Best Older And Wiser Poems
There was change, an odd pulse,
a new cadence and tone, in the place I grew up
where my mother had been...
Where white fences stretched out to cradle our home
but where zones, unfamiliar, were on now on the cusp
On a make-shift bed, I was lying awake
Windows cracked open,
a wind coming in, ....
Intangible nights, in the familiar old room,
alone with my thoughts, while sorting out things...
There was a strange, jaundice glow, from the porch light, left on,
and my pillow felt cold, where the moon used to go
The sound of a moth, batting wings against glass,
was begging for warmth, while seeking to ask, a place that made sense
And a place to fit in
My father was sleeping, with his newlywed bride
in the same maple bed, where my mother had died
And a new child was dreaming in the soft yellow room
where I spent all those nights, ... just me and the moon
I was happy for him, and for the child that he gained.
I was there at his side,
when the changes became.. a part of his life, ...... a part of mine too
but was lost in the amber, like a moth batting wings
Eventually, I would grow with a fresh point of view,
but the child that I was, still waits for the moon
I'm older and wiser, maybe stronger than then
but, the moth will look in, escaping the moon
ramming the screen
seeking the flame...
batting its wings,
while resisting the change, ...again, and again
11/3/14
This enlisted soul
At eighteen years old
Barely a man
Not even street wise told
From the proms, to the camp
He kits out tomorrow
His future he stamps
Never knowing bloodied sorrow
In just under a year
He's older and wiser
To a theatre so different
Says his military adviser
Overseas he heads
Thoughts of back home
What goes through his mind
In eighteen years old roam
Where could he have been
In so short a time
Colouring books
Making joining words rhyme
As he looks to his background
What does he see
An eagle soaring
In the land of the free
The statue of liberty
And the bill of rights
With the thirteen stripes
And the stars to delight
He is just a boy
In grown up clothes
Another one lost
To a cause we will loathe
http://www.thehighlanderspoems.com/war-4.php
Sometimes thirty years
feels like a long time
When you’re an old soul
and the hours and minutes
have taken their toll
But there are songs to write
and words to weigh
messages to impart
and things to say
So another song percolates
Flows out onto the table
You sigh deeply
and for a moment feel stable
If only life could be simple
Cause living in your head is lonely
You keep thinking to yourself
“ Has anyone ever known me?”
I could write you a poem
Lighthearted and breezy
But you’re complicated
no one can promise easy
Even though you’re searching for answers
we can read the rings in your wood
Although at times you feel ancient
An old soul can be understood
There are more songs to write
and souls that need caressing
By keeping your words honest
there is release in confessing
For within you resides
a God who is loving
He’s the source of your words
the reason they are bubbling
So take his hand
Never be alone again
He’s older and wiser
and can carry your pain
Happy 30th Birthday
I am a fan of you
First I was me,
Selfish as can be,
Wanting everything from A to Z
And wanting it all for me.
Then I became we,
A part of an us.
I learned to share, give and take
I learned how to trust.
Next I was you,
Believe me its true.
I would rather give than receive,
It was you I wanted to please.
Now I am them,
A family man.
Giving my children,
All that I can.
If you look real close,
It is easy to see,
I am older and wiser,
And no longer a me.
I salute you oh mighty time:
My best friend,
My worst foe
For
To live without you is simply
Impossible!
Throughout my existence
I have, unsuccessfully, struggled to accept
Whatever you brought to me,
Either it was a sweet smile
Or a bitter tear with
Equanimity
Since
I could not enjoy the one
Without
Suffering the presence of
The other
For
This, you told me, is the order of things,
This is what the heavens
Decree,
But
I, a fool ignorant, resisted!
Now, however,
Older and wiser, an obedient child of yours, oh time,
Have I finally become
So as
To abide by your universal rules
Of growth and decay
Without
Any complaints!
© Demetrios Trifiatis
22 July 2017
She was gooey like maple syrup
& marshmallow s'mores,
stronger than a mountain lion
protecting her cubs,
wore prescription rose-tinted
sunglasses with GPS,
she'd been around long enough
to see through most of the
negative flimflam and ambiquity,
was agile enough to laugh at
her own cheeky caricature,
wouldn't put up with the travesty
'neath debauchery's cunning
still, she wondered as most do,
what was to become of a world
so engrossed in the overthrow
& disparaging mockery of others
she bade her time waiting to grow
older and wiser in hopes
she'd be around long enough
to experience a sunrise view
in universal accordance
before her own last sunset
ultimately bites the dust,
burning in all-inclusive ashes
Life is a journey with much happiness and pain
With twists and turns that bring sunshine and rain
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Young and strong with the world at your feet
Ready to face anything and anyone you meet
Fearless and brave you march to your own inner drum
Not caring where your going and where you came from
Convinced there will be time for all you want to do
Thinking your invincible and wild through and through
Leaping before you look, not afraid of being hurt
Wisdom of your elders you unconcernedly avert
Collecting memories and experiences at record speed
Expecting loved ones to always be there when you need
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Now older and wiser you reflect on your life
Realizing you could have avoided much strife
More cautious and wary you step with care
So not to leave yourself vulnerable and bare
Questioning your motives before you embark
Knowing you shine whether you make a mark
Treasuring those you love, giving them your time
Reminiscing about those who made heavens climb
Taking advice of seniors for they are astute and wise
Slow down and enjoy each moment for life is the prize
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Life is a journey with much happiness and pain
With twists and turns that bring sunshine and rain
29/10/2015
~ For Silent Ones contest ~
At fifteen I was filled with passionate dreams
God breathed possibilities through my ambitions
I learned to feel with my heart, visions of a caress
Whispering through me when I first met him, my fantasy
At twenty-three I was older and wiser, longing for a touch
Imagining he was with me, embracing my heart’s hopes
Touching me with reassurance, acceptance and compassion
Everything that would awaken in me a feeling of pure intimacy
At thirty-five I found myself dreaming of his generous spirit
Wondering across familiar reveries with a sense of urgency
Yearning for his hands stirring, awakening pleading from within
The mystery of his vigorous skills for pleasuring me warmed me
At forty-two I shared moments with him, nestled within his embrace
Reflecting on all the love we had seen arise between our secret expressions
Slowly, we discovered the opportunity to spread inspiration in our path
Amid the ones who saw our hearts and all that graced our circumstance
At fifty-five I came to him once again, after spending those years apart
We found a tenderness that could not be found in anyone else on earth
Together, we spend time learning and growing wiser with a sweet embrace
Knowing that love this strong and good comes around only once in this place
At times I worry about losing him again – amid the struggles to keep up
But there is a faith inside of me today that reminds me he has given me his love
Honesty, his passion, his tender caress – all that was lacking in my hopes
He is the one I long to share my life with and know will be in my heavenly home
God knows my heart and how I searched for him when I wasn’t in his grasp
God knows my spirit and how it reached out for this peace that I feel with him
God knows my hopes and dreams and how deeply I feel for this man that was
The one who got away and the one who returned on that joyful, inspiring day
The One that got Away Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Silent One
July 3, 2020
From Wisdom Born, Decades Fighting Fate's Cursed Hand
In youth, a young lad roars for much needed applause
in old age, wisely remains silent with just cause,
seeing the end near, some shed bitterest of tears
thinking such splashing supplications, angels hear;
whereas this old, callous world neither sees nor cares
what sorrow one displays or how much heart one shares
for savage the measure world uses to reward
dying lover or a talented, humble bard.
On pages offering up their softest virgin whites
are invisible castles beyond mortal sights,
each one begging for its wailing walls to withstand
massive cannon shots or a victor's crushing hand!
Poets, be they young or old, should a full pen hold true
to life, as spilling of ink- its treasures accrues!
Robert J. Lindley, 1-01-2020
Sonnet, ( Why All We Think We See, May Be An Illusion )
( So Spoke The Raven, After Master Poe Demanded Silence )
Syllables Per Line:0 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 0 12 12 12 12 0 12 12
Total # Syllables::168
Total # Words:::::120
Note:
Muse demanded I write this second poem on this first day
and it be dark. Raven agreed and Master Poe abstained.
Paper sang a blackened tune and pen danced a raging jig
as evil clouds rumbled while gathering in the far west
echoes drifted through broken window, and Hades jingled
a billion unbreakable chains. A older and wiser poet yielded
to avoid the usual headaches and aching pains!
I followed you around when we were young
I worshiped you; your praises I sung
You were so much older and wiser and right
You were my north star in my blackest night
I broke your clowns when I was three
I cried on your shoulder when I skinned my knee
You were always there when I needed a friend
You were the unwavering force that would not bend
We sang in the kitchen, you and me
Classic oldies, and ballads and Fiddle de Dee
Summertime in soprano and bass
Our own special concert in a warm homey place
I grew to my teens and you threatened the boys
Not letting them treat me like one of their toys
Then off to war you went and I cried and I prayed
That God would return you to us as we waited afraid
Home you came; we wed the loves of our life’s
Through happiness, birth and the day to day strife’s
We shared every one; burdens and bliss
Even the death of our parents, we made it through this
You moved across country but we still stayed in touch
Birthdays, holidays, grandchildren and such
But you called me tonight to give me the news
That my best friend and my brother was singing the blues
The prognosis wasn’t good; I cannot accept
I cussed, and I paced and then I just wept
Now I'm praying again that He'll answer my plea
To help you, to cure you, to keep you with me.
There was a young feline named Jackson,
Who wanted a piece of the action.
While hunting for rats, Jack
Got into a spat, with a strange little
Creature known to us as a bat.
This then is the fact of the matter.
The bat proved as 'mad as a hatter'.
And it paid with it's life,
Causing Jackson much strife:
Bad luck for the poor little ratter.
They arrested the cat in a hurry
And woe to this poor furry purry.
Without even a trial, he was put on 'The Mile'
Where his life became drab and quite dreary.
Jack's been sitting there day after day,
Quite bored and just pining away.
While dreaming of mousies and birds on the wing,
Of hair balls and catnip and such kitty things.
"How long, oh how long must I pay?
Please won't someone just whisk me away?
Back to my home where a kitty can roam
And stay out-of-doors all live, long day."
The end of this tale I hope tell,
Will find Jack finally leaving his cell,
To be welcomed back home, once again
Free to roam, older and wiser and well.
"No more bats for this cat", Jackson moans.
And it seems that he's learned on his own:
It's far better than not, to keep up with ones shots,
Than call three feet of jail space your home!
© 2015 Diane Lefebvre
Never expected to find you
So much I wanted to tell you
Actually boils down to a warm thank you
Your glowing smile I can still picture
Still remember your laughter
You seemed much older and wiser
In your eyes that deep piercing look
Revealed the wisdom of an old soul’s book
Maybe even the charm of an angel’s hook
Touching lives with your sprinkle of gold
We were so young, barely twelve years old
To this day, I remember through times of strife
How you had a lasting impact on my life
AP: Honorable Mention 2020
I saw that sneer heard the mockery
It came straight from your heart
Like bread comes from a bakery
Your eyes said it all and though it hurt
Stung for that minute second I choose to stay merry.
When you threw words over my head
Treating me like a zombie so simple minded
I chose to watch you and pretend
That I was floating and did not understand
I saw you wink discreetly you thought
At your friends and then into pearls of laughter erupt
Turned me into a private joke that was not too private.
I felt your cold hands caress my back
And the blood in my veins chilled and froze
I knew without knowing you and the devil are a pack
Your words spoke pity but there was no warmth
It was like hanging onto a glacier
Afraid of frostbite and being swept by the tide.
You said the paths I took were wrong
You said my hair I was black and shaggy
Why couldn't wear a weave
You wondered why my skirts were long
Why couldn't I wear trousers
You wondered why my toes had no paint
Why couldn't I just paint them gold
You wondered why at my age I was still single
Why couldn't I just get a sponsor
Any other time I might have cried
But I ' am older and wiser.
I know my path is mine alone
If it leads to tears I 'll wipe them away
If it leads to pain I 'll handle it my way
So I chose to smile and play possum
I counted to ten to calm my raging heart
Then I smiled at you and walked away
I could hear your laughter follow
But my strides were joyous and my smile bright
And you thought me a fool
But am older am wiser am stronger
Love me hate me its changes me not
With God walking beside me and holding me
I 'll follow my own paths and I will prevail.
The quivering Rabbit lies upon the cold frozen ground
Ground of thorn thickets cockleburs and tall sun dried sage brown
The hidden openings rocky places it had played its escape
The hounds of death had chased it from these it thought safe
It had prior since run for its life from such numerous hounds
Each experience taught it that life won- is a daily round
But the older and wiser the rabbit became
The fatter and slower- thus the hounds did gain
Tattered flesh its hairs viewed plucked with red stains abound
The dogs of death have ceased their chasing madding sound
For this now dying rabbit- its death now does face
The quivering rabbit does pay for its mistakes
Breath the struggle- breath the riddled body desires
Breath of the last- till there is breath no more
The quivering rabbit stills upon the cold frozen ground
By Mark A. Goodson
Eight inches of snow saw no hat on his head
an act of derring-do, my father said,
He ascended the steps
the eyes of the world upon him
An orator attacking the lectern
~ Camelot, out to shatter Babylon
The glare of the sun no match
for the glint in his eye
Brisk winds no challenge
to the stylish coif he held high.
He measured the moment
took a deep breath
Out came an aria
~ nary a shibboleth
Tall and straight, he stood
erect as a soldier
firing words like bullets
targeting the mind's heart, to pull it
jabbing the air with his fist or his finger
pausing ever so briefly
~ he let the message linger
He moved us, he touched us,
lifted a nation's heart
without sham or deceit
~ only truth from his lips
did ever depart
He proposed the Peace Corps
to inspire the young--
For those older and wiser
he combined graciousness
with toughness
in a diplomatic
sharp-edged tongue
To Nikita Krushchev, the Soviet,
baring his claws,
Our leader's barbed-wire message
surely gave pause:
"Let us remember...
...sincerity is always subject to proof
Let us never negotiate out of fear.
But let us never fear to negotiate."
And to all 180 million Americans watching
in person or on the tube
~ He issued this challenge
destiny ringing, resonant rendezvous:
"Ask not what your country can do for you
ask what you can do for your country."
It's now 55 years later
and America's not seen
a President like Kennedy
~ to inspire us to dream