Best Serve Up Poems
if my love for you was any greater
the trees would line up in poetic forms
...awe you in sonnets written...
...part...to allow winds to cool your face...
to trace it with nature’s hand.
all the oxygen that covers all the waters rise,
supercharge the breadth of my emotion.
mountains would melt, shed their peaks like tears of joy.
even the arid deserts serve up fruits,
their prickly pears peeled on a platter.
sunset would pause and sunrise hurry...
...exist in a paradox to herald your presence.
petals would climb their stems
regroup to bloom again.
butterflies re-cocoon
emerge as glorious fairies
for all children to adore.
the skies would willingly
shape, etch, paint,
frame my exuberance.
the planet would swell,
the galaxies expand.
in the endless depth
of my singular love
i hold you dear,
safely contain you
in my admiring smile,
for now,
forevermore.
16~10~2014
Armand Hamouth
Poets here have got a lot
Of soups that they can sup:
Elegy and etheree, epulaeryu served hot;
Tanka, haiku, dodoitsu -Asian broths served in a cup.
Rhyme here is a regular favor.
Free verse also we can savor.
Sonnet is a classic some serve up with ease
On our menu, many items every day are shown.
Using creativity, we like to tweak our recipes.
Please try our soups; better yet, cook some up of your own!
don't let our coupling bodies
be the uncoupling of souls
don't let what's tried and true
then attempt to fan the coals
perfunctory caresses
meant to bring desired gain
when not infused with love
will only serve up pain
don't kiss with bated fervor
just to tick it off the list
then whisper well known phrases
as you search for what you've missed
Don't love my naked body
and ignore my naked mind
for my body only yields
when our souls are intertwined
Don't let our merging bodies
make spectators of our souls
if passion will not bind
soul and body, we're not whole
So love my inner woman
seek to find her hidden need
when you've brought her soul to life
on love's pleasures you can feed
Our spirits and our bodies
both were made to intertwine
for you know that I am yours
just as surely you are mine
Eileen Manassian
A banana split can be a work of art.
With the fruit cut lengthwise in half is where we start.
Three scoops of our favorite ice cream go on top.
Whatever flavor, use the cream of the crop.
On each scoop go toppings of pineapple, chocolate, and strawberry.
Above that go generous mounds of whipped cream and a cherry.
A split is good enough to change the most dour personality.
Serve up this treat, and see them become merry.
The number of fish species comprises a very long list.
However, one does not need to be an ichthyologist.
Just go to any seafood department at a supermarket.
There are many tasty varieties of fish we can get.
Fish is high in protein which can make us stronger.
It's lower in fat which can help us live longer.
Serve up some fish, and you will have a good meal.
Search the stores where you can get a great deal.
inspired by another member's poem
Why the long face, son? Did someone die?
Aw, Dad. I flunked my math exam
Did you do your level best, son?
I did, Dad. I studied so hard for the test
You know that's all I ask of you, son
And everything is always for the best. Right, Dad?...
What's up, son? Are those tears streaming down your cheeks?
Aw, Dad. I didn't make the varsity basketball team
Did you try your level best, son?
You know I did, Dad. I trained so hard last summer
That's all I can ask of you, my son
And everything is always for the best, Dad...
Is everything ok, son? You look like you saw a ghost
I did lousy on the law boards, Dad
Did you do your level best, son?
I don't know, Dad. I thought I did. But--
--But everything is always for the best, son. You know that by now.
You're right, Dad. Everything is always for the best...
Dad, you're not here with me on this Earth anymore
But your words live on inside me, and
They are of great comfort to me now, Dad
And you were right. Everything is always for the best--
I flunked the math exam because I was not meant
to be a statistician or a computer programmer
I didn't make the varsity team because I was not
cut out to be a great basketball player
I did lousy on the law boards because I never
really wanted to be a lawyer, not in my heart...
I'm a part-time poet now, Dad. That's right
My wonderful poetic friends and I are busy, busy
We create tempting, tasty dishes of Poetry Soup
~ And hereby serve up today's soup de jour, Dad
Everything really and truly is always for the best
February 11, 2019
Entry in "Repetition" Poetry Contest
Sponsor: Cecelia Hopkins-Drewer
The First Six Months
January, you remind me to close the door to yesteryear
And to welcome the new entry ways you have for me
Febuary, I'm off and running, and not the least bothered by
Any resolutions that I did not make
March, I am filled with the energy you bring and the anticipation
for things just ahead
April, with a name like yours, how can I not see and feel the
Spirit of resurrection in the air? Ah April, how refreshing you are
May, I have seen and crossed many bridges, both the great and
Beautiful ones, but none serve up the service you deliver. Why,
You are the calm and silent one connecting and blending the warmth
Of Spring with the heat of Summer.
June, your name competes with April and I will say this: I am acquainted
With a lady name April, but one of my best friends has a wife name June.
She is one jewel of a person.
100819PosoupFB
She managed to Serve up a lovely Verse
Turning beautiful words into gems
From deep within these words did stem
Poets proudly pen precious poems.
---
12/17/15
I want to write a thing or two about racism
A current problem causing quite a schism
Perhaps it could be seen through another prism
Outside the jaundiced lenses of current activism.
My thoughts are my own, not influenced by race,
I try not to judge others by the color of their face
Never thought too much about anybody’s “place”
Always believed our bigotry was a national disgrace.
In our little community everyone was accepted
Everyone, excepting for the very rich,* were respected
All of us by our circumstances were inter-connected
Only lawbreakers, whatever their shade, were arrested.
When we use words like race and racism in patter
When we raise our eyebrows at Black Lives Matter
The more we go along with unnecessary evil chatter
We serve up national discord on a political platter.
We should treat everyone like a family member
And when tempted to prejudice always remember
We owe to our ancestors, with all due candor,
Our place of birth, color of our skin, and our gender.
No one of us is any better than the other of us, see,
We all have the same inherent rights to be free
If someday we stand before a Holy Creator, I guarantee
S/he will see no base differences between you and me!
[*truth is, I think we did look down on the
rich folks, especially if they thought they
were better than us poor folk!]
Written 3/14/2021
HONORABLE WINNER
All-Poetry Contest
July 29, 2021
We naturally reflect on America’s past
this July 4, 2026, Independence Day
Could be America’s last
So, take a minute to pray
With Momdani running New York
Muslims to ban Christianity, alcohol and pork
As corporations flee Katie Wilson’s Seattle
#1 company there soon will be
‘Gramma’s Baby Rattles’
In Chicago, there’s Brandon Johnson
who doesn’t like to call a thug a thug
even when all they do is kill and mug
Progressive judges sentence them to summer camp in Wisconsin
(And if AOC is elected President in November of 2028
She’ll serve up free LSD and cannabis on the White House lawn)
So, let’s hope that by the time July 4, 2029 comes around
Putinville, Iowa won’t be America’s premiere town
Born American, sixth generation of great-grands all German,
not much liking sausage or sauerkraut, English speaking all the way,
except the Germany of my ancestry was fought over and broken
so I’m a bit of France, Germany, Poland, Hungary all the Holy
Roman empire, dissolved down, fought over, egotized, horrified
and remade Into some new state where English is as common as German.
We share a love of flowers in the face of cold and rain, I drink less beer
and wine, meet up somewhere, anywhere around the world on a beach.
From my parents and grandparents, I know to serve up too much food
seven sweets, seven sours and drink and whirl the night away to a band.
Hardworking sorts, unafraid of a little dirt, loving dirt, the turnover
and young sprout brought to fruit, wearing overalls and then washing up.
To sit before a pressed linen table cloth, served up on the finest china,
the cha in my father’s name, the uff da, and other exclamations.
The morning rosaries, the blessed churches where we give thanks for all good
and the setting aside of pride while we work together to make our food.
Sure there are aprons for cooking. Shorts for summertime. A dive into any pool.
What do I know of being German, not much, it's just somewhere in my roots.
This Club Med lagoon really holds the heat,
with a beach front view and a coral suite.
But the best of all
as we watch it fall
is how they serve up each meal on a sheet!
I always reckoned I could cook, great tucker for me need,
yet the kids and missus turn their heads, when I serve up a feed.
Now the wife has joined weight watchers! She reckons she’s obese,
so she won’t cook a single thing with sugar, salt or grease.
There’s no bacon, chops and frying eggs; our milk is only lite.
I looked forward to chips and chiko rolls every Friday night,
now when I sit down at the table, I can only shake me head,
there on the plate is rabbit’s food and no butter on me bread.
And for a bloke whose tooth is sweet, she done an awful sin.
I watched her clear the lolly jar, into the wheely bin.
The sugar canister’s a longing sight, as empty as can be.
She said, “There’s no need for sugar!” So I must drink black tea.
Two weeks I took this torture when my taste buds want to tackle,
Some crispy burnt chicken skin and the saltiest pork crackle.
With tingling nerves on edge, she served up salad once again!
I took one look and quivered, then lost leave of me brain.
I placed me hand below the bowl, then tipped it on her head.
I yelled to her if this is food, then I might as well be dead!
Lite oil dribbled down her face; tomato seeds stuck to her ears,
shreds of carrot laced her hair; alfalfa wrapped asparagus spears.
Did she do the flamin’ ‘cruet’. At first it was the glare,
then like a tiger pouncing, she left her kitchen chair.
I never saw her for three days. On the fourth I caught a fleeting sight.
You see I was now recovering. Me left eye was opening just a mite.
"A Cook" has a family to feed now
And food in the "Refrigerated" space is low
"Empty' is the panty but garden endows
So she visits "The Garden" lain in rows
Outside the garden gate she takes "A Pause"
Just a moment in time to God says "Thanks"
Before "The Morning Chore" gives Sonrise applause
She begins work "Transformed" beside potato banks
"Georgia Peaches" she peels; sings "The Same Song"
Today there won't be a changed "Epilogue"
"Recipe For Change" comes further along
Later complaints "Just For You" she'll catalogue
"Succulent Georgia Peach Pie" she'll serve up
The gentle cook will fill your empty cup.....
Sponsor: Adam Hapworth
Contest: Its All In The Title
10 to 15 lines/any form theme
Written August 20,2013
I am no longer able to garden
I do miss those fresh vegetables..
I thirst and you quench my desire.
When I hunger you lay out a feast.
This mighty love just lifts me higher.
My soulful yearning's all but ceased.
Wrap me in your comforting arms.
Drift me off to a wondrous place.
Amaze me with those distinct charms.
Let me forever gaze at that face.
I once was lost till you found me
wandering on a journey of one.
Into this wonderland I now see
a life of promise has just begun.
Clouds' design could not be clearer.
Wind and rain serve up a smile.
Everything just brings you nearer.
Storms last but a little while.
The essence of your love runs deep.
It grows like shadows in the night.
Your heart of gold is mine to keep.
We'll turn the darkness into light.
Now my days are filled with wonder.
Passion is the fruit we bear.
Let no one put this love asunder.
Your essence does live everywhere!
written by Deb Wilson for Gail's contest "Essence of Love"
January 29th,2014