Best Raised(A) Poems
Sophie Scholl was raised a Christian in a Lutheran family
Born in the town of Forchtenberg in south west Germany
For standing defiant against evil with her young life she'd pay
In a country that was in deep turmoil and had lost its way.
She was a young teenager in nineteen thirty three
When a new leader offering hope, emerged in Germany
Adolf Hitler was an Austrian, who came to power
And for many it was the start of their darkest hour.
To unite the German people the Nazis held rallies
In some of the larger towns and all the big cities
But something dark and sinister was taking place
The evil Nazis were plotting to create a master race.
All the youth were encouraged to join an organisation
Hitler youth they were known all over the nation
Sophie and her brother together, with some of their friends
Turned their backs on the movement and vowed to make amends.
Word was getting around about death camps and persecution
Together they decided to form, a small non violent organisation
Known as the 'White Rose' who urged the people to renounce Hitler
They handed out leaflets telling the truth, about the Nazis slaughter.
One day at Munich University where Sophie studied as a student
She was seen distributing leaflets on what Nazi ideology meant
A janitor intervened and confronted her, and wouldn't let her go
She was arrested and then handed over to the notorious Gestapo.
They interrogated her to find out, who her accomplices were
But she wouldn't give them their names, as they tortured her
They charged her with high treason and sentenced her to death
To die by the guillotine and the date of execution was set.
They executed twenty one year old Sophie for making a stand
And they had accused her of being a traitor, to the fatherland
They eventually captured the others, five of them in all
And they too walked to their deaths standing proud and tall.
It’s people like Sophie who want to make the world a better place
And not supporting some twisted ideology like a master race
The Nazis were eventually defeated and their leaders tried
But not before Sophie and millions of other innocents had died.
Written 15th May 2021.
When our eyes first met, in an evening's glow of twilight
the moon was rising, the world disappeared
I saw only you
we enjoyed a calm merriment
as love's breath crossed the unmeasurable distance
where we found a glistening glimmer of sensual glint
no words were spoken, none were needed
your eyes invited an enduring treasured moment of created memory
which will last through the harvest of our day's sweet nectared blossoms
and light the dim-lit nights
of entangled romantic interludes of welcomed fervor
wrapped in the wondrous arms of wonder
found in the silhouette of lovers painted in the moon-lit dark
where our souls reveal their ambrosia, without fear
in love's timeless universe of warm adoring realms of restive emotion
found in the eyes of paradise from our first greeting
when our eyes first met
sundown raised a golden toast to star-shows lovesome muse
vesper's champagne goosebumped in our veins
and filled a vacant streambed with a shifted stream
a plenished ribbon tying the juicy bow of our dewy dream
as sparks rained down we fell like two falling stars
showered in the shimmer of our dark-sky eyes
ready for the heady rush we rushed headlong
tipsy on the musk of jasmine air
a flower tucked behind one ear
petal-soft lips in search of honey sips
with readiness flaunted like an arched red bloom
as shadows supple like summer vines seized the Venus light
costly the mossy mat beneath our sleek backs
while the phlox moon blushed a pinkened swoon with our surrender
when our eyes first met west of sunset
the evening-star star dusted our gaze
I saw only you
as rainbow seasons whirl into December's pearl
hair once raven long since faded to dove
vintage heartbeats called in the past of the hourglass
tipping the balance in the fatality of time
yet-the old night hangs a Yule moon as full
as my arms are of you-still-
I see only you
8/27/21
Thank you, dear poet, dear friend, Susan
for the beauty of your words, the beauty of your heart
both hold me in awe, I am truly inspired by your skill...Frederic
Written with sorrowful memories of the war taking
place inside the one I loved ~ through his perspective
I spent time with a friend in a low place
but that friendly face become a blur
when the frown of Jesus stared back at me
from the bottom of an empty bottle
With head in tremblilng hands, I groaned
realizing my life was upside down
and that 'friend,' my wife, had left me all alone
Remembering that phone conversation
when I said, "You left me. I can't hold you any more."
I cringed when she replied,"You left me each time
you raised a bottle to your lips."
I couldn't argue with her. She was right.
I take the blame for this weakness I despise
Hate knowing I put the tears in her eyes.
It's not easy to always be misunderstood
but no one knows the dept of my darkness
So don't preach to me about what I've done wrong
I know the words. I used to sing that song.
I've weathered times when I was cold as ice
Been rained upon beneath darkened skies
Shivered while trying to find my way home
and swore I'd change the way I live my life
Then I surrendered to the thirst, in sacrifice
Drowning in an ocean, lost in waves of doubt
only fortifified in depths beyond the shallows
where I fill a bottle with hundred proof brine
It's the elixir I call 'My besotted self-defense'
I'm fighting a war within riddled thoughts
and it's already cost me the love in her heart
I'm hoping one day I'll find peace of mind
and lay down the shield of my armament
The weapon in a bottle that I can't live without
A Little Hill in Arlington
There’s a little hill in Arlington
Where no bodies are interred
Yet crosses dot the hillside
And Taps are sometimes heard
Unlike the Unknown Soldier
With “unknowns” in the ground
This little hill in Arlington
Is for soldiers never found
I grew up without a father
He was gone when I was four
Flying for the Air Force
Back in the Korean War
His plane was ore’ the Azores
When communications ceased
The search went on for days and days
They never found a piece
My mother raised four children
Each day she learned to cope
She said until a body’s found
We’d never give up hope
The years went by just waiting
And my mother, bless her soul
Held on until her very end
To a grieving widow’s role
For fifty years we children
Had no resting place for Dad
No gravesite and no marker
No closure ever had
Then on little hill in Arlington
Where no bodies are interred
We raised a simple white cross
Dad’s Taps were finally heard
My big sister got the folded flag
And we all shed the tears
That had been bottled up inside us
For all those fifty years
Now Dad, he has a resting place
With other fallen sons
On a quiet little hillside
Right here in Arlington
He lived in a small place down by the river
Raised a few chickens and a garden to tend
Neat and clean but we knew he had little
But to us children he was a dear friend
Always ready to come play our silly games
Or happy to listen to our childish tales of woe
He knew when and where the fish were biting
His wonderful tall tales he was glad to bestow
He rode into town on his old cow names Irene
She didn’t seem to mind at times being a horse
If it rained he carried a big black umbrella
It was a sight to see, we loved it of course
You can imagine , our parents thought him odd
And I guess he was if the whole truth be told
But he was a special part of out young lives
We wouldn’t have traded him for a bucket of gold…
Believe it or not, this is a true story..
10/23/14
Barbara Gorelick- Sketch a Character contest
A fine mist, hovers close to the ground,
But it cannot be a fog.
It cannot be, it's a hundred and three,
This is desert, not a bog.
Strain as I may, I still cannot see,
The earth, that lies beneath.
Until a man, comes into view,
He gently sets a wreath.
My camera softly clicks, but once,
At the Solemn view,
I caught his eye, he walked my way,
And whispered " who are you"
I said, I'm taking photographs,
To chronicle this fight,
Just then, the mist began to clear,
My eyes beheld the sight,
For what happened here, the night before,
The worst I had ever seen.
I could not bring myself to shoot,
I just could not believe,
The soldier pointed out a patch,
On a dead mans arm,
The Stars and Stripes,smeared with blood,
Protects me from all harms.
I bowed my head, tears filled my eyes,
At the carnage I did see,
These men and women lying here,
Bravely died for me.
As I raised my head, to thank him,
The soldier with the wreath,
He briskly turned, stood up straight,
I could barely breath,
He raised a stiff hand, to his brim,
Slowly let it fall,
Then suddenly he disappeared,
If not there at all.
I walked among the fallen troops,
Looked down, could not believe,
The soldier that lay below me,
Was the one that set the wreath.
To the Soldiers of Desert Storm
I accidentally let one loose
A ripe for roasting, fattened goose!
The ganders in Orwellian mode
Honked out the news in gaggled code.
Rash Farmer Giles, blood red with rage
Would not be easy to assuage
And goslings flapped their wings in fear
As if to say ‘Get out of here!’
The rooster crowed with all his might
To publicize my sorry plight
And terror-stricken piglets squealed
As rifle cocked, he left the field.
I turned and fled: there’d be no grace
For farmer Giles had picked up pace.
But then, a crack, a curse ; a whopper!
Old Farmer Giles had come a cropper!
This close escape I did embrace
For he had run a wild goose chase!
And as I raised a thankful sigh
A cackling form went flying by!
Competition entry : I accidentally let one loose : Charles Messina 22 July N/A
Applicable Not Applicable Contests Poetry Contest : sponsored by Richard Lamoureux
19.05.19
A SONG THAT WILL ONLY MAKE SENSE
TO EAST COASTERS! (CANADA)
A heritage that we all share, our blood is maritime.
We thrill to see the Bluenose, her picture on a dime.
Emotion for an ocean, gray Atlantic ever by,
Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI.
We’ve been to L’Anse Meadows, explored the Labrador.
Cruised the Ponds in Gros Morne Park, fished Caplin from the shore.
Raised a glass at Crow’s Nest, saw the sunrise Cape Spear beach.
Sang along with Great Big Sea, kissed the Cod and drank the Screech.
We’ve inner tubed the Nashwaak, fly fished the Miramichi.
Been to Historic Village in the heart of Acadie.
Climbed the Big Bald mountain, walked on Fundy’s floor.
Coasted up Magnetic Hill, scoffed at the Tidal Bore!
A heritage that we all share, our blood is maritime.
We thrill to see the Bluenose, her picture on a dime.
Emotion for an ocean, gray Atlantic ever by,
Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI.
Sang “Farewell to Nova Scotia|”, drank Rita’s tea as well.
Danced all night at Ceilidhs, been to the Citadel.
Strolled the shore of Baddeck Bay, where the Silver Dart took flight.
Walked the wharf called Fisherman’s, the rocks at Peggy’s Light.
Sang “Bud the Spud!” with Stompin’ Tom, watched splinters fly away.
Ate lobster at church suppers, could hardly walk away.
Picked potatoes for the farmers, back in our childhood years.
Crossed Confederation Bridge, eight miles long me dears!
A heritage that we all share, our blood is maritime.
We thrill to see the Bluenose, her picture on a dime.
Emotion for an ocean, gray Atlantic ever by,
Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI.
A heritage that we all share, our blood is maritime.
We thrill to see the Bluenose, her picture on a dime.
Emotion for an ocean, gray Atlantic ever by,
Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI.
Ellis Pringle Craig, 2024.
“My God” said St. Peter “how neat
A donkey head for trick or treat!
Just two feet? I want more!”
So god gave him four
off he ran hee-haw bleat!
There Gabriel stood with his horn
He said God I really am bored!
With a poof he’s reborn
With a tail and a horn
For tonight Gab’s gone unicorn!
“Well, Heavens!” Said Beelzebub
“Now ain’t this a fine rub-a-dub!
“Can I play?”
“YES YOU MAY!”
and poof he’s an apple in tub!
Yes, God is a Hall-o-ween gaffer
And the night rang out with HIS laughter
Ghosts genuflect as they fly
Vamp’s morph to good guys
And Hosts raised a toast to hereafters!
Come Dance
"Come dance with me", she said and smiled
And he fell off his chair.
He blushed and rose and all the while
He couldn't help but stare.
Prettiest thing he'd ever saw
Was askin' him to dance.
If he could only work his jaw,
He'd dern shore take a chance.
He led her 'round the floor with ease,
And fell in love right there.
She still recalls a gentle breeze,
But not a breath of air.
He gave up drinkin', runnin' 'round,
She filled up her hope chest.
He wouldn't lose what he had found,
She felt that she was blessed.
They bought a place just west of town
And filled it full of cows.
That ranch has never let them down,
They never broke their vows.
Now fifty years have come and passed,
They raised a crop of boys.
The grandkids all are girls at last,
They make a lot less noise.
He rocks upon the porch awhile,
Her voice comes from within.
He knows she says it with a smile,
"Come dance with me again."
A few days past, at a stop sign
Eager to hit the road,
Waiting at the back of the line
And obligated to return by nine.
To my hypocrisy, this is an ode.
See, I hope for a world of giving
Where needs are always met
Where sins can find forgiving
And all are peacefully living
Though I’ve done something I regret.
For, as I pulled up to the street
I was approached by another,
Who wore no shoes upon his feet
I thought a thought of pure conceit,
How could I call you, brother?
He raised a soiled hand to wave
His weary eyes found mine
If I’d had cash I might’ve gave
But sit and talk, I wouldn’t brave.
Certainly, he’d be fine.
See, I hope for a world of giving
Where needs are always met
Where sins can find forgiving
And all are peacefully living
So how did I forget?
I hit the gas and sped away
And watched in the rear-view
Why I did it, I can’t convey
And in the mirror he faded away
A scene I’ll ever rue.
If anything within my mind
His form is amplified
Hauntingly, the thing I find,
within guilt’s prison, now confined
I nurse remorse unsatisfied.
See, I hope for a world of giving
Where needs are always met
Where sins can find forgiving
And all are peacefully living
So why did I forget?
Why did I forget?
4/20/15
Great are his exploits
honour and rank
he's celebrated
he's immortalized
He's fondly recalled
Back to memory
The great legends of Old..
Great Chief Waiyaki wa Hinga..
Aged nine he killed a lion
with his bare hands...
When the imperialist came.. Waiyaki..
Raised a huge Army armed with bows and arrows
Testing the might of the staff which spat fire
Fore told by the great seer Mugo Wa Kibiru..
..see people dressed like butterflies
they come from the sea of the hawk
and move on an iron caterpillar to the
lake of the eagle.. they carry a walking staff
which spits fire killing instantly... your weapons
will be useless when faced with this magical staff..
The great seer advised the people to learn
The pale skinned colonizers magic..
At right time armed with the right knowledge
The land of the slopes of Kerenyaga..
Will be liberated by its sons
The mountain of splendor and mysteries
Where people since ages ago have offered prayers
To the Supreme Deity Ngai Murungu..
Who is all loving and of good virtual
The supreme deity's Prophet Mugo wa Kibiru...
Is office of the chief seer..
Water Tabernacle the resting place of - Managi
The greatest Holy relic and the Box that is the relic
I recap they say Great Chief Waiyaki
Was betrayed by the pale colored..
foe he had called blood brother..
Angry Waiyaki took out his favorite club..
Mathiokore.. it was nicknamed..
Within minutes brains of the Great captain
were scattered on our rich soils
The invaders captured Waiyaki..
Our great Chief and opened his skull
Waiyaki died not.. they buried him alive
Head facing downwards.. Great Chief..
You should have heeded the Great seers
prophecy..
...don't allow the butterflies to enter your homesteads...
Buried alive..
Immortal Warrior king fate
The annual pilgrimage around
Kereenyaga - the abode of Ngai
Goes on each year.. pilgrims
Make seven stops as they
Circumbulate the Holy Mountain..
Of stories and more stories from the land
Where gods.. immortals.. and mortals
Rub shoulders looking each other..
Eye to eye... tales of KENYA
code 254
LEWIS NYAGA
IV
Once more I have been given cause to dwell
On that ill-fated romance;
I saw you again yesterday, years hence...was
It just another casual dalliance?
The affected tilt of your cruel and
Arrogant chin, the high piling of a mass of
Staggering auburn hair;
And often I have wondered, just how did it
Come about that former calamitous affair?
Spontaneous they say? Personally I suspect
It was all rather contrived.
At that moment when I looked into those
Unaging, dispassionate eyes,
Still so very black, still so very heroically
Beautiful,
Although saddened with all the sorrows
Of a tragedy that only he and you full knew,
I found what had always been there and was
Most evident...
I needs not guess at your deeper discontent:-
A blind man's tale of lust and infidelity;
Your abhorrence of those sworn oaths that set
Sharpened keels upon white breakers of a
Sapphire sea.
I watched as you raised a hot cappuccino
To those perfect lips.
But what cared he for war and death? He took
His chance, plunged his mouth - and kissed!
The day had started normally and no way had I reckoned
when Mum had washed the breakfast pots that stardom was to beckon.
Waiting on the pavement, passing dogs who were not used
to what they saw, jumped up and barked- their owners looked bemused.
Total strangers, pretty girls, the driver of the bus,
they all queued up to talk to me and some made quite a fuss.
The older folk asked how I was and Mum told them I'm healthy,
the younger ones with phones in hand sneaked up and took a selfie.
A nurse though rarely raised a brow when we walked through the door,
a veteran of lads like me she'd seen it all before.
In A&E* she commented "Lad, let it not be said
you'll ever be short of company with a saucepan stuck on your head".
(*A&E- Accident and Emergency)
Finding You
( to my wife Barbara, just because)
by Franklin Price
6/8/2018
Finding you has been the best thing
That ever happened in my life
Beginning when I met you
Better since you've been my wife
We both were less than happy
Was not hard to understand
Marriage was a disappointment
Before my ring was on your hand
Won't say it's all been easy
Life's just not to be that way
I've never had one real regret
Since you said yes that day
We've worked through every obstacle
Together we would persevere
Raised a daughter to be proud of
She turns fifty this fine year
She has born two fine daughters
We know both of them are grand
They're thriving in this world of ours
That's not too hard to understand
We have been empty nesters
For more than just awhile
Every day when I awake with you
I look and have to smile
I pray its far from over
Many years before the end
No man could have a better wife
Or any better friend
No it's not our anniversary
Or any other special day
Just woke up there beside you
And thought there's something I should say
Finding you is still the best thing
That's ever happened in my life
Every day I thank the good Lord
For the years you've been my wife