Best Peeked Poems
FORGOTTEN TREASURE
I found the fountain of youth
When I stumbled across the forbidden garden
Right smack in the middle,
Was what I thought to be a wishing well
I tossed in a quarter!
Looking down with a puzzled face
I peeked to see where it fell
I leaned over and that's when I saw my vanity
It was always there waiting for me
The reflection in the water was my face
In wonder, I asked what this vision could be?
With one drop on my taste buds
I knew I found the one true key
The most beautiful thing that can set one free
I reached in to touch the poetry inside me
~5/31/11~
repost- My first poem on the soup
The sky is a gigantic bowl of pink turned upside down,
spilling soft rose petals that peeked out
from beneath snow white billowed clouds
till - fully blossomed - they burst forth.
Growing radiant at the edge of twilight,
they’ve scattered as rubescent streaks falling,
lush and luminescent, as we watch in solitude.
No parade this evening - just you and I aglow,
wishing for an eternity to be like this:
so splendidly in love. . .
in the pink.
Title and first line changed back to original
Submitted Oct. 5, 2021 (#8 word - Rosy)
for '''R'' Contest, New or Old' Contest Info
Sponsor: Constance La France
Royal blue sky scattered sapphire clouds
On horizon embroidered in navy blue attire
Summoned by the onset of marigold sun
Emitting amber gold on tuscan yellow fire
Where tapestry of fluffy lavender floats
Decorating patterns of designs periwinkle
Mosaic of colors then spray-paint the water
Spreading a layer of golden yellow cover
Shimmering gold dust on twilight ripples
Abutting brushstrokes of dark blue egyptian
I saw you briefly where first time we met
On the lonely bridge that extends into bay
But as the dark landmass peeked its head
And the lifeless vegetation glinted despair
The tangerine breeze announced your exit
Quivering our aura beneath glittering riffle
For you refused to witness impending flame--
Broken vows ablaze in last breath of sunset
Written: August 4, 2018
Submitted on February 6, 2023 to:
2022 Poetry Marathon Qualifiers' FINAL Placement Contest
Sponsor: Mark Toney
Submitted on December 7, 2022 To:
Placed 3rd: 2022 Poetry Marathon Mile 22 Poetry Contest
Sponsor: Mark Toney
Poem of the day on August 7, 2018
Placed first in standard contest #180 by Brian Strand
Like violets were her eyes when first I spied
the lady with a sweet child’s face who peeked
at me from bushes that she stood beside,
alluring Lilah, beaming, apple-cheeked!
And so it was that more and more I found
myself among the lilacs in that place
where first we’d met, that I might hear the sound
of Lilah’s laugh and glimpse her angel’s face.
On fragrant garden paths we knew the thrill
of blossoming affection. Poetry
was time we spent! But when my love fell ill,
the autumn of our bliss was not to be. . .
I visit Lilah now where she’s at rest
nearby the lilac blooms she liked the best.
Dedicated to French Quebec Canadian, Guy Loranger
For one who was my first most precious love,
who drifted into my life like fresh snow,
he’s still the guy that my impressions of
remain like snow untrod upon although
it was late summer when he stirred in me
such dulcet longings. Like a butterfly,
my heart went dancing when we kissed, and he -
along with me - soared into velvet sky.
With myriad stars, the moon was blooming.
It peeked down at us in our passion’s play.
My love’s touch – soft cashmere - was consuming.
With headiness, we savored love’s parfait
when sun slid down and hid behind a hill.
That young man’s sweetness I remember still.
Gene stood. Skyscraper demanding. Cold steel.
Thirty-five hard years. Over now. Just like that.
Corrugated box. Family photo. Timex watch.
Bitter coffee.
Stale sweat.
He walked out. Sun blaze. Fireball. Air thick.
Sidewalk. Familiar corner. Man there.
Black skin. Weathered face. Cardboard sign.
Gene stopped. Eyes met. Silent understanding.
"Seen you," the man said.
Gene nodded. "Fifteen and a half years."
"Never spoke."
"No. Never did."
Gene sat. Concrete cracked. Chill. Hands trembling.
"Lost everything," he said, eyes downcast.
Shame heavy. Guilt girded.
The man waited. Silent. Eyes knowing.
"Wife. Cancer. Kids ghosted. Job now too."
Gene's voice cracked. "Wasted. Empty. Life."
The man reached down. Pulled out a bottle.
"Drink?" he asked.
Gene nodded. Took it. Swigged deep.
Bourbon burned. Good burn. Real.
"First honest thing. In years."
They sat. Shadows lengthened. City hummed.
Bottle passed. Back. Forth. No words.
Gene breathed. First time in years.
Bygone dreams. Flickered. Misty.
Husband. Father. Provider. Lost Purpose.
Night fell. Stars peeked. Traffic thinned.
Gene stood. Legs unsteady. Mind unclear
"Thanks," he said,
The man nodded. "Tomorrow comes" –
Gene stared out. Horizon blurred. “That was yesterday.”
Street light flickered. Old worn dress shoes.
A sound.
Empty bottle.
Spinning.
Parting gift. Timex.
Ticking...
The sun peeked out cautiously
on the rain-drenched land
Gathered her rays across the skies' way
toward the shore’s tight-packed sand
Stopped of a sudden, as she noticed a flower ~
petals upward, smiling “Yes I can”
FORGOTTEN TREASURE
I've found the fountain of youth
When I stumbled across the forbidden garden
Right in the middle of everything
Was what I imagined being a wishing well
I at once tossed a quarter into the sea
Facing down, puzzled as can be
I peeked in to ensure where it fell
I tipped over and that's when I saw my vanity
It was sitting there waiting for me
The reflection was before this day and age
I thought, what could this be?
With one drop on my taste buds
I knew I found the one true key
The most beautiful thing that can set one free
I reached in to touch the poetry inside me
SKAT
Turkey's on the table, both legs up
Everything was fine, 'til I made the first cut!
The turkey unleashed a "CACKLE!", then jumped onto the floor
All you could see was basted skin, bolting out the door!
"Catch that turkey!!", I screamed,..."That's our evening meal!!"
The neighborhood looked on in awe, while asking,..."What's the deal?!"
The turkey rounded the corner, boy, that sucker was quick
Dashing like a sprinter, pumpin' those massive drumsticks!
It darted down an alley, disturbed a hobo's nap
And there, seated in a corner, he jumped upon his lap!
"Thank you Lord!", the hobo cried..."Today I won't have to beg!"
"Maybe I'll start with a wing, or perhaps I'll have a leg!"
"Put the turkey down!!", I roared,..."That bird belongs to me!!"
All I could see was a tailwind, as the hobo decided to flee!
I chased him down the alley, perhaps a quarter mile
Acting a fool in public, was never quite my style!
We dashed across the freeway, dodging every car
All I want is my turkey, can't stop, I've come too far!
The chase led to a corner, right past a city cop
He stood there like a scarecrow, talk about a useless flop!
Suddenly, it ended, the bum tripped over his laces
He broke his leg quite viciously, in fact, several places!
I woke up the next morning, thank God it was just a dream
With a hangover and an achin' skull, "OUCH!!" is what I screamed!
I looked over at the table, what do you think I'd see?
That same ol' basted turkey, lying there peacefully!
I stumbled to the table, laid that bird in a box
Packed two sides with a bisquit, then staggered on down the block!
I came upon that alley, peeked behind a garbage can
And there, sleeping like a baby, was a ragged ol' homeless man!
I placed the box beside him, never did I say a word
I penned a note which kindly read,..."Hope you like the bird."
I rummaged through
the ancient ruins
and scoured
the carnage of our times;
I searched the scorching
expanse of the arid deserts,
I peeked into the crevices
of the broken hearts,
and probed the dark realm
of the deranged minds;
I looked in the dead ashes
of the funeral pyre,
I ransacked every nook and
cranny of the cemeteries
And forayed into the desolate
womb of the barren woman --
But did not find death!
I then looked at
the first flush of spring--
The blossoming flowers,
The fluttering butterflies
The humming bees,
The rising robust sun;
And found the hand of death.
I found death in the unyielding
faith of the trusting hearts,
In the ardent prayers
of the desperate souls,
And in the unbridled
passion of the heart;
Even in birth and
in the sprouting seed
I found the omnipresence of death.
yeah, I found death in life!
~'Death Shadow' contest by Justin Bordner
How do you feel
when you look to the skies..?
the cumulus inspired your innocent imagination
with playful marshmallow fantasies —
the sun peeked from behind
peony-puffs of airy white
to admire the flounce and frill
of your yellow sundress —
in the morning of your youth
you felt buoyant
by the age of your afternoon
you basked in the warmth of the sun at its peak
golden the glow and short the shadows
though heaped nimbus clouds hugged your horizons..
heavy the rain and hard the hail
as lightning's lance pierced the heart of the day...
your refuge the bold shield of the roof you built —
you felt tried.. but tenderly triumphant!
like a cosmic tear rolled down upon the hills
the paunchy sun puddles on the dark edge of Earth
a last languid look at an old friend
before the spill and burn behind the rim -
the sweep of cirrus serene and cerise
filled with embers of dreams
and prayers and wishes at peace —
in the elder moments of your evening hour
the sun sets as the evening raises its silver torch
how do you feel
when you look to the skies..?
—a satisfied soul smiles
Susan Ashley
January 23, 2023
~ Fifth Place ~
Premiere Contest: Contest NO 1180
Sponsor: Brian Strand
~ Third Place ~
Premiere Contest: How Do You Feel
Sponsor: Mystic Rose Rose
On a chilly Sunday morning
In a land she didn’t belong
She walked along an English road
To a place of Holy Song
She sat in this sacred dwelling
Three sisters by her side
United together
Since their mother died
By no means was she religious
Still unsure in what she believed
The four sisters sat in stillness
As they silently grieved
The church was modest and quaint
Rows of aged solid oak pews
Glorious stained glass windows
Where the morning sun peeked through
As she wept for her mother
In Gods peaceful home
She was engulfed by a powerful emotion
One entirely unknown
It was feeling of absolute tranquility
A joy so pure and whole
Of comfort and abundance
That radiated her soul
A sense of complete inner peace
She didn’t quite understand
A warm loving embrace
Touched by gentle guiding hands
Sun brush slow as dawn's light breaks
kiss gently on this heart that wakes
warm up days til night stand guard
when breeze blows brisk and mighty hard
Tap lightly on her peeked cheek this morn
where thoughts of love and life are born
bring forth to her peace and hope
and faith in man from words God spoke
Impart comfort and ease in rays you share
lighten our load on that cross we bare
Rise up high and in blue skies do rest
soothe our souls with loyal hearts abreast
Sun brush slow as dawn's light breaks
Paint with grace 'pon swan still lakes
To the sound of pelting rain, she woke in early morning
Upon the tattered tin roof, it rhythmically pitter pattered
No sunlight peeked through clouds on daylight's dawning
She thought of him and of the dreams that were shattered,
of the nights she'd spend without end, remorse spawning
Windblown rain pummeled windows, on sills it splashed
Obscured was her view, vision blurred behind each pane
Howled as does a wolf, thunder growled, lightning flashed
In rivulets like rain, was weeping she struggled to restrain
Like drops of blood from a wound, her teardrops splashed
That night, in shadowed lamplight she espied on the corner,
a familiar silhouette of one whose countenance was a given
Dark eyes of a raven who had waived his right to scorn her
No vocal cawing was riven as torrents of rain were driven
He was beyond the reach of this sad beseeching mourner
Outside she ventured, into the sting of nettled showers
for just one glimpse of him, she would offer as her reason
On the street, scattered at her feet, her espousal flowers
Fallacy, was an act Charlotte Bronte' would label 'treason'
Uncloaked, soaked, she stood with her memories for hours
From grief she could not hide nor abide her mirrored face
His eyes, for once unveiled, yet not one word did he speak
A webbing of fine silk threads spun, woven in warm embrace
He had raised no hand in farewell. A tear grazed her cheek
Without solace she would linger in portals of empty space
She trembled, shivering, eyes teary, there was no mistaking
her sips from tainted cup had the caustic taste of bitter gall
The impeccant knight chose the right to claim his forsaking
Nimbus skies lay overcast without surcease of a graying pall
Fraught with aching, she sighed one word, "heartbreaking."
The scent of the sea steamed off your skin, I felt vulnerable.
You peeked through a wisp of hair and beckoned - stars shot and scrambled.
Memories of years gone now float with your ashes in the air...