Best Reprints Poems
The cadent curls recede upon the shore,
with fizzle sounds like brushes on a drum,
their once brave tune declined forevermore,
beneath the growing shades of a beach plum.
The shadow fingers stretch along the beach,
to close the eyelids of a sleepy sun,
on the horizon nodding her last speech,
her closing song, as her best time is done.
Yet, she leaves fervent images behind,
reprints of joyous moments on the sand,
or backwash from tides pounding so unkind,
a montage of love sketches super grand.
Before the final twilight curtain’s drawn,
seek to bask in the wonders of each dawn.
Once dreamy, butter-filled suncups,
Shining ‘neath the moonlight.
Past shadows shimmer on pond of
Evening Primrose midnight.
Spineless spirits, angel’s trumpets,
Kept as outliers, aloft.
Once shady blow - paired sleeping rocks
Covered with lamb’s ears, soft.
Dark and lightness ravish garden.
Sweet scent rediscovers
The sway of grass on little path;
Reprints of fresh lovers.
If only she’d whispered warning;
“Enter moon gate,” was said.
White creeping phlox - she’s as white as
Sole touch of garden bed.
Ticker tape life into a single frame
Moon and stars silhouettes look down upon the sane
All the pristine porcelain faces lifted up to care
Intertwined fingers optimistically seeking out repair
Tolerance is not the toiling only of the brave
To find unified understanding is what the species craves
Eating of chrysanthemums call to darkness, be eclipsed
Bathe pure enlightenment producing innocence
Causing hearts to swell with love, beating live balloons
The “Perfect world” residing within Fabergé cocoons
Ticker tape life into a single frame
Darkness and misery secreted from disdain
All distorted tarnished faces sodden with despair
Lungs expanded beyond capacity, choking on the air
Hollow heads full of sorrow roll in like crimson waves
Crashing upon hopeless steely shores with desecrated pain
Soaring far from absent shadows into the great abyss
Bitter taste of hateful words linger on pursed lips
Lacerated tongue, swollen, bleeding from its wounds
Inhuman world residing within lanolin cocoons
This is copyrighted material. All rights are reserved. Reprints must be requested in writing to
the original author. © Alisha Groves
Father's Gone
Beside the seaside the fisherman's wife,
her child in hand, walks asking about loss.
Her father, years gone, left a life of strife.
They both offer prayers with sign of the cross.
A serene light graces this seaside day.
Time seems to still as mother and child gaze
to the past and father's laughter at play.
Now he's gone in darkness and time's dim haze.
They look and pray for their hero now lost,
finding peace in this daily morning walk.
Their lives once full demanded a harsh cost,
as misery follows them, see it stalk.
But, sights and sounds ease with familiar tune
and beauty helps the sad and grieving hearts.
The pleasant weather this morn in cool June,
missing only the flights of the martes.
Soon sailors and fishermen go to sea
with nets to cast while praying for big scores.
The strolling pair pray, "return him to me",
to Neptune they each sadly implores.
Robert J. Lindley, 1-12-2016
Painting number nine
Poem number nine, Ekphrasis, (rhyme)
Inspired by-
(Morning at the Quay in Venice), by Helen Allingham
and Debbie Guzzi's ten/ten/ten challenge.
Ekphrastic: Writing on Art and Art on Writing [this site ACCEPTS reprints] http://www.ekphrastic.net/submissions.html
note: "martes"
Definitions of Martes:
noun: martens
Her Longing Heart Seeks Love's Relief
Pretty young lady, my how you steal the show
how many admiring eyes look back at you?
Perhaps a secret admirer is gazing back you know
longing to be in your private booth too.
With that handy fan hiding your shy smiles
you're features are an enticing mystery.
Clever use of your female charms or wiles
denying him such an early discovery.
What of the high stage, you alone dare grace,
could your setting look more like a throne,
or your beauty reveal more of a loving face,
while desiring you, should he walk out alone?
Alas! Society restricts such daring bold acts.
Yet, a longing mind can always find some way,
to defeat the prudish rules society enacts
she's sure there's time to steal away to kiss and play!
Robert J. Lindley, 1- 10-2016
Painting number six
Poem number six, Ekphrasis (rhyme)
Inspired by- the painting
(Theater, by Mary Cassatte 1879)
Debbie Guzzi's 10 for 10 challenge
Ekphrastic: Writing on Art and Art on Writing [this site ACCEPTS reprints] http://www.ekphrastic.net/submissions.html
Mirror mirror made of glass,
Reflex the details of the past.
Shatter not, less shards be lost,
And with them every single thought.
Blame not yourself, sweet little bird.
The accusations are absurd.
Fire and ice this day will rain,
And cleanse away the weak and sane.
Left are the strong, left is the pain,
Seal it away, forgotten again.
And so over and over the story plays,
Lost and found in so many ways.
Once upon a time, a mere flesh wound,
Was only the crack in the mirror’s swoon?
Attracted to the light that reflected there,
Caused the rift of time to tear.
This is copyrighted material. All rights are reserved. Reprints must be requested in writing to
the original author. © Alisha Groves
The Swirling Green Storm
Sea foam splattered upon his panicked face
his boat sank and life was torn asunder.
He had run away, he was a disgrace;
the storm worsened with a crack of thunder.
Each new wave tore at his weakening hold
yet he recovered, now he longed to live.
Wanting to hold her as he had of old
to taste sweet love only Kara could give.
The words formed inside, then out swift they rushed
Jacob prayed for rescue and a new start.
God, let me live, let my life not be crushed
please save me, please enter this aching heart.
Suddenly, silence, the sea stopped raging
as he had prayed he would get a new chance.
He could picture them together aging
he felt blessed by their renewed romance.
A ship rescued him, new life he could see
with many new paths to embrace with hope.
All that was needed was his heartfelt plea;
God's answer given when he could not cope.
Robert J. Lindley, 1-07-2016
Painting number one
Poem number one, Ekphrasis
http://www.georgiaokeeffe.net/blue-and-green-music.jsp
Blue and Green Music, 1919/1921 by Georgia O'Keeffe
Inspired by-
(After: Blue and Green Music - Georgia O'Keeffe 1921)
Debbie Guzzi's 10 for 10 challenge
Ekphrastic: Writing on Art and Art on Writing [this site ACCEPTS reprints] http://www.ekphrastic.net/submissions.html
Syllables Per Line:
10 10 10 10 0 10 10 10 10 0 10 10 10 10 0 10 10 10 10 0 10 10 10 10
Total # Syllables: 200
Total # Lines: 24 (Including empty lines)
Words with (syllables) counted programmatically: N/A
Total # Words: 161
I can't compare your love to a sweet red rose,
For roses whither and they die.
I can't compare your love to the deep blue sea,
For it rises and falls with the tide.
I can't compare your love to a white fluffy cloud,
For clouds have a silver lining and then they turn black as night.
I can't compare your love to a high flying kite,
For in a tree can get caught that kite.
I can't compare your love to the brightly shining sun,
For the sun rises in the east and sets in the west.
I can't compare your love to a knight in shining armor,
For his life has no meaning once he’s finished his quest.
I can't compare your love to an angel,
For angels sometimes fall from heaven to hell.
I can't compare your love to the rain of life,
For there would be no life if the rain never fell.
I can't compare your love to the pure white snow,
For when the warm spring comes it all melts away.
I can't compare your love to a beautiful butterfly,
For the lifespan of a butterfly is only for a single day.
I can't compare your love to a beautiful butterfly to see through the dark,
For once the wax is melted the light goes out.
I can't compare your love to the innocence of a new born baby,
For if it doesn’t gets its way it tends to pout.
I can't compare your love to a fish swimming free in the sea,
For if the fish are not careful they can end up on a hook.
I can't compare your love to the greatest literary work,
For when you get to the last page that’s the end of the book.
I can't compare your love to a secret tightly locked behind a door.
For the secret can be found to one, if one only had a key.
I can't compare your love to anything of value on the earth,
For our love extends beyond the heavens for all eternity.
This is copyrighted material. All rights are reserved. Reprints must be requested in writing to
the original author. © Alisha Groves
Sweet Child Of Mine
Forbid that sweet child such a long cold view.
Winter delivers weeping deep chills,
upon our careless children right on cue.
Let household joy and warmth provide her thrills!
Nay! Her wants are all bright colors in red
pleasures that intrigues her aspiring mind.
She will not find her future love if dead
or in bad, ailing health and frozen blind!
Show her Nature's soft glory in mild Spring.
Then dawn's splendor can warm her needing heart
with soft colors that inspire her to sing,
knowing clear wits are what sets us apart!
Dear child, wait for future promise, your due.
When life blesses, you'll find love which is true!
Robert J. Lindley, 1-10-2016
Painting number eight
Poem number eight, Ekphrasis (sonnet)
Inspired by - the painting
(L'Enfant au Tablier Rouge, 1886 by Berthe Morisot)
and Debbie Guzzi's 10 for 10 challenge.
Ekphrastic: Writing on Art and Art on Writing [this site ACCEPTS reprints] http://www.ekphrastic.net/submissions.html
Syllables Per Line:
10 10 10 10 0 10 10 10 10 0 10 10 10 10 0 10 10
Total # Syllables: 140
Total # Lines: 17 (Including empty lines)
Words with (syllables) counted programmatically:
Total # Words: 110
A Painted Gaze
Sitting alone in soft and easy chair
rustic gaze in artistic, painted scene.
Yet, gentle beauty leaps from face and hair
colors speaking, so softly blue and green.
Were you happiest in your painted gaze
with gentle look of a young girl so free.
Wrapped by beauty in a colored haze
your future promise holding loving key.
Sitting there in your soft and easy chair
rustic look in brilliantly painted scene.
Graceful beauty leaping from face and hair
colors speaking softly in blue and green.
Sitting alone, in a soft, striking pose.
All thats missing is a crimson red rose!
Robert J. Lindley, 1-08-2016
Painting number two
Poem number two. Ekphrasis (sonnet)
http://www.accessatlanta.com/photo/entertainment/arts-theater/eafb3613ca1a7c47fa7f435b99c7656b/pc688/
Portrait of Carol Nye Rhoades (Robinson) (1915)
oil on canvas
Inspired by -
(Portrait of Carol Nye Rhoades (Robinson) (1915)
and Debbie Guzzi's 10 for 10 challenge.
Ekphrastic: Writing on Art and Art on Writing [this site ACCEPTS reprints] http://www.ekphrastic.net/submissions.html
Syllables Per Line:
10 10 10 10 0 10 10 10 10 0 10 10 10 10 0 10 10
Total # Syllables: 140
Total # Lines: 17 (Including empty lines)
Words with (syllables) counted programmatically:
Total # Words: 100
Two Beach Strolling Sisters Discussing Their Savior
This was his virtue; that with head and heart
He saw life sanely, from all mist apart,
and spoke with such assurance as he showed
our way as straight as an old Roman road.
This was His beauty, that with bird and flower
He loved the strange revealings of each hour,
from wandering stars, from waywardness of earth;
Fountains of poesy quivered at his birth.
This was his grandeur, that in all he saw
or dreamed, he bowed before eternal law.
Knowing his soul the vassal of the King
whose realm is established by our laboring!
Robert J. Lindley, 1-10-2016
Painting number seven
Poem number seven, Ekphrasis (rhyme)
Inspired by- the painting
( Twilight Confidences, by Cecilia Beaux 1888)
and Debbie Guzzi's 10 for 10 challenge
Ekphrastic: Writing on Art and Art on Writing [this site ACCEPTS reprints] http://www.ekphrastic.net/submissions.html
Colorful Fantasy Flights
You brought color to life;
a soul seeking newer forms.
Into bright red, sandy, realms
holding rainbows in disguise,
you instead slept not
yet endured all—
with honor.
Blank canvas speaks to you
about its great thirst
and colors galore.
Your firm belief in honor and
beauty satisfies.
Did you not find heart in
brush strokes?
Sending painted glee
and with art have you not flown deep
into life's mysteries?
Robert J. Lindley, 1-09-2016
Painting number five
Poem number five, Ekphrasis (Free verse)
Inspired by-
Autumn in France by Emily Carr 1911
and Debbie Guzzi's 10 for 10 challenge.
Ekphrastic: Writing on Art and Art on Writing [this site ACCEPTS reprints] http://www.ekphrastic.net/submissions.html
Alisha
Writer, worrier, sleeper, cook
Daughter of D’Anna, Scott, Paul, Mitzie, Steve
Lover of anime, poetry, free will
Who feels isolated, alone, surpassed
Who fears failure, loss, wastefulness
Who would like to see unity, tolerance, Japan
Residence of my own little world
Groves
This is copyrighted material. All rights are reserved. Reprints must be requested in writing to
the original author. © Alisha Groves
Hidden Lake Resting Between Snowy Peaks
Cold lake in the clouds soothes his weary soul,
among towering, silent, mountain peaks.
Life's troubles have taken a heavy toll,
sadness rasping in his voice when he speaks.
He conjured better images of calm sound
on glistening snow-white sandy rock slopes.
Gentle waves, lapping over boulders round
when seen this close, no need for telescopes.
Icy chills stir fresh mountain lake airs
as he camped at his cherished hiding spot.
Here he could rest, abandoning his cares
forgetting reasons why she loves him not!
Magnificent reward for climbing here,
holding clear lake view beautifully deep,
in solitude he could abandon fear,
entering heaven's realm in restful sleep.
Robert J. Lindley, 1-09-2016
Inspired by-
Painting number four
Poem number four, Ekphrasis
Inspired by-
(Lake by Georgia Engelhard )
and Debbie Guzzi's 10 for 10 challenge.
Ekphrastic: Writing on Art and Art on Writing [this site ACCEPTS reprints] http://www.ekphrastic.net/submissions.html
Syllables Per Line:
10 10 10 10 0 10 10 10 10 0 10 10 10 10 0 10 10 10 10
Total # Syllables: 160
Total # Lines: 21 (Including empty lines)
Words with (syllables) counted programmatically:
Total # Words: 108
Note: Final draft:
Representing a safe haven, cherished refuge for his mind
to heal its emotional wounds. Mixing Nature's beauty and
man's imagination with painted scene and the artist's
canvas captured image.
Magical Mountain Where Blue Cat Resides
This Majestic mount made of magic stone;
I climbed every night as a lonely child.
Tall and regal, it stood there all alone,
symbol of a world fantastic and wild!
Atop the peaks in my racing night dreams,
I looked across earth's fantastic skies.
Resting below, forests and flowing streams
lay magic's realm where a blue cat resides.
Deep within each night's visionary quest,
I'd pray for family sleeping nearby.
Brave climber, courageous, daring his best
fantastic thrills rewards every night's try!
This Majestic mount made of magic stone
was conquered by a child of flesh and bone!
Robert J. Lindley, 1-08-2016
Painting number three
Poem number three Ekphrasis (sonnet)
Inspired by
(The Blue Cat by Pamela Colamn Smith 1907)
Debbie Guzzi's 10 for 10 challenge
Ekphrastic: Writing on Art and Art on Writing [this site ACCEPTS reprints] http://www.ekphrastic.net/submissions.html
Syllables Per Line:
10 10 10 10 0 10 10 10 10 0 10 10 10 10 0 10 10
Total # Syllables: 140
Total # Lines: 17 (Including empty lines)
Words with (syllables) counted programmatically:
Total # Words: 98