Best Series Poems
Ten Years Had Raced Into Oblivion's Cup
Second Poets Tribute Series, Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Chained am I, to desolation's huge anchor
on its long black ship, cargo of hate and rancor
yet in spirit oft I roamed blue skies above
and in my fantastic dreams, found I my true love!
Such was a balm that fled when heartache renewed
Could return only when young life was reviewed!
Alas! At night stars dimmed and evil winds blew
midnight hour, I was served bones I could not chew
and a foul drink of bitter regrets and lying
as Fate had set me here, this ship of slow dying!
Such was a dark curse, uttered by her deep hate
For she turned to darkness to then alter my Fate!
Ten years had raced into oblivion's cup
into darkest seas we went, I never gave up
tho' soul had been impaled by poisonous blades
I clung to that romantic love that never fades!
Such as the poets of old sang and wrote about
Crying to the heavens, chorus of mighty shouts!
Chained was I, to desolation's huge anchor
on its long black ship, cargo of hate and rancor
yet in spirit oft I roamed blue skies above
and in my fantastic dreams, found I my true love!
Such was a balm that fled when heartache renewed
Could return only when young life was reviewed!
Robert J. Lindley, 11-10-2019
Rhyme, ( With imagination, laced in darkness, that life hath a poet shown )
Inspired by Samuel Taylor Coleridge's famous poem, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner First poet- poem: of the Second series of poet's tribute poems.
(Five new poets chosen in this Second series.)
Note:
1.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Samuel-Taylor-Coleridge
Samuel Taylor Coleridge, (born October 21, 1772, Ottery St. Mary, Devonshire, England—died July 25, 1834, Highgate, near London), English lyrical poet, critic, and philosopher. His Lyrical Ballads, written with William Wordsworth, heralded the English Romantic movement, and his Biographia Literaria (1817) is the most significant work of general literary criticism produced in the English Romantic period.
much more at link given...
samuel-taylor-coleridge
2.
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/samuel-taylor-coleridge
In Love, Our Romance Flows In Kissing Streams,
Poets Tribute Series, fourth poet, Lord Byron
Claim I, thy wondrous heart into sweet dreams,
And in that soft glowing realm we slow dance;
In Love, our romance flows in kissing streams,
As Cupid's well-shot arrows took no chance.
From this teeming earth we dwell in pleasures,
While life lays golden bounty at our feet;
We wake to dawn's glory- its great treasures,
Finding welcome cheer in all that we meet.
Sky awards us its most heavenly blues,
Nature cries out its joy to our pairing,
Flowers parade forth their brightest of hues,
Our faithful Love is in this, our Sharing.
In our dreams we are eternally slow-dancing.
In our bedroom, eternally true-romancing.
We are bound as kind souls forever true,
As a bird pair, that in blue heavens soars;
You touched my hand and then deep Love I knew,
Triumphs beyond paradise's hidden shores.
This our great blessing, a gift preordained,
Its gleaming morns, as bright as shining dew,
May we this true bliss forever retain
Beauty, as our sweet longings we renew.
Come to me my Love- let thy hand seek mine
Allow yet again, lips that beg thy touch,
For within thy glow, I too can soft shine,
Souls at peace, cherishing life very much.
In our dreams we are eternally slow-dancing.
In our bedroom, eternally true-romancing.
Robert J. Lindley, 11-01-2019
Romanticism, ( Poet's Tribute Series, Lord Byron )
Thy Wondrous Life Was As A Butterfly's Brief Stay,
Poets Tribute Series, third poet, John Keats
Poet, where flows tears for thy premature demise
tragic death of thy soft heart, body, gifted soul
majestic verses from a poet truly wise
poems of deep splendor, thy words did so extol.
Thy wondrous Life was as a butterfly's brief stay.
And in thy heart, triumphant was thy sweet word play.
Poet, can praise seep into thy slumbering grave
or upon hearing such voice, does thee seek to rise
and in true caring, thy words again hope to save
by talented hand, let pen scribble out surprise.
Thy wondrous Life was as a butterfly's brief stay.
And in thy heart, triumphant was thy sweet word play.
Poet, does moon's light cast shine into thy abode
as blowing sands of time, thy rest slow ticks away
can spirit, with honor, thy sad story be told
of poet, that Fate's hand, forced thy dear Life thee pay.
Thy wondrous Life was as a butterfly's brief stay.
And in thy heart, triumphant was thy sweet word play.
Poet, not enough we admire from distant time
magnificence of thy genius in golden verse
thy heart once beat in verses heavenly sublime
before death delivered its dark and early curse.
Thy wondrous Life was as a butterfly's brief stay.
And in thy heart, triumphant was thy sweet word play.
Robert J. Lindley, 10-28-2019
Rhyme, ( Tragedy of the death of a young genius and truly brilliant poet )
Here In The Now, Amidst Fleeing Of Twilight
Here in the now, amidst the pale twilight
that fleeting moment, - dying of the night
that most precious air, - dying of the light
cometh, morn's breath, - its beautiful new sight.
Here in the now, within mind's newest eye
that pondering thought, - let my spirit fly
that exquisite joy, - sweetest tears I cry
cometh, renewed hope, - truth I'll not deny.
Here in the now, as that whisper so thrills
that divine promise, - love needing no pills
that merciful vow, - relief from world's ills
cometh, beautiful truth, - love over-spills.
Here in the now, amidst fleeing of twilight
That stirring moment, - waking God's divine might.
Robert J. Lindley, 9-01-2020
Sonnet, ( A dream, A promise, A sweet renewing of faith )
Syllables Per Line:
0 10 10 10 10 0 10 10 10 10 0 10 10 10 10 0 11 11
Total # Syllables:142
Total # Words:112
Note (1.):
Poem born from a dream last night
awakening to a day so bright
as twilight's new rays therein gift,
sweet poetic words to uplift,
heart and soul into joyous praise
relief was born from dark malaise.
Note (2.)
A new month, a vow to have a new and positive new start.
To attempt to compose more positive and uplifting verse.
To deny the dark clouds that attempts to overcome
To walk in the light and deny the dark that seeks to destroy....
(Honor Sent To Great Bard, Alexander Pushkin
Second Tribute Series, Fifth Poet)
(1.)
Poetry Gave Its Deep Rich Brilliance Unto Thee
Bard, what bright Light graced thy soft serenades
In late midnight hours, moonlight streaming down
Alas! With Time's fleeing flight, thy fame fades
Yet thy verse treasures gave thee world renown.
Bard, thy prowling ship upon open seas
Delivered thy Art, to this sad world please
Fate, its dark hand did thy youthful life take
For thy wife's honor, thee would not forsake!
Bard, from thy glory this poet now feels
Pains of sorrows at thy early demise
From thy fruited verse, this world so oft peels
In its beauty, words so precious and wise!
Poetry gave its deep rich brilliance unto thee.
As thy muse sent thee magnificent melodies.
Robert J. Lindley, 11/23/2019
Sonnet, 10,10,10,10 (Closing verse 12, 12 )
Second Poets Tribute Series, Alexander Pushkin
(2.)
New Dawn, New Life, To Heaven Rose My Cry
Pray I, to One that made ground and blue sky
Giving us earth's beauty for Heaven's sake
With bounty that mankind can not deny,
Thus fallen on grassy greens so, Pray I.
By heavens, Life caresses soul in me
Yet in blackest blackness of darkest night
In my wayward youth, this I sought to flee
And into black blackness of darkest sea.
Pray I, for salvation before I die
And true to His grace, faith was reborn true
With promise of dear life a bounding tie
Thus dark went away and sweet thanks, Pray I.
New dawn, new Life, to Heaven rose my cry
And soon I heard an angel chorus sing
Into its sounding midst, I did thus fly
With sweet teardrops that fell from misty eyes.
Pray I, others this blessing from blue sky
And Love and Peace such gift, God truly brings
Dastardly road took, I shall not deny
As bowing my head and with joy, Pray I.
Robert J. Lindley, 11-22-2019
Rhyme, ( When Darkness Lost Its Wicked Grip )
Alexander Pushkin Tribute
A series of choices is what shapes a
life.
Some lead to joy, others to strife.
They come in all sizes, both big and
small.
Some lift us up and some make us
fall.
Our choices affect us, but so often
others
Strangers and friends, family and
lovers.
Take care that your choices are
honest and pure.
In every choice, try to be sure.
Choices revealed in actions and
deeds.
They're nestled in wants, desires
and needs.
What we say, what we don't.
What we will, what we won't.
We are judged by our choices, for
good or for bad.
Living with memories, happy and
sad.
Choices are rarely ever rehearsed.
Once they are made, seldom
reversed.
Who we are at the core can be
shown by a choice.
I hope that in yours, you'll always
rejoice
Youth, Time, Night Sky And Heaven's Blessed Voice
As I lay me down in lush verdant grass
Gazing into night sky as Heavens pass
Twinkling stars, to an old grievous soul speak
"Be of stout heart, not a mortal so weak"!
Heavens voice advice, if ones heart listens
Gleaming as true as, morning's dew glistens
Should we not thus seek, blessings so divine
As to not let this world our lives define?
Big dipper singing soft ditty times three
As its handle cast light, welcoming me
Archer shot beams across the Milky Way
As benevolent words, asking no pay!
Brother moon dancing, to set wolves howling
Nature set free, its kids go a'prowing
In peaceful repose, I fall into sleep
My last words, "Lord, Pray you, this soul to keep"!
Robert J. Lindley, 11-17-2019
Rhyme, ( When Youth, And Treasured Memories An Old Poet Remind )
Dedication, Second Poets Dedication Series, Nabokov
~ ~ ~ ~
As Sun Rises, Bringing Morn's Newborn Glee
As sun rises, bringing morn's newborn glee
rooster crows out its pleasures at dawn's light
as world again wakes, its teeming dark sea
shouts, do as you will, dark has fled with night!
Alas! Such is but its great and black lie
for darkness chooses but a brief retreat
folly to believe, as many may die
joining cold ashes of mortal defeat!
When night returns, its dark dances about
as hidden shadows leap from poison trees
solemn blackness, its power needs no shout
as those wise in many years will agree!
Yet new sun that brings light to dark banish
sets its course mortal man can never sway
reveals those sins we may wish to vanish,
in ever decaying hours of each day!
As morn's voice calls, this sweet coffee I sup
slow across this wood porch, an inch-worm crawls
an old man savors third and final cup
and seeks warmth within his castle walls!
Robert J. Lindley, 11-17-2019
Rhyme, ( Peaceful Morn, As Dawn's Glory Seeps Into Weary Soul )
(When Both Light And Dark Stir A Poet's Soul )
Second Poet Tribute Series, Vladimir Nabokov
Notes :
(1.) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladimir_Nabokov
Vladimir Nabokov
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mommy deemed the three-year-old me as an honour
Said that I should become a doctor
Stethoscope and thermometer are in her gift bag
To spark the zeal in me, she set to wave a green flag.
Daddy came all running to put a hard-hat on my head
Said that I should become a builder like his dad
I'll be a great architect, he believed, he already knew
He said it's inherited to me and is nothing new.
Aunt wanted me to follow her baking love
Her skills, no doubt, deserve a bow.
Cakes, cookies and all that she bakes
will now be taught to me, with no breaks.
Uncle Tom said I should inspire the world with my words
He weens that they're powerful than the swords.
An Orator or a writer, a counsellor or a life coach
Be it whatever, he says, I should be there for those who approach.
Everyone has their plans for my future
Looks like I don't need school or a teacher.
I'll be home-schooled and trained every day
But should it start right from the 3rd birthday?
I'm afraid they'ld stop talking to each other
As their dreams for me greatly differ.
Keeping their dreams aside for a minute
I thought of what I wanted, for a moment.
I want to smell the soil when it rains
I want to swill down all the snow flakes
I want to ride a horse and tame rabbits
I want to make friends and take new hobbies.
I want to build castles with clay
And play Peekaboo with Jill and Jay
I want to string the stars and crack the clouds to rain
Eat lots of cake and fake a belly pain.
I love dirty feet and dusty hair
Clay and Crayons is what I care
Play, play, play the whole day
I plead you all not to block my way.
1 Alluring : mystic 4 Mesmerizing eyes
Light brown : almost hazel eyes Caressing my Heart with LOVE
Always full of LOVE Knowing they own me
2 Eyes with flecks of green 5 My Barbara Jean
Immersing my Heart and Soul Your light brown eyes filled with LOVE
In Eternal LOVE Capture my Heartbeat
3 Soporific eyes 6 Together our eyes
Singing a sweet lullaby Entwine the arc of Rainbows
The song Forever LOVE Brown-green and blue gray
This is for YOU ; Barbara Jean Gorelick ; with all my Heart , with all my LOVE
Submitted for Pen to Face, Face to Pen Contest Sponsered by Sami Al-khalili
Woman
legs ~ breasts ~ thighs
hips ~ lips ~ eyes
Man
strength ~ muscled ~ arm
masculine ~ grit ~ charm
Children
fun ~ run ~ toys
playful ~ girls ~ boys
Baby
cradles ~ diapers ~ cribs
sleepers ~ cryers ~ bibs
Grandparents
canes ~ glasses ~ walkers
old ~ wise ~ talkers
Family
fathers ~ sons ~ brothers
daughters ~ sisters ~ mothers
Six Word Couplet Series Encore Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Mark Toney
10/10/2018
Part Three of the Sixth poet honored
(Emily Dickinson) in famous poets dedication series
(3.)
From Weeping Tears, No Longer Shall Joy Find In Heart Anything
Creeping thick fog has dimmed my view of morn's resplendent lake
so dreary is life's sorrows, more than this sad soul can take
yet tomorrow promises mysteries that leap from the dark
tho' my life's worries have wrinkled my skin like Sycamore bark.
Night shall come, with its agonies crying to be unbound
as its bellowing howls screech out, horrendous gasping sounds
very soon midnight moon will swallow up my despondent soul
spitting it out as fragmented black-stained pieces of the whole!
God forbid! That from this nightmare I never dare to wake
to that of Life, dear sweet Love, I never again partake
and from morbid sunken state, my heart crumble and be no more
fallen into heaps of crushed bones, spilled blood and ghastly gore!
Woe! The epic pains such broken-heart images dare'st tonight bring
From weeping tears, no longer shall joy find in heart anything.
Robert J. Lindley, 2- 12-2019
Sonnet, ( The Sad Depths Of Sorrow's Deep Epic Pains)
dedicated to Emily Dickinson, poets dedication series..
(4.)
There's More To The Old Forest Than Its Ancient Trees
As years are peeled back, this gladden heart now truth sees
there's more to the old forest than its ancient trees
mystery in places, savagery in its nights
more than just imagination, it hides from sight!
Yet such does not negate its most beautiful gifts
its Autumn colors, songbirds notes that so uplifts
bounty of its harvests, peace it oft can instill
calm that one may find there, treasures that oft so thrill.
Tho' darkness lurks there deep and hides its evil ways
one can visit its truth, find self most any day
walk along its well worn trails and about life muse
all of its many wonders, in this dark world use!
As years are peeled back, this gladden heart now truth sees.
There's more to the old forest than its ancient trees.
Robert J. Lindley, 1- 18-2019
Sonnet, ( Amazing That This Dark World, Has Such Beauty In Its Forests)
dedicated to Emily Dickinson, in poet dedication series
Note:
(1.)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emily_Dickinson
(2.)
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/emily-dickinson
0' Soul, Can Poetic Art Heal Such Broken Heart
Her pen bled deep, and this her fans may yet agree
She felt a torrid hell, darkest of angry seas
Should her pen have conquered deepest of her fears
Could her poems have stopped flow of her falling tears?
Although we may stand aghast at sorrows once seen
Her agony in ink, shows true as Nature's green
Of a poet facing darkness, death and its gloom
Fully aware of life's end, its rest in the tomb.
Seeker of more, Death haunted her with mortal strife
With pains and dying of beloved ones in her life
0' soul, can poetic art heal such broken heart
In glory, renewal of spirit thus impart?
Her pen bled deep, and this her fans may yet agree
Immense sorrows and beauty in her poetry!
Robert J. Lindley, 10-24-2019
Sonnet, ( First poet honored, Renewed Poet's Tribute Series)
Emily Dickinison,
Bio-
1.
https://www.google.com/search?q=emily+dickinson+biography&oq=emily+dickinson&aqs=chrome.5.69i57j0l5.7054j0j8&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
Emily Dickinson
Biography
DescriptionEmily Elizabeth Dickinson was an American poet. Dickinson was born in Amherst, Massachusetts, into a prominent family with strong ties to its community. Wikipedia
Born: December 10, 1830, Amherst, MA
Died: May 15, 1886, Amherst, MA
Education: Amherst Academy (1840–1847), Mount Holyoke College, Amherst College
Influenced by: Ralph Waldo Emerson, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, William Blake
2. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Emily-Dickinson
1
Sun glints off ripples
Play of light in sheltered cove
Scenic lavatory
2
Backyard full of stars
Footsteps crack on frozen grass
Moonlit lavatory
3
Forested mountain side
Above twisting single track
Rider’s lavatory
4
Over arid land
Falling rain evaporates
Hot Aussie dunny
5
Sandy beach stretches
Tropical coral waters
Pristine lavatory
6
Beneath St. Paul’s dome
Lies manicured garden
Monumental lav.
Some walked, others biked
As we gathered at the park
There was Jimmy, Peewee
Ricky, Billy and Mark
Neighborhood boys
From blocks around, they'd descend
For the Sandlot World Series
It was friend against friend
There were seven to a side
The bat was tossed to Bob
It was fist top of fist
'til a thumb crossed the knob
Back and forth went the score
Our pride made us care
The other team would storm back
And the tempers would flare
I was Mickey Mantle
Stuck out in right field
With a gun for an arm
Two bare feet for wheels
In inning number seven
And getting quite late
The tying run once again
Strode across the plate
After Tommy struck out
It was our turn to bat
We were cheering and yelling
Shaking our rally hats
Peewee lined a single
He was always big trouble
Then Steve, my brother
Lucked out with a double
It was second and third
With nobody out
When I stepped to the plate
Jimmy's mom gave a shout
Then I heard my dad
Holler,"Time to eat"
The game ended in a tie
As none wanted to get beat.
In nineteen sixty six
On a hot August day
There were fourteen friends
Who gathered to play
Not the first nor the last
That ended a little teary
As supper time brought a tie
To the Sandlot World Series
Feb 15 2017
by Daniel Turner
Last night I dreamed I was weeding my vegetable garden in the Drive-in theater, while people wandered back and forth from snack bar to their cars.
While pulling weeds, I saw a banana slug and was about to squish it when I realized it had legs. It was an eight foot monitor lizard! I chased it around the grounds and finally caught it and put it in the car. Then I went back to my garden to see if that huge tiger salamander was still there. It was!
I decided to go home with the monitor and the salamander when I realized, oh no, my little dog Daigoro was in the car! I got all frightened the monitor ate him, but he was perfectly all right. The rest of the dream was trying to drive home with Daigoro under one arm so the monitor wouldn't get him.