Best Sanctuary.... Poems
This global pandemic causes confusion from social isolation.
In a virtual world without human touch - there will be irritation.
When burdens of life, echo like chunks of tumbling rubble
mind is misplaced in intense injustice - inflicting trouble.
With no desire for fake and scentless artificial flowers,
the soul is soothed by buds which flourish in April showers.
To sit in smooth stillness of silence, admiring nature's grace,
a paradise of petals, guide emotions to that peaceful place.
Windmill palm spreads its charm among yellow, white, lilac roses,
darling dahlia in hues of pink and white gaze at fuchsia poses.
Lovable lobelia and bewitching begonia hang from baskets,
above a colony of bees living under a pen for rabbits.
Bees buzz among an abundance of blossoming nectar,
their aim to *bee their queen's favourite honey collector.
A poet's eyes will always admire vibrant butterfly wings,
a poet's ears will always listen to melodies a bird sings.
A flower garden is a silent sanctuary - inspiring one's muse,
like rain after a hot day, refreshing buds in twilight dews.
If fate and destiny depended upon the sowing of seeds,
how would you cultivate ideas to prevent the growth of weeds?
The Silent One
15 August 2020
*deliberately spelt as bee (not a spelling mistake)
Johnny-Jump-Ups nestle into the forest floor mosses,
Along with dainty Jack-in-the-Pulpits hiding beneath
The larger fronds of swampy ferns soaking up moisture
From the dew-laden flowering branches of laurel
Where I find myself dreaming in the verdant woodland,
Edging the meadow beyond the cluttered beaver stand.
A canopy of vine-entangled branches, a vault-like nave,
Provides a sanctuary of sacred candles dimmed for mass
A pew-less haven for wounded souls, and tiny chipmunks,
Who scurry to find isolated spots for quiet meditation
While grebes and gallinules make up the choir ensemble;
A purple swamphen takes up the guttural baritone line.
The late morning is mine, sitting along the narrow trail
In a cross-legged yoga pose with arms across my knees,
Soaking up the faint sweet smells of sassafras and pine
And slipping into what I sometimes call my “blue funk”
Where nothing on earth matters outside this quiet shelter,
Dozing softly, I dream of a utopian sweet, elusive peace.
FIRST PLACE WINNER (TROPHY)
June 25, 2022
Submitted to: "Poetry Marathon Mile 5" Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Mark Toney
Written on June 3, 2021
Selected for FEATURED POEM
On the front page of All Poetry,
September 13, 2021
GOLD MEDAL WINNER
"5 Golds or Less - Profanisaurus" Poetry Contest
All Poetry, December 11, 2021
Appeared in "It's Still Poetry"
Poetry Soup Anthology - 2021
CreateSpace, Amazon publication
I find sanctuary in this sonnet
when as verdant hills rhymes do fall and rise
with aspens quaking in the windless skies.
One such will have blue birds flocking on it.
The trees shall be my muse and bid me write
while I in white gazebo am ensconced
with flowers vased, each color a nuance
in my lyrics, a-blush at first then white.
As I meander through a cloudless dream
the shades ever change in the wake of love.
Each line will fit my lyrics like a glove
while blue birds harmonize in morning's gleam.
Eyes of love are each an estuary
in the sonnet of this sanctuary.
In moments of despondent spirits I turn to you,
the resplendent paradise of secret dreams anew.
The opalescent orchard orchestrates tender hopes,
like cuddling chrysanthemum my fading fear elopes.
Bursting bubbles of beguile blossoms sprinkle love,
frivolous faith nurtures nascent nest of white dove.
I find solace in sumptuous serenades through storms,
in symphony of mellowed streams, my anxiety reforms.
Intertwined petals of Cynthia and magnolia waltz,
undressing my weariness to dissolve draped faults.
Butterflies blissfully slip into alluring aurora,
a healing touch melts my heart in gleaming aura.
A sapphire gem dropped by the albatross as rain,
absorbs my tormented memories in nascent vervain.
The seeds of lavender mellows in whispers strum,
silk strings of your fir-kissed ensnaring soft hum.
How gracefully my soul dances behind velvet dew,
as Asteria and Aphrodite fuse their worlds anew.
In the vineyard of blushing lullabies in light,
my musk-soaked pages flip with snowflakes bright.
The oceans of my universe peek into a shore afar,
dripping in crevices of my sanctuary as your star.
I doze off to a euphony of embraced fingers in sleep,
this secret paradise, our eternal promise I'll keep.
August 17, 2020
Sanctuary Poetry Contest
Sponsor: Silent One
~Winner: 1st Place
Find Your Sanctuary
Be it a long sandy beach, the waves crashing upon shore
Or in a deep forest glen, the wonders of nature to explore
Perhaps a long babbling brook will ease your weary mind
Or a quiet country road to travel, leave everything behind
Maybe it is your home, your solemn place to retreat to
With all your loved ones surrounding you, in all you do
Or is it your dearest friend that takes you back in time
Or perhaps you find being alone, solitude so sublime
Whatever it may be that eases your mortal soul
Transcends you to a better place, makes you whole
Reach out with your heart, find this person, place or thing
Find your own sanctuary and all the tranquility it brings
I
listen
to the waves
singing mermaid
serenades, luring~
dancing daisies to a
cheery sanctuary of
mystic topaz tranquility…
Where in the shimmering shades of teal~
peace remains engraved with sparkling pearl dust..
Introduction: Blindfolded the world fades today, optimism awaits tomorrow...
Lies have many expressions
Can make one follow the mistaken,
Love has countless sensations
Can make one feel awaken,
Seek out the truth from its buried nation
As the deception has made it forsaken
No one knows where you’d disappear
For things you care is what you feel,
No one knows of what you hear,
One day you will deem what’s real
Ask Almighty to steer you clear
Help you save from your ordeal
like a grumpy ogre the twisted old tree stood guard
notched scraggy boughs reached out in fierce surety
naught had ever compromised its task
in its dutiable charge
the primeval stone held fast the blade
proud and righteous Caliburn
its hilt pointed to the stars
the enchanted issue of Merlin's resolve
and steadfast keeper of the kingdom
thankless was the old tree's post
none would e'er recall its name
no eye would shed a salty drip to its end
nay an honored oath spoken to its passing
still it stood
through the countless sad losses
when the Wee Ones would die in autumn
such beautiful quiet deaths
falling in color to the forest carpet
one soft exquisite flight to their end
each one by itself
each one dear to the old tree
still it stood fearless and proud
for it alone would be the first to witness
it alone would hear the whisper of the wind
when it breathed the name of the new king
when it heralded the name of freedom to the world
when The One slipped the blade from its surly bonds
and the ancient stone split in righteous temper
knife and knight
blade and banneret
Caliburn and king!
like a grumpy ogre the twisted old tree
stood guard
~ 1st Place ~ in the "Unsheathe Your Sword" Poetry Contest
John Lawless, Judge & Sponsor.
* This poem is written in "Suzette Prime", (created by a PS member), which consists of lines of prime number syllable counts ONLY, no punctuation or capitalizations, and only of topics which lend themselves to a philosophical statement. *
the graduate
submerges in pool
Mr. Robinson
debates career paths above:
sanctuary found in sounds of silence
For Chris's "Sanctuary" contest. Based on the film "The Graduate."
There is a refuge, sweet, whereto I rush,
(Where all but clever words would be remiss),
When cheeks of evening sky begin to blush,
As setting sun bestows a goodnight kiss.
I go there with my pen to thus inspire,
And churn my muddled thoughts to acumen,
To winnow passion's embers into fire,
Or fan a flaring phrase of 'what' and 'when'.
It feeds to me a menu, rich and rare,
Of musing souls as mine, that seek to plumb ...
The depths of rapture, beauty and despair,
A feast of all we've been and may become.
But ...
No meal is perfect, that I must bequeath ...
And this soup has sharks stirring ... underneath.
~ 2nd Place ~ in the "Shark In the Soup" Poetry Contest, Anthony Slausen, Judge & Sponsor.
~ 2nd Place ~ in the "A Stunner January 2018" Poetry Contest, Line Gauthier, Sponsor ... N/A'd on January 24, 2018, in the "Premiere Contest Number 390 Any Form" Poetry Contest, Brian Strand, Sponsor.
"If there is a place where peace and stillness prevail, to it people like to retreat when beset with the perils of life. It can be our home. In every storm it is a refuge, a haven of joy and a sanctuary of life and light" ~By Poet
We have a snug retreat far in the woods;
An interim sanctuary, not bigger than a robin’s nest.
But cozy and comfy for just two souls,
A hideout from the fuss n’ fever of life.
It has a small garden hemmed with a hedge,
Neatly laid out in décor and taste
And gleaming with refreshing verdure
The haunt of butterflies and honey bees.
An ideal place to sneak away now and then,
From life’s pressing cares and concerns.
Here the air is pristine sans soot and fumes.
A confluence where peace and beauty unite.
Here we break loose the tethers
From the rigid civilities of urban living.
Throw away the habits of reserve
And become joyous and free-hearted.
Sometimes we make an impromptu trip.
Sometimes we plan it well in advance.
Whatever it be, being here is fun
And enjoy our stay like a weekend picnic.
On some evenings we go gathering,
Succulent fruits and wild berries
And roam to the wide stretch of open fields
Lying furrowed waiting for seasonal crops.
More than ever we now seek solitude.
It is in the quiet and not in the noise,
That we can plumb life’s depths,
That we listen to our hearts’ songs.
It is here our souls acquire dove’s wings.
Though time has taken its toll on our bodies,
Though youth and beauty have gone forever,
Still, we walk in the woods with hands clasped.
In this sanctuary, we breathe free and find comfort
Where sunshine scatters through the canopy of trees
And are sheltered from the pressing responsibilities of life!
Sanctuary
Crawl into my sanctuary,
And leave this world behind.
Open up your heart, and let me in,
Then close the door of your mind.
Wrap yourself in my blanket,
As dark as the ocean deep.
Your tears gently sparkle,
Like diamonds while you weep.
I will hold you tightly with a hug,
And protect you from all that's wrong.
And when you long for comfort,
I will bring you a Phoenix song.
Don't cry, my flightless angel,
Your Halo still shines bright.
Together, we will find your wings,
Then soon, you'll be in flight.
So, tonight, please sleep peacefully,
I know you are feeling weary.
So rest, wrapped up inside my blanket,
Inside my sanctuary.
To my daughter,
Tiphanie Dawnette
S S S S S S S S S Surely
A A A A A A A A Arrogance has
N N N N N N No foothold in heaven.
C C C C C Can conceit claim your favor, God?
T T T They think You cannot see their callous hearts.
U U U U U Unfair! their lives are so easy.
A A A A A A At last, I see their end.
R R R R R R R R Refuge, you are!
Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y You reign!
an acrostic rictameter
inspired by Psalm 73:17
Dare one impose upon the primitive soul,
Revolving around solitude—a savant hold warmer than the sun
Entranced by every ideal—loving many and no one
Would they hesitate to break the sensational sway…
As petals of tiger lilies fall upon its sunset eyes
Tremulous sighs and exhalations—dedicated to wisdom
Looking to the sky…a vast wilderness of celestial light
Fixated in the center of star-drafted darkness
The wheel of its heart turns smoothly
Oiled with only the finest knowledge
With brutal truths seeping into the empty spaces
Not even the most charming can break its stance
Feeble smiles melt away into frustrated admiration
For not one could dare embark upon her spirit
Without looking first deep within himself
Tearing apart the pride that so recklessly razes
Ensnaring all that behold him
All but one
Had one selflessly walked into the midst of this fraction of heaven,
He would watch faithfully a sunrise on the legs of endurance
And the embracing, smiling arms of patience
If one only left their guard for the Sanctuary of Obscurity
The skies of white light upon dark would open in reverence
The lips that are so fixated upon moist discovery
Would have their gentle hold on mortal purity
To allow such a moment to exist,
Kindheartedness must coexist
And hovering humility harnessed deep in vicious sincerity
Migrant jays quiver on ruins of their calm abode
As ghostly flakes of autumn’s trail reel with an insolent breeze.
Winging low, crystal moon guides pale birds through a nest of light.
Broken Wing’s Form S Contest
Theme: Sanctuary
7/23/2017