Best Ritchie Poems
Twin, silver cathedral bells, sway and chime.
As every note peals out, clear and sublime.
No winds blow through the sky, this silent night.
The peaceful heavens, filled with a celestial light.
Arm in arm, down the icy lane we do walk.
Heart to heart, our souls they seem to talk.
A pair of happy cardinals, one red, one gold.
Go bobbing through the snow, so white, so cold.
Along the hillside, stands rows of frosted pine.
The fields, blanketed in diamonds, a vision divine.
Couples, young and old, seated in horse-drawn sleighs.
Making new memories, and reminiscing their by-gone days.
Nestled so close together, like two turtledoves.
All bundled up, with warm scarves and gloves.
Amongst white winter lands, we two do wander.
While our light hearts, are growing ever fonder.
Written for Isaiah Zerbst's contest - "Let It Snow-12 Paintings of Winter"
This poem was inspired by the painting-"Christmas Day" by John Ritchie
Categories:
ritchie, nature, romantic, snow, winter,
Form:
Rhyme
There has to be a heaven for musicians
A place for old singers to go
Their music still touches our lives
As they did years ago
Ray Charles transcended music type
From country to rock to blues
Ritchie Valens was only seventeen
When his death hit the morning news
Jim Croce sang about Leroy Brown
While Nillson would croon Without You
Janis Joplin would make you rock
And Stevie Ray would make you blue
I still watch old Ozzie and Harriet shows
Just to hear Ricky Nelson sing
Harry Chapin took his last Taxi ride
And Elvis is still the king
John sang of peace and love
While George's guitar would gently weep
Conway's music wasn't Make Believe
I hear their music in my sleep
John Denver's in the Rocky Mountains High
And Del Shannon seeks his Runaway
Rainy Days and Mondays made Karen sigh
While Otis sat On the Dock of the Bay
Jimi Hendrix played the meanest guitar
Roy's voice couldn't get any higher
Bobby Darin searched Beyond the Sea
And Jim Morrison said Light My Fire
There has to be a Heaven for musicians
For all those who have paid their dues
Where the music will live forever
From rock n' roll to rhythm and blues.
Categories:
ritchie, music, nostalgia, old, music,
Form:
Rhyme
Temperatures fall on this late September day
She paces, thousands of times, back and forth
along with the soft sounds of Lionel Ritchie playing
in the old sitting room,
the room where they spent many a night
lying in front of a wood burning fire
sipping wine and sharing plans and dreams,
she peers out the large casement window
in hopes to see
if the mail had been delivered
if there was a letter for her
he was usually there by now
but the snow must have slowed him down
finally he has arrived.
That long walk to the end of the drive
bundled in her warmest jacket, scarf wrapped tightly
underneath her pure white ear muffs
wearing anything and everything
to keep the elements at bay.
finally she arrives
Her heart races, and with one peek, she smiles
grabs that letter and just cant wait
closes her eyes and holds it close to her face
she can smell his musk
she can imagine his soft touch
delicately she opens it up and reads :
My beloved
I long for the night when we can be together
to run my fingers through that silky hazel hair
tread my kisses down your neck
rub my hands across your soft toned olive skin
to slowly and passionately kiss you
like a real woman needs to be kissed
My beloved
I can't wait for the days I can hold you tight
when I can protect you
pamper you
make sweet love to you
My beloved
You are in my every thought and in my dreams
I think of you before I sleep
and again when I wake
I can picture those salty almond eyes
gazing into mine
until the end of time
My beloved I shall return to you shortly
I L U
I'm Yours Forever
Tears slowly fall down her blushed cheeks
The cold no longer bothers her
and her sated heart and the snowflakes begin to melt
Categories:
ritchie, love, , sweet love,
Form:
Free verse
As I sip on aged Cognac
swirling in circular sadness,
contained within cup made
of broken stained glass memories,
I witness.
Witnessing Cloud 9’s silhouette
surround this glued enigma.
Lionel Ritchie was the rock for this moment’s bliss.
“Truly in love,
with
you.”
Emanating across cathedral uncertainty,
breaking its glass.
This was a celebration of priceless Silver.
A currency only earned by the Philanthropists of Love.
Creating justifiable fantasies
with attainable dreams.
It was amor, maintained.
While I sip on Cognac’s remnants,
mixed with retina’s loneliness,
dripping
downwards
with smile craving soul-pack solution,
I exhale.
In “Deep Sigh” Symphony: No. 9.
With my ventricle chambers
kissing subconscious on forehead,
in preparation for dream come true.
Because one day,
that will
be
me.
© Drake J. Eszes
Categories:
ritchie, anniversary, devotion, husband, life,
Form:
Free verse
Concerto of the Enchanting Night
Arabic Poem by: Fadhil Aziz Farman *
Translated Into English by:
Inaam Al-Hashimi (Gold_N_Silk)
=========================
You suggest the songs
And leave me deep
In the splendor of the rhythm and melody.
Drag my day out of the dream to wakefulness
I have not known
But the philosophy of dreams
In all my days.
You suggest the songs
And leave me floating in a wave of fragrance
Showered down By Lynol Ritchie
With his love songs
Or by Yanni with his tunes.
And dance
Do the tango
Do the waltz
Do the ballet or the jerk dance
Dance as you please
Or spin around the Earth-pole,
O symbol of amazing taste,
Rouser of lightning in the sky,
And crown of all beauties.
Here I am intoxicated
By the melody pulsating in your figure
And by the bashful roses
On your cheeks,
O sweet wine in my chalice and my vats.
You suggest the songs
And at the end of the round
Put your head on my chest,
O child of my poems,
And listen to my heart singing them
With the virgin tears of joy
Flowing down the violin’s cheek.
You suggest the songs
You suggest the melody
And hint the sweet words
They’ll come to you
Then hold me to your chest like a child.
I will need your ear
To whisper to you
All that baffles my heart
And my tongue
You suggest the songs
And strew them
Such as roses
On the desert of my life.
What remains for us
Of all our years,
But joy
Strewn like roses
And like dew
On the seconds?
*********
Translated by Em. Prof. Inaam Al-Hashimi
USA
* Fadhil Aziz Farman is a poet from Iraq
---------------
The original poem in Arabic https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10202962662165969&set=p.10202962662165969&type=1&theater
Categories:
ritchie, arabic, dance, for her,
Form:
Prose Poetry
Freedom! always hear
ritchie havens shout it out
always makes me smile
* #25 angel card
Categories:
ritchie, inspirational
Form:
Haiku
During the past weeks I’ve been having mental leaks,
Over situations
Can’t force anyone to eat,
I even had to question my manhood
It was too easy for me to weep,
Struggling with extreme discomfort
It’s like having sores under my feet.
Tried very hard but the willingness couldn’t meet,
And now I’m viewing it through the rear,
Where did I go wrong?
Did I actually go wrong?
Can’t seem to get an answer
Same old song
Being pushed to the curb
All night long
Lionel Ritchie,
I preferred if she danced on the ceiling
Rather than see me here
Then attempt to skip me.
Double Dutch
Jumping around the main issues,
Take a second
Can you put yourself in my shoes?
Am I over reacting?
Or simply too dumb to take cues?
It’s hard for me to sit idle while watching you lose
That ******** you claim it’s not an excuse
You are a project for abuse
Your aura is becoming loose
I hear you loud and clear
I should have known what to do.
Categories:
ritchie, conflict,
Form:
Free verse
shimmer,go plastic
bombastic lover of choice
my voice quakes,we wait
Categories:
ritchie, art,
Form:
Haiku
Ricky was a poor little fool
Chuck was heading back to school
Mark for his teen angel he did grieve
But Conway knew it was only make believe
Tell Laura I love her Ray did cry
And Jack said goodbye baby bye bye
Ritchie sang about Donna and Ooh my head
Rave on rave on Buddy said
All Don and Phil had to do was dream
Turning Fabian loose made the girls all scream
It's a shame Big Bad John had to die
Mary was telling everyone that's my guy
A runaway tore Del's love apart
Frankie said just ask your heart
Those poni tails were born too late
While Floyd was thinking about his last date
Tommy asked please Mister Sun
The Beach Boys were having fun fun fun
Maurice was pleading for us to stay
Jimmy was on the way to Bim Bom Bay
The Crystal's sang when they got kissed
Chubby wailed let's do the twist
Brother's felt like Cathy's Clown
There were three bells for Jimmy Brown
Leader of the pack didn't get too far
Connie went where the boys are
Someone told me about a teenage queen
And Johnny was crying for Maybelline
Del Vikings said come and go with me
Bobby took us beyond the sea
While Jerry Lee was shaking up
This Time Troy was breaking up
Bobby sang please love me forever
But Johnny said until the twelfth of never
So many songs touched us then
Susie Darlin' , I remember when.
Song title in every line. If you remember them all, you can remember just how
great those years were.
Categories:
ritchie, music, nostalgia, love, me,
Form:
Rhyme
Lily White was in the mood for sweets
Walking the streets
Came across pastry treats
Modern Royals pull out a dessert spread
Enough that armies could be fed
Magpie this Magpie that
Oh mag pies get Lily White fat
Picking up one in the first half
Modern Royals snickered with a laugh
Preparing Lily White to be a wife
Since this was a get Ritchie
Pitch me
Quickie plan
Evening up excited the fans
Until Kane went double dipping
Hoping for a newspaper clipping
Lily White deserved tipping
Making all the hats removed
An action gentlemanly and smooth
While the wolves needed a tasting of wine
Burnley was chosen to dine
A casual meeting
Level competing
Less than fifteen to go Wolves put the score into the show
But before the curtain dropped
A piece of wood got hot
Penalty was assessed
Goal awarded to Clarets a success
Draw was written into the book
Climatic ending was a good hook
Mr. Bourne who had a mouth
Met with the citizens who reminded him to get out
Public’s two pences were heard
Mr. Bourne’s cherries curled
Showing some respect
They let him have one avoiding the train wreck
Tomorrow is another day
Peaceful play
That is recorded winner in every way
Categories:
ritchie, england, london, princess, soccer,
Form:
Rhyme
Ritchie Valens sings our way to the country,
Filling the aerostar with boogie woogie.
Ocassionally Pops eyes appear in
The rear view mirror,
Staring intently at us but,
Sidel never notices,
Eyes sunken into Stephen King Novels.
Annoyingly to my mother I fiddle
With flimsy headphones,
Duct taping them at every
Fall from my ears.
“She yells “Carter! One more move and I’ll chuck this at you!”
The browning apple in her hand,
Gripping it like a hammer.
Pops eyes in the rear view mirror again, so
Throwing on the old yellow blanket to hideout with myself
I beg for “Donna” to turn off, but
Mother is always ready to begin it again.
Donna where can you be, where can you be?
As the car shuffles, I notice,
Oh Donna isn’t a love song.
Categories:
ritchie, childhood
Form:
Verse
Upon the Banks of the Canal
I sit here sipping cider on the banks of the canal,
I watch you as you walk and talk at great lengths with your pal.
I feel you as you hold the hand of love that’s in your life,
I see the way your eyes light up when you look at your wife.
I spy the gaze of toddlers, all just figuring out their place,
I breathe as runners pass me, each at war with their own pace.
I glimpse the love that binds two hands and brings about those smiles,
I see the life shine in those eyes and spur them on for miles.
I stand and stretch, shake off the dust and gaze at swimming ducks,
I envy passers by that revel in their own good luck.
I know the ones who’re down and out, who need a helping hand,
I see the spoils that should be shared across forgotten land.
I cry for you, the way I think I likely always will,
I envy people in our places, but I feel you, still.
I note beginnings just like ours, when we were oh so young,
I see the hopes and dreams emerge, just as Spring is sprung.
I finish up my cider and survey the banks again,
I spot the people pack their things and baide farewell to friends.
I view lives lived and people loved; here I don’t feel broken,
I see a way to feel again, my heart might just reopen.
I step away, I leave the banks; I leave you waiting there,
I’ll walk a thousand miles, but I’ll still feel you everywhere.
It’s hard to walk away, but walk away I know I shall,
I’ll find you love, right there, upon the banks of the canal.
For Roy,
By Sarah Michelle Ritchie.
Categories:
ritchie, beautiful, bereavement, heartbreak, life,
Form:
Quatrain
(Dedicated to Waylon Jennings who died February 13, 2002.)
You were the balladeer in the movie 'Moon runners' that was made in the
seventies.
Several years later you became the balladeer in the Dukes of Hazzard on TV.
You guest starred in an episode of Married with children sometime in the
nineties.
You were a fantastic singer and I'm sure that most everyone agrees.
When you died, the music industry suffered a great loss.
You would've died in 1959 if you had won that coin toss.
Ritchie Valens won and he died in that plane crash instead of you.
You cheated death in 1959 but you weren't so lucky in 2002.
People loved you and they knew that you were a credit to the human race.
You were famous for years and now you're in a better place.
Categories:
ritchie, death, loss, music,
Form:
What sad fate does all of these celebrities likely have in common?
Aaliyah
Aaron Hernandez
Abraham Lincoln
Amy Winehouse
Anna Nicole Smith
Bob Marley
Brandon Lee
Brittany Murphy
Bruce Lee
Buddy Holly
Christopher Wallace - Notorious B.I.G.
Elvis Presley
Frank Zappa
George Washington
Gianni Versace
Grace Kelly
Heath Ledger
Jeffrey Epstein
Jim Morrison
Jimi Hendrix
Joan Rivers
John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy, Jr.
John Lennon
John Todd
King Leopold II of Austria
Kobe Bryant
Kurt Cobain
Lee Harvey Oswald
Lou Reed
Malcolm X
Marilyn Monroe
Martin Luther King Jr
Michael Jackson
Otis Redding
Paul Walker
Pope John Paul I
Prince
Princess Diana
Ritchie Valens
Robert F. Kennedy
Robin Williams
Sam Cooke
Seth Rich
Stanley Kubrick
The Big Bopper
Tupac Shakur
Vince Foster
Whitney Houston
XXXTentacion
Categories:
ritchie, anxiety,
Form:
List
'Hello ~ is it me you’re looking for'
To me these words my love would sing
when on my doorbell he would ring
Oh such a glorious greeting
after many years together
With the endless love we had
There would never be another
He truly was my one and only
My darling penny lover
Whilst running with the night
We were dancing on the ceiling
As iconic Lionel sang our songs
Together dancing all night long
What I would give to hear once more
my lover’s voice come through my door
Gently singing ~ 'Hello ~ is it me you’re looking for'....
Written 14th January 2019
Competition: Hello
Sponsor: Silent One
2nd Place
Such sweet memories I will cherish forever as we danced together to the romantic, evocative,
and unforgettable lyrics of Lionel Ritchie...
Contest Strand Pick A
Sponsor Brian Strand
1st PLACE
Categories:
ritchie, dance, lost love, memory,
Form:
Free verse