Best Shirked Poems
How far do the ripples spread, when eventually we die
Probably stay in the locality, level off, no major outcry
But let’s say we’re famous, suffering unexplained death
The ripples keep expanding, growing further in breadth
See the grotesque nature of spin, is to overplay a scene
Garnishing public outrage, lurid pictures fill our screens
Playing to an audience, ratings become the holy grail
Stories without embellishments, grow tiresomely stale
These ripples are an illusion, imagination going berserk
Carried along by a corrupt deception, truth been shirked
Evidence the one requirement, for establishing all facts
I extrapolate backwards, what the hell there’s no splash
Lines converge into partial truths, confused to a degree
Must be taken with a pinch of salt, querying what I see
Even this soup we enjoy, is manipulated and massaged
Most of the poems are quite good, others form a mirage
Taken out of context a rectangle, can become a square
Brought into focus, desolate pictures, not quite so bare
What’s basically a clean stab, or slash across the wrist
When poets stick in the knife, some give it a good twist
Using poetry for a hidden agenda, political or otherwise
Tantamount to mind-numbing crap, seen in the tabloids
If your going to post propaganda, to further some game
Write it on toilet paper, wipe off, that’s all you’ve gained
By
David Kavanagh
Categories:
shirked, allusion, corruption, prejudice, truth,
Form:
Rhyme
Three men each grew a precious rose
They all had different thoughts
Of how to raise and nurture them
Of the outcomes that they sought.
The first man shirked all effort
Just plunged a hole within the soil
His rose grew, waned then wilted
It suffered from his lack of toil.
The second man possessed great intent
By preparing fertile ground
Purchasing almost everything
Gave his rose all that could be found.
This rose developed entirely spoilt
It flourished better than a weed
Except it too deformed and shrivelled
When he could no longer feed its needs.
Our third man was a pauper
However his heart was like a king
All he had was time and love
But he knew his rose would sing.
He too prepared quite fertile earth
But he never spent a cent
He freed the dirt for solid roots
He knew this rose was heaven sent.
He spent what he could just afford
Although mostly invested time
Talked and fussed and loved his rose
No surprise it grew up really fine
This man finally met his grave
Wilted then died when he grew old
His rose still grows and prospers
It flowers so bright and so bold.
Precious gifts require attention
Only exceptions grow up wild
Treasures need time and care
Imagine each rose could be a child.
Categories:
shirked, analogy, children, devotion, love,
Form:
Rhyme
One day I delivered a poem
one that seemed to be premature
so I swaddled her up
and set her aside
to grow 'til I felt reassured
How she yowled and howled for attention...
how she cried so piteously!
How she coughed and she sneezed
whimpered and wheezed
then threw up all over me!
Still I tenderly tended her bedside
and lovingly nursed her along
determined to sacrifice everything
to raise her up healthy and strong
As she grew and recovered, she wandered
and crawled over everything
and I found I had trouble containing
my rambling, unruly offspring
She became an inexcusable bounder
a wayward and bratty ingrate
who despite all my love and affection
refused to make sense or read straight
She dallied in questionable places
she idled and shiftlessly shirked
lazily lagging, ignoring my nagging
while I selflessly, endlessly worked
Firmly applied discipline to her
and structure, and meter, and rhyme
but she bucked, and rebelled, and bit me
and stayed up beyond her bedtime
We wrestled, and wrangled, and brawled,
bickered in bitter altercation
if I didn't do something quite soon
she would ruin my good reputation
At length, I decided I'd had it
we had reached the end of the road
and although she clung like a wet paper towel-
I flung her and flushed the commode!
Categories:
shirked, humor, humorous, silly, word
Form:
Rhyme
The red bucket in my bathroom
suddenly one day broke.
Day by day it deteriorated
till it was revoked.
I needed some plastic
to melt for some work;
the red bucket was chosen
being already shirked.
Little by little, in few days,
the red bucket was cut.
From being a proper bucket,
it was not even its butt.
It sits there in a corner
waiting to die some more.
Unwanted, rejected,
it's not a bucket anymore.
Categories:
shirked, abuse, angst, sad,
Form:
Rhyme
It was an ordinary day,
when time she came our way.
So young and shy, with a lovely smile
I thought she’d stay for just awhile.
But ever since she cared for us
in everything she does.
She was hired so mom and dad could work.
She, no hard task ever shirked.
So I grew up within her care
she gave a love so rare,
from noon till night and every morn
as though from her I was born.
Now I have grown, I dread this time,
she’s old and past her prime.
She longs these days for her homeland,
I can’t release her loving hand.
I hide my tears but still I cling
to she, the wind beneath my wings.
It is not a normal day,
for my shadow leaves today.
07 July 2015
Categories:
shirked, caregiving, growing up, tribute,
Form:
Rhyme
My life as I see it wasn’t easy, but I didn’t have it that rough,
I got my share of breaks, but it was virtually an uphill fight,
There were nights when the moon shirked its duties and the stars, too afraid to shine, left me in frightening solitude,
Days where life was so grand, I walked with the magnanimous rays of the sun on my right shoulder, and with the girl of my every dream and fantasy’s head on the other,
I lost many races taking shortcuts that took me the long way, but illustrated scenery that taught me the true essence of beauty and enriched my life,
I gained lifelong priceless friendships over the years that cost me nearly everything, some of those relationships, in the end, did in fact revealed their worth,
My heart chased women too fast for it, which made it strong and healthy to love the woman it was meant for –but in the end that too failed…..
I missed out on life changing chances which set the conditions for opportunities that changed my life, though a couple I should have left knocking,
Nine out of ten times I chose righteousness over evil, even when that decision hurt, cost, or made me uncomfortable or unpopular…
The tenth time was usually exciting and fun, but made me a loser in the end
I found joy in some of the weirdest places to include travail and sorrow, but managed to rescue both anguish and tribulation from the clutches of the most perfect situation,
I never loved out of convenience, hated because it was expected, or inspired others to do either
I’ve had some amazing victories that were miracles, but I’ve also squandered away huge leads in heart breaking defeats…
Not to mention times I’ve managed to limp away from draws with feelings of both relief and bitterness
I’ve fought an uphill battle, but I caught some breaks,
I didn’t have it too tough, but my life as I see it –it wasn’t too easy either
Written in Afghanistan -4 AUG 2013
Categories:
shirked, introspection, life,
Form:
Free verse
Our
water
came from springs
and back yard wells.
We raised crops and cleaned
our sturdy homemade things.
All worked. No duties were shirked.
Now, we captives to modern ways
sit in comfy homes, smile, and speak of
the good old days and how we miss them--NOT.
July 22, 2016
I have MANY sweet memories of the sixties, but they are NOT of the duties
described above!
Categories:
shirked, change, nostalgia,
Form:
Etheree
Waves and winds comfort me
As I toss in fitful dreams.
The universe covers my head,
Sand gives my bones a humble bed
Oh, how much I'll fill this spot,
With all the memories I've got!
And tell this place how much I care,
Of loved ones, whose souls I've shared.
While seeking life in all its scope,
Their why I'll hold fast to hope.
A world for food, one for delight,
Morning, noon and in the night.
Each day when I say my prayers,
I'll thank God who truly cares.
Then count my blessing on earth,
A task too easily I've shirked.
Categories:
shirked, blessing, day, earth, god,
Form:
Rhyme
Guilty of life once lived in sections,
drastically making changes.
Concessions to new obsessions,
suffering identity exchanges.
Revision life's only pattern,
inborn self considered a sin.
Wherever did the facade end,
and my actual truth begin?
Mercurial soul.
Gale force wind on fire.
Searching recklessly.
Banishing true desire.
Stunted by fear.
Cut low by local society.
Angrily relating ashamed.
Depression continually haunting me.
Loving heart protected by rage.
Angel morphed to succubus.
Ignorant of a different way.
Residual burden of distrust.
No compass showing the way.
Pilgrim of self identity.
Fractured mind's weathervane,
self destruction my proclivity.
I failed in my search.
Experienced life vainly, physically.
Blind to evolutionary growth.
Recently found enrichment, mentally.
Mistakes made youthfully, forgiven.
I look forward filled with hope.
Fortune smiled upon me.
Enlightened at the end of my rope.
If you believe in second chances,
first gift yourself one.
Explore your own depth, just once,
and you'll find life has just begun.
Presently, daily, I show for practice
on life's uncertain field.
I want the ball, as a champion should.
Sprinting forward, I'll prove what life can yield.
When mortality knocks on my crypt,
I plan on being prepared.
Living life by my own script.
Lessons learned by decisions erred.
I'll take my place amongst the stars,
having shirked mortal coil.
Ready for what is next.
To my nature, proven loyal.
Come with me on this journey.
Banish need for acceptance.
Live your life entirely.
You'll only get one chance.
-Angel Fatale-
Categories:
shirked, emotions, encouraging, forgiveness, inspiration,
Form:
Rhyme
That summer your dad died
and we brought your mom
to stay a few weeks
‘til she moved to the nursing home
we drove east to Saskatchewan
the huddles of family
I’d never met
softly recounting your father’s fading
while Bessie washed dishes without a word
and looked for something
newly misplaced
Only you
her fiftieth gift child
who’d strategically shirked
corporate success
could flick the switch of recognition
her pleading eyes a conversation
translated in flesh
Back at home with a change of plan
to live together
as long as we could
with the front door swinging
the kettle screaming
dry on the stove
and Bessie shuffling the winding road
in search of church or bingo
'Til leaning down to hug “goodnight”
your eyes her open sky
where every memory softly whispered
Bessie back into the light
Categories:
shirked, lifehome, home,
Form:
Narrative
#FAREWELL, BROTHER
by
Hannah Rain
Lowering him down upon his curved back,
On silky blue sheets, all pleated and tacked,
A pillow they stuffed beneath his cold head,
And combed his gray hair, that once was bright red.
Then buttoning his tweed, colored dark blue,
They crossed his thin arms and tied his black shoe.
His leg they stretched out, his eyes they sealed shut.
He’s thin as a pole, where once bulged his gut.
Completing his pose, they closed the lid tight,
Thus shutting him into perpetual night.
While sealing him in, they shook and they sighed;
Tears for their buddy could never run dry.
And grasping the rails, six men then lifted,
Heaving and hefting, as their feet shifted,
Tucking a shoulder 'neath a sharp edge,
The men now a square bore their friend’s bed.
Then slowly they marched, to breach in the earth,
And lowering him in, respected his worth.
Standing they pondered their suffering in war;
He’d been dismembered, and never restored.
The lemon trees close by, dropped sun colored tears,
Reminding the men how bitter the years
Would be without him, whose one legged jokes
Provoked them to laugh, but irked the grim folks.
Shoveling his bed o’er, with grayish brown dirt,
Despite clunks and thuds, not one of them shirked.
‘Cause each man did know, deep down in his heart,
Their brother did sleep, did briefly depart.
They knew they'd see him, once Christ opens the sky,
When graves open up, and they will arise;
For hearing God’s voice, His heavenly call,
They’ll bolt awake and meet Him one, all.#
Categories:
shirked, brother, farewell, friend, funeral,
Form:
Ode
The naked dancer was irked
Because the dark scar would sneak
From under her tutu but she shirked
Not her dance rountine, Kirk
The car she drove was a cranked risk
And a horror when the snake on rack did hide
The car will ask kinder for snake to sneak aside
So the dancer can go to work..
Written by: Sara Kendrick
A nonsensical work
Title of contest: Anagramatically Speaking
Sponsor: Oink! A Limp Okra
This was inspired by the contest
but not an entry....
Scar naked irk
Car ask kinder
Rack snake rid
Dancer ask irk
Dancer as Kirk
Skincare Dark
A Cranked Risk
Categories:
shirked, animals, funny, imaginationcar,
Form:
Rhyme
Speaking only kind, constructive words about others,
Prioritizing peace among earth's sisters and brothers,
Remembering green practices, essential to our lives,
Easy as the benign habits, of honeybees in gilt hives.
Always eager to give more than likely to be received,
Devotedly loyal to a loving God, who's never deceived,
Indelibly making being good neighbors a huge priority.
Nurturing friendships helps create a friendly majority.
Generating sunny smiles, giving generously to charity.
Habitually being punctual, for it is only good manners,
As important at dinner parties, as to bold city planners.
Protecting the wild animals and their valuable habitats.
Pursuing knowledge endlessly, for knowledge attracts!
Imagination is wonderful to have, as it is never boring,
Not like the tedious, humdrum, that sets all to snoring.
Eager to do the best job possible-it makes things work.
So many things might go wrong, if each person shirked.
Stimulating dialogue, instead of quarrel, is ever a perk.
Written on 4/11/2023
For: Spreading Happiness Poetry Contest
Sponsor: Anoucheka Gangabissoon
Categories:
shirked, animal, community, happiness, nature,
Form:
Acrostic
Time was in abundance,
In plenty to chew and brew,
Work, sleep or play,
Yet enough to spare.
Dreams, expectations, full of bounty,
No tick to stir the doughty,
Lifespan discarded as wasteful worry,
Hurry, worry, all went to burry,
I the Master, I the Supreme,
Others, the ordinary held little attention,
Times came and crept by,
Learning shirked away at mention.
Who cares? The motto was straight,
Something will happen, why haste?
We will surely learn as we grow
Grew we sure, but not to mature.
Suddenly, the uncared became all important,
Time was short, work too much,
With hunched shoulders I heaved a cry,
Mercy my lord! I the Ordinary.
Help! I shouted, but they laughed,
No solace, calm or sleep,
Fear, unknown induced the maddening,
The end seemed not so far.
Mercy, somehow was restored,
Zero, I learned to ask for,
Time, the ordinary, the industry & thrift,
I yearn to breathe the rest of my life.
Categories:
shirked, change, hope, inspiration, moving
Form:
Free verse
Queen Elizabeth the Second passed
leaving the World in a mournful state.
How can this be--one who's so steadfast.
She tempered Britain's every fate.
Barely a bride on her honeymoon,
she learned her father, the King, had died.
Her life changed, becoming Queen so soon,
honeymoon left, that life set aside.
For seventy years, she was the Queen,
and a sister, daughter, mum, and wife.
Amazing what this lady would mean
to post-war Britain's foothold on life.
She guided with her feminine hands
never shirked her nation's duty call.
Tiny monarch ruling many lands.
She rose to be one-hundred feet tall!
September 8, 2022
Categories:
shirked, 12th grade, appreciation, courage,
Form:
Quatrain