Best Responded Poems
strophe
I stand on the snow covered mountain
Colorful vase of flowers
Slopes with flower beds laden
I saw the snow lotus flowers
I asked, “Why are you all alone here?
Beauty is meant to be adored.
Should give yourself to somebody
Before your petals fall to dust soon, dear.
What if I crushed your petals, I asked
As at these heights, you are quite lonely”..
antistrophe
One of the flowers quickly responded
“I enjoy the shelter of blue skies.
I would be too glad
If you choose to crush my petals
My fragrance will spread everywhere.
Fulfilling the purpose and duty
If destroyed, not admired.
By plucking my petals, remember
You won’t gather my beauty,
Beauty is to see, not to be plucked'.
epode
“O’ lotus, you teach wisdom to man
Praise her beauty, don’t destroy her.
It is the gladdest thing under the sun
Touch a hundred flowers not pick ever”
O’ man, pluck not wayside flower even
It is the traveler’s dowers.
Silently a flower blooms alone
And in silence it falls down
If I am worth many pleasures,
I think I am too few then”.
===================================
June 15, 2014
Form : Ode
First Place win in
Contest: My favorite poem by Carol Eastman
===================================
Form: Ode (the Homostrophic or Horatian Ode)
Rhyme scheme: ABABCDECDE (Ten lines)
Second place winner in
Contest: Ode sponsored by Jared Pickett
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
This is the English Ode, also called the Homostrophic or Horatian Ode.
The Romantic Ode often followed the Irregular Ode's structure
and the Homostrophic Ode's meditative quality.
====================================
The poem also won the second place in the International Poetry
Contest of 2011 by Poetry Soup.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I know that I’m not perfect, just go and ask me wife.
At times she’s kind of said - I’m the bane of her life,
but on her better days she wouldn’t trade me for a thing,
and sometimes she has even thanked me for the ring.
Sometimes I overlook a mite and pile clothes on the floor;
leave a beer can in the lounge room or forget to shut a draw.
The toilet seat might be left up; grease in the bathroom sink,
and of course I cop a barrage - “Don’t you ever bloody think!”
I put up a slight defence I s’pose to save me on the skids,
I reminded her I’m not as bad as either of our kids,
but remarks like that cause suffering; the vote goes three to one,
so I had to do some crawling for the damage that I done.
The crawling that I had to do is behind their Mother’s back,
but once again a big mistake saw her leading an attack.
In a request for gaining brownie points I should have chose a cat,
but the kids insist they wanted me - to buy them a pet rat.
We snuck this rat into the shed and they both named it Brad,
but our female ‘Sergeant Major’ went completely bloody mad.
She really stuck the boots in; especially into me …
making promise of a firing squad if neglect soon came to be.
But both the kids then promised to satisfy their Mother’s rage,
that Brad will be looked after; well fed in the cleanest cage.
They pampered Brad for two months - treated like a king,
then the novelty wore off - Mum was doing everything.
So at the dinner table Mum declared she’d had enough.
Maintaining to our children that it has got too tough.
He’s too much work for one and because that one is me,
he’s going to have to leave and the kids did half agree.
Then Mother added furthermore, “I’m sick of his daily mess,
and right now I note he’s eating, and drinking to excess.”
Me eldest boy then quietly spoke, by adding “Mum you’re right,
if he didn’t eat and drink so much, he could stay is that right?”
Mum responded firmly, “Correct, he could stay for evermore,
if he had used better manners and cleaned his mess off the floor,
now go to the shed and grab the cage, and in the car put Brad …”
“Brad!” Me youngest ‘fella’ bawled - “We thought you said Dad.”
Though Santa never responded to pleas
There was just one gift on my list each year
A horse that could run at the speed of light
A bold little gal; I never had fear
With two high school friends I visited a ranch
To ride in 103-degree heat
Through the bramble bushes and prickly pears
Upon little “Misty” I took my seat
The Mustang Adoption Program’s success
Sparked ranchers from Tucson, Arizona
To give a home to a rust-colored mare
Many miles from my home near Daytona
Cryptic white markings graced Misty’s neck
Looked like words in Native American code
“She’s so small,” I whined, seeking to ride fast
But no matter, to the desert we rode
Even the roadrunners were envious
When Misty gained speed and hit her full stride
Warp speed! I clung to the saddle horn
As Misty passed larger horses with pride
My hat fell on a cactus, sweat filled my eyes
My life flashed before me, quite a surprise
It seemed like she had wings as we flew
Don’t be quick to judge a horse by its size
I thank Misty often for the ride she gave me
She fulfilled my dream and gave me a thrill
But on the news today a reporter said
Wild horses would now be rounded up and killed
I’m so grateful I had the chance to ride
A wild horse with spirit and awesome speed
But what will become of her ancestors
Misty’s now part of a vanishing breed
*For Frank's "One Standout Day" contest
by Carolyn Devonshire
Fear not death
when it comes for you...
Death is not a monster,
not even a master, but
a servant--
having no more choice
in the taking of you than
you have in the going....
And if you are defiant,
telling lonely Death,
"By my hand, not yours,
I will set my own fate!"
Death will smirk, laugh,
and say without rancor:
"Take my job, please!
It has never given me
a moment's pleasure.
To be forever feared,
hated, despised--
when all I have ever done
was to open a door....
But know, proud human,
(the only animal who
disputes my work),
when YOU turn the knob,
yes, to eternity's door...
it may not lead you
to the same place
as when I open it."
I knew his meaning,
responded contritely:
"Fear not, Death--
I will not resist
your silent coming.
I know Who issues
your deadly orders.
Forgive us humans
for our denial:
we keep forgetting
we exist always, and
this life is but
a scratch in time."
If I never write another poem again
Will you remember me
All the parts of my heart I exposed
The morsels of my soul
The intricacies
The pain
My manufactured pieces of joy
Humor
Wisdom from a fools pen
Stains dripped from a troubled mind
I sit here with head in hand
Looking at a blank page
Fearing I have nothing left to say
Coaxing my brain to respond
Drip
Drip
A word
A corresponding heart beat
An image projected
Displayed
Choreographed
Spinning
Coming to life
I wish you to reach out
Take it in your hand
Feel touch
Smell
live within the space
Allow the idea to expand
Grow beyond a page
Put leaves on my trees
Climb my branches
Drink from my streams
Add color to my rainbow
Breathe through my lungs
See through my looking glass
For if I never write another poem again
I can sigh and say
It has all been worthwhile
You heard my call
Responded
Understood
Seen the previously unseen
Walked along my landscapes
Left a part of yourself
Drank from my cup
Sat at my table
You my honored guests
The one I will remember
For you are the reason
My pen drips and my heart smiles
You help me remember
To see
To believe
One word at a time
Entry for PD's Free Verse Contest
Until recently many had never heard of this man's name
But tragic circumstances have catapulted him to fame
A lawyer and a comedian then in two thousand and eighteen
He decided to become involved in the Ukraine's political scene.
In two thousand and ninteen he won the presidency
And vowed to maintain freedom and democracy
Once in office he worked hard, giving it his best
And wanted a good relationship with countries in the west.
Alarm bells rang in Moscow and a decision was made
Putin wanted the Ukraine back and decided to invade
He thought it would be easy and over in a few days
But didn't account for the Ukrainians, who didn't want the old ways.
He called on his people to bear arms and to stand up and fight
Thousands came forward to stand against Russia's military might
They had once won freedom and wanted to keep it at any cost
But Russian aggression then bombed cities with many lives lost.
It has been a week now the Ukrainians are not giving in
And sending a clear message to the aggressor Putin
Who's responded with barbaric acts of total aggression
And unleashed on civilians, weapons of mass destruction.
President Zelensky has been offered the chance to get away
But said " I'm fighting for my country and here I will stay"
Whatever the outcome of this conflict he will stay until the end
He's an honourable man and on one you can depend.
The whole world is behind him and holds him in admiration
He stands ready to fight and give his life for his proud nation
To retain Ukraine's freedom he will do everything that he can
And compared to the aggressor Putin he's ten times the man.
Written 3rd March 2022
Poetry Soup and America, 2019
A country rich in schools and diversity.
Many here have esteemed college degrees,
Yet, why do Americans communicate by smileys?
Worse, we cannot hold a conversation
Neither on the telephone, nor in person
"Gotta run, gotta go", "Text me later".
Why did I ever go to a university?
Why does anyone ever want to go?
You will end up like the rest, living
your entire day on texts!
Unable to write a complete sentence.
Even a 6th grader can do this!
The nation writes in practically Morse
Code,
Or at best, something eerily similar.
Even phone calls, once appreciated,
Get hit with the same darn plague.
"Gotta Go", is all the rage.
This poet feels is human outrage!
Thus, Poetry Soup, is a place,
Where one can be fully heard and
be responded to.
Not in a technological, cold way of
symbols,
But in a fully, intelligent, literal
level. I do mean sentences!
No baby words here, nobody would
listen.
Cute keyboard keys leave me cold.
Can't I use words instead of LOL?
Do I have to use -)) ?
Ugh! With great online sources for
words, I stand in shame for not so doing.
Where are we all rushing to?
What's our ultimate human destination?
Why do I sign PR, in such an absurd way?
Panagiota is a much more beautiful name.
In a world that adores instant delusion!
To be part of obnoxious technology and
revolution,
For me, can be a tragically sad,delusion.
However, to be part of The Poetry Soup, is a most blessed and joyous conclusion.
Panagiota Romios
4/29/2019
9:15am
A slight hint of consternation was in her voice,
“Why did you tell those people I’m deaf and dumb?”
“I never said you were deaf, my Dear.”
She laughed, but I kinda felt like a bum.
Hell. It was just a joke.
One evening, she asked, “Will you love me if I get chubby?”
I responded, “Of course I still love you.
It would take much more than pounds and cellulite
To make me fall out of love…it’s true.”
Hell. It was just a joke.
“Would you remarry if I die before you?” she asked.
I said, “No…probably not…I’ve been spoiled by you.”
“But you’ve been a great husband. I think you should.”
“Whatever happens, happens is the best I can do.”
“If you remarried, would you play golf with your new wife?
And would you let her use my clubs?” she demanded.
I calmly smiled and said, “Your clubs are safe.
You see, my Dear…she’s left handed.”
Hell. It was just a joke.
Then, she whined and whined about her butt.
I responded, “Want to knock some inches off that ass?
It may sound strange, but I heard it works….
Rinse all your panties in Slim Fast.”
Hell. It was just a joke.
The next day, I readied for work, took ‘undies’ from my drawer.
They were engulfed in a fog of white, why I didn’t know.
So, I asked, “Honey! Why did you put talcum powder on my shorts?”
She slyly smiled, “That’s not talcum powder. That’s Miracle Gro.”
Hell. It was just a joke....I guess.
So, what is my wife’s most endearing feature?
Her sense of humor.... there’s no doubt.
Always a smile where angst or anger might have been,
A smile I never want to be without.
From the moment we met, he played a game
Started out telling me to guess his name
And when I asked, “Don?”
He responded, “Right on!”
This lucky guess led to more of the same
“What do you think I do for a living?”
I hesitated, had some misgivings
“Steer the space shuttle?”
Got no rebuttal
So on this roll, I felt I was winning
“Bet you a kiss you don’t know where I live”
My mind was draining faster than a sieve
“A beachfront villa?”
(The truth would kill ya)
So many guessing games I now relive
After dating three months, his wife found out
Burst into our love nest, called him a lout
Eight kids behind her
All hungry they were
Don Juan he was, but surely no space scout
If you meet a man and he asks you to guess
Take it from me and avoid this distress
He may be akin
To Rumpelstiltskin
The anger later is hard to suppress
Now I’ve learned to turn the tables on men
Asking them to “guess” again and again
My private life hid
Won’t remove the lid
And I’ve convinced some that MY name’s John Glenn
*Entry for Shadow's "Let's Have Some Fun" contest
A whirlwind romance, so many feelings…
Dancing around my heart, so thrilling.
I said “I love you” first and felt a little vulnerable…
Finally, he said it too and I felt incredible.
We held hands every night, kissed and whispered…
All about our thoughts and passions, ideas and inspirations.
I began to feel a part of me was missing without him….
And he said he felt the same way I did, fully content with me.
A million words later, past the first of the “I love you’s”….
We began to bring up the bigger questions, the kids and houses.
I told him I would be happy with three and he said one would do…
But slowly we decided on two, the perfect number for a family.
We became so close it felt like I was undressed in his sight…
Even when I was fully clothed and closing in on a fight.
The mutual trust, the bond, the feelings that corresponded…
All a part of the relationship we had grown into something special.
He said, though, that he was sure he didn’t want to marry…
I felt a little like the first girl who had ever been told this detail.
Two months into the relationship, though, he got down on his knee…
Gave me a hopeful look and spoke the words I’d been hoping to hear.
Will you marry me? He said it with a smile into my eyes.
I looked back and responded quickly,… “yes” …
This would be the beginning of a long and lasting love…
A true joy, hope and faithful love that had been sent from above.
Will You Marry Me? - Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Judy Konos
If you havn't read my other Orange Crush pieces, please start at the beginning. If you like them consider reading on.
Ricky jumped off the footstool holding me tightly in his little hand. I could feel his imagination coming to life. Within his mind the clear water had turned a brilliant orange and as he drank from me he could feel the bubbles tickling his throat. I felt alive with the possibilities this imagination of his would bring to light.
The rest of the evening consisted of eating and watching images flashing on a square box. It rather bored me because they were in black and white, I much preferred looking out the picture window at people doing their thing and cars driving by. Real life was much clearer and had a lot more colors. As it got darker out, the color all seemed to fade away. I think I prefer day time. Ricky's mom said it was time for the kids to brush their teeth and go to bed. They all rushed up the stairs and I was left on the coffee table.
Ricky's mom was cleaning up and grabbed me and three Coke bottles that Dadio had emptied. She carried us to the kitchen and placed us in a segregated box beneath the sink. Just as she was about to close the door, little Ricky ran into the room and said "where's my bottle" mom responded "What do you want with a silly bottle?" he responded "I like it" His mom smiled, pulled me out of the case and handed me to Ricky. If I were able to smile I would have had a toothy grin of my own.
More adventures for "Soda Pop" if there is enough interest to carry on with the story.
Said the fauna to the flora, upon the forest floor
“Which tree is the tallest, is it the Sycamore?”
The Tulip tree was listening and answered “it is me”
To which the Pine responded “Can neither of you see?"
"When it comes to being tall clearly I am very!”
“I’m not so sure, you sappy bore”, chimed the nearby Cherry.
“Such crowing from my forest friends and foolish paranoia”
“It is I, without a doubt!” Exclaimed the great Sequoia
“Nonsense!” said a gnarly tree “Till now I have not spoke"
"The grandest tree, for all to see Is me the Mighty Oak!"
The forest filled with endless boasts as the night came creeping
The stately Spruce called for a truce, the willow tree was weeping.
Said the Flora to the Fauna as the day departed,
“Happy now my mossy friend, just look at what you started!”
They come from a different era
where patriotism is a just cause
they would fight for the true blue
never mind who was right or wrong
they stood staunch and egos proud
their chest out, backs straight and chins up
they come from an old style of thinking
I fight today as my father and grandfather did too.
fighting for an eye for an eye tooth for a tooth
I will die to serve my country even if its a lie
if you try to invade our land
we will come and conquer you
we are defenders of the truth
but the old timers forget
and the young ones have a narrow point of view
there was a time when the immigrants were Irish, Italians and jews
racism was rampant and that hasn't changed
Christians today still preach
'Jesus is savior they say repent your evil ways
pushing their rhetoric just like the roman empire did
amazingly America seems to be doing the same
history seems to repeat itself time and time again
war, religion, oil and what we perceive as freedom
we invade again and again and call it defending democracy
yet the intelligence comes from spies and other governments
because they have shared interests in different types of policy
they all carefully choose their words
because one slip of the lip could trigger war as it has happened before
todays war on terrorism is a campaign designed to instill pain
and un-trust to drain our resources from us
And our leader claimed up front this is not a religious war
yet he paraphrases from the bible we'll get those evil doers
you see bush fooled our religious leaders too.
he used their belief in Jesus he tricked 'em all just to get their vote
he claims he's a born again Christian and this Christians embraced him holly
but then one day bush spoke to Jesus and asked what to do with Iraq
Jesus responded Invade that country
Now dont get me wrong Jesus was not about war
he taught of peace, love and compassion
however his message has been twisted and turned over time
and history shows the hands of Christian religious leaders are always bloody
because they twist the truth to control dictatorship is always the goal
Bush had been plaining war before a judge handed him the seat
on his first day he signed a bill into law prevent any criminal charges against him
When He Kissed Me (Original Poem)
What a good night kiss! I think I've fallen in love.
Each time you take my hand and pull me close to you,
there's a trembling in my heart. I hope you feel it, too.
Something in me responded to the warmth of that kiss.
So gentle; I felt like a flower caressed by morning mist.
The touch of your lips on mine. Oh, the memory lingers.
Love the way you hold my hand and entwine our fingers.
It must be love! I want to sing words of passion's song.
Stay wrapped in your arms and dance all night long.
My dream tonight will be so sweet, for I will be with you.
And by the time night is over and the sky has turned blue,
I will have confessed my love with each whispered breath.
A love to pale the brightest diamond; to last beyond death.
If love is meant to be, meet me in the black velvet sky.
Close your eyes, take my hand, and away we will fly
through the light of golden stars and silver moonbeams.
Good night, Darling. I love you. I'll see you in my dream.
..............................................
His Kisses Still Make Me Tremble (Revisited)
"Good night, Darling. I love you. I'll see you in my dream."
Years ago I said those words; you still make my eyes gleam.
They sparkle with love for you that grows deeper every day.
No longer must I dream of you. You're in my arms to stay.
Each time you kiss me now I'm reminded of our first.
When you gently touch my lips you quench my thirst.
There's still a trembling in my heart when I look at you
from a bud in my dream, our love blossomed and grew.
I'm no longer alone when the morning sun begins to shine.
Waking next to you makes me grateful that you're mine.
I whisper in soft breath, "Good morning to you, my love,"
then we sing passion's song as tenderly as cooing doves.
That we were meant to be together, I knew from our first kiss,
and when we've both grown old, I will smile when I reminisce
about the sweet moment I found a love that will never die.
Darling, we will always soar together in the black velvet sky.
...............................................................................
2.29.2016 Famous Last Line Contest by Laura Loo
OF AN EBONY HUED MID-SUMMER NIGHT DREAM
(Apropos of We Kings, Queens, and The Fiery Furnace)
Indeed, this is a day the Lord has made:-
Considering last night’s revelation dreaming,
Waking up into this day the Lord has made,
I must enjoy and be glad for being still vertical.
Although “The Great Dream” may have been deferred,
Indeed, it has not been forgotten and deterred.
Oh, they may have murdered its dreamer, but
His and our liberation dream is immortal:-
Looking out over the horizon of our challenged life,
It is realized that we Exodus people have come a long way;
Survivors of the blood-stained shadows of horrific death:-
And we have come this far on the sojourn by faith.
Yes, we have come this far by an inherent faith—continuing
To maintain and sustain us in the present perils of our lives:-
And as African-Americans, surviving in this deemed “promise land”,
We’ve had and continue to have a special kind of relationship with God.
During our living experiences here during and after debilitating slavery,
We’ve seen, heard, felt, and responded to the Word of God in ways that
Are unique to us as an African people of God; for indeed, as chosen ones,
We’ve always been able to sing and praise God in truth and in holy spirits.
Reflecting on the truth of ourstory, it is realized that we are of a people
Whom many would have expected to have stopped singing and praying
A long time ago; yet, from generation to generation, we’ve just kept on
Singing and praising and trusting in the love of God and His redemption.
Indeed, sacred revelations continue to bring us from extermination
To exaltation, from degradation of dignity, from nobody to somebody;
With wide wondering eyes on the prize, we continue to sojourn onward
For our eyes have seen His glory as we have continued marching in His truth.
Indeed, we not only believe but know that in the savior’s favor
Life is and while our perils may endure here a little while longer,
We know that a liberating joyful stay here on earth is on the horizon
Promised by that very present help to those who live in good trouble;
Thus, let us not be exhausted nor deterred by the ghost tyranny
But with undying faith and spiritual strength, let us victoriously
Demonstrate that we are not of the children of Sisyphus’ fate;
But living reflections of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego:-