Best Outlived Poems
Her tired old eyes lit up bright.
A thankful tear, she could not hide.
A sweet aroma fills her nose;
because he gave a single rose.
Confined to this dreary nursing home;
having outlived family, she's alone.
Today, with a smile, her face glows;
because he gave a single rose.
He brings them often to his mother.
Today, one extra for another.
Talking, on and on she goes;
because he gave a single rose.
She asked an aid to bring a vase.
By her bed the gift was placed.
Happy and peaceful then she dozed;
because he gave a single rose.
Her final breath tonight was sweet.
Family missed, again to meet.
Her last day joyful, all heaven now knows;
because he gave a single rose.
July 17, 2014
Contest: Random acts is kindness
Sponsor: Debbie Guzzi
Categories:
outlived, blessing, giving,
Form:
Kyrielle
How do I tell you "I love you",
when all that's left to listen is a cloud?
And the tempest has blown away,
all that our hands built.
How do I get answers to my questions..
The ones pleaded, and prayed, and begged for..
Why you, why me, why now?
How do I reach out my hand,
to a shadow,
that holds no warmth.
Your loveliness, found now only in portraits,
or, perhaps,
from an old recording.
How do I say to you,
who is no longer swayed,
by a cold morning,
noon bright,
nor moon filled night,
that you are loved,
still.
Now bathed in sunlight,
the marble remains so cool....
A few coins adorn your place of rest.
I wish you could spend them all.
In vows you promised to be mine,
in good times and in bad,
for better, for worse,
for richer, for poorer.
But who will be there
to take care of me,
in sickness and in health?
I will hold true the vow,
"to love and honor you
all the days of my life."
Taken now forever,
from your sweet song,
lingering only in pitiful loss.
To toil through life now left,
to visit,
in a garden of stones.
-Dedicated to my father, who outlived two wives.
Categories:
outlived, hope, i love you,
Form:
Free verse
With a voice ornamented in ogled tension
you ask me,
like vulnerable flesh queries warm obsession,
Do you mean to love me this way...
on your mouth, a hold of hope I see
to you I say...
Does the sun choose to flare into sapphire atmosphere,
Does the moon decide who's eyes to enchant,
Does a rose ponder its tempt,
Does a man dare his heart relent,
Does a woman wonder whence came her allure and dare,
A heatwave of heartache's swelter swells over your soul
as the outcry of orgulous omens try to defy our survival,
blood drops fall lonesomely from the old body of a lark
a steeple bell broken by the thunder of sorrow in the dark,
gold found burning into rivulets reaching into graveyard rock,
you begin to weep
because the weight of worry waylays your wishes for our eternity,
I surround you with a love shield that shames the arrows of agony
kissing you softly deep,
then I tell you that fate is not our enemy,
don't you understand my Lady...
Sultans cannot buy or sell the feelings we share,
Emperors unable to enforce the silence of our hearts,
rivals are but ridiculous in attempt to dowse our flame,
Time be trite in march against the magic in our care,
the poetry of our purpose will not be censored by cynical marks,
emotions erratic in wrath will not wrest the roots from which our passion came -
J.A.B.
Categories:
outlived, courage, desire, devotion, emotions,
Form:
Epic
Saddam Hussein has outlived all adjectives,
A demagogue, an anti-Christ, a dictator
Was he the hero larger-than-life images
A tyrant, Baghdad butcher, a monster.
Raising one’s voice against him will result in,
One’s daughter raped before his own eyes
Even they can lead a Kurdish woman
To sell her body to feed her two kids
One leader for heroism lampooned as a clown,
The Second, no doubt, a salesman of used cars.
The third, waging bloody wars, seeks the crown,
Fake cries, political motives, baking their breads
Undoubtedly it is about the politics of oil surely
Man who raised Saddam became a Saddam purely?.
=======================================
Third Place winner
Contest: Devil made me do it by Thvia Jetley
Categories:
outlived, political,
Form:
Sonnet
The nurse ordered her to push, push, push
in her best proper voice
and linen balled in red fists knotted
and sweat falls from red face knotted
while Billy, head first, tugged and yanked by nurse's proper hands,
emerges, gently laid upon the blood soaked sand
motionless in the sulfur haze, almost well-behaved
amongst the rifle clatter and bewildered screams -
get down! get down! get down!
while Billy breathes slowly, undisturbed,
his eyes closed with new mom
gently caressing matted, cark curls,
her fingers, no longer knotted, extended,
Billy's tiny hands and infant fingers
grip the plastic ribbing
around the rifle barrel smeared in stickiness that flows out
from below Billy and onto sand, puddling, his lips chapped and parted,
suckling as new mom exhausted weeps
in relief of two arms and two legs and everything okay
as she holds him, hurting for him,
everything that might happen,
everything that will happen,
and she drifts off to slumber,
mother and child peacefully spent
in soft pretty colors
and the soft murmur of the television as the sedan
with government plates at the curb
and a Marine in dress blues (Oh, God) stands plastic in the doorway
and uses his best proper voice (Oh God, not Billy, Oh God)
to regretfully tell her,
and uses surprised hands to catch her when her legs
regretfully cannot hold her
and she sobs on the floor like a mother who outlived her son,
exhausted as the day Billy was born.
Screw this war.
Categories:
outlived, angst, death, life, loss,
Form:
There is a melancholy in the air
And an emptiness deep inside
A flux of emotions overwhelm me
Rushing in like a rising tide
The sun scintillates the breaking waves
Creating diamonds upon every swell
Each one is reminiscent
Of the eyes that said farewell
Bright and glorious for just a moment
Then fading as quickly as it came
A wondrous gift, although brief
Has outlived it’s moment of fame
Yet a fingertip beneath the surface
Can create a false illusion
So at the waters edge
Our love has no conclusion
I wish that I could stay forever
Just outside of reality
Avoiding the obvious truth
And all it’s brutality
But alas, I shall not grieve
For that which cannot be
Instead I am very grateful
For that moment you gave to me
The memory of your magnificence
Is etched within my mind
You may disappear from my sight
But within my heart you are confined
Categories:
outlived, devotion, life, lost love,
Form:
Free verse
Unlikely
this romance between
Miss Cricket
and stodgy
Buddy Biddle, so stagnant
set in his ways, stuck
While Cricket
eighty-nine years young
dances rings
around him
full of impish energy
mischievous antics
He proposed
but Miss Cricket won't
marry him
knows better
she's outlived countless lovers
and won't be tied down
She's having
way too much fun- so
fancy-free
no one to
boss her, tell her what to do
woman on the loose
Anyway
he's too old for her
'though only
eighty-four
he can't keep up or begin
to understand her
And he has
hang-ups about sex
proper, prim
prudish ways
appalled at her passionate
kisses, advances
Waggish grin
wild, irreverent
she enjoys
shocking him
with outlandish behavior
incorrigible
Some days he
says he can't take it
she's too much
gone too far
with her pranks- but he gets so
lonely without her
And 'though he
hates to admit it
life is dull
without her
she makes things interesting
by being herself
(NOTE: Although I listed this as a Free Verse, it is actually in Shadorma form...)
Categories:
outlived, age, humor, humorous, people,
Form:
Shadorma
Watching a movie ('Walking Tall')
I spied a cockroach on my wall,
crawling in and out of sight,
the proud homeowner's sorry plight.
Now I see him, now I don't,
a creepy feeling, and I won't
feel better till he's dead and gone,
deeming it a job well done.
The kitchen was my battleground,
I chased the bugger round and round,
('persistent' was the name I christened
my thick-skinned antagonist),
for dodging footfalls he'd survived
the era of the dinosaurs,
avoiding conflict he'd outlived
the perils of unnumbered wars.
Tired, and soaked with perspiration,
craving his elimination,
I, with magazine extended
dealt a blow, his life was ended.
Or was it? Wriggling in his death throes,
wiggling several sets of black toes,
on his back he scarce could right
himself to carry on the fight.
Yet more he fiddled, then was still,
an adversary with a will,
he lay quiescent on the rug,
that bold, defiant little bug.
I left him shaken, (his demise
beyond salvation?), then my eyes
beheld no insect, just a stain,
for he'd crept off to scare again!
Categories:
outlived, funny,
Form:
Rhyme
Watching a movie ('Walking Tall')
I spied a cockroach on my wall,
crawling in and out of sight,
the proud homeowner's sorry plight.
Now I see him, now I don't,
a creepy feeling, and I won't
feel better till he's dead and gone,
considering it a job well done.
The kitchen was my battleground,
I chased the bugger round and round,
('persistent' was the name I christened
my thick-skinned antagonist,)
for dodging footfalls he'd survived
the era of the dinosaurs,
avoiding conflict he'd outlived
the perils of unnumbered wars.
Tired and soaked with perspiration,
craving his elimination,
I, with magazine extended
dealt a blow, his life was ended.
Or was it? Wriggling in his death throes,
wiggling several sets of black toes,
on his back he scarce could right
himself to carry on the fight.
Yet more he fiddled, then was still,
an adversary with a will,
he lay quiescent on the rug,
that bold defiant little bug.
I left him shaken, (his demise
beyond salvation?), then my eyes
beheld no insect, just a stain,
for he'd crept off to scare again!
Categories:
outlived, funny
Form:
Rhyme
Can’t catch em
Outlived my time
Click of eyes, no chime
Still young a bantam rooster
Old people seem to lose the rhyme
Can’t catch em like I u-ster
To walk alone it is my path
Lonesome on the fringe
Time sometimes brings a merry laugh
But who am I to whinge
A kiss for lovers in the mist
A cuddle neath the stars
The right one have I maybe missed
Neath Jupiter and Mars
But onward ever onward
To quest and often fail
Knight errant fearless undeterred
He seeks the Holy Grail
Categories:
outlived, lost love
Form:
Rhyme
THE MATRIARCH
(In Memory of Eva Vescovi Dixon 1910-2010)
by Tina (Vescovi) Lasley
She was a Sister, Mother, Aunt and Friend
Someone on whom you could always depend
She was Counselor, Advisor, and Mentor to all
There to pick us up if we should fall
She was persistent, tenacious and so strong willed
Not one to be stopped or one to be stilled
She was ahead of her time in so many ways
Working on war planes in her early days
Owning a restaurant and a Florist too
When it was an uncommon thing for Women to do
Arranging flowers each and every day
Making sprays and bouquets to earn her way
Raising two Sons all on her own
Without self help books and how to be shown
Working long hours, six days a week
No time for vacations or much rest to seek
She made time for us all, to sit and chat
Telling stories from the past about this and that
She remembered all the names in the photo book
When we would ask as we took a look
Her homemade ravioli’s were the best around
Her sweet potato pie could always be found
Family recipes passed one to another
Learned from the great Italian Mother
She kept regular hair appointments, clear to the end
Her “Beauty Operator”, more Family than Friend
She was loved by her neighbors and all that she knew
Long standing friendships through the years that grew
Each year, her garden she’d tend
Sharing her bounty with Family and Friend
There wasn’t a plant she couldn’t revive
Even when you thought it would never survive
She tried to retire at age 75
But missed being around people and feeling alive
Back to work she went for 17 more years
Working part time at a Florist that happened to be near
She retired a 2nd time at age 92
Finding ways to keep busy with things to do
She befriended two robins that followed her around
Moving from window to window, until she could be found
Grandmother, Great Grandmother, to such a big brood
Her hugs and kisses sure to lift your mood
She will always be remembered at the door waving goodbye
Trying hard to smile with a tear in her eye
She saw so much in her 100 years
Even outlived all of her peers
But the good Lord said, “Eva, it’s time to go”
Heaven is waiting on you to show.
Categories:
outlived, dedication, devotion, family, friend,
Form:
Rhyme
This precious heirloom from my grandma
is more than a little bit worn.
Sewn with infinitely tiny stitches,
it was much used before I was born.
She was just twenty- three when she sewed it.
Her beloved was fighting a war.
Made I would guess for her hope chest,
dated eighteen hundred sixty-four.
She had added her maiden initials,
so we know she was not married as yet.
I wish she had told me her story,
but my grandma and I never met.
It was passed down to me from a cousin
who had used it to cover her bed,
without giving a thought that our grandma
had made it before she was wed.
I’ve handed it down to my daughter
who now gives it meticulous care.
This coverlet has long outlived the designer
but is elegant proof she was here.
Won no. 3 in "Anything Handmaid contest
Categories:
outlived, family, nostalgiame,
Form:
Quatrain
The skillet hung near the old wood-burning kitchen stove.
Aside from her family, Mom considered it a special trove.
With that blackened old pan she prepared delicious repasts,
That in my judicious opinion will ne'er be surpassed!
Ah, just to recall the tasty grub stewed up in that old skillet!
How it tingled my taste buds just sliding down my gullet!
The chicken, steaks and chops in that old pan she did fry,
Evoked oohs and aahs and many a contented sigh!
She liberally dolloped lard in the pan 'til she had it just right,
Then concocted stews, soups and fried taters for our delight!
Mom was never concerned about such things as saturated fat,
Or life-threatening cholesterol and such things as that!
I suppose medicos today would have a conniption fit,
If they knew of the dietary sins my Mom did commit.
She must've done something right - her spouse lived past ninety-four.
Her kids outlived the odds, each reaching four score years or more!
Self-anointed wizards deem cast iron skillets detrimental to our health,
But I think they're just peddling new fads to add to their wealth!
My dear spouse uses her old iron skillet most every day.
I feel fit as a banjo regardless of what so-called experts may say!
Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired
© All Rights Reserved
Categories:
outlived, food, funny, nostalgiamom, old,
Form:
Rhyme
Mom is still with me
her body and soul are here
sadly her eyes stare
she has outlived destiny
only memories remain...
Categories:
outlived, caregiving, devotion, love
Form:
Tanka
June twelfth, two thousand twelve, a special date
for all our family to gather near
to offer tribute and to celebrate,
the birthday of my husband held so dear.
We gathered at a steak house in a park;
some fifty friends and family were there,
with food and drink and birthday cake to mark
this special day revered with love and care.
He had attained age seventy and five,
a milestone cherished by his family.
A few years back, by-pass kept him alive...
miraculous for sure, and gladly he
outlived his dad, granddad, and great-grand too,
who passed from heart disease before their time.
This special birthday brought us hope anew
for younger members now within their prime.
Still doing well; with grace of God, come soon,
age seventy and nine he'll be this June.
January 26, 2016
Contest: Birthday Party
Sponsor: Nayda Ivette Negron
January 26, 2016
Categories:
outlived, birthday, tribute,
Form:
Iambic Pentameter