Passion Iced Tea
That trashy Reality TV
My famed DVR recorder
Though not exactly in that order!
I am crazy about my fitness classes
And adorable old men who make passes
'Experts' say I have ADD, but I don’t agree
The reasons…Wow look, a hickory tree!!!***
I fancy fine champagne and microbrew beer
When the Broncos are on, you’ll hear me cheer
Well, good friends, alas, my departing…
Why, you ask? Big Brother is starting!!!
***Warning: If you ‘get’ this, you just might have ADD :)
Categories:
lighter, lifelove,
Form:
Rhyme
Beautiful Black Girl
Beautiful black girl your shade is divine, your silky lacquer skin looks so rich against mine. You are so beautiful, in time you will know it, you will be refined.
I lived so long with the shame of being so dark. I did everything I could, I scrubbed as if my skin were the bark of a tree that could hopefully be relieved.
Each day I would wake hoping today is the day, I just know I’m going to be lighter and great because of all the skin lightner I used the night before. I slowly raised my eyes, hoping for my surprise, only to my demise. I was still that deep, dark, black little girl. My heart took a whirl!
No I wouldn’t get any whiter so my heart got even flightier because I’ve already been enlightened that this world had no room for anyone that wasn’t lighter than me.
A little black girl that does not know her worth. You’ve been told everything but the truth about the brilliance and beauty that lies within you. This did not bring you happiness and mirth you’ve felt this rejection and sadness from birth.
People laughed at your skins lovely tone, you even hid and often moaned because you didn’t know you were the silky black gold you owned. Your shame is not just your own you loaned it to all the other little silky black girls that did not know their worth.
Then the world saw the stunning electricity of Anok, and the beautiful, talented qualities of Lupita strut their stuff with their silky black flowing rich radiant skin.
They can not help but see the stunning beauty outside and also within. After all of these shameful years, the prizes they win.
Now there’s a wave of the future for little black girls. No more insults will stick that may be hurled at those dark little girls. Instead they will flow uninhibited through this life dazzling and spirited as a beautiful black girl, like a butterfly should.
Inspired by the life of Lupita Nyong’o
Categories:
lighter, beauty, black african american,
Form:
Free verse
The Lighter
When the passage of life seem so dark
Filled with agony, regrets and mistakes
Nowhere to turn to, crying for help
Voices end up brown by the whirlwind without response
Ears have been brooked by the cacophony that comes
From within the society
Poverty, violence and drug abuse seems to be an inheritance
From Ancestors or forefathers
Norms and Values of our tradition have become invalid
Please! Please! Can someone light my path?
What a mysterious journey
The journey that has imprecise destination
Every mile that passes by, Hope is fading away
Due to inscrutable ways of life
Phobia is now invading the hearts of men
It really looks so squalid to my eyes
The journey is too long and too dark to be certain of the future
Men now kill and drink their own blood to survive
Deviant behavior is now acceptable in our society
Lives are now in shambles and dismantled
Where are those day of serene in our country
Mama, Oh mama light our path
Talk about the incurable and irreversible curse
The curse which no one knows its genesis
Whether from God, Devil or our Ancestors
It has claimed many lives of our brothers, Sisters, parents and friends
To dust and ashes
As human beings become careless, it increases its
Power and speed in destroying lives of our loved ones
Who shall redeem our generation, when even the obvious we not escape from it
Mama, Oh mama light our path
Oh yes there is a light, I can now see clearly, the dead and buried hope has resurrected
Dry Dreams have now tasted flesh waters. Better and prosperous future is now certain
In this dark and cruel world, I never thought I could find a Mother as loving and caring as you
When I was rejected and abandoned, you have taken me as your own son
Treated me equal with your children
When everyone misunderstood me, you listened to my simple and sad story
Each day wishing that you could see the tears of joy and hope
Being shed within my heart.
Thank MAMA; you have touched lives and you are truly the LIGHTER
In this dark passage of life
Tony The Poet
Anthony Ngabwe
Categories:
lighter, africa, anger, bereavement, betrayal,
Form:
Acrostic
Mouth speaks from the abundance of the heart
Troubling thoughts spill out like smelly discharge
You hear people say ”I’d rather trust a stone than a person”
Because people’s yes is no longer yes
Lies have become a norm for survival
Trust evaporated because of the heat
The fire started with a spark from the fire lighter
A tiny thing that grew into flames
And devour everyone around it
Victims are groaning, crying for help
But playing with fire seems normal
And no one is trying to extinguish these monster flames
Neighbors don’t feel the pain anymore
They are so badly burnt that their conscience is none receptive
To the concept of neighborly
They overlooked the fire extinguisher
With a simple instructions to guide them through the fire
For it said, love your neighbor as you love yourself
Families are grieving a devastating loss
Because it’s members are scattered all over
Like sheep without a Sheppard
For they have endorsed the idea of supremacy
And those who’ve climbed high walls to survive the scorching heat
Pushed their fellow brothers and sisters down to burn because of rivalry
Competing against one another. Why?
For they’ve overlooked a fire extinguisher with a simple instruction
Guard your tongue against sowing divisions
Relationships have huge cracks
Many tripped and fell into the cracks
Their back bones fractured causing an outcry
Fountains full of tears are overflowing
Billions of hearts are burning
Because of thoughtless speech
Thoughtless speech contaminated by self-righteousness
For we have rejected clean tongue
Full of respect and dignity
This is all because we overlooked a fire extinguisher
A powerful proverb full of wisdom
Dearth and Life is in a power of tongue
Indeed tongue is like a fire lighter
It is small yet has the power to slay or heal
If not guarded against, it can cause unstoppable fires.
Categories:
lighter, sad, sorrow,
Form:
In diminishing degrees of denial and doubt,
I find myself taking inventory of emotional stock
to scan it for inconsistencies:
Let's see...
Right now I feel…
Confused, scared, angry, vengeful, murderous, and demonic.
Yet also…
Calm, peaceful, nurturing, merciful, caring, reassuring, and reassured.
Who am I to follow the yellow brick road
that lights the way out of Oz? (my Wizard seems so far away…)
Who am I to question the path it leads me on?
These strange and unpredictable twists and turns,
tramples and tumbles,
ups and downs,
highs and lows…
I’m just a lost and lonely soul hoping to reconcile
the light and dark,
the white and black.
the generosity and greed
the spirit and flesh.
Yet I only end up compromising my deepest held beliefs
in the hopes that I may live a normal life
and carry on normal conversations
in a world that is everything
but normal.
Full of lost and lonely souls, who like me,
only seek an understanding shoulder to cry on,
that could lessen this tremendous burden,
lighten this harrowing load,
and offer true direction
towards a lighter shade of gray.
Categories:
lighter, allegory, caregiving, confusion, dedicationlost,
Form:
Free verse
The candle lighter
always found his way.
The light always bright
both night and day.
His steps were lighter,
did not stumble or fall.
The path was so wide,
light shown for all.
The candle lighter
gave flame from his spark,
The candle lighter
gave light to their dark.
Categories:
lighter, light,
Form:
Verse
The Lighter
When the passage of life seem so dark
Filled with agony, regrets and mistakes
Nowhere to turn to, crying for help
Voices end up brown by the whirlwind without response
Ears have been brooked by the cacophony that comes
From within the society
Poverty, violence and drug abuse seems to be an inheritance
From Ancestors or forefathers
Norms and Values of our tradition have become invalid
Please! Please! Can someone light my path?
What a mysterious journey
The journey that has imprecise destination
Every mile that passes by, Hope is fading away
Due to inscrutable ways of life
Phobia is now invading the hearts of men
It really looks so squalid to my eyes
The journey is too long and too dark to be certain of the future
Men now kill and drink their own blood to survive
Deviant behavior is now acceptable in our society
Lives are now in shambles and dismantled
Where are those day of serene in our country
Mama, Oh mama light our path
Talk about the incurable and irreversible curse
The curse which no one knows its genesis
Whether from God, Devil or our Ancestors
It has claimed many lives of our brothers, Sisters, parents and friends
To dust and ashes
As human beings become careless, it increases its
Power and speed in destroying lives of our loved ones
Who shall redeem our generation, when even the obvious we not escape from it
Mama, Oh mama light our path
Oh yes there is a light, I can now see clearly, the dead and buried hope has resurrected
Dry Dreams have now tasted flesh waters. Better and prosperous future is now certain
In this dark and cruel world, I never thought I could find a Mother as loving and caring as you
When I was rejected and abandoned, you have taken me as your own son
Treated me equal with your children
When everyone misunderstood me, you listened to my simple and sad story
Each day wishing that you could see the tears of joy and hope
Being shed within my heart.
Categories:
lighter, addiction, africa, anger, art,
Form:
Acrostic
Puff Puff The Dragon
Let the Marlboro Cigarette Go
I Hate To See Your Lungs Drop Out Of Your Chest
It's Already Bad Often Your Breath Smells Like A Hot Mess
Don't You Want To Live
Don't You Want To Be Cancer Free
Let It Go
Let It Go
Let Go Of The Marlboro Cigarette And Lighter
So You Will Not Die
P.S.
Say No To Cigarettes And Lighters
Say Yes To Life
By: Shaniki Smith
06-09-2016
Categories:
lighter, addiction, death,
Form:
Verse
My brother, too big for his britches,
Said he wasn't scared of witches;
Of ghosts and goblins had no fear
And dared a demon to come near.
The morning after Halloween,
He was just nowhere to be seen.
We looked for him in woods and ditches,
In cubbyholes and hidden niches.
My mama couldn't find her broom.
We looked for it in every room.
I shouldn't laugh 'til I'm in stitches
At Brother carried off by witches.
Categories:
lighter, adventure
Form:
Light Verse
Lighter
He’s better called a Lighter
Than just named a writer.
Torches that writers hold
Help to thaw mental cold
Those who, shadows fear
Are safe by what writers bear-
What kills creative prowess
Is inherent fear to express!!
JM
17th January 2014
Categories:
lighter,
Form:
Couplet