Best Perching Poems
“Perching on a fencepost, the meadowlark calls in sweet trilling tones like a solo marimba.” L. Milton Hankins
The meadow lark happily sits along the fencepost singing away
and watches as Milton appears all aglow and here to stay
God’s creatures gather around to watch this beautiful scene
In this heavenly place where it’s forever peaceful and serene
He awoke to the faint sounds of meadowlarks singing under the sun
As peaceful feelings envelope, his pain is gone, realizing he has none
The air is warm and fragrant of fresh summer flowers in bloom
As he smells a familiar scent getting closer, his late wife’s perfume
He hears her voice coming closer and she appears at his side
She tells him he has crossed over and reunited with his bride
He feels tears of joy and peace knowing they're now reunited
and realizes he's crossed over to heaven, so happily delighted
The meadowlark joyfully sings on the fencepost singing his tune
As other birds join in a welcoming serenade to Milt as they croon
Categories:
perching, beautiful, bird, heaven, tribute,
Form:
Rhyme
charcoal grey horizon~
on the rusty cast iron bench
my old self sits in pensive mood
beside the lake beneath December sky
the wayward wind as it teases my hair
whispers melodies from long ago~
that breath echo in the air
the echo reverberates ~
weaving fragments into vivid voices
and symphonies of yesteryears
my grandma's lullaby
our high-school graduation song
then tender laughters
of children at play fill the air
then comes the echo
of my father's sobbing voice
as he handed me to my groom
on that Saturday afternoon
whilst the organist played
the Wedding March by Mendelssohn
as the echo fades
and turns tenebrous twilight
into enchanting ebony evening
I look around ~
the coffee shop behind me
inviting for another cup
whilst the coffee on my lap
gets colder and colder
yet not as cold as the winter chill
perching inside of me
Categories:
perching, feelings, memory,
Form:
Free verse
The Haunted House
Driving with my date at midnight, looking at the August moonlight,
lonely road, no one in eyesight, searching for a place to park.
Off the road a mansion ‘pearing, in the woods, back in a clearing,
all alone this mansion fearing, stands deserted in the dark…
the mansion stands there in the dark.
Vacant now for many ages, rotting as her time turns pages,
legend of her haunting rages, haunting ghosts that oversee.
Eerie winds around are blowing, in the window soft light glowing,
curiosity is growing, soft light beckons us to see…
the soft light calls for us to see.
Feel like we are strangers poaching, on this haunted house encroaching,
front porch creaks as we’re approaching, and the front door open wide.
Through the door now we are heading, on the inside odor shedding,
musty air with dust is spreading, leaving us red blurry eyed…
the dust makes us red blurry eyed.
In our ears there is a droning, down the hall we hear a moaning,
sounding like an old man groaning, leaving us to wonder why.
Down the hallway we go searching, knowing not what evil lurching,
through the door we see there perching, skeleton from days gone by…
bones sitting there from days gone by.
On the floor there is blood pooling, ‘neath the ashen bones so grueling,
such an eerie sight befooling, tell my date to turn and run.
Chasing close behind I follow, for this fear I cannot swallow,
felling like my life is hollow, thinking that my time is done…
I’m feeling like my days are done.
Wake up in a forest clearing, in the sky, sunlight appearing,
from the night my mind is veering, how I got here I don’t know.
Leaving now my gut is churning, don’t think I will be returning,
evil place my mind discerning, wrought with spirits from below…
the evil spirits from below…..
this haunted house has got to go.
August 18, 2018
Categories:
perching, horror, scary,
Form:
Rhyme
"Ang hindi lumingon sa pinanggalingan,
hindi makakarating sa paroroonan".
(A person who does not remember where he came from
will never reach his destination).
Filipino proverb.
Gift me wings so I can fly to a blessed land
of emerald isles with an eclectic ecosystem,
admiring an affluence of biodiversity
of tropical exotic fauna and flora,
where turquoise waves wander onto
golden shores of alluring Binitinan,
exploring the coral reefs of Boracay.
A place where childhood dreams fill the air,
where innocence once built sandcastles,
but now all that is left is forgotten footprints -
from ghosts of ancestors.
Let me soar with the Pithecophaga Jefferyi eagle,
through rainforests and Kawasan falls,
where souls are free to roam the motherland's
seven thousand spine-tingling islands,
from Maya bay to Palawan's underground rivers
of enigmatic Puerta Princesa,
until we greet the palm trees of Camiguin -
the valley of volcanoes and the sunken cemetery.
Viewing the Colours of StoBoSa to the
pretty patterns of Ifugao rice terraces,
until we reach the marvels of Luzon,
silently perching upon the zenith of
Mount Pulag's peaks, transcending spiritual
echoes towards Mindanao's Mount Apo,
whispering secretive Tagalog tongues,
in one hundred diasporic dialects,
as iris and marmalade skies welcome sunset,
we'll bathe in the sapphire ripples of Bohol sea.
Then we'll follow radiant night lights,
reaching the bustling streets of Manila,
losing ourselves in the succulent scents
of balut, kwek kwek, taho, halo halo,
as we devour juicy lanzones,
refreshed by a cool breeze,
The pearl of the Orient,
home of Balagtas' Florante at Laura,
dulcet tones of Santiago's Anak Dalita,
where heartfelt hospitality
with rich cultural heritage,
soothe tired eyes gazing at
natural wonders of ancient views,
where vibrant hues leave you breathless.
Categories:
perching, travel,
Form:
Free verse
Sitting on the Fence at Twilight
When the sun waved good-bye in the afternoon,
I’d say hello to the smiling Man in the Moon.
Perching on our gray concrete fence,
I’d swing my brown legs to a happy cadence.
From my solid fortress, I could see
a daily circus of human activity.
On a single bicycle rode the Fabros, a family of four;
how they all fit, it was a mystery to be sure.
The street vendor, old Papito, would hawk his treats;
oh! those warm, sticky, honey buns and tamarind sweets.
Sashaying in her tight-fitting skirt of tomato-red,
Cousin Clarita balanced a green basket on her turbaned head.
Then came buxom Aunt Alfreda huffing and puffing by,
to give me a piping hot, home-made, savory meat pie.
I’d blow on it to cool it off first, just
before biting into the flaky, buttery crust.
As day soon faded into hues of twilight,
I’d spy the occasional shiny satellite,
a tiny, silver snail slowly revolving in the sky,
moving so silently above, way up high.
For a child of seven, this was such a wondrous time…
right until the old town clock chimed nine.
Then Mama would ring her bell calling me inside,
and I’d leave the stars still twinkling outside.
04-24-2018
Contest: An Early Childhood Memory
Sponsor: Line Gauthier
Placement: 3rd
Categories:
perching, childhood, memory,
Form:
Rhyme
A lonesome magpie~
perching on a forlorn wooden stairs
on a snowcapped mountain side
spells serenity in the day light.
The barn house reflects
the pale lavender shadows~
a soft blend of chiaroscuro;
The thickened snow in impasto
reminds me of winter daydreams
of my love so far away.
The hanging frosty pearls
on dancing dainty twigs~
sparkling like chandeliers
in ancient sanctuaries;
Like the diamonds I keep
as a symbol of his promise
that one day soon~
he will come back to me.
3 February 2021
Notes: The Magpie (French: La Pie) is an oil-on-canvas landscape painting by the French Impressionist Claude Monet, created during the winter of 1868–1869 near the commune of Étretat in Normand.
(Photo and info credits to Wikipedia)
Categories:
perching, appreciation, art,
Form:
Ekphrasis
When through my window flew a tiny bird,
she straightway went to where she chose to roost.
I laughed because it seemed a bit absurd
her perching on my bed post! I deduced
she'd lost her way, but now that she was here,
she seemed at home. She cocked her head at me
as if she had a thing to say. No fear
did she display, no sign that she would flee.
She had the sky and trees. What could she need
inside my little room? Why did she stay?
I offered her, from open hand, a seed.
She bent and pecked at it right where it lay.
The world is huge. . . we're free! Yet what explains
that from my room now pours a bird's sweet strains?
Oct. 11, 2019
For Writing Challenge, October 2019 - Bird - Poetry Contest
Sponsor: Dear Heart - Wiishkobe Ode
Categories:
perching, bird,
Form:
Sonnet
scrubbing with her hands
red stains from the priest's collar
- strawberry picking
choosing wallpaper -
the red-breasted cardinals
in my shopping bag
Last night of harvest -
reflection of red blood moon
in his empty glass
red cherry blossoms
before next winter follows
-his last picnic morn
soft vermillion wings
flutter on her bare shoulder
- the first glimpse of Spring
Its vermillion wings
perching between rose petals
sips of ambrosia
scarlet wings flutter
upon a dry corolla
unsweetened nectar
Inspired by Silent One 's haiku /senryu 5//7/5 syllables
using the colour red - not for the contest
Categories:
perching, nature,
Form:
Haiku
If heaven permits
I will be a robin
Perching
Up on a sunlit branch of a tree
Gazing at the far-off light
That flourishes out on the vanilla sky
I will sing
From June to the merry month of May
Every flat
Every sharp
Every note of poetic symphony
That glitters ceaselessly
I will fly
Rough and tough
Beyond ferns and herbs
At odds with
The whirling wind
That might spoil my beauty
And yes
I will soar
Steeper than the milky way
As long as the world breathes
Until heaven
Forbids me
not.
Author’s Note and Inspiration.
- Free Verse Introspection International Poetry Contest
Contest Winner- Honorable Mention(4th place)
March 15, 2008
Contest Sponsor: Deborah Simpson-Author of the Chronicles of a Sage: Spiritual Revelations
via Canto.
- The Celebrating You International Poetry Contest
Contest winner- 1st place
March 15, 2008
Sponsored by Kristine Reynolds
Categories:
perching, happiness, introspection, upliftingpoetry,
Form:
Free verse
Seagulls rush inland crying birds
gathering on the highest peaks perching
then silence takes hold as darkness envelopes
Today watching the eclipse all alone crowning someone special
warm inside deep thought hope a thousand miles away
grace of beauty tears drop in a silent wish
Held within breathless whispers deeply a cold breeze blowing kiss
dark mixing with light in a harrow crescent as the moon moves
in front sparkling diamond smiles sunshine thoughts of sharing love
Sad memories drifting clouds pulling deeply tides turn
angel rays brightly sparkling treasure feelings inside the ocean
swells warm waves hand of a greater being touches one glowing dream
unrhymed trycet
Categories:
perching, beautiful, beauty, emotions, hope,
Form:
Terza Rima
At Halloween
At Halloween, just a few nights ago,
I saw a sinister dark and tangled wood
Beside a town where two rivers flow.
Entering by hidden paths not many know,
There an old and crumbling castle stood
At Halloween just a few nights ago.
From that castle a hooting owl flew low,
Leading me through that dark and tangled wood
Beside a town where two rivers flow,
Ancient halls lit by shaded new moon’s glow
Where spectral guardians in armour stood
At Halloween just a few nights ago,
I was lost in that place dark spirits know,
The owl perching in that haunted wood
Beside a town where two rivers flow
Close by that castle old where shadows grow
And silent ghosts of warriors stood
At Halloween just a few nights ago,
Beside a town where two rivers flow.
10/31/2022
Entered into Halloween Poetry Contest
By Emile Pinet
Categories:
perching, dark, halloween,
Form:
Villanelle
"His whisper awakes the inner soul of peace." Quote by poet
The Autumn breeze slightest breath whisper
Sent a quiver across the countryside and still river.
Rest for a moment feeling the welcoming ambiance
With a calm and perfect graceful nonchalance.
Perching mockingbirds sing pretty charm lullabies;
Their weft threads carry underneath cloudless skies.
Awaking a feeling of unforgotten pleasant memories
Sweet release devouring extraordinary treasuries.
4/23/2023
Writing Challenge - 'W' Words - Poetry Contest 9. whisper
Sponsored by: Constance La France
Categories:
perching, nature,
Form:
Rhyme
steller's sea eagle
perching on frozen birch tree~
stargazing at dawn
17 March 2022
Syllables checked at howmanysyllables.com
Bird Haiku Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Tania Kitchin
1st place
Notes: Steller’s sea eagle, one of the world’s largest raptors, with a wingspan of nearly three meters. There are no more than 5,000 of these magnificent birds worldwide and nearly half the population congregates on the sea ice in Hokkaido, Japan each winter.(britanicca.com)
Categories:
perching, appreciation, bird, sea,
Form:
Haiku
Egal your hurly-burly city,
Egal your stress bureaucracy;
Saturday I shall visit my garden,
Where I will bury all your plights
Like a slough snake long forgotten.
There await me rosy welcome
From my carnation and dafodil,
The sweet aroma of my lavender;
I shall kiss the beautiful stair of petals
Build by my darling ginger and tulip.
The quietude of my garden:
Dousing rain after a scorching heat,
Shall redeem me from your torture,
The amusement from the squirrels
Shall restore smile onto my face;
Under the robust cherry tree
I shall journey to the mount of thought.
And when the heavenly beam decends
To honour our weekly appointment
Like sky I will spread out my picnic mat,
Delight it with Andrea, Nette, Donna’s poems;
I will turn left and right, allowing it
To caress the gradient of my hips.
When my guest turns westward
Then I will bless all my darlings;
I will baptise them with heavenly dew
Anoint their feet with brown-black powder
And cast out any demon perching on them.
Hoping you that wolf will roar? Egal !
I shall not think of your sausage,
Your meatpie will not come to mind;
Above my head are young breast apples,
Mangoes and banana are at alert
Ready to arrest any roaring wolf.
Egal your hurly-burly city,
Egal your stress bureaucracy;
Saturday I shall visit my garden.
Categories:
perching, city, garden,
Form:
Free verse
~~~~~ ^-^ *-* ~~~~~
Manoeuvring through purplish cerulean azure
'Til she touched the empyrean Zion
Perching above the whinstone during cockcrow
Possessing allured ala lined with grandiosity
Dressed like a virgin woman from heaven
Divine messenger? A cherub?
" NO! " - An Orphic pixie
Cradling the scintillation with her left mitt
Intent - coveting for self-innovation
Reflection seems so distant from bliss and poise
Apathy, twinges of regrets and pieces of sorrow- ECHOED
Yeah! Mystic frolicsome otherworldly wight
Wishing to be a HUMAN
Human - not a perfect being but ready to CHANGE!
Fairy be a woman...
~~~~~ ^-^ *-* ~~~~~
Categories:
perching, fantasy, mystery
Form:
Free verse