Best Shortened Poems
November falls
In languid swirls
Of lacy sorrowful leaves
Waning circles
Of shortened light
How bold the cold becomes
Clearing the weighty clouds
From the pristine ebony ice
Of the heavens
Their astral beauty
Reflecting your eyes
As your hand follows
The celestial lanes of comets
All while the topaz earth
Covers our feet
With the comfort of gravity
Yet I will always
Hold you higher
As high as the
Searchlight of your heart
As high as
Numberless destiny
As high as the
Spirals of the sky
Guiding us north
Even if we
Fall short of the moon
We still have
The infinity
Of stars
11/26/22
Poem of the Day - 11/28/22
First Place, Brian Strand Premiere Contest #53
My evening sky glints motifs gold
In orange vibes turned ruby bold
Glowing remnants of shining snow
Where pewter winds merrily blow
Swirling imprints of amber glaze
Bending hues of setting sun rays
Prairies sway season’s dreaded hold
Wailing in grief, as blossoms fold,
For fallen leaves and wintry woe
That shudders trees in frosted throe
While browning pastures cattle graze
Where foothills gleam in twilight haze
When fervor yawns in dreary mold
And garden sighs of parching cold
Pine trees, ebullient, dance in row
Enchanting hearts in nature’s show
While ogling the stars passions blaze
As romance blooms in moonlit gaze
On horizon mauve dreams unfold
Where blush of morn lovers behold
Greeting November's scarlet glow
That tawny dawn's sunbeams bestow
Glistening face of shortened days
Wooing warmth in autumn's malaise
Written: November 26, 2020
Submitted on October 26, 2022 to:
2022 Poetry Marathon Mile 18 Poetry Contest
Placed 1st: Lay November Poetry Contest
Sponsor: William Kekaula
Eight syllables per line (howmanysyllables.com)
Ascending above sanctum of horizon, a dawn inflames the effulgent rays,
Enlightening daybreak as embers of light set the scarlet morning ablaze
Projecting golden beams on hushed venues, in beatific style, not seen in a while,
Glittering on grass in vivid dewdrops, glinting ornamental autumnal smile.
Riding the path of shortened days, marigold passions eloquently evoke
Enchanting colors of resplendent meadows--sensuous vibes tenderly stoke
When traversing upon a vibrant blue-arc, solar-noon invokes seasons warm
Where cumulus clouds stroll the meridian, amid nary a sign of rainy storm.
Seeking affinity of ruby dusk, a spectrum inscribes on gilded evening skies
Iridescent emotions in colors of romance, pleasing desires of amorous eyes
As falling leaves waltz, in leisurely dance, attuned to song of sunset breeze
Descending slowly with vanishing sun, in forlorn shudders of barren trees.
October 28, 2019
Poem of the day on October 30, 2019
Placed 3rd: Strand special 2 by Brian Strand
Twilight crimson in motifs gold
Paints eve’s horizon ruby bold
Where autumnal dreams unfold
As saffron vistas waltz to please
Amethyst winds quiver in breeze
Falling leaves of gamboge trees
Stars up high, for attention vie
Glinting prairies in russet dye
While doting moon peeks from sky
Till sunrise blossoms shortened days
Glistening smile of autumn's blaze
Blushed in kiss of zealous rays
January 21, 2021
Syllables: 8,8,7 per stanza
Sun is held hostage by a blanket of clouds,
reflecting an agitated addict's ashtray.
Birds depart from soaked naked branches,
as eyes seek refuge from the ugliness of change.
I peer beneath this umbrage pitched upon the ground
anticipating a palette of summer to simper back
yet all I see are stick figure shadows frolicking
as this bitter autumn wind encircles me
Symphonies of the sky continuously weep.
I watch petals float in puddles of regret,
so I reflect back to a summer of mon amour,
where Michelangelo hands sculptured my garden.
Reflecting back, delicate strokes within velvety folds
as fingers trace the edges of my heart's blossom
crimson drops slip silently between my hands
for even the beauty of a rose holds autumn's thorns
Secure from rustic debris that blow against windows,
5pm twilight, means no rekindling with my cherished sun.
My shortened days lash back through glares of street lamps
with frosty glass etchings chiselled by night's harsh breath.
Collaboration with Sandra Adams
Silent One
20 October 2019
November, as the poets say -
autumn's demise, winter's gateway.
Its shortened days and longer nights
descending, death is in her sights:
leaves fall, as is their yearly fate,
while beasts prepare to hibernate.
November, as my lady lies
so silent, moving not her eyes -
with ashen skin, lips cold as death,
I wait in vain to feel her breath.
Her soul immortal, this I know,
yet in this life I'll grieve her so.
Written 26 November 2020
My favorite word. . . now what could that be?
To choose it, I have to think so carefully.
If I choose by its meaning, I simply can’t find
one word most important; this boggles my mind.
My favorite word. Oh, how can I choose?
What if I go by the one I most use?
I’d have to choose something like “a,” “the” or “and.”
Such words are too boring and surely not grand.
My favorite word. Now here is a thought.
I love pretty words, so my favorite ought
to be one poetic! But such words abound.
I’ll narrow them down to my favorite sound!
Words spring to my mind such as eloquence,
splendid, bliss, and ephermal; hence,
there’s something inside each word I can tell
is similar. All of them have the sound L!
How lilting between vowels in words like “Aloha.”
How lively in Christmas refrains: Fa La La!
L is Luscious and Lissome. It has eLegance.
It’s Luna, Lavender, and Luminescence!
And now I’ve arrived at ONE word. It has wings!
Like a beautiful angel, this word I think sings!
It comes from the Bible; a woman of fame
had a bit longer form of this beautiful name.
Delilah – in Hebrew and Arabic too -
a name most delightful has been shortened to
LILAH! This simple name rolls off the tongue.
It’s a languishing lass, lovelorn and young.
Perhaps a touch sultry with light in her eyes!
Be it Lyla or Layla; I hear lullabyes
to lull me to Slumberland; my soul will take flight
on a dream word that means lovely girl of the night!
Aug. 21, 2019 for Chantelle Anne Cooke's "Favorite Word" Poetry Contest
(I have written a few poems employing this name Lilah, one entitled
"Lilah of the Lilacs." If I had had a second daughter, I think Lilah would
have been my name for her! Also, I actually had a cat once that liked to
snip at our legs, so I had named her Lilah Vampira!)
In dream lone blackbird sits on telephone line,
pleading, what more do I have to give.
Wing once beat out a metronome in time..
leaving thoughts lost through a sieve.
I swore to rebuild our earthen dam,
and hold the waters at bay.
Your dream found a different plan,
left nothing more to say.
Race, now long finished, deemed total loss..,
left my prideful soul entreating.
Waste heart's song diminished, too high the cost,
ask why the day so fleeting.
Last candle's light gleamed in his glowering gaze,
Write journal'd fate, no answer would he belie,
September's temper teamed in shortened days,
to kiss late remember'd lips good-bye.
Sun is held hostage by a blanket of clouds,
reflecting an agitated addict's ashtray.
Birds depart from soaked naked branches,
as eyes seek refuge from the ugliness of change.
I peer beneath this umbrage pitched upon the ground
anticipating a palette of summer to simper back
yet all I see are stick figure shadows frolicking
as this bitter autumn wind encircles me
Symphonies of the sky continuously weep.
I watch petals float in puddles of regret,
so I reflect back to a summer of mon amour,
where Michelangelo hands sculptured my garden.
Reflecting back, delicate strokes within velvety folds
as fingers trace the edges of my heart's blossom
crimson drops slip silently between my hands
for even the beauty of a rose holds autumn's thorns
Secure from rustic debris that blow against windows,
5pm twilight, means no rekindling with my cherished sun.
My shortened days lash back through glares of street lamps
with frosty glass etchings chiseled by night's harsh breath.
A collaboration with Silent One
I am Nan, no relation of Jan
Just an admirer and a fan
Her poems are well read
Mine are masterpieces (only in my head)
So you see I can't do what she can.
I am Nan, no relation of Jan
Just an admirer and a fan
Her sense of humor is godsent
Mine would be too if it wasn't absent
So you see I can't do what she can.
I am Nan, no relation of Jan
Just an admirer and a fan
Her sense of humour is very fine
I wrack my brains can't find mine
So you see I can't do what she can
I am Nan, no relation of Jan
Just an admirer and a fan
You say we are poles apart?
But we looked so similar at the start
Shortened my name to Nan so I can, like Jan.
26th APRIL 2015
Un-nerved by formal sentencing assemblies,
Marks and Words, bound by conjunctive amenity.
The tried beliefs that short cuts speed words into action.
Made stuffy Old School feel out of fashion.
Punctuation board-slams her silver gavel;
“A shortened distance, yet far to travel.”
Marks are pushed into line to enter their plea.
Dash Dash Dash has trailing thoughts…
Comment remarks that it thinks too much.
Question Mark, curiously rotund and stout,
asks “What’s this meeting all about?”.
Proud Period, acquainted with the strident rituals of formality,
Quickly departs, leaving a daunting spot of terse finality.
Comma’s game of pause and snag,
grammatically adheres to one of tag.
Overwrought Exclamation Mark, nervously blurts:
“Unruly disorder can make matters worse!”.
Semi colon maintaining proper pauses,
Stays anchored between compelling clauses.
Colon fearful of growling barks,
snuggles closer to Quotation Marks.
Apostrophe’s like for word possession,
worries over changing word obsession
Oh, Oh! Oh? Oh…
These are shameful attempts to monopolize,
Even with trite words, of unassuming size.
.
Punctuation thinks her identity’s impaired
Might she be confused with the shrew, Grammar?
She calls to order a capitol thought.
sliding up to Exclamation Mark, shouts “’STOP!’
The object of this meeting,
Is not subject to self- beating.
No presence is here to criticize, or chastises,
nor harmonize.
If getting through is what stays true.
Will be understood by some , but always to you.”.
Come With Me
(shortened version )
Come with me,
hear the wind, feel the wind,
catch the wind that binds us all;
come with me, I’m calling you across the sea
come with me, open your eyes
and you will see
that stars are lit a path to trace where you
and me stand tall and true guiding us
through and through into the night.
Dark streaming clouds can race
above but you and me will find a way
to hold back days burning with cold.
Come with me
let’s fight the darkness with our song
come with me for together we belong
pick up your oars let’s reach the shore
where up above the eagles soar
let’s watch them fly forever more.
We’ll feast on dreams that cast a spell
we’ll write the songs that hate dispel
and ride the waves on hunchback whales.
Come with me,
let’s write a song in every tongue
let’s clear the dust that seals men’s eyes
let’s ride the moon and melt away the stars.
Come with me,
hear the wind, feel the wind,
catch the wind that binds us all.
___________________________________________________
You will find the full lyric embedded on
the above video
(Tropical acoustic vibe, laid-back but emotionally charged)
[Intro]
(Acoustic guitar, soft island beat building in)
Island girl...
[Verse 1]
Island girl, I’ve got my eyes on you,
Loving the way you move, babe, so smooth.
Longing for your hand, take my song,
Take me where you belong, come on.
Together, island girl, just me and you,
We can groove, baby, we can find our groove.
[Pre-Chorus]
Girl, you don’t know what you’ve been missin’,
But when I catch you, babe, it’s all night kissin’.
Feelin' those waves, goin' deep sea fishin’,
Makin' love, island girl, we’re on a mission.
[Chorus]
Island girl, you’re the one I adore,
You’ve got my heart, and so much more.
Your heat, turnin' me to steam,
To gaze at you, girl, it’s like a dream.
I’ll bring the ice, we’ll melt together,
Tropical nights, girl, now and forever.
[Verse 2]
Sweet island girl, you’re all in my dreams,
Your touch so tender, like warm summer beams.
To hold you close, under the stars,
Where we’re lost in love, no matter how far.
Tropical tunes and a lover’s sound,
Baby, with you, I’m never comin' down.
I melt into your almond eyes,
Lost in the glow of your gaze tonight.
[Pre-Chorus]
Girl, you don’t know what you’ve been missin’,
But when I catch you, babe, it’s all night kissin’.
Feelin' those waves, goin' deep sea fishin’,
Makin' love, island girl, we’re on a mission.
[Chorus - Shortened]
Island girl, you’re the one I adore,
You’ve got my heart, girl, and so much more.
Your heat, turnin' me to steam,
To gaze at you, girl, it’s like a dream.
(Short instrumental break)
[Bridge]
(Spoken softly, with background harmonies)
Underneath the moon, where the waves roll in,
I’m callin’ your name, and I can’t wait to begin.
Let’s drift away, just you and I,
In this island dream, we’ll never say goodbye.
I melt into your almond eyes,
And in that gaze, all our time flies.
[Chorus - Outro]
Island girl, you’re the one I adore,
You’ve got my heart, and so much more.
Your heat, turnin' me to steam,
To gaze on you, girl, it’s like a dream.
(Fading into soft instrumental as waves crash gently)
Island girl...
Island girl...
Is there a junkyard for old tiaras and outdated ball gowns?
Where does Beauty go when age has taken her crown?
Removed atop her head and passed onto the new,
smiling gracefully her rein is over her chapter is through.
The walkway has shortened the stage has reached its end
her audience abandoned her, few remembering her when.
Beauty dissolved in creases and folds.
faded pictures tell numerous stories of desires untold
lost sapphires, rubies, diamonds and lace
torn denim, short skirts and selfies have taken their place.
Roses soon wither fallen off of her pole.
Tower high stilettos now traded have soft flattened soles.
Waken one day unable to recognize this new face.
Searching for the old one but never finding a trace
of that person who was familiar, and she once knew
who was young and beautiful, without even trying to.
Haunted by yester years with memories complete.
when she held love’s attention and men fell at her feet
Commanding the room as she swung and swayed,
Beauty was immeasurable but there was a debt to be paid.
New beauty surrounds her with past souvenirs.
Reminders of time ago and broken-down years
now she’s invisible as she dissipates in the background,
with a crooked tiara and wearing last year’s ball gown.
Horizon imprints blazing joy, where autumn blushes amber sky
Glistening meadows of gilded season, adorning tinted russet dye
As amethyst winds of eventide flutter leaves on crimson trees
Flickering rays of golden twilight, glinting sigh of ochre breeze.
Pleasing sights, saffron colors merrily bounce, staging air-dance
Whirling leaves in panoramic vistas, hypnotizing glance of romance
As fiery gamboge hills oscillate, waltzing tenor of autumnal zeal
Dazzling lovers’ enchanted hearts in maple tree’s scarlet appeal.
Cooler weather permeates, graying charm of shortened days,
While browsing prairies of browning fields, cattle lazily graze;
Families gather sharing stories, crowding around warm fireplace
As festive season ushers in, serenading divinity of solemn grace.
September 12, 2020
Autumn–Fall Rhyme Challenge Poetry Contest
Sponsor: Tania Kitchin