Best Sneaker Poems
"It was 6 or 7 years ago
Or so I'd like to think
I traveled to my eye doctor..
(I should'a seen a "shrink"!!)
My dad and I we awaited
In a filled up waiting room
Patients all a'seat
Magazines all askew
There wasn't much to say there
There wasn't much to do...
Slowly I did notice
Some odd glances made at me...
Some hand-covered conversations...
Some smirks I seemed to see
It made me feel self-conscious
They seemed fixed looking at me in my seat
When slowly I did realize...
That they were staring at my feet...
I looked down, and to my horror
And much to my surprise...
A sight I could not fathom...
I could not believe my eyes!!!
For one foot was well fitted
with tennis sneaker white...
The other a black dress shoe
It was a startling sight!!!
Now I found how hard it was
to hide one's mismatched feet
I wished to God to run out
And escape onto the street
I was red with great embarrassment
and shocked how stupid I could be!
Had I been that darn sleepy?
Or could I just not see?
Then it slowly dawned on me,
Well, darn it, here I sit....
Proves I need an eye-doctor...
and I don't give a sh__......."
He begs me to come, but he's run out of luck
You won't catch me dead in that beat-up old truck!
It was painted blue...now the color is rust
But you can't be too sure...since it's covered in dust!...
The engine must idle, (about an hour is good)
You can feel the vibration, around the whole neighborhood
A life is at risk, if you go for a ride!
The windshield is broken, and leaks rain inside
It makes a weird noise, rides bumpy and rough
The dashboard is littered and covered with "stuff"
The seat cushion's torn, and it pokes at my rear
The dog sits beside us and licks at my ear
There's no place below us, for resting my feet
There's a hole in the floor, O my God, there's the street!!!
The windows don't close, so there's more than a breeze
Wrappers from Twinkies, a Burger King box...
One lonely old sneaker, and smelly old socks
Half a stale donut smashed down on the floor
Darn!! The dog beat me to it, and is looking for more!!
The muffler is loose, you can see the sparks fly
Dirty looks from the folks, who get smoke in their eyes
When we drive by the neighbors, I duck my head and I hide
I'm no Prima Donna....but I've still got some pride!!
He loves that old truck, he calls her a gem!
Make him choose between us??? ....I'd be out on a limb!!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For Verlena Walker's Slamming Battle Contest
"The Sky Cracked Open"
One day
the Sky cracked open
the yolk of life
shined through
Splinters shifted
blooded angel quills
flew amongst the
black spots in the iris
20/20 vision
wild joy ensued
imbued clearly
rapturous ambiguity
Don’t look back
this read
coded in the
chivalric Quixote
ridden on a donkey's back
it’s all fried
Prophetic
suspended
in control
of nothing
ah dreams
soft pillows
lots lost
pillars of salt
stasis
genesis
(LadyLabyrinth / 2020)
"Low Five" Splinter / Sneaker Pimps
https://youtu.be/2IevyK68dgQ
"For still the vision
awaits its appointed time;
it hastens to the end -
it will not lie.
If it seems slow,
wait for it;
it will surely come;
it will not delay."
***
“It's not that you should never
love something so much
that it can control you.
It's that you need to love
something that much
so you can never
be controlled.
It's not a weakness.
It's your best strength.”
***
Control
***
Freedom
LYRICS/ "Low Five" Splinter, Sneaker Pimps
https://genius.com/Sneaker-pimps-low-five-lyrics
1. Prophetic Dreams / You Tube (at Christmas, Home Alone....again, rolls eyes)
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Quixote
3. Control. Freedom.
enter piano...
These altered states and egos
Potential less than zero
Found God in San Diego
Nothing comes to mind...
“Slips the Blue Satine”
Desire bites
a sonnet ripped
where the voice projects
through glossy cherry bit lips
down a telephone line
wrapped around long legs
speaking soft words
welcoming you in like a quilled whip
Freedom bites
a too serious sonnet smiles
then progresses to apply
velveteen kisses where the lips
tie a loose noose of words like pearls
around the sound conduit
curbing the mind
whispering to soft curves,
a roadmap
written across body
eyelids, flushed naked cheeks
neck down to hips
where the key turns
poetry speaks
blood drawn
the heart has teeth
Gaga’s gone
all evolutionary
too much of too much
she denudes the blue Satine easily
divesting all hopelessness of
the hounds barking
their haranguing hangdog habits
superlatives exaggerated
hyperbolical expressions of praise
blessed again in the wasted chronicles of time
her hand’s firmly fixed
around the gear stick
stilettos accelerate sharp
instructions from the driver’s seat
switching gears up
behind the fortune wheel
treasure sits
“pull your head back in”, she says
“the Lotus Eaters
at Loon Junction
are on the prowl,
they’ll tear you to bits”.
"humour me," he says,
"let me off my leash".
(LadyLabyrinth/2021)
“Small Town Witch”/ Sneaker Pimps
https://youtu.be/M6zh5rAlZ18
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Velveteen_Rabbit
Sonnet 106.
The Dilettante Diaries: "Goin' Gangsta on the Road to The Lotus Eaters at Loon Junction" -
https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/the_dilettante_diaries_goin_gangsta_on_the_road_to_the_lotus_eaters_at_loon_junction_1059240
LYRICS/"Small Town Witch", Sneaker Pimps
https://genius.com/Sneaker-pimps-small-town-witch-lyrics
“Tamam Shud”
Handsome comes
as handsome goes
forgotten
not missed
lies waiting
intestate
a code
undeciphered
Mystery in the end -
far more interesting
answers calling
something whispers:
"Death -
open gate ...
Come in"
(LadyLabyrinth / 2020)
"Spin Spin Sugar" / Sneaker Pimps
https://youtu.be/uGPdpWbg5bU
"Police found a book nearby
from which,
the piece of paper was torn -
the works of a 12th century poet -
and on the inside cover
found some sort of code,
and a local telephone number."
1. Tamam Shud Case
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamam_Shud_case
2. "The man, fully dressed in a business suit, was found propped against the seawall at Somerton Park Beach, in southern Adelaide, on December 1, 1948."
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-10-08/new-animation-shows-face-of-mystery-somerton-man/12717590
3. Somerton Man/Blog
https://tomsbytwo.com/2021/02/02/two-definable-patterns-in-the-tamam-shud-code/
4. Somerton Man/CasoCriminal
https://casocriminal.org/en/unsolved-cases/mystery-of-the-somerton-man-taman-shud-case/
5. Tamam Shud / translate.
"In Persian "tamam" is a noun that simply means "the end" and it can also be used in the sense when something is finished or completed. The "shud" bit on the end is an auxiliary verb that puts it into the past tense, so "tamam shud" means "ended" or "finished".
6. Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubaiyat_of_Omar_Khayyam
7. Edward Fitzgerald (poet)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_FitzGerald_(poet)
8. ASIO
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Security_Intelligence_Organisation
9.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAAF_Woomera_Range_Complex
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radium_Hill
Psychological Science/Criminology,
double major.
LYRICS/ "Spin Spin Sugar", Sneaker Pimps
https://genius.com/Sneaker-pimps-spin-spin-sugar-lyrics
Today the New York Marathon's
Become a non-event.
The runners' opportunities
To race both came and went.
At first the mayor said it's on,
Despite the storm's destruction;
And then, last minute, pulled the plug
And gave a new instruction.
The racers coming to New York
Most likely were confused;
And those who paid for flights and rooms
I'm sure were not amused.
It's sad that all that training
For this race has come to naught,
The miles of pavement pounded
On each sneaker that was bought.
But certainly the mayor
Could have hurrried his decision.
His turnabout last-minute call
Has earned him great derision.
The city wasn't ready yet
To up and celebrate.
The mayor should have known that,
But discovered it too late.
BREVITY – the soul of wit
One was red, one was blue
the pair - a sneaker and a shoe
so he laughed as he retold
the story given him by mother
that his brother wore the other.
John G. Lawless
7/7/2015
submitted to – Brevity – The Short Of It – poetry contest
sponsor – Casarah Nance
Nothing has a reason to begin with
It is a party of its own with no clothes on
Formulaic intricacies grow wild in mushroom clarity
Causality set in motion by music sounds out loud
Its grasp far reaching, weightless, astounding
On a line of invisibility destiny stretches in a yawn
Violins have no strings to be attached to any song
Held fast in times illusion
Dancing is forbidden in the dark
Freedom is an extension, not exactly hair
Randomly receding in all directions
Time is unwinding on tomorrows blink
Strobe-lights are an afterthought of spinning on
History sinking fast with every drink
Coming to festivities with one shoe missing is wrong
The black one or was it a sneaker
Let me think
Music laughs at circumstances quite like this
But changes tempo as it wishes
Surrounds circles so circular and round
Directs them to their proper corners square
Orgasmic at the edges of forgetfulness in fun and laughter
Circles are not square
Not yet!
The evening is young and has no children
Light the cigarette with caution
Don't forget the curtains
For no other reason than attention to be friendly
Tip the waitress when the party ends
Logic dictates that we leave before we came
That way we can go and never come again
`
I collected the kinetic swirls
of differing shades
in the dizzying reflections
of how you made me feel
Whirling affects
blurred in calliope sonnets
and brass ring reachings
while riding a paisley tiger
My pockets filled
with these mesmerizing emotions
sculpted of Ferris Wheel desires
and carousel dreams of you
Until suddenly colored lights flickered,
the music slipped a gear
and the ride came to a screeching halt,
with me holding on for dear life
Flung to the floor between sneaker prints
and paper cotton candy tubes
I watched you walk away with the stuffed
giraffe in your arms, it waved goodbye
While a checkerboard monkey giggled
as he emptied my pockets
leaving me with nothing
but a broken heart and a long walk home
Me without you is a motionless sail boat,
A kid being out doors in the winter without a coat.
A basketball star without ever having any coach.
Can you picture trying to fly a plane with no engine?
A mother of three trying to feed her children with no kitchen?
Do you notice some of the things that are missing?
Baby you are a puzzle, with a piece missing.
Without the E in ME, is everything!
Nothing is complete if there is no YOU AND ME.
That is like trying to serve a turkey with no wings on Thanksgivings.
I am the key you turn in your ignition, I kindle your love intentions.
Oh, what sweet reminiscing, like a pastry treats with frosting.
I bet that put a smile on your face, like a kid winning his first race.
As I were your Hostess Twinkie and you were my creamed that filled me.
You are the only one that completes me, that how our love flow so swiftly.
As a little girl twirling around in her favorite dress, I think I will keep you because you fit me best.
There is no such thing as a Me without you, because simply no one could ever compare to you.
That is like a sneaker with no lace, you are surly to fall on your face.
But don’t worry I will be right there to catch you with grace.
I know what you’re doing
Standing still but your foot is tapping
I can hear a melody
Playing inside your head and you wished to set it free
The days are getting crazy
The city beats and you wished to be out of here
It doesn’t matter what they say
This is your life, so go on make your way
Dance, all the sneaker heroes
Move your head, move your body to your toes
Make everything gone wild
Dance, all the sneaker heroes
You are born to dance and let it be
Make this world a melody
Just leave everything behind
I know this is what you want
Move your feet to the beat
Filled all the city street
When the world’s gone wild
And the people gone weird
It doesn’t matter what they say
That this is our life, so let’s make our way
Dance, all the sneaker heroes
Move your head, move your body to your toes
Make everything gone wild
Dance, all the sneaker heroes
You are born to dance and let it be
Make this world a melody
Resting on a tall blade of grass
As two more go meandering past
His giant eyes surveying the land
Sitting all alone on that strand
Sitting there so willing to wait
As so soon he was hit by fate
Landing on the same blade of grass
He fell off and landed on his a@#
She called out "are you alright?"
Maybe this is my shinning night
And when he looked up at her
Music played "The Way We Were"
She jumped down to the ground
As her love has now been found
Quickly they suddenly took flight
As a giant sneaker came into sight
In certain neighborhoods, this is
What all the shoe stores do:
When customers want sneakers,
They may only try one shoe.
At first they’re given just the left
And if it’s not too tight,
They give the salesman back the shoe
Then they try on the right.
There is no chance to walk around
With both shoes on their feet,
Unless they make a purchase
And are holding the receipt.
It seems that thieves have ruined things
When sneaker buyers shop
Unless, as an alternative,
Each shoe store hired a cop!
"Blue Silks"
Love let it slide
chicanery unchained
truth always finds a way
blue silks
pinned to a wall
swapping hate
for love writes
appalled
footprints like tears
spill across empty pages
in unforgiving ribbons
like blackbirds singing
in the dead of dark night
flying to be free
(LadyLabyrinth / 2022)
“Loretta Young Silks” / Sneaker Pimps
https://youtu.be/0ZsXYytmiVs
“Loretta Young Silks” / Sneaker Pimps (in French)
https://youtu.be/OaJ1zFJIMEA
"Blackbird singing
in the dead of night
Take these broken wings
and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting
for this moment to arise
Blackbird singing
in the dead of night
Take these sunken eyes
and learn to see
All your life
You were only waiting
for this moment to be free
Blackbird fly,
Into the light of a dark black night"
LYRICS/ “Loretta Young Silks”, Sneaker Pimps
https://songmeanings.com/songs/view/85222/
FULL ALBUM, “Blood Sport”/ Sneaker Pimps, 2002
https://youtu.be/bWFk_ct_JLU
LYRICS/ "Blackbird", The Beatles
https://genius.com/The-beatles-blackbird-lyrics
"Blackbird" (Remastered 2009)
https://youtu.be/Man4Xw8Xypo
He always says..."She has the "soul of a jewel"!!"
I always say...."She rides like a stubborn old mule"!!!
So...he wants me to ride in his old pick up truck..???
Well, I'm glad to tell you....he has run out of luck!!
I'll tell you why....
Would I lie???
It was once painted blue...but now the color is rust
But you can't be too sure...'cause it's covered in dust!
The engine has to idle...'bout half an hour is good..
You can feel the vibration, around the whole freakin' neighborhood!
If I open the door,...it makes a loud squeak
I must hold my breath....Eewwwww!! What are those odors?? It reeks!!
My life is in jeopardy if I go for a ride!
The windshield is dirty, we can't see from inside
It makes a weird noise...and rides bumpy and rough
The dashboard is peeling, and covered with "stuff"
The seat cushion's torn, it pokes at my rear
His dog sits beside us, and licks at my ear
There's no place below, to rest my feet
There's a hole in the floor....you can see the street!!!!
The windows don't close, so there's always a breeze
With old Kleenex flying...those were tossed when he sneezed...
Wrappers from Twinkies, a Burger King box...
One lonely old sneaker...and dirty old socks
If I had me some coffee...I'd really be set
'Cause those are dirty Styrofoam cups....and even more than that!
Half a stale donut is squished on the floor
Darn!! The dog beat me to it...and is looking for more!
The muffler is loose, you can see the sparks fly
Dirty looks from the folks, who get smoke in their eyes
When we drive by the neighbors, I duck my head and I hide
I'm no Prima Donna....but I've still got some pride!!
He loves that old truck....he calls her a gem!
If he had to choose between us.......I could be out on a limb!!!
______________________________________________________________________
For Paula's contest "Soul of a ........ & Life of a ........."