Best Not A Problem Poems
First, understand that sorrow is a room
with no furniture, only echoes.
Every word you speak will return to you
slightly changed,
like a photograph left in sunlight.
Learn to sit still in emptiness.
Your body will protest,
it was built for movement,
for purpose,
for the illusion
of progress.
Ignore it. Stay.
Notice how grief has weight but no shape,
how it fills the spaces between your ribs
like water,
how it makes you both
heavier and more likely to float away.
Do not rush to redecorate the room.
People will offer you curtains, rugs,
paintings to cover the walls.
They mean well.
Refuse them gently.
The emptiness is not a problem to solve
but a truth to inhabit.
Sit with it.
Let it teach you the grammar of loss,
the syntax of what remains.
Eventually, and I cannot tell you when
you will notice a door you hadn't seen,
not an exit but an entrance,
leading somewhere you've never been.
You will hesitate at the threshold,
understanding that moving forward
means leaving something precious behind.
This is correct.
Step through anyway.
The room will always be there,
that echo chamber of what was.
You can visit whenever you need to,
but you no longer have to live there.
Took a shortcut through this wicked world
But the long way through our hearts
Having a hard time convincing ourselves
That this end is a million starts
A companion and a confidant
A father and a friend
Had a smile that was never ending
Always lent a helping hand
Never a time, you couldn’t make us laugh
Not a problem you couldn’t mend
Our beloved brother, we’ll miss you dearly
With love until we see you again
I am not lonely
Because I am alone
I am not timid
Because I am quiet
I am sparse with speech
Because I have carried
The weight of words
So I know their value, and their price
I am not impaired
Because I keep my own company
Being still is a trait to cherish
Not a disease in need of a cure
Not a malady to medicate
I am not the inept eccentric
I am not a cliche to pity
I am not a wounded bird to nurse
I am not a puzzle to put together
I am not a problem to solve
I am not your consolation prize.
12/27/18
for 'You Are Not Defined By' contest
sponsor: John Hamilton
Blue Jays and Black birds and half a dozen squirrels.
Sprinkled with Sparrow's, it's become quite a world.
Occasional Cardinal to add a little spice.
They seem to all be getting along fairly nice.
The neighbor, he feeds them plenty of food.
It seems it is working, they've become quite a brood.
As long as the house is buttoned up tight.
They're not a problem, I sleep fine at night.
Out in the front, a chipmunk does play.
Scurrying around and having it's way.
A Robin or two might ruffle their feathers.
I wouldn't change a thing if I had my druthers.
It feels like I'm blessed to have such a mess.
Nothing to do but enjoy it, I guess.
God certainly does have mysterious ways.
How he shows us his love in these warm summer days.
A snowy day,
hurray !
The sky is blue
the dream came true.
Even though I'm only five
I manages to do a snowman alive.
A snowy day,
as sugar sprinkles, hooray!
Roll and roll the snowball grow,
gets bigger and heavy, it goes real slow.
A large, a medium and an even smaller ball
not a problem at all.
A snowy day,
my friendly neighbor helped me, hooray!
Everyone knows ...
he must have a carrot nose.
A snowy day,
hurray !
The curse, the lethargy,
conceived out of wedlock Dawn and Day,
the mother-in-law of the race of the Ogres,
the tub filled with toads, vipers and snakes,
the cohabitant who always stays out -
here's a partial list of the problems
that await the true princesses,
whereas a dreamless sleep is a soteriological ideal of any Buddhist.
Bent over the beautiful princess,
I feel a pang of mercy,
and, rising from my knees, get out of here -
by little Mopsey, the Princess's spaniel, which is lying on the bed,
by the hypothetical fire upon the hearth,
by the doormen in whose cups wine turned into mold long ago
and beyond,
through the wayless wood of existence,
which is not a problem for my ladylove anymore.
As Charles Perrault rightly stated:
“Thorns part before a royal blood only”.
1St Corinthians 13:13 Inspiration Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Regina Riddle
Will take you to my leader,
for this I'll be obliged.
Not a problem, will do that,
my leader I'll provide.
To my leader, you will go,
you are a special guest.
Am sure will make you satisfied,
you should be quite impressed.
My leader is responsible...
confident and correct,
True leaders are respectable;
so others will respect.
Mine is no exception,
she's brave and also strong.
Commend when one is righteous,
calls out when one is wrong.
Without hesitation, t'is an honour-
introducing to thee,
Soundly and profoundly-
MY LEADER IS ME.
Mother said, “Avoid the bilge,”
Keep your dreams clear, don’t let them delve.
No depth in anger, nor strife,
“Steer clear of paths where woes are felt.”
Do not let your heart be like a delft,
Cold and rigid, set by a protective shelf.
Live close to the warmth, shun the frosty guise,
Let no icy barriers govern your heart’s ties.
Happiness isn’t found in mere eighths,
It blooms in each breath, in small and grand states.
Life’s not a problem to be conquered or braced,
But warmth in moments cherished, unspoiled, and embraced.
When the world feels coated in a sticky glaze,
Remember, love’s the beacon to guide you through the haze.
Mother said, “In all your face, stay near warmth's embrace,
Value love and moments, not the race.”
In the warmth of a hearth, not the delft,
Dreams unfold, and joy is felt.
Mother said, “In all things you see,
Stay true to warmth, and let it be.”
Note: Written from the perspective of a teenager.
Our older brothers and sisters
Were the last to live without technology
Our generation wouldn’t last a day
Without a cell phone in their hands
It’s too late for most.
Our younger brothers and sisters
Are growing up with technology
A ride in the car requires an iPad
Without a screen life is unbearable
It’s too late for most.
Our moms and dads
Are already adjusted to technology
There lives wouldn’t function without their computer
Technology is not a problem
The way we are getting used to it is.
It is difficult to get rid of the false self
A believable mask has taken years to develop
Such safety precautions demand extensive disguising
Dear i ask, why can't we all be living in the bare?
The conditioning begins at a young age
Everyone is trained to look good at every stage
Shame on you if you don't protect your private space
Outrage will result if someone is caught in public Nude.
Who makes this decision, and why does everyone follow orders?
Since we only bring our skin from the divine with us,
Being bashful, prideful, or ashamed is not a problem for me;
Instead, i admire animals for being so pure and unadulterated.
There are laws that punish what is considered lewd behaviour
Such behaviour is blasphemous in some religions
It's widely accepted that Adam and Eve were covered in leaves
It's deemed wickedness to uphold one's birthright.
There are absurdities in religious doctrine, which is truly unfortunate
Should individuals disregard the regulations they are made to dread?
Some female folk are told to cover even their head
Many are compelled to hide their body or off with their head.
I seek honesty,
Which would leave me vulnerable,
As is pretty obvious
Should this be the case, i persist in being true to myself.
I am not just a bare-Naked black man
I am a christian bisexual bare-Naked black man.
Scene 1 - In a cabin on the Mountain side:
" Kenny, you ol' Food Dog you. How was your trip" '" Long and boring. I came as soon as I got your letter. How's Chef doing?"
"Not well, they have him over at the old folks home, they want to commit him for Dementia; as Executor of his estate they need
your signature." " I doubt they'll get that." " A Dr. Mendelsohnn has a status meeting tomorrow at 2" " Well what happened? "Chef
was on one of his nature walks when he ran into two hikers, they got scared and called 911, said there was a crazy man in the woods.
By time the cops got up here Harry was home." "Who was with him, Phil who was with him?" " Kenny, it was Black Friday everyone
was at work" " Jesus Christ, Sorry Lord. Phil, you guys promised never to leave him alone after he was diagnosed with stomach cancer"
" Sorry Ken I got called into work, Chef said he felt fine, you know how Chef is about working." Yea I know, but we also know he's
not always truthful about his health. So they just took him away" Not really, when Mike got here there was 4 cop cars in the yard, they
had to literally drag him out. Chef wasn't acting sane. Dr. Mendelsohnn said he has Dementia, and wants to commit him to Easy Rest Adult Care."
" Not a problem, Phil, Does the year 2004 and 2007 mean anything to Chef" "Redsox World Series Wins." Right , Chef said when he doesn't
remember them, then it's time to leave this realm
Scene 2 - Easy Rest Adult Care Fascility
DEFORESTATION
~~
Topical Tree Poetry
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Deforestation rife!
From copse to woodlands
And trees on their own suffer the knife!
Deforestation rife!
Rainforest to jungles,
Arboretums to parklands suffering strife
Deforestation rife!
There is suffering unseen.
To all macro, micro, wildlife.
Deforestation rife!
The whole world pays,
yes you, if you're married your wife.
Deforestation rife!
Nothing is safe, trees breathe for the world.
Time we all stopped living a trife life.
Deforestation rife!
Life now desperate, let's stop the felling.
Make living our plight
log
fell
chop
copse
logged
chopped
afforestation
deforestation
greening
~~~~~~~~~
'Topical Tree Poetry: Defined'
A new form of poetry invented by me, (Mick E Talbot), utilising, the 'shape' poetry format overall, (in this instant the 'Concrete' form as the word tree is referred to in the poem). Using the 'snowball' poetry form for the trunk, and any form that makes for a good canopy. The subject material must be "topical", ie, trending, current, historical, events.
The format: The canopy; any form of poetry, 1 stanza, no restraint on the number of lines. Lines not to exceed 12 syllables.
The 'trunk'; a form referred to as a snowball. It starts with the smallest word alluding to the topic, then using synonyms increase in size by 1* letter, ending in an antonym, refer to my example poem. The whole must be centered.
* Try to make the trunk branchless, the odd knobbly bump or hole not a problem. (The latter will happen at times).You can by hitting the space bar make the branch/es, hole/s appear on one side of the trunk, Or the other, just an afterthought ;-) Mick
I am putting a sign in my window for a position available. The position is soul mate,
(friend and lover) this is not a temporary job but a forever thing. Apply within to see
what I am seeking.
You must be male
Single (divorced or widow is okay)
Live in this city(no long distance thing)
Love cats (I have two)
And children (I have none)
You must be trustworthy and faithful
(without trust we have nothing)
Have good communication
A good listener
Love nature and long walks
Hate cruelty to people and animals
Like poetry(mine especially)
Be a writer (optional)
Be happy with your life
Not into smoking, drugs or alchohol
Have humility and kindness
Ambition and intelligence are needed
As is honesty and warmth and tenderness
Mature yet still have that little kid inside
You should be supportive and nurturing
Appreciate my friends(accept them)
Be a good kisser etc
Sense of humor is a must
Like art and museums and plays and concerts
Movies and music
Day trips in the city and hiking
(sorry these feet never leave the ground)
Flowers(because I have a garden)
Watching television
Love to read and quiet time
Have great quantities of compassion and empathy
Show respect to me and others
Have your own hobbies and interests and friends
Accept my flaws
Be passionate and romantic and affectionate
Like to cook
Helping with the housework is not a problem(yes/no)
If you have controlling behaviour (please do not apply)
Share my values and respect my beliefs
Committed to improving yourself
Appreciate my private space and thoughts
Bring me flowers and chocolates (just because)
Willing to compromise at times
Put no conditions on our relationship
Make me a better person
Love me
If you feel this is a position you are qualified for, please come for an interview with
a list of your qualifications and picture. Reminder, this is not a temporary job but
a forever thing.
________________________
June 7, 2015
List
Written by Broken Wings
For the Contest, The Interview, sponsor, Judy Konos
First Place
I am gay.
I'm not a disease, I'm not a problem
I'm not an affliction
I don't need treatment.
I don't need help
I'm not sick
I'm not confused
I'm not a sin.
I am gay.
I'm your daughter
Your sister
Your friend
Your co worker
Your classmate
Your acquaintance
A complete stranger
I am gay.
I need love, just like you
I need smiles
I need support
I need a hug
I need a friend
I need a family
I need acceptance
I need understanding
I need you
I am gay.
I know what love is
I know what pain is
I know what hate is
I know what life is
I am gay.
And I need you to love me
The same way you loved me before you knew
I am gay.
And I have experienced hate
From more people than just you
I am gay.
And I wont change.
I wont give up.
I wont back down.
I wont pretend.
I wont lie.
I wont deny.
I wont hide.
I wont hurt.
I am gay.
And that's okay.
I looked around the crowded lobby in the Ritz Hotel in Washington, DC. I was a little late in getting there as the plane was late in arriving. Not a problem. I had the itinerary for the next day's meeting and an agenda that provided me all the information I needed to conduct myself in a professional manner before the executives expected to attend.
I checked into my room and immediately showered, slipped into my housecoat and stood before the mirror to practice my presentation. I knew I had it nailed. Feeling quite confident, I went to bed and slept right through until room service called me at 6:30 a.m. The meeting was to start at 8:00 a.m. in the main conference room of the hotel. I showered again, dressed, pee'd and practiced in front of the mirror again.
I stood at the Podium and began my presentation complete with all my Harvard Graphics bells and whistles. As I was facing the charts, with my back to the audience, I heard snickering. It wasn't clear what they were saying exactly, but something about toilet paper and hemline in panties. I was absolutely mortified!!!