Best Obligingly Poems
"If in the first act you have hung a pistol on the wall, then in the following one it should be fired." -- Anton Chekhov
Chekhov declared that it's clearly imperative
That a gun given billing must duly be fired.
The bullet obligingly cinches the narrative,
Sating the thirst that the gun first inspired.
Yet the world is awash in objects inutile,
Which clog our disorderly narrative streams.
So why should a playwright adhere to so futile
A diktat pertaining to props in a scene?
Myself for example, habitually arming
The darkness that swaddles me, inkily deep,
My mind so occulted its doubly alarming
To grasp the black Kimber, now sprung from its keep.
The prop having found its way on to the stage,
My untethered demons start chorally keening,
Quite certain they know what the gun must presage:
That this is the moment that holds all the meaning.
Categories:
obligingly, depression,
Form:
Verse
Your honor I wish to state, with utmost rhapsody before the crescent azure, that my client is as white as a Lilly
was it fare that he died, a tender soul twenty one phases of the harvest moon
buried at the bloom of owls, bats to grace the occasion, ghosts to usher the procession, dogs to disguise as chief moaners
is it justified that the noble lad had to endure the disgrace of his anatomy, twenty strokes to the count to fulfill an accursed ritual
was it justified that my friend, left behind a park of wives sobbing behind the stench abounded streams, unleashing life to the ruins he called home
was my client an astrology to manipulate his destiny that drew him closer to the trigger, son of a gun he had no choice
did the cops drew in their hands, utmost monopoly on his life to pin him as easily as tapping a fly, the books of records think otherwise
am not a Marxist but truth be said that poverty and affluence unify in boxing duels, my friend was just but a soul, caught in the line of capitalism dynamism
was my friend born in the antiquities of an emperor, Shakespeare would tremble before the letters of his epitaph
was my client marooned in the lavishness of the middle class,Vincent van Gogh would dance before the master piece of his graven image
I don't believe in the tune of reincarnation but my client would obligingly accept, a second chance in whatever form, your grace shall offer
make him go back the statue of liberty, to enlighten mankind of the powers of democracy
allow him to return as the cutest kitten, to offer warmth to a broken heart
I have stated, I have mourned, not in desperation but in love, not to win but to exude the jury with truth, of the realities beyond these pearly gates, the day in life of a mere mortal,
my case rests,
Categories:
obligingly, bereavement, dedication, forgiveness, life,
Form:
The morning sun just rising, glaring;
a damp, colder, workaday street ...
fallen leaves scattered,
Halloween mere days away:
Suddenly: Startled by the workman:
A stray, jet-black cat
frightenedly slinking into utter darkness
under a nearby porch.
In the gloom, the cat all but disappears,
save for its wide, pained, wild eyes
staring back threateningly into the daylight:
Disembodied eyes illumined,
like molten gold blazing,
dancing and hovering in gloom;
eyes winking on and off,
twin, sinister lamps,
the brightest, most moribund yellow:
The cat glancing aside, this way, that.
And irridescence
hanging in the hushed air
about all and sundry,
an apparition,
fog slowly vanishes.
Categories:
obligingly, celebration, halloween, imagery, nature,
Form:
Prose Poetry
Without Knowing Your Gender...,
(nonetheless ex post facto still flattered)
Bhutan names defy affiliating,
determining, identifying... gender,
and what a faux pas this dada admits,
when a blessed high school
student did league gully tender
benighted, gifted, ordained yours truly
with sobriquet "Guru"
alluded to in previous poem, render
ring this foolish hearty good fella (me)
falling prey to embarrassing situation,
(I did misrender
as would be expected
from this crash test dummy,
who dented his psychological fender),
vis virtual mind bender,
when an initial presumption
smarted Matthew Scott as offender,
asper online youth NO pretender
by him, aye mean the sender
communicated his admiration,
adoration, adulation for this big spender
of sincerity, viz singular poetic magi - (ha)
made presumption that
unknown messenger slender,
and female, and
upon enclosing appender
referencing person as "lovely princess"
did respondent clarify finding deface
of zee poet here -
logic chops went thru blender
as if slapped by a suspender
experiencing irrevocable shame
as though a contender
attempting to guide false supposition
playfully mistaking sexual
identity of male sender,
he (young kneeler)
bowed as winning scoring goaltender
down as mine professed
metrical feet, he who acquiesced
non Asian minor, friender
NOT seeking moneylender,
nor mistook my heart of gold),
mine apology I did obligingly surrender
and possibly chuckled to himself,
asper an uproarious hellbender
whereat my countenance turned
fifty plus shades of lavender.
Categories:
obligingly, angst, appreciation, body, care,
Form:
Free verse
Oranges are always lovely
Nestling unknowable dreams
But they never come to you obligingly
You need to have a heart genuine
The evening clouds in the sky
Have raised colours of hushed height
I perceive some salted stimuli
Of possible oranges in sight
But what actually comes
Is a splash of orange light
Asking me how are my lungs
The cranes in their homeward flight
Are then the orange seasons gone
Those tickling smells of paradise
A flock of fireflies in the lawn
One by one the stars arise
____________________________________________
2/1/2016
Not for contest
Categories:
obligingly, hope, image, metaphor, paradise,
Form:
Rhyme
The steady cadence of your soul does quell
a passioned spirit, aching to unfold.
Your rhythmic heart emits a luring spell,
forbidding independence to take hold.
Obligingly I dance your metered waltz,
though yearning, from within, new melodies.
As stifled feet twine love both true and false,
veils of deception swirl in scented breeze.
A smile that mourns a freedom not yet held;
soft, gentle laughs entangle with a sigh.
Disguises; sweetness with frustrations meld,
a masquerade to drown a heartfelt cry…
must dreams be tethered for eternity?
or will a life in free verse beckon me?
Categories:
obligingly, introspection, love
Form:
Sonnet
Darkness and I have become allies,
affinity by association's shadowed prayer
spoken of the same kindred language,
consanguinity in our devout appeal
of blackening night's smoky exposure,
like a coke whore I obligingly snort it
doomed to partake in a dreadful flight
upon an impeding raven's blighted sojourn
midway extravagances of destructive somber ruins,
obscurity's sulphurous gloom of unsung melodies
surrendered in silence 'midst dusky moonlit spirits
Categories:
obligingly, allegory, dark, emotions, introspection,
Form:
Free verse
agony of expectations never to be met,
duties to obligingly tend, without end
love's vessel silently sailing, ever empty
nothing to be shared but the pangs of regret,
missing a lover, a confidante, a friend
needing a match to spark heat aplenty
trouble and pain does not make one forget,
hearts may not break, but can certainly bend
desire never stops, not at fifty or twenty
life's grit irks the soul like an unpaid debt
as the oyster seeks solace from a grain of sand
the heart tries to cushion our pain, so intently
so we open our shells, as if sails being set
a glimpse of the pearl and the message is sent
to be held ever close, ever near, ever gently
Categories:
obligingly, love, metaphor,
Form:
Free verse
Forever faithful, fragile hearts,
Reach for eternal love.
Adoration for each other.
Gentle kisses so sublime.
Inspired when this feeling brings,
Loves lasting joy, that tugs heartstrings.
Ensuring two hearts stay entwined,
Heartbeats obligingly as one.
Empirical no understanding,
Always and ever loves demanding,
Realizing dreams of days gone by.
Together intrepid, not faint hearted,
Saying goodbye to lonely times.
10/ 19/ 2016.
Categories:
obligingly, heart,
Form:
Acrostic
Yours is a horrendous bother
I decode one side, you obfuscate another!
I twist and turn, twist and turn again
fingers engrossed around your parts, another twist
extirpates the other side! My enthusiasm refuses to wane.
I warp your shifting visage, weave the obliterated wrist
only to dislodge several faces
I obligingly deface your six surfaces…
In my neurotic endeavors to unwind
the unfathomable thoughts on your wavering mind,
I take manifold cyclical turns in your opaque fog
Your stupor and anonymity declines to unclog!
My flirtatious advances don’t inveigle your obstinate resolve
Chances to demystify you haplessly dissolve,
In your complacent maze
and overwrought gaze!
Still in downright disarray
My fortitude, haunted by dismay!
You’re unfazed, you obliviously recline
Whilst my inquest continues to wriggle and whine!
I scrupulously ingest your manual again
and brace for another futile try,
Why am I so smitten, when I am already certain
You’ll still remain awry!
Categories:
obligingly, imagination,
Form:
Rhyme
Fresh and new
Adventures to find
Skipping to the beat
Of a patterned mind
Follow the line
Never step on the crack
The crevices will reveal
Wanton lack
Free, everything is free
For anyone to take
Maybe adults have to pay
For Mercy's sake
Wait! I didn't agree
What have I lost
Too young to wonder
About payment...cost
..............shame
...........................no one, must know
..............................................ever
Don't know when movement
Stopped, time stood still
Holes were dug
And things were gathered around the feel
.........what is real!?!
The clear green pasture
Overtaken by burroughs of dirt
Landmines of sorrow
Continually blowing up the hurt
Lack, Lack, Lack
Black and oozing on tomorrow
Never paying back
What was obligingly borrowed
That's the thing
Return is not an logical option
Backward movement
Collects waste laden toxins
..........in the soil of the soul
One way to clear the path
Till the ground with steel blades
Ridding the soul of pockets
Collecting beliefs that satisfy and fade
..........into wispy lies
Today, Truth is clear
I can not promise what isn't mine
Money I don't have
Or payment over time
What I have in this moment
Is more than enough
To meet all my needs
Though circumstances are rough
LOVE has cleared the way
I will flow like a river to the ocean
Nothing will cause me concern
Because I honor TRUTH by laying down reason and emotion.
Written by Trudy Schrader on 01/22/2020
Categories:
obligingly, desire,
Form:
Rhyme
Without knowing your gender...,
(nevertheless ex post facto still flattered
genuine heartfelt kinship mattered,
hence the reasonable rhyme
across the webbed wide world
I subsequently scattered).
Linkedin to the previous poem,
(similarly written scant few years ago.
I also codified, glorified, and lamented
an unexpected cessation of communication
with he/him who affixed yours truly
appellation of wise man, which modesty
of mine gently downplays.
Bhutan names defy affiliating,
determining, identifying... gender,
and what a faux pas this dada admits,
when a blessed high school
student did league gully tender
benighted, gifted, ordained yours truly
with sobriquet "Guru"
alluded to in previous poem, render
ring this foolish hearty good fella (me)
falling prey to embarrassing situation,
(I did miss render
as would be expected
from this crash test dummy,
who dented his psychological fender),
vis virtual mind bender,
when an initial presumption
smarted Matthew Scott as offender,
asper online youth NO pretender
by him, aye mean the sender
communicated his admiration,
adoration, adulation for this big spender
of sincerity, viz singular poetic magi - (ha)
made presumption that
unknown messenger slender,
and female, and
upon enclosing appender
referencing person as "lovely princess"
did respondent clarify finding deface
of zee poet here -
logic chops went thru blender
as if slapped by a suspender
experiencing irrevocable shame
as though a contender
attempting to guide false supposition
playfully mistaking sexual
identity of male sender,
he (young kneeler)
bowed as winning scoring goaltender
down as mine professed
metrical feet, he who acquiesced
non Asian minor, friender
NOT seeking moneylender,
nor mistook my heart of gold,
mine apology I did obligingly surrender
and possibly chuckled to himself,
asper an uproarious hellbender
whereat my countenance turned
sixty plus four shades of lavender.
Categories:
obligingly, adventure, age, boy, celebration,
Form:
Rhyme
Tracing down the aeropath and to the landing zone,
Comes a stately silvery craft from distant lands unknown.
The attendants stand at the ready to lend a helping hand,
All poised and buttons polished in an air of state so grand.
A metallic voice issues forth from a speaker at the gate,
Reminding any occupant that the time is growing late.
A single tone vibrates from the ship as its sole reply,
But no one at the aeropath knows the reason why.
Then one of the attendants is selected to rap upon the hull,
And he so politely obliges with a knock that echos rather dull.
But there is no response from the crew or passengers inside,
And everyone is curious about what it is they hide.
Are they hauling contraband or are they sensitive to the light?
Will they continue sitting there until the coming night?
Then a hatchway opens up and a lone figure moves into view,
And he signals for the porter’s help and then signals again for two.
Two bright and shiny men obligingly enter through the door,
Completely unaware of what it was that they were needed for.
Then the door snapped shut to reveal this mission was so cruel,
They only landed long enough to take on needed fuel.
Categories:
obligingly, science fiction,
Form:
Light Verse
If possession is nine-tenths of the law
entirely, you're mine
though cosmically, empirically
we lack the ties that bind
For naught these thoughts
escape me through the river of the day
while every beryl and burst of you
contain me as they stay
And while the very air we breathe
is cycled through our distance
I know that even air succumbs
to love in sweet resistance
If possession is nine-tenths of the law
then what am I to do?
for obligingly, surprisingly
I now belong to you.
Categories:
obligingly, life, love, passion, people,
Form:
Rhyme
Observe, deep laugh lines run
Obligingly around
Obedient to years
Of smiles upon her face.
Overlook her awful
Obviously painful
Ongoing constant throe
Date: 04/04/2021
Contest: Pleiades O
Sponsor: Kim Merryman
Categories:
obligingly, age, character, pain,
Form:
Free verse