Best Quaked Poems
His day had come, and so He went and prayed.
The woes of all mankind upon him weighed.
His brethren slept; He knew what would befall.
His enemies conspired and did not stall.
A midnight kiss, and He would stand betrayed.
First seized, reviled, then stripped and flayed;
A scarlet robe on broken flesh then laid,
He bore the brutal cross and drank the gall.
His day had come.
A final breath. . . . the sacrifice was made.
The land then quaked. God’s sorrow was displayed.
The Son in linen. . . . on the earth a pall.
But in the sepulcher, His final call –
To conquer death! Man need not be afraid.
His day had come!
Submitted 3/12/23
for the Easter Poetry Contest of Regina McIntosh
A few moments past twilight,
half a moment before blackfall,
I was sure there’d be time enough
and light enough
to return to the bodies I’d left behind.
My lifelong friends followed me,
we quaked under the bridge,
through the narrow tunnel,
up the steep, narrow footpath,
through the second tunnel.
We saw them still there,
just where I’d found them
and left them,
why would they not be there ?
Yet somehow
I wasn’t sure that they would.
Eerily visible from the distant road,
so brilliantly white
they almost glowed,
seven bodies hanging in the gloom,
this was how I found them
and left them.
Now they were five,
there was no hint of a breeze.
No longer hanging,
they stood like forgotten mannequins,
hoping, perhaps,
that we might breathe new life
into the quiet foothills.
29th April 2019
Author's Note: These verses are wrought for a poetess-painter, a fellow poet whose sorrow kindled their first ember; may this little flame, in time, find its way unto her.
—A Quatrain Beneath Eternity—
Upon one leaf, where gravity dreamed slow,
a rain-born orb did tremble under heaven;
her argent quiver made the star-fires flow,
and dawn stood hushed beneath the empyrean;
an ant climbed forth from bark's primeval shrine,
then paused before her—dark against divine.
He drew towards her as the firmament
bent its vast curvature about her sphere;
as though some adamantine gravitation sent
a wandering world where worlds should disappear;
he touched her light—and through his six limbs ran
a shudder older than the breath of man.
He deemed her painter, fashioned out of rain,
with leaf for canvas, sunlight for her dye;
she bore the green world's secret in her vein,
and whole lost heavens trembled in her eye;
their minute orbits crossed beneath the tree—
two infinitudes made briefly one decree.
Then he ascended towards the ancient bough,
she followed that inexorable green descent;
no wound accused the other of the why,
nor did their parting bear resentment;
and time, beyond the jurisdiction of years,
let Earth spend eleven seasons unawares.
He came again. The old light knew his tread;
she had not ceased her pilgrimage through green;
no reckoning rose between the living and dead,
nor any blade of old remembrance keen;
one quill returned above the waiting page—
four living lines outshone an earthly age.
Then came the storm. The leaf became a sea;
the firmament was riven from its throne;
the wind took him beyond all astronomy,
past every star by which the lost are known;
she quaked, and all her little heavens broke—
yet waited for the word he never spoke.
Perhaps he bore one universe to tell;
perhaps her own lay folded in the deep;
perhaps the storm extinguished one farewell
before its syllables had learned to sleep;
she moves still downward through the shaken green—
and somewhere, the fifth line remains unseen.
Winds
raged as
fires glowed in
small frowzy shacks
that strange Georgia eve an angel was born.
The sky proclaimed that lives would re-arrange;
with Joy’s first cry,
the tempest
changed to
calm.
Warm
Zephyr -
spring magic -
arrived with Joy.
Her laughter was kindling for hearth and home.
No galas in her future ; she was poor.
Never frowning,
Joy would flash
diamond
smiles.
Her
Mama
sewed flounces
on hand-me-downs,
which Joy wore with glee, celebrating life.
As Papa played his guitar for them all,
Joy danced and twirled.
Humdrum fled
in her
stead.
Fair,
yellow-
haired; slender
like sassafras,
this sunny lass gladdened all of the town.
Humankind exists that we might have joy.
Those touched by that
sweet angel
all learned
this.
Joy
expelled
gloom, giving
her cheer to all.
Nevertheless, joy is often short-lived.
One strange spring day, a cold wind blew in. As
thunder quaked, warmth
waned, and Joy
was no
more.
For Chris D. Aechtner's
"Double the Fun ~ (Tetractys)"
It stood a while, alone, the perfect phrase
Entire and beautiful upon the stage
As lovely as two words could ever be
‘Till came the muse, the ancient ***** of days
Demanding blood and ink upon the page
Insisting passion and complexity
And sacrifice, and violent hymns of praise
Her hunger and her ardour to assuage
In wild defiance of simplicity
The poet quaked in terror, and betrayed
His words to slake her raw and awesome rage
In her cold hands they cried for company
© Gail Foster 13th December 2016
By 3 a.m. he often would awake
I’d feel the bed shake. . .
shake. . . shake. . .
He’d say my name and ask:
Are you awake?
I knew inside he quaked. . .
quaked. . . quaked. . .
He could not sleep, so nor could I.
The essence of his being ached. . .
ached. . . . ached. . .
I only could console; I could not kill
that awful pain that rakes. . .
rakes. . . rakes. . .
The snake invades one’s brain to
poison sleep. Maliciously it waits. . .
waits. . . waits. . .
until the darkened morning
when it creeps.
He’d weep, and for his sake
I’d pray. . . for day.
Written about my husband when his depression/anxiety were very bad at one time.
His day had come, and so He went and prayed.
The woes of all mankind upon him weighed.
His brethren slept; He knew what would befall.
His enemies conspired and did not stall.
A midnight kiss, and He would stand betrayed.
First seized, reviled, then stripped and flayed;
A scarlet robe on broken flesh then laid,
He bore the brutal cross and drank the gall.
His day had come.
A final breath. . . . the sacrifice was made.
The land then quaked. God’s sorrow was displayed.
The Son in linen. . . . on the earth a pall.
But in the sepulcher, His final call –
To conquer death! Man need not be afraid.
His day had come!
Will I Recognize… The Face Of Love?
Or the Wonderful, Bedazzled Appearance of:
A Moon-kist Meadow, Hushed and Dark
A Solitary Silhouette, this Beauty Mark,
Windswept Grasses, like a Babe’s Soft Lashes
Rippling across Earth, that’s smooth as a Cheek.
In the Hushed and Flowery Scented Air…
Your Face of Love Materializes, Silvery, Full
The Face of Love … is Unforgettable.
From the Face of Love … Will I Withdraw?
The Face of Love without Any Flaw;
As a Canopy of Clouds with the Splendor of Sunbeams
Piercing past the fluffy powder of Heaven, to Radiate Gleams
A Classical Cameo-Sculpture, Perfect Profile Structure
Yea… in the Bright Beacons, I see Your Smile
In the Illumed, Clear Sky, ‘Your Face’
Can Love’s Face be Touched … Attainable?
The Face of Love … is Unforgettable.
The Face of Love … I Have Visualized,
Potent, Breathtaking, The Vision Rised;
From a Sunlit Lake, Winking as Would Diamonds.
Your Face of Love, Emerging from Far Beyond
The Depths of the Lake, as My Heart Quaked,
because of the Wavering Portrait’s Peace
because of Water-Color Caresses.
That Face of Love, was so Tangible.
The Face of Love … so Unforgettable
The Face of Love … has Gazed Upon
Dreams of Mine, the World’s Not Known
… Out of the Woodland’s Emerald Mist
With Drops of Dew, Love’s Face Kissed
The Framing Boughs; My Relaxed Brow.
Floating… Breathing out the Mist of Morn Light
That I may Sketch Your Face of Love, in Life.
The Face … More Handsome, than Sons of the Womb, is Possible…
The Face of Love … is Unforgettable
(For A Medieval-Tongued Poet, I Found Here at The Soup...
Ismael Nieves, this one's for you Kiddo
Mistress MoonBee
midnight's
descend clothed me
in darkness,
stilling
the process of
you giving up on us
but
it was useless
when
dawn's ascend
stripped me naked with
a
vengeance
that ache-quaked
my being
it's
no longer there
your...
sugary, salty taste
that clung to my tongue
long after our orgasms sprung
imprints
of your fingertips
were fading fast from my skin
survival
instinct kicked in
summoning daydreams to
pull down my eyelids and project
memorable moments with you
but
souldeep your absence
persistently
abuse my senses
the words,
{{YOU'RE. GONE. FOR. GOOD.}}
beat against
my eardrums resounding thoughts of
your scent, I'll never take in again
or
feel the heat of your kiss
on my lips
each
footstep
taken, led you away
trampling my heart into
an
unrecognizable rhythm
from the way
it used to beat
for only
you
I
feel
the slowing
of your love flow
through my veins and hear the
weakening beeps
I
know
our flat line
is just a matter
of time...
love's death is near
and
I
don't know
rather to let us
rest in peace
or
do my best
and try to resurrect
us.
(My Tribute poem, honoring Alfred Noyes....)
Defiance, The Old Gods Fall, And Dark Mortal Reign Begins
Fiery earth, multitude of chasms deep
The gods rose from their long and restless sleep,
Of those few again stirring brave and wise,
Night’s last breath then magnificent sunrise
Invincible new Gods as yet unborn
Quaked the earth, as high heavens are torn.
Again the gods woke from their restless sleep
Pale the colors as Gods learned to weep
Mortal defiance, as it swiftly grows,
O’ Seer, virgin flesh, in time arose
Dying Gods their powers had failed to keep
Earth's realm free, as mankind's destiny seeps.
Solitude, neglect had laid heavy blows
Universe its powers, had set new shows
As retiring Gods fled the future’s flight,
Man’s spirit therein, sought the blessed light
Yet in that vein, darkness again held sway
From fleeing Gods heard, "Mortals too shall pay".
Robert J. Lindley, 8-13-2020
Rhyme, ( Man's Powers Grew As The Old Fleeing Gods Fled )
From my new blog-8/13/2020
My Tribute Poem, honoring Alfred Noyes....
Defiance, The Gods Fall, And Mortal Reign Begins
Fiery earth, multitude of chasms deep
The gods rose from their long and restless sleep,
Of those few again stirring brave and wise,
Night’s last breath then magnificent sunrise
Invincible new Gods as yet unborn
Quaked the earth, as high heavens are torn.
Again the gods woke from their restless sleep
Pale the colors as Gods learned to weep
Mortal defiance, as it swiftly grows,
O’ Seer, virgin flesh, in time arose
Dying Gods their powers had failed to keep
Earth's realm free, as mankind's destiny seeps.
Solitude, neglect had laid heavy blows
Universe its powers, had set new shows
As retiring Gods fled the future’s flight,
Man’s spirit therein, sought the blessed light
Yet in that vein, darkness again held sway
From fleeing Gods heard, "Mortals too shall pay".
Robert J. Lindley, 8-13-2020
Rhyme, ( Man's Powers Grew As The Fleeing Gods Fled )
Tribute poem, honoring the great poet- Alfred Noyes..
The Garden of Gethsemane
While Jesus was on earth, all creation felt His presence
and for a short interval of time, it breathed a sigh of relief,
for the Creator of Heaven and Earth had come into its view
and for Him to impart of His perfect peace.
But in the stillness of the night, somehow it seemed
the grass beneath His feet began to shudder and the trees quaked with terrifying fear,
for all creation was entwined with Him in great turmoil
while their Master shed great drops of blood and tears.
There were myriads of angels that came and went
in these moments ministering to the Bishop of our soul,
and the devil tried with all his might to kill Him there
but the Master of His life would not let go.
At one point of time when the trial was so intense
He cried, “Father if it be Thy will, from Me let this cup pass”,
but then He added, “Not My will, Father, but Thine be done”
and the Father gave Him the strength to last.
So He continued on His journey with added strength
for the joy set before Him and this is also what each of us must do,
fixing our eyes on the Master of Glory and what He has prepared
up in Heaven for me and for you.
We all have our “Gethsemane” moments in this life
though for certain not as severe as His,
because He paid the greatest of price for His dear children
so with Him we could eternally live.
And now, as I reflect upon Your agony sweet Jesus and in
that garden how You suffered so tremendously for me,
I gratefully come to this conclusion, my Lord
help me to follow You and finish my course no matter what the price might be.
Written by: Marilyn S. Jennings
*Walking among the tombstones
*Conversing with the dead
*Alone, crying at a grave
*A woman on her knees, bowed was her head
*Her hair was dark
*Her eyes were too
*I couldn't help the strange feeling
*That this was a woman I knew
*As I approached
*I quaked with fear
*And in the blink of an eye
*The mysterious woman disappeared
*Curiosity got the best of me
*I threw caution to the wind
* What I saw at that stone
*I could not comprehend
*My breathing became erratic
*Tears fell from my eyes
*My heart sank
*As I read those lines
*Here lies Valerie
*Mother, daughter, sister, and wife
*Such a pity and a shame
*She took her own life
*Her mind and spirit broken
*Her heart was shattered
*So tired of being worthless
*To him not one moment together mattered
*Couldn't close her eyes
*Her nightmares carried her fears
* Suffocated by lies
*Drowned in her tears
*She could still feel his heart beat
* and hear his breath
* she still felt her hand on his face
* and his head collapsed on her chest
*She gave her last breath
*Praying and begging for one last kiss
*And to hear him say he loved her
* to feel the fire and emotions she had missed
*A love she once knew
*So real and rare
*So strong yet so frail
*Forever they were to share
*his promises were broken
*he chose a different life
* living for everyone else, without her
* he walked away and let her go and didn't even cry when she died
*My hands began to tremble
* What I began to realize, I just couldn't believe
*I had lost her so very long ago
*The woman who had vanished was the me I used to be...
Rush of nerves, quivers come night,
blush of love parts evening clouds.
Green eyes aglow tempt in candlelight.
As stars dangle low in spangled shroud,
we rise high above, embraced in flight -
words a whisper, untruths vowed.
How at sunrise shall I wake
now knowing love cannot stay?
In throws of night’s heat, our two worlds quaked;
then weak with deceit, I slipped away.
Oh, if I’d known my heart was at stake,
I’d hide in shadows of day.
6/27/15
Tell them!
Look on to my face
And let fall the secret
We hided in the invisible bier
Of eternity
When all eyes and ears
were blinded and deafened
By sleep
Let the vultures
Of the evil forest
Spice my body
For a glamorous banquet!
Say it!
I have heard already
The gossip from the women
On the way to the stream
At dawn
From the Nayiri's gong beater
I have heard the fearful decree
And equally,
I have seen
the spears of monstrous laughter
Burst the cheeks of our foes
Sister,tell mama,
To weep no more
For when the stubborn fowl
Digs deep the ground
It exposes the bones
Of its ancestors
The mouse madly
Went to the cattery
To buy itself the meat
Of a kitten
Love,love,love!
like a cunning fox
Baited the hungry fowl
With the meat of a cockroach
And not could it have resisted
I knew forbidden
was the eaten fruit
But what cause or reason
Could have the dog
unleash the juicy bone
The broadened hips of Nasara
Made visible by her
Tight-shortened kente skirt
Could have made me
Grill my fingers
In a wild inferno unawarely
The sight of her
ladybird-like skinned beads
Lustfully stimulated me
And i would have mounted
A bull forgetfully
What of the well-filled erected
balls on her chest
That itched my palms always
For her round botty,
That swayed like a leave
Quaked by a violent tempest
Did nearly broke my neck
For vying with it always
In each direction it went
The fearful taboo of chastity
We have smitten
The womb of Nasara
Shelters the flesh of my blood
And there awaits no option
Other than a bloody execution
If tumorrow meet us not,
Remember the aged love song
We sang togather
When the full white moon
Came passing
Remember the soft chorus
I Joined in with
That silenced the envious song birds
The mucus may do it worse
But never does it go off
With the nose
I still remain your only cow boy
That robbed you milk and cheese
And paid the penalty
With my bare back
That suffered the pains
Of papa's whip…