Best Mentorship Poems
When you said to me,
"Climb up here, It's pollution free."
Sacred. Safe.
Your rarefied air.
Calculating, you seemed so free.
Safeguard. Sage.
I said I could breathe...
Underrated your density.
Saintly. Sane.
High-minded insight.
When anticipated terror
denuded me,
cool rarefied air
regulated insanity,
far gone fear.
I will breathe
in your rarefied air.
Let it burn brisk
in brittle, brave lungs.
Gasp and grasp
life's flame, full flare.
Lunge for high notions,
those far-flung schemes.
I will breathe in
High mind's smoke,
hung in air-
that ghostly stroke of genius,
rare token in disguise
Well spoken word flurries
whipping away thin guise.
Floating crown
adrift on high.
I will breathe in
Your rarefied air,
because I listened to you.
"Clamber up, high!
Unfazed view will circle you,
miles on end surround you.
No going around the bend.
Nowhere else to go.
No zig zag escape.
No spike in pressure.
No deep depression.
No bad atmosphere.
No stabbing shove.
No push or pull on edge.
Just your pledge to breathe.
To move in one direction.
Forever. Mentally "together."
Stay in good shape."
I will breathe out.
Your rarefied thoughts
congeal life's force,
slows down blood flow.
Till body gloved heart
faintly, faintly glows...
Concealed fire's torch,
caved embers die down.
Stripped artfully apart,
Your rarefied airs
blanket my mind in snow.
13/10/2018. Purely fiction. On the pros and cons of mentorship. "Higher" education is not necessarily a good thing. Learning lessons are.
Categories:
mentorship, education, identity, mentor,
Form:
Alliteration
I hope this letter, to you, a stranger
Becomes a letter to a friend
As we travel on this journey to its end
Yes we’ll start off as mere strangers
Trying to share the selfsame track
And what matter, if you stray a little
For I'll just lift you up and bring you back
I will steady you if you stumble
Catch you if you fall
Hold your hand when you get weary
Guide and protect you through it all
Oh I pray you learn to love life with a passion
With a zest and inner smiles
For that in truth, is the secret fuel
That will drive you countless miles
If loving life is too hard right now
If deep worry spreads across your brow
And your health is not as good at it might be
Well don’t fret my new - found friend
Just stay with me until the end
And that youthfulness will bloom again you’ll see
Together we will tackle any fear
Banish doubts when they are near
Grow a smile when one is lacking
For you have always got my backing
I’ll help you always go the extra mile
Help you scale mountaintops in style
Then I sincerely promise you will find
Life will love you back in kind
In more ways than you would ever guess
Adding life to years and years to life no less
For your circumstances always follow thought
And a life worth living is never cheaply bought
I’ll keep you on the straight and narrow
If you will but let me take the lead
As if we stick together on the journey
We cannot fail but to succeed
And no longer will we be strangers
But partners till the end
Now that’s a heart felt promise to a friend
Categories:
mentorship, cancer, death, encouraging, friendship
Form:
Rhyme
There was no brilliance
in the photo I took.
No inspired flash
as time's translucence
caught up with us...
Filtered past blinds,
early Sun's elegance
haloed her grey cloud curls,
soft blurred the lines
between past and presence
I said: "Just tilt your head
a little bit to the left..
Now where's that Smile?"
Captured she is.
In my heart's new album.
Pocketed providence.
With her Silver and Gold
" pennies for thoughts..."
In the photo she looks
like a shy child
aglow in the sunshine.
After a storm.
Posted: 7th November, 2019.
Dedicated to my Mum.
You've lived up to your names: Thelma Grace- "Willful, and Graceful..."
It might take some time for a daughter to realize how many positive " life lessons " she has learnt from the First Woman in her life.
I am grateful for your motherly mentorship. Never to be forgotten!
I love you with all my <3.
Categories:
mentorship, appreciation, daughter, mother,
Form:
Alliteration
The best things in life are free
Love is free
Peace is free
Kindness is free
Happiness is free
Joy is free
Care is free
Togetherness is free
Expression is free
Opinion is free
Choice is free
The best things in life is free
The universe is free
Our planet is a free zone
Life is free
The air is free
To live freely is to live fullfiled
To fight is free
Our world is free
Our reality should be free
Our education should be free
Our mentorship should be free
Our knowledge should be free
Above all our freedom
Should be free cos
The best things in life are free
Categories:
mentorship, africa, confidence, courage, freedom,
Form:
Epic
I hope we all at least aspire to become adept caregivers and receivers,
as these two directions seem to be nondualist,
mutually symbiotic;
to give care is neither better nor worse than to receive,
as optimal healthy care giving is also receiving--
these interactions mutually feed and enrich each other.
We call this healthy and growing love.
The best care giving comes out of love and nurturance,
not merely the exterior forms of ego discipline,
the ego-control of negative emotions and thoughts.
Love sublimates negativity,
often with humor at our own ecoconsciously mindful deep learning expense,
co-investment,
looking even deeper at this relationship in this time,
and learning to share this Basic Attendance
in a nondual spirit of co-mentorship.
Put another more therapeutic way,
health care professional training has invested in attorneys
and insurance bottom-line profit-seeking,
risk-management corporations,
to articulate how to defend oneself,
one's practice,
one's relationships,
from inappropriate touch and language and aggressive behavior.
This is not a bad thing in our WinLose ecopolitical economy,
but it is the less compelling side of our WinWin opportunity-optimization potential
for both caregiving and receiving
which is all about how to therapeutically touch and speak
and derive maturing empathic consciousness.
Both strict conservatives and progress-nurturers can agree
that our GoldenRule caregiving-receiving journey
within this health v pathology Earth climate,
through both internal and external landscapes of ecotherapeutic touch and language,
is how we further evolve together
toward optimizing WinWin health,
regenerative caregiving-receiving,
communicating with hands and feet and mouth from within mutually cooperative empathic trust.
As this conversion occurs and re-occurs and concurs,
then life becomes all about WinWin optimizing appropriate touch.
Too long enduring issues of inappropriate touch
become artifacts of a prior benighted millennium,
a former age and stage and life,
our progress-conserving regenerate Elders would not wish stuck upon us
or our great-grandchildren of all Earth's species.
Categories:
mentorship, caregiving, culture, health, humanity,
Form:
Political Verse
Meow
meaningfully echoes our unique distinction
making functional feline existence
mightily declaring our sacred raison d'etre
marvelously designed by the great Creator.
Meow! Meow! Meow!
Meow
magnifies the expression of what we are
moving us to communicate with others
mirthfully exposing our gladness
moods as well as anxieties.
Meow! Meow! Meow!
Meow
may be mystical to others
magical for pet lovers enthralled by our miracle-moans
mysterious among those puzzled by cat-behavior
meanwhile myth-filled vis-a-vis scientific management.
Meow! Meow! Meow!
Meow
maintains lofty order and integrity of our species
momentously asserting Felis catus' worth in relationship-mingling
majestic as mansion dwellers and palace guard keepers against mice
magnificently starring in movies where people learn from our mentorship.
Meow! Meow! Meow!
Meow
more than ever to our sacred society
mesmerizes humanity for our wondrous contributions
minimizes mankind’s misery with our stress-relieving music
most of all, praises God* Who is our Maker.
Meow! Meow! Meow!
Personification with alliteration
*Psalm 95:6 O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.
March 11, 2023
7th place, "The Sacred Meow Society" Poetry Writing Premiere Contest
Sponsored by Mystic Rose Rose; judged on 3/14/2023.
Categories:
mentorship, animal, appreciation, blessing, cat,
Form:
Alliteration
Edward ( Bud ) Atfield
Brother / Uncle
There is little to inspire this,
a day of reflection, but loads of hope.
There is a brother / uncle I will miss,
who has reached the end of life’s rope.
At the end of the Grim Reapers noose
his spirit, his soul to be free – let loose.
Time passed – eighty three years- age and cancer
have now taken their toll, he now knows the answer.
The time has come, to leave for changes
as his life’s flow, ebbs and rearranges
it’s atoms, it’s energy, it’s essence, it’s meaning,
to find all, in the new, that he will be feeling.
I am, oh so sorry that I will not be there
to say goodbye, offer best wishes as you fly
off to places far beyond the sight of these blind eyes
as we stare off into the blackness of, we know not where ?
I see where you once stood, standing before us, in our
memories hoard, now and forever more, during this hour.
I fondly remember your mentorship,
emulating, to be a mechanic, my apprenticeship.
I fondly remember the hours we drank, did talk.
In – but not all – your footsteps I tried to walk.
Love Bill .
B. J. “A ” 2
April 7th 2004
Categories:
mentorship, brother,
Form:
Rhyme
Caring for Earth
includes caring for oneself,
and caring for those we have grown to care for.
Co-piloting Spaceship Earth
includes piloting humane landscapes of EgoLeft-EcoRight Identity.
Spaceship Earth evolves collective global
LeftBrain power
and RightBrain wisdom
to co-manage with Earth
what we ecologically own cooperatively together.
The cooperatively owned
WinWin self-regenerative
Gaia hypothesis,
Lovelock and Margulis,
presents Earth and Her Tribes
as self-regenerating/degenerating bio-ego/eco-EarthBorn systems.
CoMentoring Systems merge now in this Great Transitional moment,
critical crisis of risk and opportunity,
to reverse disaffecting fundamental life-support systems
of both eco-climate and ego-landscapes.
EarthCare evolutions/devolutions
follow both Western fatherland
patriarchal patriotic nationalistic competing histories,
and matriarchal-cooperative ethical MotherEarth
restraint and respect mutual enculturation,
and sometimes even active fear
of not-so-motherly rejection and annihilation,
darkness,
rather than c-squared
Yin-squared flowing fractal
nurturing light.
CareGiving Both/And Light
can self-extinguish
through too much monoculturing competitive Either/Or
deductive-only dominance,
evaporating capital-nutritional trickle down and out from above,
where swelling CareReceivers monopolize totalitarian
Don't Lose short-term
and Don't worry about future generation long-term Losers
devolving outcomes
of Anti-Caring Earth.
Think of CareReceiving Ego
as also CareGiving EarthBorn.
You and Mom's own small cooperative co-mentorship,
extending out toward all our collaborative EarthShip bubbles
recycling in spirals
of dipolar co-arising full-spectral lights
CareGiving and Receiving and Giving and...
Categories:
mentorship, caregiving, earth day, health,
Form:
Political Verse
I was told at my first entrance
That schooling is my survival chance
Later knowledge not school made me bold
Oh I discovered, what a lie I was told!
I was told that school is education
But a stereotyped learning brought frustration
Yes, it gave a little but stole my joy
I decipher, its breeding will make me a toy
I was told schooling is success,
A barge of true happiness.
Until I saw successes without school
And I saw scholar in poverty's pool
School brings fulfillment
When it's guarded with every commitment
But how can I be sure of peace
When with her arms, my fears increase?
Now, I refused to be deceived
By every lie I once believed
I learn beyond scholarship
I choose a better mentorship
Categories:
mentorship, education,
Form:
Rhyme
FRIEND-SHIP
Friends exchange friend-ship
Engendering an awesome companionship
Just like birds of a fellow showmanship
In the circus of life mentorship
Ringing the dig-dong affair of relationship
On the ambiance of mutual partnership
Categories:
mentorship, anniversary, best friend,
Form:
Acrostic
Exemplifying jubilant triumphant life-building partnership
Sealed with remarkable intimate relationship
Around blissful freedom-bound fellowship
Upheld by care of loving leadership
Deserving loyal followership….
Such ties my Saviour through cord of sweet friendship
Nurtured by Christ upon Scriptural faith’s authorship
While I learn from His blessed mentorship
Propelling joyous faithful stewardship
Along functional fruitful discipleship…
God be praised for Psalm 23’s divine craftsmanship
inspiring my soul toward sublime worship
nourished to reach-out by sovereign guardianship
triumphing over trials upon truth’s headship…
grateful am I to the Lord* for His shepherding workmanship.
*Psalm 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Inspired by “Mizmor Kaf Gimmel” (Psalm 23), the Psalm of David
Originally written in Hebrew
Translated to English by the King James Version (KJV) Bible translators in 1611
November 21, 2021
1st place, "Inspired By A Translation" Poetry Writing Contest
Sponsored by Malabika Ray Choudhury; judged on 12/12/2021.
The following is the Hebrew text of Psalm 23
Mizmor Kaf Gimmel (Psalm 23) in English
Psalm of David, Psalm 23
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Categories:
mentorship, appreciation, blessing, christian, faith,
Form:
Monorhyme
Let’s relax along mentorship pleasure
to bask in varied students’ excuses when facing pressure
as they abound for sure…
Learner A says, “There is a lion in the way”
so I’m late for the reporting schedule today
hope to fulfill it later, I pray.
Learner B uses blame game, insinuating
“the serpent beguiled me” into such tainting
thus, I succumbed to the ranting.
Learner C retorts with confidence reign
“the dove returned not again”
when asked of his assignment he forgot in vain.
Learner D enumerates alibis to cover negligence
even citing Balaam’s talking ass confronting guilty conscience
pledging to show next time enduring diligence.
Learner E lets absenteeism be justified
testifying, “I’m the lost sheep personified
needing teacher’s patience, greatly magnified.”
Learner F, for missed requirement, declares candidly:
“Mine was done perfectly; indeed realistically...
... and then a flaming pterodactyl ate my homework surreally.”
Learner G, muses midst rationalization glow:
“'When thoughts cease to flow ~Where does ego go'”**
May, I please be forgiven as I ask for understanding-flow."
Well, as a learner myself, I admit with earnest confession
my human nature is no exemption
so my heart seeks the LORD*** for wisdom’s implementation.
*Proverbs 26:13 The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
**Unseeking Seeker
***Proverbs 2:6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
February 4, 2021
Edited on May 14, 2022
Tristich in Rhyme form
3rd place, "Bubble of illusion" Poetry Writing Contest
Sponsored by Unseeking Seeker; judged on 5/20/2022.
Categories:
mentorship, character, christian, faith, god,
Form:
Tristich
Wisdom wonders in thy wealthy wells
Oh, oasis of opportunities and obeisance
Many men got matured through thy mentorship
Edification of the enslaved is the desired ends
Novice never niggles in her noble nursery
World of wickedness and woes
Opening lives to oppression and offence
Mighty men are marred by thy members
Elites are eroded by thy errors
Novices are not for they entered thy net
Women: world of wisdom and woes
Operating with openness and onslaught
Many were martyred by thy matriarchal mask
Errors and excellence are enclosed in thy essence
Now I know, you’ve got novelty and naughtiness
Categories:
mentorship, imagination, peoplemen,
Form:
Verse
Creating in me learner’s wondrous cravings
Alluring my mind around discovery arena
Painting possibilities, vividly picturesque
Teachers* lead toward pursuits, triumphant
Instilling in my heart values, illuminating
Vanquishing ignorance vis-à-vis great ventures
Always captivating soul for exploration agenda…
Taking time to check my search for truth-trekking
Imparting their lives with nourishing influence
Opening me to every opportunity-optimization~~~
Now, it’s my turn to fulfill such educational nurture.
Directing students toward learning delight
Exposing them for vicarious experiences
Leading against fears with caring love
I praise God midst privileged role of importance
Gladly ushering hearts for captivation glow
Hosting faith to ascend against limitation heights
Thankful for mentorship along trainees’ testimonies.
*1 Corinthians 12:28 And God hath set some .... teachers...
October 20, 2022
Edited on August 16, 2025
Categories:
mentorship, appreciation, blessing, christian, education,
Form:
Acrostic
Gracious fortress of caring fortitude
Guarding by their compassion’s latitude
Governing to soar through faith’s latitude
Guiding with attitude of gratitude…
God blest our parents’ love-packed magnitude!
Daddy’s chromosomes in his fatherhood
Blended with Mama’s genes midst motherhood
Nourishing fully healthy babyhood
Toward fruitful nurture of adulthood…
Yes, we salute their faithful parenthood!
With Dad and Mom’s steadfast, sweet partnership
Around strong and endearing fellowship
We, their children did learn wise stewardship
With glad followship and joyous worship…
Creating in us servant-leadership!
Good provider always – that’s Father
Gearing housekeeping skills of Mother
Indeed complementing each other
With their home-craftmanship together…
They’re role models to me, Sis and Brother!
Along their driving mentorship force
We’re trained to enjoy our daily course
To work well, shutting slothfulness’ doors
Warned against problems brought by debt-source…
Around contentment and commitment discourse!
As masterpieces’ molders, so clear
Dad and Mom with guidance, very near
Kept us counseled midst precepts we hear
To face functionally pressure-tear…
Oh, they propelled us with righteous steer!
In their consistent life-building zest
They sought God’s instructions for what’s best
Shaping behaviour toward finest
For virtues crest, inside values’ nest…
Praying for our future, vibrantly blest!
Championing kindness against hatred’s pain
Dad and Mom let us savour pardon-gain
With forgiveness pursuit, sans guilt’s stain
Freeing our hearts from bitterness-strain…
Making our home thrive in heaven’s domain!
They’re not perfect since we saw them pout
Sometimes, their assertions made us doubt
But they never failed to reach us out
With beware cautions against wrong route…
Now, we are on right track; “Thanks so much.” We shout!
As great heroes in their own right
My parents* radiated truth’s light
Constructing sturdy legacy-height
Victorious by the Lord’s grace and might…
Along priceless name yon treasures’ delight!
*Ephesians 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
March 30, 2024
2nd place, "Legend" Poetry Writing Contest
Sponsored by Silent One; judged on 4/10/2024
Categories:
mentorship, appreciation, blessing, christian, god,
Form:
Epic