Best Soul Poems
Dwell not, O soul, on yesterday,
on sorrows past and gone -
the sketch you drew so long ago,
today may be redrawn.
Dwell not upon tomorrow's wars,
nor borrow from their pain -
that energy you need today
let not your worries drain.
Dwell not, O heart, on failures past
though each one left its scar -
rich lessons you have learned have forged
the person you now are.
Dwell not upon your victories,
for those shall also pass -
let not your pride construct a shrine
to trophies made of glass.
Dwell not, O soul, on others' gain
nor envy those with much -
contentment, paired with gratitude,
brings peace no wealth can touch.
Dwell not on anyone's downfall
as though it lifted up
your own estate; we're siblings all
and drink from the same cup.
So what is left, O soul - where does
the prudent soul pay heed?
Become less of a taker
always give to those in need.
Which seeds are we to plant
upon this plot of ground we plow?
Sow seeds of love, be brave, and dwell
in the eternal now.
Written 6 Dec 2020
Categories:
soul, giving, love, wisdom,
Form:
Verse
One need not read her horoscope to know
this woman's fate, and though wisteria
cascades sweet blooms of lavender like snow
outside her door, it's still Siberia
pervading the dimensions of her mind,
for not one fickle thought or patch of moss
can thrive where bleakest shadows are enshrined.
No bittersweet, no dew drops. . . only loss
surrounds her heart. She tries to reminisce,
but like a barren continent grown cold,
she can't perceive one particle of bliss.
She's clasping grief and cannot be consoled!
Wisteria's perfume is in the breeze,
but in her soul remains a winter's freeze.
Categories:
soul, grief,
Form:
Sonnet
Sunlight rains upon my face
Cascading memories cloaked in mystery
Kissing my eyelids
Ancient teardrops glide down my cheeks
Warmth illuminating my hungry soul
A sense of calm
A pulsating ellipse emerges before me
I dive into the magenta abyss
Releasing my wounded heart from its cage
Fear resides
Primal vibrations guide me
Becoming one with galaxies and starlight
My limbs relax
I flow ~ I undulate
I swim in the warmth of the universe
Time and space have become me and I them
Perched on a massive salt-stained boulder
Gazing towards the briny distance
Shades of White
A passionate brushstroke across the horizon
Sky and sea in a lover’s embrace
Caw .... caw ..... caw....
I feel you beckon me
Swallowing the sweet pit of truth
Nudged by a warm gust
I look down seeing the bundle
cradled in my arms
Your endless gaze speaks lifetimes of wisdom
Birth, struggle, bliss, challenge, and death
I watch you intently readying yourself
to pounce upon your unsuspecting prey
Riding this timeline of life
Together as one
Tick tock
Forward backward
Inward to the beating center of creation
Young one I see your sage reflection
In my gilded hand mirror
Me here and you there
Your smiling eyes
Tearing at my core
Come float with me
In sheer turquoise splendor
Adorned with seaweed crowns and abalone jewels
Rays of light penetrate the watery depths
Colonies of majestic stingrays hover nearby
Welcoming us to join their scared dance forevermore
Categories:
soul, age, child, creation, fantasy,
Form:
Free verse
-Quarantine of the Soul-
Tranquil pills fall deep like the night
A sweet fangless course
Bites with no remorse
Your eyes struggle to read my ageless soul
Lost
Dark
You open a heart under Quarantine
The past
The present
The future
Stand in the way of what was and never will be
A contagious disease
I call "LOVE!"
(Past-- you came)
Somewhere deep inside --with you--
The Maverick
The Majestic
The Arriving Vessel of Light
I separated myself from the world
--to be with you--
I polished a new diamond night
With pleasures of meeting where our hearts began
Deep like the night, you woke my sleepless soul
Removing it from the safe harbor of the sea
-Isolated from all to see
No risk or chance, of smiling endlessly
(Present-- you set)
Tonight you fell from Mandalay
You spoke in a way that Cut my throat with truth
You detained my ego clouding the auspices sky
Allowing a smile
A tender peek into your heart
It spread in ways -- I wanted more
I kept deep until you found your way past the door
Persistent memories
In search of eternity
Tonight lets learn to live again
With no fear, I remove all labels
Making the moon and sun rise together
My love, my life now depends on you
(Future-- you left)
With no explanation
The age of Quarantine will forever set
You came to me
Set me free
Just to leave
Now you are a virus --- Just like them!!!
By: PD
Categories:
soul, depression, emo, future, metaphor,
Form:
Free verse
This gypsy soul is on the road
It leaves castles far behind
It abandons ghostly mist
which sabotages the caravan of life
It passes along the mountainside
by golden hay fields where daises bloom
by stream of waters which sweeps
a withered rose
towards the decayed lumber flume
This gypsy soul is on the road
from Edinburgh to Lochlomond
against high winds,against the rain
against aquatic monsters of pain
This gypsy soul is on the road
to the woodlands of your heart
where I would camp inside your tent
as our blissful thoughts impart
This gypsy soul within myself
and all the woman in me
would wantingly await your fingertips
to compose soft pastel fantasy
The smell of early coffee
then fills our empty cups
The song of the cicada
would echo in the shrubs
And as the chimney smoke
drift sideways in the breeze
as warm dappled light filters
through purple pansy leaves
The pressing of my lips
would leave their crimson mark
below your sun- kissed cheek
My arms would cling around
your once a muscular physique
We laze upon a hammock
strung between two old oak trees
I play on your guitar,my hundred melodies
As the incandescent half moon
rises above the dusky hue
and orange paper lanterns
float high in cobalt blue
We'd chase the opalescent glow
of a million firefly
You'd be able to touch me
before last embers die
This gypsy soul is on the road
in search to be set free
Across bridges,on a journey
your compass-my destiny.
Categories:
soul, absence, passion,
Form:
Free verse
Love's tend'rest touch, your gentle words reveal
Caress my soul. sweet poet, with your verse
Write dulcet lullabies which make me feel
Secure, like infants held at breast to nurse
Turn tears of sadness into peaceful streams
Make whispered breezes whisk my strife away
Put passion in my fantasized daydreams
Paint troubles in to flowery bouquets
And even though I know they're not for me
I steal your soothing love just like a thief
This load I carry lightens suddenly
Because my broken heart has found relief
Your words are like a song, please sing to me
Sweet poet, how I love your poetry
an original poem by Daniel Turner
Categories:
soul, appreciation, love, poetry,
Form:
Sonnet
When she walked by my side on a lonely road
And took me to the other side, much more verdant,
Through the barren lands of scorched desert,
Clueless I was about the paradigm of love.
If only had I asked, she would’ve taken me there
Into the sunshine from darkened shadows,
From the juncture of fears and saddened tears.
But I remained silent when it was time to speak
Choosing to not tell her how much I loved her
As I held the distance between bliss and sorrow,
When impulsively I veered in the wrong direction.
And I never saw the pastures beyond the hills
Or beauty of the terrain past the river bend.
Going where feckless ages have gone before
Embarking upon a path well-traveled
Ignoring pretty flowers in unkempt meadows.
Yet, she came to rescue at the edge of my angst
From caveats of today, cautions of tomorrow,
Standing with me in the midst of winter-storm
Promising spring flowers in colors of fall.
I saw the blossoms that were about to bloom
And blush on horizon hinting of the rising sun
And I heard the tempo of a concert on piano,
While roiled in turmoil of the unsaid, the unwritten,
Hidden within the depths of my vacant soul;
Incapable of voicing what the silence evoked.
September 18, 2019
Placed 1st: Crossroads poetry contest
Sponsor: Silent One
Placed 1st: Strand contest #710 by Brian Strand
Categories:
soul, love hurts,
Form:
Free verse
A pair of morning doves, preen and prim,
snuggled close on their favorite limb.
And cooing low, wake a sleeping sun;
singing praise, for a new day begun.
A slip of a ghostly moon rides low,
wearing its light like a pale halo.
And Sol ascends, master of the day,
heralding Dawn's breathtaking display.
Vapors shed crystal tears on the grass,
depositing dewdrops clear as glass.
And blooming flowers imbue the air;
a sweet fragrance, beyond compare.
Palm trees clad in a southern motif,
tickle the skies with a feather leaf.
And skittish crabs play tag with the waves;
darting in and out of flooded caves.
Sipping wine while enjoying the show,
we greet the day with a happy glow.
And as romance and Nature combine,
I share my soul with my Valentine.
Categories:
soul, how i feel, love,
Form:
Rhyme
G O L D E N
flower
of the solar throne
your far-away fire reigns immortal -
blossom wild beauty of chrysanthemum skies
hold me in the unfolding glory of your well-wishing petals
as Indian summer’s rays ravish and relax the chill
tender is the topaz passion
in the sunset of your satisfied season
and seductive is the ripened ember
in the harvest of your lingering light
S O L
to soul -
suffuse my surrender with pulsar persuasion
your ambient nectar
embolden me the honey of your citrine haze -
a fortune my ruby honeycomb to save and savor..
anemone ambrosia for my essence to sip
when the amber blush of November’s kindled kiss
turns ashen
on Winter’s cold grey lips
Susan Ashley
November 9, 2018
~ Third Place ~
Contest: N/A Re-Run
Sponsor: John Hamilton
Categories:
soul, autumn, flower, imagery, light,
Form:
Free verse
Welcome,
to the Soul Factory
We have cool souls,
sophisticated souls,
luxury and economy.
Choice is a matter,
of who you want to be.
Yes we ship souls,
to many exotic places.
The beauty of some souls
shine through on faces.
But that isn’t true
in a few cases
Still our souls fit,
into big and small spaces.
We offer young souls
and old souls.
Some souls refurbished
with extra hot coals.
Each soul’s prepared,
to play different roles.
Some kind,
some cruel,
others may play the fool.
Uncontrollable souls,
might not follow the Golden Rule
If you are lucky
you’ll find inner peace
Those souls are mostly
shipped to the east
They know more,
even though they have the least
Somehow mindfulness,
calms their inner beast.
They are content
during famine and feast
Once selected,
just wait and see,
if your soul will make history.
Unfortunately we can’t promise,
there’s no guarantee,
some souls prefer obscurity.
Others seem to thrive on inner misery.
They may not match,
your life expectancy
Either way traveler,
you get what you choose,
there’s a no return policy,
here at the Soul Factory!
For Caren’s What would you make if you had a factory contest.
Categories:
soul, art, conflict, growth,
Form:
Free verse
Oh! soul, strum with every pulse, strings of wisdom
Be in the known, yet, be conscientious of unknown
What you claim to possess, don’t let it possess you
Don’t speak words of sapience, unless you are true
Borrow not thoughts of others, enlighten your own
Never be the shadow that hinders seedlings’ growth
Fear not when truth speaks, for a lie stings evermore
Dispense not haughtiness, when arrogance you abhor
Pretend not to be a giver, if motivation is to receive
Giving isn’t nobility if you deem receiver unworthy
Never teach others that which you don’t comprehend
Learn the ways of sage, inspire hate to seek amends
Judge, only if, you let others adjudicate your deeds
Be cognizant of desires spuriously posing as needs
Engage with humility when your ego dares to speak
Boast not in futility~ time will not bend to your will
Neither can you command a nightingale not to sing
Strive to embrace divinity, be a messenger of peace
Oh! soul, wander not~ search deep within to find it
January 4, 2022
In conversation with our soul poetry contest
Sponsor: Unseeking Seeker
Categories:
soul, inspirational, introspection,
Form:
Verse
When the
seaside sepulchre
of a kingdom,
without its queen,
is smeared with
screams of lighting,
I wish to crackle
these slivers
of silver shakle,
and devour
that consoling
taste of balsamic
twilight, which
drapes every
ritual of woe with
maleficent vows.
I wonder, if
the thievery of
of my soul, will
enhance the
crawling of
raven sun
or, bestow power
upon the baptised
mannequin,
by slaying those
jealous lilies,
floating in
summery
estuaries of
my stolen destiny.
As these sage flames
fly across the
chambers of
my castle,
petrifying those
puerile promises
of life, I seak to
be an amaranth,
rising beyond
oak skies as
I engulf those
taunting meteors that
enshroud my
solitude and
dethrone every
essence of
false light, that
consumed those
waltzing scents
of my sangria spring.
Has my heart
become a
fickle thorn,
who will keep
bleeding guidance
in moonlight or
shall this
fortnight be
traced by the last
streak of treacherous
bloodline?
Perhaps,
'The Goddess
of Thunder'
is unfurling
those flaming
rose' maidens,
who wish
to splash ebons
of roaring wreath,
across the
woeful vaults of
my ribcage,
which concealed
their silence
in sentinels of
sacrifice.
I don't assert
the want of
swathing myself
in the perfumed
petrichor of
heinous healing,
as I don't want to
quench this
rage that
is carving a
strife to
refuse my
surrender towards
this succumbing
darkness.
" I wish to be
the soul of a marionette's
pearly pupa,
satiated by fiery halo
of chrysalis,
and slowly weaving
silken hymns of
desperate hope,
desiring to emerge
from the emeralds,
that betray every eye... "
Categories:
soul, angst, betrayal, dark, deep,
Form:
Free verse
“I carry your heart with me (I carry it in my heart) I am never without it..." E.E. Cummings
Another day soaked in the melody of your musical memories.
Breathless I seek, for a rosy gleam of morning glories,
cascading calming beams in tangerine tints, where~
dulcet dreams still linger over sun-kissed meadows,
engraved with clandestine seeds we’ve scattered across
fields of fireflies flaring childhood sagas woven with
glistening ink flowing in sapphire syllables, like
hypnotic hieroglyphics carved from tears left untold. Yet~
I ponder, what is heaven like, without me, by your side, do you still laugh,
joyously to the thoughts of how we swirled and twirled like
kindred spirits, lost in our own sacred spheres ricocheting with,
lyrical light, that emanated emerald euphoria..
Maybe, in the elysian castle, where you reside, angels would,
never let you forget promises we made beneath moonlit skies,
on the nights when the world too did abandon~
peacock-feathered peacefulness that we truly deserved, despite our,
quivering hearts, that beat in tune to the grief-struck stars…
Remember me, when fragrant flowers flourish in colors of~
soft mauve sunsets, we painted in butterfly brushstrokes.
Tonight, I’m listening to the waves whisper serene serenades,
unraveling sparkling tales of your seraphic realm in
violet verses, for I am still healing, alone, reminiscing,
wishing, someday, when every jewel in the horizon falls in~
xanthic streaks, like autumnal leaves, wilting to the absence of,
your loyal presence, I’ll find a canvas, to immortalize this love~
zestfully; while souvenirs of yesterday’s twilight twinkle, you remain the poem of my soul.
Categories:
soul, deep,
Form:
Abecedarian
I turn my head, and there she is once more
in her disheveled, worn, and tattered dress,
one pew behind me near the exit door-
she sits head bowed- an image of distress.
Two weeks now on a Sunday, she is there-
the same pew in the church, the same old clothes.
She shows forlornness that makes me aware
her life is sadly filled with countless woes.
This time, she lifts her head and looks at me,
as tears swell in her eyes and down her cheek.
My heart is broken by the hurt I see
within her wanting eyes so dark and meek.
I gaze into her face and see her fears.
With a slight twinkle in her sullen eyes
and tiny smile, she wipes her falling tears
away; but still, I hear the painful cries
that echo from her heart so silently-
her weakened body, anguished mind, and soul.
I wonder what in life could possibly
have caused her to now suffer such a toll.
And I surmise that homeless she must be.
But still, some faith has brought her to this spot
where healing strength from God might possibly
renew her spirit- when her life cannot.
The mass soon ends, and I arise and turn-
so now, in front of her, I sadly stand.
She grasps my hand and says, “God Bless, you earn
His blessings- for a heart that understands."
November 16, 2014
Categories:
soul, emotions, feelings, poverty,
Form:
Iambic Pentameter
The scent of your soul
a caramalized breeze of fruit odours
reverbrating softly through my memory
Throwing me right back in ninth grade
where we sat side by side
Your right arm reaching slightly for my back
Your name resonates gently with my spirit
as thoughts of you dwell in my mind
Carrying me back to the shade
of purple grape orchids in evergreen woods
Our first kiss perched upon last autumn's twig
still lingers in early morn's bone-china cup
wafting its pungent aroma of dark roast coffee beans
and so the smell of rubber tyres against the wind
Such revoked moments of unknown danger and defiant fun
Other moments of beauty and snow angels
Of freedom and moonlights,sunrise and life
I can still recall the days,months,and years
till our footprints marked seperate paths
Ah,those days,those last hours,How can I forget?
Sweet as frosty vanilla and chocolate chips of an ice-cream parlour
Melting as spongy marshmallows and honey syrup
Fresh as the colour of every new dream which haunts me
llike an alluring glance of almond-shaped eyes
This afternoon,like other afternoons I walk to the library
which knows the musky sweat of your palm upon my own
That fragrance 's gone now,all that is left is the fading perfume
of forgotten petals between old books and dust
No one here except my silence ,and a rotten sliced apple
vacuum packed,lacking its cinnamon and even its spice.
Back home the mildewed strings of a guitar
await my fingertips to play once more
upon the worn out chords of my vacant heart
What will I play,what will I sing,a song which isn't ours?
Fermented wine I poured into a glass
Yearning to taste its purple grape for what it was
before all it was turned out bitter,acidic and sour
I wondered about where you might be,distant or not as far
Listening to my voice on once upon a record player
Or Wishing on a star ?
A repost (written : 10/15/2014
Categories:
soul, absence, love,
Form:
Free verse