Best Royally Poems
THE JESTER
Jester jingles
with madcap medusa-bells,
dressed in melodic-motley uniform.
A sea of foamy frills
frame the famed renaissance storyteller,
a creature feature
of phantasm for frightened children.
His ghost-white face
with comedic war paint.
Highly educated,
acts the fool,
preaching to the pompadour.
Folly finds the frolicking ear
of the entertained king,
even at the news of sinking ships.
The king’s delighted,
as balls lollygag around his throne room,
and pins dance before his eyes.
Mesmerized, hypnotized,
spirals spry and smiling.
Claps his cacophonous hands.
The puppet court amplifies the sound.
The buffoon’s very wise,
buried behind his makeup.
His strings
control the crown.
Royally screws the court
with tasteless remarks
and they bow over in laughter.
In the backroom formulates his investment plan.
Jester jingles,
of drama and lies,
of liberties and surprise.
8/3/2017
Kai Neumann’s Jester Contest
1st Place
In a store that sells antiques,
The past is much alive,
Including parts that we’d prefer
Did somehow not survive.
Some creepy dolls and ugly clothes
And jewelry I’d not wear
Forlornly grace the shelves without
Their one-time savoir faire.
But other items bring a smile
Or memory to bear –
A Popeye pin, some Beatles cards
And much Fiestaware.
Three typewriters with all their keys
Sit Royally encased
And lots of kitchen tools I wish
I never had replaced.
I troll the aisles quite aimlessly
For if you want the truth,
The only things I hope to find
Are traces of my youth.
I was out walking my dragon, when I came across a Dogasaurus Rex.
It really wasn’t so bad until; they got into a real life-pissing contest.
My dragons’ roar was way less than his, and spitting fire, he couldn’t do.
So they squared off, eyes aglow, and yep, a true pissing contest did ensue.
Now, that was really icky, and flooded my neighbors whole lawn, ewww.
Well, it smelled awfully bad, but when they got going, what was I to do.
And a pooper-scooper does not work here, so I had to wait till both were thru.
If there wasn’t enough testosterone, now my neighbors’ was added, to the brew.
A mean old codger lived right there, and now, even he, was royally pissed.
Watering the lawn wouldn’t send it away; it would spread it more, amiss.
I ran to get my neighbor witch, who was laughing her head off, yes, indeed.
I’d need her help to save the yard, and with the old codger, to finally succeed.
The old codger amazed, started adding, held in, bubbling laughter, to the brew.
Seems he’s a lonely old man, with not enough fun added in his life, it’s true.
He tapped his foot, as his dogasaurus Rex did more, what was I to do, in truth?
I became worried, it would be the death of him, if he didn’t laugh out loud, forsooth.
I ask the dragon, to burn the yard, to save us all, but he just snickered more, thereon.
How, you ask, was I to extradite myself? I went home to put a fire retardant suit, on.
Coming back I kicked, the dragon in his butt, for always being so crazily, put upon.
That quickly brought his fire on me, as I took it into the middle of the yucky lawn.
With the taunting done, the icky stuff gone, the witch put the grass back, with great skill.
Then, the dragon started laughing, his butt off, while thinking I’d owe the witch’s bill.
Hah! He was incredulous, as I said; he’d do the witch’s bidding, till it was fulfilled.
Then, the silly dragon, down right cried, as I told him, the walkies, would now be nil!
But, Grandpa Troll intervened, with us both in timeout, again, facing across the lake.
And, the old codger, spent the rest of his life happy, entertaining the town, with our fate.
From then on, the dragon and dogasauraus, were seen everywhere, as great playmates.
And me, I always carry an umbrella, so Dragon can never rain on my parade…
"Instead of expressing exasperation, think toleration."
~ by poet
I find that I've become impatient with people who seem dense
and it only serves to frustrate me with an ire too often intense.
Sometimes, under my breath, I hear the words I'm mumbling,
"Why can't you understand this?" Then, I realize I'm grumbling.
I'm just a lowly human without a trace of Divinity to be found
so, I should be more humble, for I've not been royally crowned.
"Be tolerant," my heart whispers to my soul, as if it could hear.
"And be mindful," it said to my tongue, "words can bring tears."
I really should listen with more compassion and less askance.
I've no right to judge others. I don't know their life's circumstance.
Swallowing harsh words is a taste I should learn to find sweet
and conquer the bitterness of retorts... intolerance then I'd defeat.
People are not chess pawns that I can push around on a board,
and leniency should be allowed them across every stream I ford.
I don't control who walks the bridge with opinions of their own.
It's their right to have them, even if they're ones I don't condone.
I'll pursue being more tolerant of others and give them respect
and be sincerely diligent about this as a goal I should not neglect.
You’re agonizing over your decision,
you waver, and you can’t make up your mind,
and after back and forth and much revision
you’re this close to deciding when you find
two eagles flying in the same direction
in which you’re driving – surely that’s a sign!
Two eagles are an omen in perfection.
It must mean: go for it, the fates align.
And this is how you screw up royally.
Do not believe in omens. Even swarms
of eagles that appear won’t loyally
foretell the future. They’re not magic charms.
You better play it safe and heed the voice
that whispers “doubts mean it’s a stupid choice”.
January 22, 2019
The rose, Nature’s fragrant
Enchanter – inspiration of poets
Our preference for themes of romantic
Banter
Embracing her velvety flutes and
And silky arm swirls
Genuflecting servingly at her sacred
Scented altar
Is there more to be said of such
Endearing essence that has not
Already been amorously written
And gushingly read?
-------------------------------------
Perhaps highlight further
Her blood-like red -- rebleed years
Of greenless stems and deeply
Penetrating barbed thorns?
Or simply allow her to be
A manifest less complex rarity
Never linking her heavily to our own
Vein letting excesses and soul shredding
dooms
Affirm royally the Rose’s purpose, above all else
Simply to reside as another of Mother's perfect garden
Blooms --
What is this thing
called, Divine Love?
I felt it strong, in a
fiery daze; touched by
it, though my mind and
soul feverishly ablaze!
Cooled was my beaded
brow -- and swear I heard,
Eternal Love is with you
now --
What is this thing called
Divine Light? Saw it bright
on a raging night. Bullets and
shrapnel fell every other member
of my troop -- suddenly, surrounded
me, a Divine loop -- and again, not
knowing why nor how...I heard a
voice -- Divine light is protecting
you now --
2 times I felt, all hope seemed
lost. 2 times I felt, life is
a gamble~ Pal, this time you have royally
lost! Stood before me, a demon, extending
his lethal claw. Not seeing from where, nor knowing
how -- again I heard, have faith~ be brave, My Son --
in the past, delivered you from evil I...and will not
forsake you now!
(Esther 5: 2)
The King Held Out To Esther
The Golden Scepter
That Was In His Hand
She Was His Queen
The Woman Who Fulfilled His Dreams
One of The Most Beautiful In All His Lands
But It Was Persian Law For All
That Those The King Did Not Call
Would Be Struck Down Where They Stand!
Yet Brave & Beautiful Queen Esther
Whose Godly Faith Never Left Her
To Save Her People, Entered As Planned
Because There Was A Plot
Devised In Anger So Hot ...
By That Prideful, Wicked Prince Haman
To Kill All Esther's People
Haman Schemed So Evil
But The King Didn't Know Why It Began
... Or That Esther Was A Jew
In The Line of Hebrews
Who Worship The One GOD So Grand
But There Was No Hesitation
In Ahasuerus' Heart Designation
Towards This Woman Who Stood Royal & Serene
She Held Ahasuerus' Affection
and Did Not Suffer Rejection
As She Humbly Walked In, As His Queen
I Imagine All Got Quiet
Waiting For Swords To Riot
And See Esther's Head Roll Across The Floor
But At The Sight of Her Dignity
The Scepter Pointed Implicitly
To Grant Esther Whatever She Implored
And Oh, The Interplay
of Emotions That Day
Between This Woman & Her Loving Man
When The King Held Out To Esther
His Golden Scepter
... That Was In The Power of His Hand
* * * * * * * * * * * *
(Part 2)
Oh, And That Wicked Haman Was Hanged
And His Family Shared The Blame
But Esther's People Were Saved From Judah To Benjamin, To Dan
( Walk-On Hadassah - Walk-On ! )
Written & Copyrighted ©: 9/15/2013
by: MoonBee Canady
I have always loved the story of Queen Esther ... This is a love story that has it all - - a lovely-hearted, modest girl, (replacing a vain and arrogant queen) ... then getting royally pampered, massaged in expensive, perfumed oils, lots of clothes and jewels, winning a beauty pageant, finding true love, conflict and suspense and lastly the heroine saves the day (and oh, did I mention that she was an orphan?) ... 'Com' on Movie-Makers - we could enjoy a lot more of this ... MoonBee
Violins plucking strings
of horsehair, satin ribbons
violet violate a dark
foresaken world
like a beautiful dream
romance unravels
the sweet pain
comes undone
then those wild horses
dance macabre neck-to-neck
racing all the way home
for want of a better country,
these beautiful creatures
limbs racing all lathered
opening wide
and unconquered
plunder new territory
in the red seeded seat
royally the hidden thing
beats like a machine
underneath the skin
a ripe juicy red apple
no cherry pip
feeds the mind of
marquis de john donne
and dorian's sybil vane
gone all wrong
Violins the shape
of a woman
the music inside
her intense jungle
prowls around
like an exotic
soft pawed purring
black leopard
something wicked
or wonderful
in the garden
this way it comes
the soft satin
that binds metaphoric
minds like wrists
the will to resist
comes undone
something wicked
or wonderful
in the garden
dappled in shadow
shining and hidden
like a solitairy secret
like a morning star
this way, it comes
Candide Diderot. ‘24
Indigo, Cobalt and rings of lovely Sapphire,
you bring me Azure skies with passionate desire.
Maya, Turquoise and a night of Midnight Blue,
there’s no Cerulean seas that don’t remind me of you.
A Periwinkle kiss with a sweet Carolina embrace,
and oh, those Baby Blue eyes that soft baby face.
Electric lightening with a Cornflower scent,
my wonderful man has been Royally sent.
Persian memories of a dream come true,
Prussian background in pictures of me and you.
The hues of blues and the shades of creation,
brings love to my heart inside Brilliant fabrication.
I used these shades of blue in my poem:
1. Indigo 2. Cobalt 3. Sapphire 4. Azure 5. Maya 6. Turquoise
7. Midnight Blue 8. Cerulean 9. Periwinkle 10. Carolina
11. Baby Blue 12. Electric 13. Cornflower 14. Royal 15. Persian
16. Prussian 17. Brilliant
The Color Blue Contest
Janis Thompson
January 23, 2017
Fried chicken and warm corn bread
Greasy fingered lips
Fellowshipping church members
Eating and talking
With sweet iced tea, they
Royally—
Dined!
~~~~~~~~~~~***~~~~~~~~~~~
© Joseph S. Spence, Sr., (Epulaeryu Master) 10/1/08
All Rights Reserved, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
Senior Advisor, to Founder of Motivational Strips
Ambassador De Literature
Noble Star of Literature 2018
Living Legend of the 21st Century
Pentasiv B World Friendship Poetry Featured Poet 2019
~~~~~~~~~~~***~~~~~~~~~~~
Joseph is the inventor of the Epulaeryu poetic form. He is a currently studying "Language
and Linguistics." He has traveled the world and speaks several languages. The “Epulaeryu”
consists of seven lines with thirty-three (33) syllables and ends with an exclamation mark.
The essence of the Epulaeryu poem is about succulent meals and drinks.
~~~~~~~~~~~***~~~~~~~~~~~
Joseph S. Spence, Sr., is the author of "The Awakened One Poetics" (2009), which is
published in seven different languages. He invented the Epulaeryu poetry form, which
focuses on succulent cuisines and drinks. He is published in various forums, including the
World Haiku Association; Poetinis Druskininku, Milwaukee Area College, Phoenix Magazine;
Möbius Poetry, and Taj Mahal Review to name a few. Joseph is a Goodwill Ambassador for
the state of Arkansas, USA, a college faculty, and a military veteran.
~~~~~~~~~~~***~~~~~~~~~~~
Part Two
SEVEN STARK WORDS
Seven alliterative blockbuster words struck so
they rhymed initially in juxta-positioning lineal parallels
pausing but in the fourth
to resume breath in the fifth
Leaving the interstitial morphemes in resonating ellipses
The economy of your parsing has wreaked havoc down the ages
in all trans-explicatory tongues
Tough-minded men come from afar
with other gods to serve
and sacrifices to make in the name of their Lords
bent your versification to limp rhyme
and left meaning a hung pursuit
in the hands of plagiarists professors preachers
who
not knowing nor divining the reason for your craftsman’s
concatenation of weighted phonemes
advanced theories for your elastic pregnant mind
strung myriads of pages in exegeses
each staking a claim to posterity
the villainous hanging on your lips
In a time devoid of papered learning for the poor
When to be born a Sudra or Pariah was a sin
When masters were those top-heavy manically-mantric Brahmin priests
Preying on the duped loyal sycophantic Vaishyas
wishing to earn karmic merit with their agricultural gain at their altar feet
such servant-financers as they by legions now lay their souls down
as even the long-gone royally leisure-dispensing Kshaktriyas
how would he who sought the spread of knowledge
not seek to encapsulate learning in mnemonic couplets
arranged according to rigid design
for those who could not count either
Ten fingers in the hand so
Ten the number of facets of a thought
a subject
a theme
even if theme subject thought were stretched too thin
Great songs
On your day
In your own way
May your day be bright
Filled with special delight
Let your burning candle shine
From your yum cake royally dine
May your family and friends enjoy
Your birthday with a great poetess friend
Now tell me the big number if you will
I will take it just like a sweet pill
Thirty-one and holding I see
Hope your day is full of glee
Wishing you more birthdays
Writing your own ways
Poetic thoughts
In great parts
Touching
Hearts
© Joseph S. Spence, Sr., 8/6/09
© All Rights Reserved
The Etheree poem was created about twenty years ago by an Arkansas poet named Etheree
Taylor Armstrong. The poem consists of ten lines of unmetered verse. The lines may also be
rhymed or unrhymed depending on the style of the author. The first line of the poem has
only one syllable. Thereafter, each succeeding line adds another syllable. There is a total
syllable count of fifty-five in the poem. The Etheree poem is similar to a Nonet poem with the
exception of the 10th line and syllable count. The Nonet only has 45 syllables, which is 16
shorter than the Etheree poem. One may get creative and write an Etheree with more than
one verse. This may take the form of a Double Etheree: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, then 10,
9, 8, 7, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1; that is the style in which this poem is written.
~~~~~~~***~~~~~~~
Joseph S. Spence, Sr., is the author of "The Awakened One Poetics" (2009), which is
published in seven different languages. He invented the Epulaeryu poetry form, which
focuses on succulent cuisines and drinks. He is published in various forums, including the
World Haiku Association; Poetinis Druskininku, Milwaukee Area College, Phoenix Magazine;
Möbius Poetry, and Taj Mahal Review to name a few. Joseph is a Goodwill Ambassador for
the state of Arkansas, USA, a college faculty, and a military veteran.
~~~~~~~***~~~~~~~
The King's Wife - Te Arri Vahine
Gauguin’s painting of “The King’s Wife,”
immortalized a goddess of Tahiti, Pacific paradise.
Mesmerizing mahogany muse memorializing his canvas,
she’s a tropical Venus on a bed of forest green grass.
Nature’s umbrella, a thick canopy of mango trees,
shades and shelters her stirring up a light cool breeze.
Adorned with a single white flower near her right ear,
she holds behind her thick raven-dark hair,
a large red round fan like a haloed crown,
accentuating her silky soft skin of golden brown.
Supreme is her majesty dominating this idyllic scene,
basking in her own exotic glory she’s royally serene.
Modestly draped to protect her from roving eyes,
a white shawl covers her groin and bold womanly thighs.
Displaying her nymph-like body, supple and proud,
her pert breasts are full, firm, and well-endowed;
and like the succulent orange-red mangoes beside her,
she’s sweet, luscious, fully ripe, and mature.
Wearing a pensive smile, she’s intriguing the king’s bride…
does her Madonna-like belly nurture a secret growing inside?
05-22-2017
Contest: Celebration of Art Contest
Sponsor: Kim Rodrigues
Placement: 1st
* Paul Gauguin (French, 1848–1903) painted "The King’s Wife" in 1896. Post-Impressionist artist, he abandoned his native France for most of the 1890s to live on the Pacific island of Tahiti, which was a French colony since 1881. Gauguin was attracted to the island and what he saw as the primitive culture of its people. He shared the fantasy of many Europeans of the time that Tahiti was a sort of tropical paradise. Through his paintings he actually reflected his passionate love for the visual and sensuous beauty of the world.
https://www.1000museums.com/art_works/paul-gauguin-te-arii-vahine-the-king-s-wife or https://learner.org/courses/globalart/work/134/index.html
I was so looking forward to my trip to Tahiti
this was to be my panacea, a sure cure for all my ails.
For once there I could forget the dregs of big city life
and swim the opal sheen of a chatoyant sea, in tranquil peace.
Arriving in my loudest vacation garb, I felt at ease
in my role of cynosure, strutting like a movie star.
All to soon I was whisked off...to the glamour and opulence
that awaited me at my ineffable, unbelievably posh hotel/palace.
There I was royally greeted, by a true ingénue beauty
the epitome of grace, she exuded a gentle demure and friendly manner.
She was like a gazelle...swift and yet lissome
with an indelible smile that seemed sempiternal, and omnipresent.
And in the sweetest, mellifluous song like voice
she softly whispered...“welcome to paradise.”