Best Soothsayer Poems
sight...
a prophet's mark unsheathed
radiant, quell the shadow's scream
her lips were never meant for me
in auguries
... blood uncharted
When all at once life seems so sunny
And words from her lips flow with honey
And life is more fun
‘cause your number one
A sure sign that someone needs money
She grabbed my hand and turned it palm up
Stated the obvious and read leaves from a cup
A sigh came from her heavy breast
I thought I’d offer her a test.
I was married, I began, to a woman, not a man
An eyebrow raised as she formed a quick plan
You’ll marry again, written in your palm
I wasn’t excited, but remained, strangely calm
Revelation after revelation; this woman’s good
At stating the obvious, just as she should
I looked intently, asked will I have a child?
Definitely more than one, her eyes were wild
You’ll live in a mansion with a wonderful lass
You’ll meet your soul mate, I’m not being crass
Children will fill every spare room
Laughter will echo, love will bloom
The soothsayer, finished on a positive note
I crossed her palm and put on my coat
David Cox 01/03/23
Goddess Athena is the guardian of Athens, the soothsayer said.
She is high-born in mythology, and exceedingly well-bred.
She has been protecting the citizens in a variety of ways.
And will be forever, until the end of all of our days.
Athena heard the soothsayer and rewarded her with money.
She also sent her barley, gemstones, wheat, rice, and honey.
The soothsayer sang Athena’s praises for the rest of her life.
With Athena around, Athens did not undergo very much strife.
At the beginning of my shift at Like Home Inclusive Care, I always check in on Miss Rosa first. I usually check her vitals and get her ready for her breakfast.
She was one of my favorite residents. She was a petite woman with a loving gaze and a warm smile. She loves to read the scriptures and sing old-time gospel even though she sang out of tune and forgot most of the lyrics.
Working with geriatric patients for so many years it came instinctively to me when I enter a room that there was something wrong. Something like impending doom. There was no heavy sound of breathing and she was laying on her back with her mouth wide open. Her honey color skin had turned white as a sheet and she was cold to the touch.
She was ninety-eight years young as she would love to say.
Her medical files showed that she had a history of seizures and documented excess mortality.
I stood there for a while looking down at her, remembering all the warm and memorable moments I shared with her. She was a good listener. Often times I would bring her a bowl of my homemade chicken orzo soup.
I pulled myself together and proceeded with the care guide protocol. I change her gown which was stained with sphincter discharge and sponged her down.
She always wore gloves even while asleep. She was inexorable about keeping her gloves on to hide her hypertrophic scars, and so out of love and respect for her, I left them on.
I thought while I was waiting for the mortician to come, I would start packing some of her belongings. in the back of the wardrobe I came across a metal box that was filled with old newspaper articles and a journal
Her only profile on record was medical information. There was no record of family members.
I wanted to know if she had any family members somewhere so that I could try and track them down, I open the metal box.
I read the newspaper articles and thumb quickly through the journal and I was spellbound and shocked by what I read.............
continue on part 2
January 24, 2023
She distributes the wands and the cups.
Her client taps a card, choosing it.
The death card comes up.
The client gasps.
She takes her hand and begins to explain.
She has Bambi brown eyes, and a kind soul.
The client settles down, wanting to believe
in her explanation, in the cards, in a happily ever after.
She is not merely a soothsayer and a card reader,
She is a psychologist, a mother, a grandmother, and a crone.
She understands the value of being optimistic
of bringing hope into each tarot reading.
Her clients are loyal, coming back to see her again and again.
She uplifts them, inspiring hope, promising joy.
It is what they get, for it is what they now expect.
I cannot predict the future my love,
we can only learn from the past.
If there is one who know's he lives up above,
and in the mind the variables could be vast.
We've been apart for too long,
always dreaming of holding you near.
Far from invincible, yet strong,
I wish to remember the things I hold dear.
For you and you alone I desire,
don't fear the future and what might transpire.
Into the great unknown,
is what life is all about.
We should refuse to live as drones,
and go thru a normal life only to scream and shout.
Go down swinging at life,
not live it in strife.
For it is short.....
Together until death tears us apart,
all that I am for you comes from the heart.
An ordinary man who had an ordinary life
One day he thought he could read the future
When he dreamed that he was in an accident
And the next day a car hit his at an intersection
So he decide that he would write down his dreams
Leaving a pencil and paper on the side of his bed
So the dreams he remembered became a journal
And occasionally what he dreamt of did occur
This future mapping was never something important
But he was encouraged by what he did see
And so he continued on recording the dreams
In his journal placed nearby his bedside
One day he had a dream of his own death
And this awakened him from the dream
He was overwhelmed by what this meant
Spending his time going over what he remembered
He became obsessed with what would happen
Refusing to be interested in anything else
With each passing day he became weaker
Until he died worrying himself to his own grave.
© Paul Warren Poetry
I see you are troubled the soothsayer said.
She could see I was disheveled and wild in the head.
Anyone with a knowledge of people could see.
So far I was not terribly impressed with Miss She.
Come closer, she said. I see trouble in paradise.
I was thinking “shyster” and “trickster” not very nice.
She took my hand and I noticed the warmth in her eyes.
She had caring emotion, this was an enormous surprise.
I ended up listening, and her words were sage and wise.
A fortune teller who cared, I told my friends over fries.
So you are going back? Some asked, surprised at me.
Yes, and I promised to bring you, we are leaving at three.
I believed at the time of my youth,
that clairvoyants predicted the truth.
A soothsayer foretold
that my life would be gold.
He was wrong with his asinine sooth!
Year 1488
Daring to hide it in verses and score,
Ursula Shipton predicted her scrolls would not be understood until years after her body’s release.
Read aloud by an educated nephew, almost five decades after they were protected by a family of peace.
She may have been burned at the stake for her predictions of America’s Civil War, simply for being a she.
Her prophesies included horseless carriages, and men’s future unfathomable plans to conquer both the sky and the sea.
Understanding that a metallic monster, would change education, and the menfolk from farms would flee.
Pictures that feel alive – computers, U-tube, I-pads, video and their predecessor – TV?
Mother predicted all this and more. Daring to hide it in verses and score,
Nostradamus had protection of patrons, medical background, sublime.
Ursula Shipton knew her predictions she had best write down in decipherable rhyme.
England’s most famous prophetess, born in Norfolk, England in 1488, she dared not share her fire. Prophesized that women would cut their hair short, and wear trousers, practically three hundred years prior.
When I think of her brilliance at hiding her mystical savvy, hiding psychic self in her moods,
Her declaration that “men will live as hogs” makes me smile, predicting processed foods?
London fire seeing before the fact, she knew of the Catholic Church’s fall, the rise of Elizabeth,
Me thinks a comet is coming that will circle the earth for six days, six nights, causing us instant death.
A homely woman, she may have been, but her ideas were sound, as they came right in.
Daring to hide it in verses and score, Prophetess Ursula Shipton, forevermore!
There were many years of subjugation to this enigma of visions of tragedies.
She conceded that it was to her advantage to charge modest fees.
World War II and romance brought anxious lovers and soldiers to her door.
It wasn't long before popularity and prosperity began to soar.
There came a time when she became weighed with the yoke of oppression.
When her inner sensitivity clashed with her inner aggression.
She was plagued with many dark visions of her mother's struggle with cancer.
She was lost in grief and anguish of not being able to save her.
She set a course of never having children and lovers.
She locks herself away from personal relationships with others.
She felt paralyzed with a sense of exile.
She was not happy for a long while.
She wanted to be free from piteous tragedies and be normal.
She realized to be free she would have to burn her hands that open the portal.
January 24, 2023
Soothsayer say something sweet,
and plunder me into woe.
She was born six years after Post World War One.
It was the first morning of May that she beat the blazing sun.
She was a beautiful honey color, with light brown eyes, and cold black hair.
However, there was one imperfection that captured a stare.
From the top of the crown of her head to the forehead was shaded by a black veil.
With culture feasting and celebration of a newborn shlep along spiritual tales.
Prophecies of a real loving mother are indescribable biblical.
Her mother's love for her was solid and unconditional.
It was her mother's requiem for her to receive salvation.
With enthusiastic haste for time, she received ritual purification.
She was a jovial child until she reached her inevitable spiritual compass task.
From a tender touch of a child's hand, engender a ringing in the ear, a strong smell of raw potatoes, and a death-like mask.
An encroaching vision of dark shades of color appeared of a child that suffered a venomous snake bite.
In just quick measure of minutes, she returned to the light.
There was a ring of people with thundering voices that were charged with fear.
As to what took place she was unclear.
There were many speculative views about incarnation.
There were many views with many miserable accounts of persuasion.
Even with many outwitting opinions, she accepted the worth of her enigma as a benefit once she realized that the beneficial part was in saving the young child's life.
She was keenly aware that the mysterious infirmity was bound to cause her some strife.
January 24, 2023
An avid reader of the stars
Who sees futures in tarot cards
And has trust in my crystal ball
In what it predicts for us all.
I saw the woman of your dreams
Crazy as to you it may seem
She will enter into your life
Bound to make you a perfect wife.
A true princess, there is no doubt
As you will be sure to find out
This someone who is just like me
A blessing surely meant to be.
8th September 2020
Max 12 Lines - Poem-Inspired Prompt Poetry Contest
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(Words in bold print written by - Line Gauthier)
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