Best Sort Out Poems
International Earth day prompts us not to forget
that the world we inhabit is under great threat
Blue oceans are being choked by plastic pollution
reduce, reuse and recycle is the simple solution
The balance of nature has been upset by man
species close to extinction, poachers strike if they can
If we don’t act quickly these rare breeds we’ll lose
their only protection is in nature reserves or zoos
Felling the rain forest is an issue we must combat
deforestation is destroying animal’s natural habitat
The effects of global warming on earth is far reaching
reducing fossil fuels is what we should be preaching
Educating both young and old is the key to success
we must act together to try to sort out earth’s mess
2/17/19
As I stared into the starless night,
the blinding lights of the city blotting out the beauty of a
cloudless sky fading away into day
I wonder what we missed this time - so preoccupied with our
earthly troubles - perhaps a message that Heaven wanted us to hear
Could it be a winsome Sonnet that was waiting in the winds for us, but we did not listen?
As I looked out over the waters of the endless river - flowing steady
The small streams making their own separate way, reflecting the
beauty of the Moon lighting up the night sky; What is the story they
have to tell - but we are too busy trying to sort out the problems we
brought upon ourselves
Could it be a sweet Melody in answer to the questions that flow continuously through our hearts?
Oh Look! Behold the mountains rising in the distance - the lovely
Daffodils and Sunflowers moving in the soft winds - blue green grass covering the Earth from as far as the eye can see - What is this Song they sing? Do we not understand the language they speak to us? Are we so filled with the
worries of everyday life that the meaning is hidden from our minds
Could it be a wholesome Ballad to guide us through the maze of the
issues of everyday life?
It seems we can translate with ease the verbiage of hate filled hearts;
We put ourselves in agreement with the Lie; that our Creator made one
race of people superior to another; we read the dictionary filled with the
meaning of murder, betrayal and treachery - perpetrated upon others who
were made in the same image as ourselves - and then we watch with
closed hearts the consequential results of indulging in this dark information
Could it be that we missed the sweet Song whispering in our hearts
from Heaven's Choir?
[Written during a twelve hour power cut caused by
Storms this past winter]
The storm that arrived in the depth of the night
Got even worse with the new morning’s light
Although I presumed that they’d already know
I contacted the electricity co
I asked if they knew the whole town had gone dark
Are you fixing it or just having a lark
I think that I upset the man on the phone
He told me to wear a coat inside my home
Just listen to me, I said to the geezer
I think you should know I’ve got a dead freezer
Without any leccy it’s gonna defrost
And all of its contents are gonna be lost
We’re trying to sort it all out said the man
But I would suggest that you eat what you can
So I checked the freezer to sort out my tea
My cooker is gas which is lucky for me
I made my selection from my warming freezer
Fish fingers and chips… and ice cream and pizza
Sausages, drumsticks, a tasty rib-eye
Two rocket lollies, a steak and ale pie
Some prawns that I think have defrosted before
(I’m still gonna eat them because I’m not sure)
Some old sausage rolls from Christmas last year
A fisherman’s pie I’d forgotten was here
Another small pizza with awful fake cheese
An out of date bag full of freezer burned peas
Four quarter pounders and thinly sliced beans
I think I might loosen the belt of my jeans
Your lover’s drawing straws without you, better bid farewell;
he’d never time for rhyme or reason, so it’s just as well.
Slip out the curtained window quick, the future winks and calls,
ignoring paths of pagan gods, where faulty footsteps fall.
Identify faint flashbacks, cloaked and clustered in a heap
and sort out those you treasure most, you need or long to keep;
Forget about the epoch past, which wasn’t what you’d sought,
pursue instead remaining dreams before they come to naught.
Reflect no more on what it was he’d meant for you,
strike out ahead where something waits, has sent for you.
The graveyard night is haunted still, it hovers where you sleep
recalling souvenirs amassed, the ones that made you weep.
The poets poised in dungeon vaults, now growing old and bald,
retrace their palsied pleas in dust, like those that you once scrawled.
Except for runic proverbs carved on stone walls ill defined,
assumptions will not dog you that you dare to leave behind.
The fortune-tellers waiting at the moat for you
read tarot cards while setting sail a boat for you.
The road behind is empty now, the sky is painted black
so gather all the wisdom gained, no time for looking back.
Forego the prophets’ prophecies, so tempting to pursue -
although they might be asked advice, they seldom have a clue.
Reject the secrets they reveal, enveloped in their guile,
which be betrayed between the tombs in ruins of their smile.
They’re waiting with a fractured rule of thumb for you
while beating on a perforated drum for you.
A sand-glass dribbles distant dunes, the sun dial’s shadow’s late,
so now’s the time for slipping through the open swinging gate.
A joker wild defies the fools to read between the lines
in search of cryptic radiance the future world enshrines -
“the days ahead will wake again like waves before the dawn
when picking up the pieces left behind a passing pawn.”
A noble knight awaits to clear the board for you
when, soon, a cup of nectar wine is poured for you.
LET GO
You spend your time worrying
about so many things
You take a little problem
and give it giant wings
You let it cloud your senses
leading happiness astray
You fret and whine relentlessly
another ruined day
Choose your battles carefully
all is not as it seems
Let go of the small things
don't let them ruin your dreams
The little things have a way
of working themselves out
It really isn't worth your while
to cry and scream and shout
Sort out all your problems
push the tiny ones aside
You will feel more joy each day
less tears you will have cried
Focus on your blessings
they will never make you blue
Choose a fresh prospective
each day, a new view
This life is full of mountains
but when you reach the top
You feel it was worth the struggle
you're glad you didn't stop
Brush off the petty problems
don't let them dig at you
Let go and enjoy happiness
let each day be new.
4-22-2017
(2nd place - "Be Didactic" contest - 4-24-17)
Santa comes but once a year
Impotence his greatest fear
He fills up his sack
Slings it on his back
Hope he wont drop his load here
Mrs Claus was in great distress
She wants sex she does confess
Santa saw his GP
Saying please help me
We need to sort out this mess
The doc prescribed some blue pills
They cured Santa of his ills
Now back in the sack
Not flat on their back
Now they are getting their thrills
11~22~14
Contest: What’s up with Santa
Sponsor Jerry Curtis
The inn of my Heart
has many rooms;
I thought I knew them all.
They were peopled with
husband, children,
family and friends.
Even God had a room,
and I visited them all frequently.
I really didn't think
there were any more rooms;
Until one day,
while walking through my Inn,
I discovered a suite of rooms
unoccupied.
"Who is this for?"
I loudly asked,
"And why have not these rooms
been used?"
No one could tell me who,
and no one could tell me why.
So I stumbled around the rooms
exclaiming over the things
that I found there.
But as surely as day must dawn
the realization slowly came,
and with such a sense of discovery,
I stood there in awe
wondering what I would do.
For I had entered the rooms
filled with the essence of me.
There were all the hopes,
and dreams,
and feelings,
of one human soul.
And when I looked with understanding,
I saw that even the ugly things
had not been forgotten here.
It was a fearful thing
to be confronted with myself,
to see so clearly all the things
I had long ignored.
You see, the things we ignore,
hoping they'll go away,
simply move into our rooms
and wait for rediscovery.
Your turn will come,
if it hasn't already,
to enter your suite of rooms
and be confronted
with all the essence of you.
What will you do?
And, what am I going to do now?
Escape and close the door?
Lock it?
Build a wall in front of it?
Try to forget the things I found
in my suite of rooms?
Put my blinders back on?
Or will I have the courage
to move into my rooms;
to become familiar with those intangibles
that exist in all of us;
To learn to live with
the ugly things,
and not be defeated by them;
To sort out the useable
from all the rest,
and use it with enthusiasm;
To know that what I found here
won't always suit those around me,
But acknowledge it anyway.
I stand now in the doorway,
looking out, looking in,
wondering . . .
Submitted 17 Sept 2016
To Contest: What Might They Find There
The firmament above, beneath we exist,
This diversity in divine artistry
Same eyes divers sizes
Different skin same sin
Different color same honor
Same human same humor
Why try to sort out maize from corn? They are all same
Cus just one shot, your race wont spare you
You'll find a piece in the puzzle, that is part of the past
under billowy white clouds, and the sizzling sun
in a wood sided home. where the trees are in bloom
where there's room for a childhood, that has only begun
There is a piece of the puzzle, outside in the yard
while wheels of a tractor come alive in the fields
There's a five year old girl skating sidewalks, with cracks
rollers, beneath her, singing "clickity clack"
while a rustle of whirlwinds is fast on her heels
to rife with the ruffles she wears on her back
Faces she knows will be leaning on fences
Lifting up smiles, and knowing her name
Where the same furrowed brows, and most without shame
work for the gain, of a few measly dollars
And mothers will holler..."Come home! Time for supper!"
As the sky has turned copper, at the end of the day
There is a piece of her, dreaming out under the elms,
where a heart might be broken, and the stars cast a spell
What is home harbors there, where her heart wants to dwell
In a room with a puzzle, spread out for her eyes
To sort out, and covet, and search for the sky
Where there's room for a childhood that has only begun
And a piece in the puzzle the color of sun
FRIENDSHIPS
Friends are the family
You choose for yourself
They're not built on money
Or to improve your health
They add so much to us
It's hard to relay
But disown a good friend
There's a high price to pay
A friend in your heart
Is worth two in the mind
A good friend, a true friend
Is real hard to find
Once you have found one
Do not let them go
With good friends beside you
You'll defeat any foe
A true lasting friendship
Built over the years
They've sat and laughed with you
And dried lots of tears
Birth, marriage and death
They've witnessed it all
You've tripped and you've stumbled
They won't let you fall
They'll guide you and help you
Sort out bloodied knees
With a smile and a soft word
Troubles halved with great ease
They'll coax and cajole you
To stand up for yourself
Their friendship's a free gift
You've no need for wealth
A return of this favour
Is all that they ask
No time and no money spent
The easiest of tasks
A two lane arrangement
To “Give as you receive”
If you don't return it
Expect them to leave
You'll upset their feelings
You could make them cry
Now sad and dejected
You wave them goodbye
So listen to me now
And listen up well
A friendships no possession
You're unable to sell
You can't count out friendship
It's deep in your heart
If asked to explain
You'll know where to start
It is spiritual, it's loving
It's “never say die”
It's a handshake or a warm hug
A glint in the eye
It's a total emotion
It stands out alone
It's a humorous message
Or a chat on the phone
It's often unspoken
No words to explain
You just think of the person
To smile once again
A loving mutual bond
Between two good friends
No matter the distance
The miles it transcends
So look out for your good friends
Keep them in your heart
Distance or time parted
Can't keep you apart
So love and cherish them
Your love you will send
From this day forever
Til your life's at it's end.
Written: March 31st, 2024 for Matt Caliri Coagulation Contest
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Finally, my blood began to coagulate;
I am initially concerned over poor fate,
Right away, I would lose a lot of blood.
Rich red hues wisely swing to warm tunes,
Every one of my atoms is as yours in pure gold,
When I xerox a warm lawn, I lie down and loiter.
Oh, what a tangled-up issue I had,
When I failed to tie a necessary knot,
But I need avail knotting a loop,
No one knew how to tie the exact knot I sought!
I hope my last breath is a grateful sigh
There's tightness in the core of my spine,
A knot bound with vibrant fuchsia rope,
That I've never managed to sort out.
A few nodded and hid my anxious gaze,
Some have enjoyed tightening it,
Skilled seafarers with stunning ties,
It allows a Full ship of pain and anguish.
Unrestful, between,
Dawn-to-dusk scars
Torn glimpses ooze riddles,
Flashes of a vacuum,
Thorny puzzle to soak,
To a soiled hook as hefty as my body,
Surrounded by bitter words and nails,
Untying harsh knots was never desired.
No one pulled an anger rope to set it free,
My sigh was not pulled out carelessly,
Longtime guarding in my throat,
Nobody has freed me.
I bow my head to this dark no moon night
My heart filled with fright
That our fight screwed up the whole night
Things just got too far out of sight
As I try to sort out what is not right
Trying to gather up all the good things
Our love always brings
As our love is without broken wings
It's our right that we make love into the night
Our future bright and full of life
As I imagine you beside me
You know I don't like to fight
I know you were brought up right
Our love still burns so brightly
Because baby I love you in spite
Of how we handled things tonight
Let's never be mean or fight
When our love grows wings and takes flight
Oh, baby, I want to set things right
For God promised you to me
This much I hope we can agree
As we let all this come to be
A powerful love just between you and me
Smooth wood
Worn by water and air
Never polished
Escaped by the hands that touched it
Ropes and tackle attached streaming up towards the sails
All foreign to a land lover.
When tied at bay she seems so tame and easy to control
But set her free among the briny sea and you will see what she can bring
And bring it she will and take it with pride and gusto
For the winds were made for her sails and masts that anchor them to the deck
The seamen go about their business as though in a dance or a jig perhaps
But one not for feint of heart
They cuss and scream and talk about ones mother all in a days work
Unless of course you cross a line then there’s trouble about
In the night of the galley or the berth were there may lay trouble can find a weak man
And leave him there till day.
But it only takes a warning for each man has a job to do
And without him that means more work for the others
And less sleep between call
So they sort out their business and carry on as one must
But don’t think you can sleep the day away and not get a lump on the head
For they are watching you and you them and never in between shall a man lay his head down before his time.
Now the sea’s rolls in and o’er the bow tis time take on ones rest. First call comes early and some men like it the best. I prefer four bells in the wee hours of the morn’
When the rooster crows if you can imagine that at sea and the Southern Cross is high in the sky. I’ll take my chance with the wind and the sea and see what God brings. And I’ll swing her around and head for the China Sea if that what fancies me.
For we have been on this ship for more than five years and yet to make land for a day.
A ghost ship you may call us. Lost at sea and never found. But our wood is smooth and berths are clean and we never lie about love and women. For Captain Peterson was an honest man taught us the books of the Lutherans. But we buried him in an island town about ten years ago. And since then I have sailed this ship to heaven and to hell. It’s time to rest and bring her to shore but now no one wants to leave. Our land legs are gone and the desire to walk with the weak leave us less than desire. So shove off again and head to the seas and I’m sure the wolf of the north wind will find us. And we will laugh and cuss till she brings us under.
So this is it. It’s finally here.
Your last school day has come
No more morning drop offs
No more rushed school run.
No more sandwiches to pack
No more sports kit to acquire
No frantic searching for the socks
Hiding somewhere in the dryer
No more crazes to embrace
No whirring fidget spinners
No scoubidos or scooters
No more school hot dinners
No more earnest pleas for help
Or passionate persuasions
To help with your maths homework
And solve quadratic equations !
A vista stretches far behind
When you were very young
And had to have your hair combed flat
But never in a bun !
Mum was taking all the flack
When your bottom lip would wobble
Armed with just a hairbrush
And a Clare’s, Pink Princess, bobble
Selling cakes and muffins
When cake stall day came round
Besieged by hungry children
At the home time bells shrill sound
Scrubbing out car carpets
With some enzyme killing spray
And vowing I would NEVER
Take you back to “Shakeaway”
No more sunny sports days
Then a picnic under trees
Nor helping at school discos
When the heat hit 80 degrees !
No more frantic walks to school
No chatting at the gate
No more nudge to hurry up
So we didn’t sign in late
No more uniform to buy
No September feet to measure
No school concerts to attend
And glow with pride and pleasure
No more avid watching
For the slightest trace of snow
Yearning for a snow day
Tuned to local radio
No more parents evenings
Time to sort out all the debts
To remember all those good times
and never have regrets.
We will treasure all these moments
Hold them close within our heart
There are other seas for you to sail
So soon you must depart.
These memories are so precious
These moments are so rare
So wherever life’s path takes you
If you need us - we’ll be there.
My pulse quickened
As tears streamed down my face
I felt my soul race
Notes rising from discarded bits
Yanked out of plastic bags
from decaying pits
Skin sun baked and bleeding splits
Garbage, hand formed into instruments
So that these deaf ears might trace
The spectacle of true dignity
that poverty can't erase
Theirs is a world far removed
from manicured lawns and lace
Strings and frets
Oil cans and pipes
Found amongst the baby wipes
by people painted in scarlet stripes
By society treated like a disease
Some how finding music
from coins cans and keys
Music resonates
From a place with few trees
Pouring forth from polluted streams
People like these
sort out opportunities
that no one else
would ever think to seize
There, a young girl
takes a tin violin in hand
She's transported to a magical land
White beaches and sand
Now symphonic dreams
are hers to command
Each chord played
feels like possibility
A fret held bridge
to a different reality
She kisses a star
Transcends their invisibility
Fruit tins and bent cookie sheets
An X-ray film to create a drum beat
People from around the world
Rise to their feet
Still the ones at home
Don't have enough to eat
Let us practice compassion
Repeat, repeat!
Rise from our seat
Think beyond privilege
In our land of the elite
The ones called "Garbage Pickers"
the low of the low
Moving in harmony quick and slow
What we hear and see
Will it cause our hearts grow?
Do we feel life's rhythm and flow?
For, from what others have discarded
they have something to show
Winds of change are coming
Waters rising
Watch listen and see
where the notes of change blow!
Dedicated to the people of Paraguay who work in the Garbage Dump of Cateura.
Check out the documentary "Landfill Harmonic".
Not entered in any contest.
Written March 9th 2016