Best Playmates Poems
I watch as she sleeps,
the gentle rise and fall of her chest
making sure her breathing is rhythmic
Thoughts take me back years ago
when we were playmates ~sisters
separated by little more than a year.
A tear escapes my eyes. I wipe it away
for if she wakes and sees me crying,
her tears will flow again.
My sister, my best friend
Always vibrant and busy with life
Taking care of everyone
and putting her needs last.
As quickly as a breath was taken
she'd had a stroke
and when she woke
her life had been turned
upside down, mouth drooping
as if she were wearing a frown.
My heart grieves silently
Bleeding with pain I cannot show
for I'll not let her know my fears~
My tears hidden,
I replace them with a smile
and if she would look into my eyes,
she'd know. She'd know my anguish.
Her needs are many~
Slurred speech, limp left arm
Fran, who is gifted with empathy
for the plights of others.
Now, she fights to get her life back.
She sobs when friends call
and I have to say, "She's just emotional."
Damn it! I would be, too!
I tell her it's okay and smile~
Sometimes, she smiles back at me
Sometimes, she turns her head away
We talk about childhood days
and when a haze fills her eyes,
I talk about something silly~
desperate to give her hope.
A blood clot broke free from her brain
at least it had the decency
not to enter her heart.
Distraught, of course she is
but my sister is a fighter
and we work together, day and night
to help her hand grip mine tighter.
It's 4 am, and by the night light
I look at her face, wrinkle free
but only when she's asleep.
I pray to God while I weep,
"Please give her the life she knew."
There's little more I can do
except to be her big sister.
She'll get through this hard time
with help from family and friends
Those who love her as much
as she loves all of us.
We talk about it being another hurdle
she'll get over, but this one...
this one is physical, a literal mountain
that she must climb, but not alone.
There are goals to set and reach
and each step she takes strengthens her will
to be as independent as she used to be.
I sit here, watching her as she sleeps
and only then do I allow my tears to fall.
Wearing wireless headphones as I listen to the news.
I'm outside watching children playing, taking in the views.
There is screaming in my ears two voices disagree.
A little girl serves her playmates imaginary tea.
They're speaking on the pod, unarmed victims shot by police.
Captives tortured in war. I hear our own. I hear their pleas!
There's screaming in my ear a few voices disagree.
Little girls sitting pretend to speak French saying Oui, Oui!
There are typhoons hitting an island, reminds me of a tsunami.
Also officials gathering parts of a plane shot down by an army.
What happened to the plane that went missing, no one remembers.
Teenagers on the street play basketball great kids, great neighbors.
The president uses his pen, makes some politicians angry.
There is screaming in my ears so many voices disagree.
The girls skip rope, laughter fills the air and singing too.
Pundits discuss, argue this and that it's what they do.
Night and day is closer then these scholars and their degrees.
Theres screaming in my ear, voices, everyone disagrees.
The guys still shooting hoops, living the life, always polite.
Protests on the streets, the police display their might.
Some back peaceful protests others speak accusingly.
There is screaming in my ears, crowds of voices disagree.
I wave goodbye to the boys, we'll talk, I'll see them again soon.
The children want me to skip rope I play along like a buffoon.
They laugh that I can't skip properly. I leave them to their play.
There's screaming in my ear, voices...might as well talk to clay
My sleep will be hard, in the morning the sun will shine, children will wake.
What kind of world will we leave, you smile and laugh but feel like a fake.
Look how well we have done. When did we stop being one, being mild.
What happened to being cohesive? It takes a village to raise a child.
There is too much screaming in my ears, too many voices disagree.
I can only pray, lend my voice to the calm, hope we can all agree.
11~12~2014
Maurice Yvonne
Sponsor: Cyndi MacMillan
Contest Name: I CAN'T BREATHE: A peaceful Protest, An Anthology of Powerful Poems
(Inspired by Abe Lincoln’s poem “Memory”)
Mortality's Own Friend
So sadly here, among the dead,
I live - mortality's own friend.
Recalling all that's lost, I tread
so sadly here, among the dead.
Sweet memories are as a thread
which link the living to their end.
So sadly here, among the dead,
I live - mortality's own friend.
Here is Abraham Lincoln's "Memory," which really speaks to me
(I could not get it to copy/paste from here to the box above:
Memory
by Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865)
My childhood’s home I see again,
And sadden with the view;
And still, as memory crowds my brain,
There’s pleasure in it, too.
O memory! thou midway world
’Twixt earth and paradise,
Where things decayed and loved ones lost
In dreamy shadows rise,
And, freed from all that’s earthly, vile,
Seem hallowed, pure and bright,
Like scenes in some enchanted isle
All bathed in liquid light.
As dusky mountains please the eye
When twilight chases day;
As bugle notes that, passing by,
In distance die away;
As leaving some grand waterfall,
We, lingering, list its roar --
So memory will hallow all
We’ve known but know no more.
Near twenty years have passed away
Since here I bid farewell
To woods and fields, and scenes of play,
And playmates loved so well.
The friends I left that parting day
How changed, as time has sped!
Young childhood grown, strong manhood gray;
And half of all are dead.
I hear the loved survivors tell
How nought from death could save,
Till every sound appears a knell
And every spot a grave.
I range the fields with pensive tread,
And pace the hollow rooms,
And feel (companion of the dead)
I’m living in the tombs.
Playmates illusion
Feline stretches on its back
Pup engages play
Leaps into air with surprise
Scratched nose, engages again
By Eve Roper 11/20/2014
Lying in bed..
In my deathbed
Don't have much time..
I am filled..
with nostalgia..
Memories of which I will always cherish..
Within my deepest thoughts
I imagine I am a child again
the child inside me..
Such joyful memories ..
Memories of running so freely in the grass..
Holding hands with my playmates..
Sharing secrets
Laughter..
The innocence of it all..
Years progressing..
From childhood..
To adolescent
To adulthood..
Being a curious teen..
Having major crushes ..
My first kiss
My first love..
Living as an adult..
Major responsibilities occurs..
Finding the love of my life..
Marrying the love of my life
Having children..
Living a blessed life..
Years progress..
Often wondering..
How my body is frail..
How these wrinkles..
Gave me character
How my health deteriorated..
Within a blink of an eye..
Now I have reached my final stage..
Sadly I am..
Slowing waiting for my own demise..
How shall it feel ?
Shall I embrace the unknown ?
My beautiful family is gone..
They all have made their final departure..
Before myself..
I have lived a long and full life..
I feel alone now..
Alone in my deathbed..
Awaiting my transition..
Perhaps when one door closes..
Another door opens..
Going from one state of being
To another..
Energy cannot be destroyed..
It only changes form..
I do not fear death..
It is dying I fear..
Fear of the old door..
Entering into a new door..
Which is fear of the unknown..
SPIRITUALLY INTERRUPTED.
I CAME TO EARTH WITH
EVERYTHING IN TACT.
I was happy curious and
with rapid anxiety.
couldn't wait to bring the
good news from the place
where I had just come from,
To my new home here on earth.
It was just an
overwhelming understanding.
that I had,Wanted badly
to share the joy as I arrived
I studied my mothers face.
She was beautiful !
I saw no father.
As I knew what a
mirror was immediately.
The science of images
and reflections innate.
many secrets held in my D.N.A..
and I was well pleased.
Delight and light
surrounded me then.
Everything was good.
Somehow my
senses were acute;
Bees-Butterflies,dandelions.
praying mantis
even earthworms-
were my playmates.
Mud pies and the smell of dirt.
Everything was intact
when I came to earth.
Seemed like a lovely place.
Riding my tricycle-
was quite like the freedom
I had known in my other home.
Then hooverd a cloud over me.
a dreary cloud,
Tears were streaming
I heard mommy crying.
She was only a child
I tried to make her
smile again. I wanted to know
but, she cried even more.
I tasted anguish for
the first time that day.
I was spiritually interrupted
afraid, insecure, and confused
confounded by the blanks and the
sudden disconnection,
I built up a wall;
The wall protected me
from the cacophony
of loud ,big people shouting.
I retreated into my safe world.
Grown-ups they annoyed me
All of them ( The big People )
They were different,
I vowed to never forget my original self.
I vowed that I would always
hold on to my Spiritual soul.
Years passed and I gathered
more of their distorted truth's
I wanted to enjoy the
body I was placed in.
The body I had
before the distractions of curves..
Before the mind noise.
Before the blood that
caused me distress
I could hardly hear
my inner-voice.
I prayed to my inner God.
Too much to know-
Too much too soon.
My innocence melted
like a snowball in a furnace.
The lust of the big people
no longer allowed
me the freedom childhood.
Now jaded with the
burden of womanhood
and my childhood was arrested..
My spirit was abruptly interrupted.
I was out walking my dragon, when I came across a Dogasaurus Rex.
It really wasn’t so bad until; they got into a real life-pissing contest.
My dragons’ roar was way less than his, and spitting fire, he couldn’t do.
So they squared off, eyes aglow, and yep, a true pissing contest did ensue.
Now, that was really icky, and flooded my neighbors whole lawn, ewww.
Well, it smelled awfully bad, but when they got going, what was I to do.
And a pooper-scooper does not work here, so I had to wait till both were thru.
If there wasn’t enough testosterone, now my neighbors’ was added, to the brew.
A mean old codger lived right there, and now, even he, was royally pissed.
Watering the lawn wouldn’t send it away; it would spread it more, amiss.
I ran to get my neighbor witch, who was laughing her head off, yes, indeed.
I’d need her help to save the yard, and with the old codger, to finally succeed.
The old codger amazed, started adding, held in, bubbling laughter, to the brew.
Seems he’s a lonely old man, with not enough fun added in his life, it’s true.
He tapped his foot, as his dogasaurus Rex did more, what was I to do, in truth?
I became worried, it would be the death of him, if he didn’t laugh out loud, forsooth.
I ask the dragon, to burn the yard, to save us all, but he just snickered more, thereon.
How, you ask, was I to extradite myself? I went home to put a fire retardant suit, on.
Coming back I kicked, the dragon in his butt, for always being so crazily, put upon.
That quickly brought his fire on me, as I took it into the middle of the yucky lawn.
With the taunting done, the icky stuff gone, the witch put the grass back, with great skill.
Then, the dragon started laughing, his butt off, while thinking I’d owe the witch’s bill.
Hah! He was incredulous, as I said; he’d do the witch’s bidding, till it was fulfilled.
Then, the silly dragon, down right cried, as I told him, the walkies, would now be nil!
But, Grandpa Troll intervened, with us both in timeout, again, facing across the lake.
And, the old codger, spent the rest of his life happy, entertaining the town, with our fate.
From then on, the dragon and dogasauraus, were seen everywhere, as great playmates.
And me, I always carry an umbrella, so Dragon can never rain on my parade…
I am alone but never lonely in the night.
Dusk beckons from the garden. Oh, night, sweet night of mine!
My bruises fade into the ebony sky, camouflaged in twilight...
Hideous scars are obtrusive in daylight.
I shun the blinding sun. I despise the white, hot spotlight.
Under clear azure skies, where can I hide? Night shelters from all
I am and all I can never be. Yes, you understand me...
The darkness is a quilt sewn by God's own hands.
My security blanket, a comfort falling from grace.
Jasmine explodes as I stroll through the misty air of night.
I walk in solitude and dine on the celestial confections
in the delight of wakening blooms. I dance
through their showering reflections. I am queen of the imperial sky!
I reach for the glass slipper drifting nigh. Yes, you know me...
Velvet robes cascade over my bare skin like mountain streams.
Gentle hands stroke the nape of my neck, the feeling familiar
yet thrilling. I am alive and reborn in starlight!
Moonshadows play peek-a-boo like mischievous children.
My playmates, do not abandon me. Your laughter is my serenity.
Crickets serenade from swaying grasses. I am uninhibited under their spell.
The winds drape me in their tender silence, never loosening their grasp
in my dreams of contentment. Yes, you feel me...
I am parched...Oh night, you quench my thirst with your succulent nectar!
On the cusp of midnight, the ripening fruit clings to the vine.
I taste the exotic fruit, a glorious surprise!
I run wild from daybreak, my desire cannot be tamed.
My thoughts cannot be coerced or contained.
I am free under the twinkling, watchful eyes of the sky. Yes, you see me...
The night bursts forth invading my soul as I bathe,
drenched in blossoming jasmine. If I am dreaming, never wake me from
my starry night to plummet to a waiting reality,
a reality I may never know, never understand.
Other Muse
Interwoven two inspirations at play
Wrapped in a beguiling smile of embrace
Lyrical rhythms enchant nature’s traits
Graceful melody roams music’s landscapes.
Through hymns thundering modal notation
Chants of platinum skies rumble elation
Meander through anthems of sunrise charmed flutes
Spellbound canticle of sunset tribute.
Frisky with spring airs chorus spins spells,
Dark colors of canticles melancholy tells
Flowing andante in tone poem meadows
Allegro reunion - playmates in tempo.
I wander pastoral through charmed melody
Country roads inspire scenic rhapsodies.
Inspired by Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony and Nature
4-13-21
Contest: My Other Muse
Sponsor: Margarita Lillico
Celestial Play
In daylight hours when stars fall sleep,
They opened wide eyes to see celestial wonder –
The sun and moon at play
Racing across their blue playground in hide and seek –
A game of tag –
Leaving trails of laughter
For earthbound eyes,
Invited audience,
To revel in by covering their brilliant splendor
With receding light to total darkness,
Daystar encircled with a golden crown,
Then lifting shadows,
Playfully returning light again
To upturned smiles –
Suspended breath –
Captured by their mischievous spirit
As hearts of every language hold hands,
Clearly understanding
The song of unity inviting
Spirits of anticipation rise
Into Heaven’s clear vision of the magical and miraculous
Never abandoned,
Or eclipsed,
But following breathless the playmates,
Passing,
Now separating at the end of their game
While a memory replays for eternity,
Imprinted in the drowsy stars of a morning sky.
TOTAL ECLIPSE – August 21, 2017
Written 7 March 2014
-------------------------------------
Bruce and Jennie, both were 10,
Had been playmates all their lives.
One day, Bruce proclaimed,
“Jennie… most good men have wives.”
He professed his love for her.
Jennie said she loved him too.
They decided that getting married
Was ‘the right thing’ to do.
So, Bruce went to speak to her father,
Who was doing yard work at the time.
“May I speak to you, Mr. Johnson?”
“Sure, Bruce. What’s on your mind?”
“Sir, I love your Jennie;
And Jennie, she loves me;
But we need your permission
To be married… to be “We.”
Impressed by Bruce’s courage,
He knew this confrontation must be tough.
He smiled and asked, “Bruce, are you sure
You love my daughter enough?”
Bruce’s face became stern, he said,
“Mr. Johnson, let me tell you…
I love Jennie so much…and she loves me.
We’re both sure it’s the right thing to do.”
He was moved by Bruce’s ardor,
But permission was not his to give.
So, quick as flash, he responded,
“But Bruce…where will you live?”
“Sir, I measured her room;
Then I measured mine.
Hers is 40 percent bigger.
We’ll live there. We’ll be fine.
If we have extra stuff,
We’ll keep that in my room.
We’ll keep our places neat and tidy.
You won’t even need a broom.
And both our parents can save money
On babysitters too.
Even if you do things on the same night,
You’ll only need one sitter, not two.”
Mr. Johnson was impressed with Bruce's logic,
But this marriage idea was no longer funny.
He smiled and said, “That’s good thinking, Bruce;
But what are you gonna do for money?
“Why, Mr. Johnson, I get twelve-fifty a week allowance;
And let me remind you, Jennie also gets ten.
Throw in our birthdays and Christmas cash….
Why, we might even have money to lend.”
Desperate now, Mr. Johnson thought,
“Next, I guess they’ll want a car.”
Then he asked, “But Bruce, what if you have kids?”
"Aawww," blushed Bruce... “We’ve been lucky so far.”
The voices in my head spake thus:
"Pray heed a word from all of us
should what we prate to you make sense
as host we deem you somewhat dense
'Tis folly to believe we're real
to banish us would be ideal
we're products of your fantasy,
your own authentic fallacy
We're sexless; neither gents nor dames
pray brand us not with human names.
as playmates we have little worth
we're in your head, not human-birthed
Engage us not in dialogue
stick to one-sided monologue
our sole aim is to multiply
we're occupied, hence no reply
We find you're too inquisitive
and may we say insensitive
to eavesdrop, as you are inclined
(pardon the pun) where you've no mind
And now, dear host, we beg of thee
for some degree of privacy
scant your right to our domain
seek elsewhere to be entertained."
(The Beginning)
Many, many years ago – when I was only ten,
Times were so much happier - life was simpler then,
No problems met with me each day
My role in life was to run and play.
And destiny was just a word
I never used and seldom heard.
My youthful days were never spent
In worry over food or rent.
But fate will always have its say
In all things meant to come our way.
And something lacking in my life
Was often causing major strife.
Loneliness would follow me
Though kids galore were there to be
Playmates during times of need
When something caused my soul to bleed
Then fate employed parental love
And called on heaven up above
To let something play the part
And still the aching in my heart
Well, heaven knew how kids are made
And knew what caused my joy to fade.
So, early on one winter morn
A little spotted pup was born.
He’s grown into a faithful friend
And many joyful hours we spend
Just knowing that the love we share
Whenever needed will be there.
Dogs are of a special breed
And always fill some special need.
I'll cherish always that special day -
The day that Buster came to stay
John Posey 12/04/12
The yard my world
Or so I’m told
Was where I spent my time
Where this little lass
A tomboy too
Loved rolling in the grass.
Trees ladened with mangoes
yellowed with ripe
A great temptation to this little child
Who with a stone and David’s aim
Brought mangoes down Goliath
style
Playmates I had and many too
From chickens, birds and ducks
To puppies, pigeons, turkeys and cats
Not to mention the upside down bats.
A sister and brother my siblings two
My sister’s a lady no sport for fun
My brother my follower was my ally won
He did what I told Him no questions asked
But got many a spanking when we crossed the line.
The old hammock swung from a branch
That bellied and hung
Quite low to the ground
For many a day both brother and I
swinging to and fro
did topple to the ground.
But best were the moments
I spent with God when we talked of many things
while I blamed Him for everything
that went wrong in my life
Oh those precious memories are the fabric of my life.
Summer season was my childhood’s greatest fun time,
We played with toys out of a coconut tree which is a tree of life,
We built little houses beautifully and so high as we climbed
Like a flying trapeze on its leaves, we swung so high.
We played with toys made of coconut trees, the tree of life,
My playmates joined me in building little houses using a dull knife,
Out of its leaves and midribs, we made walls, roofs and doors,
Pretended as good cooks with its coconut shells and fruits.
My playmates joined me in building little houses using a dull knife
Pretended to live together as families with husband and wife,
I took the role of an elder sister in our little comfortable house
I combed the hair of a younger sibling with a coco midrib brush.
Pretended to live together as families with a husband and wife
Just like small neighborhood or community along the riverside
We chose one of the eldest playmates to be the group captain,
The leader of unity and cooperation in building more tents.
Just like small neighborhood or community along the riverside
We helped one another as piles of coco leaves we made as rides,
We made unique toys out of leaves and roots as much as we could
Like trumpets when blown, we covered our ears for its loud sound.
We helped one another as piles of coco leaves we made as a ride
We webbed balls, insects and other toys for a surprise to hide,
When the captain signaled to show who's the most had a reward
Then ran with our wind vanes to the beach and marched forward.
We webbed balls, insects and other toys for a surprise to hide
We played with toys out of a coconut tree which is a tree of life,
When the captain signaled us to show the most had a reward
A wonderful summer memory from a Tree of Life I've ever had!
Sept. 11,2012
Note: The coconut trees are considered the “Trees of Life”. They can provide almost all the things we need like shelter, clothing, foods and others. So, let us preserve coconut trees! They are very helpful but be careful because they are also risky during typhoons, LOL. There are many coconut trees in our backyard especially along the riverside connecting to the beach. These trees had added so much joy on summer time during my childhood years/graders.