Best Shared Poems
love born ‘neath star sequins
a hand extended and life’s slow dance begins
confidential whispers exchanged
vows professed on a sun-kissed beach
eternity held in promises
leaping dolphins revel in joy
and they return when azure skies beckon the first-born’s toes to touch the ocean
when the family erects sandcastles while waves lap the shore
when the birds have left the nest as autumn fog covers the sea
when aging lovers see sunset casting a pink aura on lazy clouds
when the final glimmer of light surrenders to celestial curtains
until the surviving spouse emits a sigh in the solitude of darkness
*Entry for Nik Kulik's “Darn, I Wish I Wrote Whis” Contest
Dare I show some flesh
metaphorical or in the real
to demonstrate a common ground
between myself and readers’ minds?
if the answer is a yes
the outcome is preordained
as the words and lack of clothes
reveal the person beneath the mask
weakness put to the front
transformation now divulged
down to the skin and beyond
until disclosure becomes old
with a twist that’s laughable
or just ironic in pure hindsight
nothing new is ever shown
nudity is shared by all.
For the days grow old,
As do we
I search for this woman
It was meant to be.
I found that woman,
Which is you
So, I searched my heart
I found this to be true.
For I shall hold your love,
With blissful joy
To me, you have been
The blessing I had asked for.
For now, it is time,
To tell the world
Having you with me
Was love to be shared.
Shared Life
~
Life becomes a golden meadow
basking neath a warming sun,
amidst butterflies and dandelion seeds
floating silently upon a
wafting breeze whispering
through a mountain valley
tucked away among rose gardens
and gingerbread wishing wells,
gleaning in bent knee proposals
and sunflower smiles reflecting
sapphire sky promises,
bathed in every beauty
the eye could ever behold,
when you share it with me
Good morning Soupers
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You turn and risk two smiling eyes my way as I walk in..
how pretty you look sitting upright in that little bed.
Quietly whisper, how well your bridal gown now would fit,
imagining our dream wedding dance in your fever'd head.
And do you still hear the sweet music of the love we made,
in a different room, full of flowers, where children bloomed?
Those memories savored now, where you, my heart's saviour laid,
the shadows drowned by your brilliant glow in musky perfume.
Tired nurses and CNA's steal a glance behind misty glasses,
at a star'y eyed groom longing to see his bride in prime.
Unafraid of death's grasp, I pulled away your tear-filled mask,
dared kiss two lips in precious life that hugged me one more time.
If loving you proved lethal, or a lingering disease,
then let it linger. I need no cure for what's shared within.
Warm hands and laughing eyes so cherished., I'm now loath to leave..
so please stay here with me, sharing in all that love was meant.
Down lonesome roads of life I travel,
only resting when I grow weary.
I stumble on Memory Lanes of gravel,
when my mournful eyes grow teary.
I recall the many times I've fallen,
unable to stand up on my own.
Umpteen doubts that slowly crawl in
hinder the journey I've started alone.
It's then I see through tear-blinded eyes,
a shining Light, though somewhat bleary.
Growing brighter ev'n as I realise,
I'm walking again and no more dreary.
Grey storm clouds have all been lifted.
I see clearly, God has shown me The Way.
I've been blessed. With optimism I'm gifted.
On the Path of Righteousness, I'll not stray.
I have learned to be malleable and shrewd,
relying on prayer and what God will provide.
Life became felicitous with the right attitude.
Now, faith is my sole trustworthy guide.
Written in collaboration with Jo Daniel.
It was gratifying to write with you, Jo. Thank you!
Written: December 06, 2024
___________________________
We were born into tribes
cinctured by bonds and praxis
welded by ambits and dictums
an eyeless chasm.
But scope a sounder view
just under the shimmering surface
and the outcome will be luculent
our parallels often outshine our oddities.
Our blood is crimson
all of us slipshod weeps
all of us longing for love
all of us fail to face our fears.
Our zeal fashion fetching flow
our souls seek seraphic symbiosis
we all itch for a warm welcome
and achieve startling accolades.
But, we build walls,
and draw lines in the sand,
we judge hinged on appearance,
and ignore the outstretched hand.
But if we may just foresee,
beyond the color of our skin,
and the language we spree,
we may find kin.
Because in the recesses of our souls
within our deep cores
all of us are noxious
rhapsodic around finding fulfillment.
So let's slip away,
from the chains of tribalism,
and gasp our kinships,
with love and hope.
For only then,
can we for real unite,
and transcend our differences,
Into a world of light.
Shared Desire
I’ve never met the likes of him
Not even in a passing by
He carries a voice that’s soft and strong
Different than different, both youthful and wise
His heart shares the same qualities
It speaks to the depths of my soul
My own heart listens intently
To every word and phrase it is told
I’ve never seen the likes of him
A face that’s surely devine
With eyes of emerald crystal
In moonlight they sparkle and shine
And when his gaze wanders to me
His face lights up with such fire
His passion is all I can see
Of sharing his love and desire
Souls like these breathe sweet release
inhaling each others air
Falling locks sweep over your frame
encasing you in this moon soaked room
Soft scent of perfume...lingers from you
my pillow will sing of your absence
Tracing sinew with felt tip fingertips
you draw invisible words on my chest
Thoughtful gazes say more than pass our lips
no words for these moments that go without saying
Your chest rise and fall calming
soft tones of speech echo in silence
Captured by each others arms, drifting slowly
we talk now in murmurs, trailing off
My fingers run through your silken hair
rhythmically calming us both
Fading at last to a sweet lovers sleep
inhaling each others air
Love can be shared
In many different ways
You can choose to share your wisdom
Or share your time with talk and play
So many will need your help
With guidance and knowledge from your years
Remember that they can still be young
And sometimes full of fear
Always have patience
Be sure and help them to grow
Plant your seed wisely
Share your love and let them know
In my vegetable garden,
birds are watching me, pick
green beans to eat.
A lone robin, scrounges for seeds, from sun flowers.
An old, twisted oak tree,
filters the sunlight.
The cool, filtered light,
is just right, for my garden.
Beneath that oak tree,
are ripe tomato’s I need to pick,
for my supper. Mr. Robin flits upwards to a sun flower.
He’s found his seeds and eats.
His fill, he’ll eat
and rest in the moon’s light.
Ms. Deer gnaws only, flowers,
as I leave the garden.
No doubt, if I hadn’t picked
My vegetables, already; he’d be devouring them, beneath that shady tree.
I chased her to a distant tree;
tossed her an apple to eat.
She’ll be back to take her pick
More, I know, by the evening moon’s light.
She’ll return to devour my garden;
and will also, eat the flowers.
I plant bulbs and flowers,
away from my garden and the tree;
hoping Ms. Deer, will avoid, my garden;
preferring to go and eat,
by the evening moon’s light;
while I sit with my guitar and pick.
Tomorrow, if they’re not eaten,
I’ll go out and pick,
a nice bouquet of table flowers,
in morning sun’s, bright light.
As it filters though the trees,
that grow beside my garden.
When evening comes, my guitar, I’ll pick, in the waning moon’s dim light.
Ms. Deer, her fill, of flowers, will eat.
Oak tree beds down, for the night, beside the garden.
Entered: Knight Writer's Club Grand Opening - Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Tyshawn Knight
Written by Gail DeBole on September 12, 2013
There once were siamese-like twins
Who didn't share organs or limbs.
An ego was shared
Thoughts moving through air
Between sisters Donna and Kim.
With an ego bigger than most
The twins did nothing but boast
of trophies and wins
And spectacular whims.
The sisters were known coast-to-coast.
skipping on tip toes
sharing secrets with the wind
a hush of crisp leaves
** for 'A leaf in the wind (Autumn)'
sponsored by Rick Parise
Kim shared a room with a tiger
Rajat Kanti Chakrabarty
24th December, 2014
Kim shared a room with a tiger
He was from Niamey of Niger
They sang La Nigérienne
In this hotel Vientiane
And they dreamt the dream of Eiger
Sweet cherub, she lived for travel, laughs and smiles, to offer hope, joy.
We shared proms, Native art, double dates, dreams, theater, happiness.
She loved River Dance, snow ball fights, horses, Merlot, Richard Gere, me.
Porcelain doll with fair skin, Elaine shed tears, gave happiness.
Gentle heart, soft voice, she welcomed sunrise with bliss, meditation.
Heaven bound, she dwells in a place with no illness, just peace and love.
*June 4, 2014