Best Standout Poems
The Rooster
He strutted ‘cross the barnyard tall and proud,
away from all the bustle of the crowd;
the other roosters in the yard felt cowed,
to him they meekly stepped aside and bowed.
Rhode Island Red to others he was known;
the yard’s top bird, to all he wanted shown.
One day a pullet walking on her own
approached red rooster standing all alone.
“Dear sir you’re quite the standout in this room
all smartly clad and dressed in bright red plume
and standing by yourself may I assume
you’re unattached and lonely, I presume.”
Replied the rooster, “Dear cannot you see,
that others always step aside for me,
and I’m the one, I think you would agree
that any hen I wanted, it would be.”
“Oh, really,” she replied with snarky grin,
“then why I ask your party seems quite thin,
and I’m the only caller who’s within;
perhaps it’s time that you and I begin.”
“My dear young hen you’re simply not my type;
you’re far too ordinary is my gripe,
and I prefer a hen who’s much more ripe
for I must always live up to my hype.”
“I see you standing proudly in your frock,
and I can see you’ve been around the block;
you’re nothing but an old conceited cock,
and you deserve a nagging hen to rock.”
June 27, 2019
Categories:
standout, allegory, animal, humorous,
Form:
Personification
Though Santa never responded to pleas
There was just one gift on my list each year
A horse that could run at the speed of light
A bold little gal; I never had fear
With two high school friends I visited a ranch
To ride in 103-degree heat
Through the bramble bushes and prickly pears
Upon little “Misty” I took my seat
The Mustang Adoption Program’s success
Sparked ranchers from Tucson, Arizona
To give a home to a rust-colored mare
Many miles from my home near Daytona
Cryptic white markings graced Misty’s neck
Looked like words in Native American code
“She’s so small,” I whined, seeking to ride fast
But no matter, to the desert we rode
Even the roadrunners were envious
When Misty gained speed and hit her full stride
Warp speed! I clung to the saddle horn
As Misty passed larger horses with pride
My hat fell on a cactus, sweat filled my eyes
My life flashed before me, quite a surprise
It seemed like she had wings as we flew
Don’t be quick to judge a horse by its size
I thank Misty often for the ride she gave me
She fulfilled my dream and gave me a thrill
But on the news today a reporter said
Wild horses would now be rounded up and killed
I’m so grateful I had the chance to ride
A wild horse with spirit and awesome speed
But what will become of her ancestors
Misty’s now part of a vanishing breed
*For Frank's "One Standout Day" contest
by Carolyn Devonshire
Categories:
standout, adventure, animals, happinesshome, home,
Form:
Rhyme
Why is it when you go out of your way
To help someone brighten their day
Or solve a problem that has things in disarray
They want to play you as if to say
You owe them in some superficial way
Putting on some kind of poor me display
Overshadowing the kindness you portray
Some are not able to see the good deed
That some people give so freely
They do it because they are able to see
What a difference this would be
For them to help make your day stay in play
Some people lack the ability to foresee
People go out of their way, not for praise
Or to be a standout who wants you to obey
Not to create a cushion for some far off distant day
We do it because we care
When we see someone in dispare
Or life seems to be unfair
When someone is down on their luck
Because everything has run a muck
Feeling like lightning has struck
Then being able to help someone become unstuck
It's just good karma that is our choice to send their way
It doesn't require money
Or a promise you will make it right someday
It simply requires a sincere thank you
A genuine reply without asking why
Understanding that everyone
Has not just left you standing
When your day became way to demanding
Knowing someone went out of their way
To keep your day underway
It's not how we repay the kindness
But rather how we display
All the goodwill that came into play
To help make it through your day
Categories:
standout, care, christian, day, encouraging,
Form:
Rhyme
All my life, it seems
although I had my dreams,
I had no standout wish -
something absolutely necessary to accomplish.
The goals of my life
were ordinary: be a wife;
have children; now, write poetry!
With nothing grand to be,
I choose life’s paths aimlessly,
floating as if to sea!
April 4, 2019
For 10 Lines, 5 Words: Rhyme Iii Poetry Contest
sponsor: Laura Loo
Categories:
standout, life,
Form:
Rhyme
Oh, the forgotten one
not the prettiest, not the funniest
not the standout at a party
but one who feels and loves
and deeply wants to belong
Oh, the forgotten one
not the brightest, not the fastest
not the one who knows art
but one who lives and breathes
and waits for life to come along
See the forgotten one
look for the treasures hidden within
look past the surface and into the heart
the forgotten one could be me
or someone you’ve known your whole life long
Categories:
standout, friend, life, loneliness,
Form:
Free verse
The CRY OF A KENYAN.
Rihanna talks of The New America
American Oxygen
It seems same for poor Kenya
Our one and only treasure
Drowning in the dark
Driven by cartels of no concern
No care for the next generation.
And here's my plead.
Am lost within a nation
No name no trace
No location no possession
No government but govern men
No freedom but free doom
Threats are the new proverbs
New slogans taking over,
(guilty till proven rich)
Corruption a current chess game
Leadership now a business gap
Leaders being Board Members
Cabinet being the shareholders
I wonder if we are the debtors
No say, since the burden is too big.
Am tired, torn, worn and tortured for my silence
Enough, if the flowing blood
Enough of the illegal lands
Enough of the assassinations
Coz Kenya is now more less Hollywood.
A crew hired to act the movie
The happenings seem dreams
All like fiction in The Originals.
The only fact, that time is passing
No longer can we entrust our lives on the government
No longer can we express out freely
No longer are our cases ruled with justice
Cases clog in the courts.
No longer can even prayers shaken their utter
No longer do they fear the Supreme One
But in churches, all different
Sited like an innocent infant
Faked sorrows while praying
All aiming to win our trust
Let's standout,Kenyans for Kenya
Let's open up eyes, and stop being fooled
Let's stop falling on their knees like slaves
A fact,they are meant to be our servants
But act like we are theirs slaves
Some lie to be fighting for us
But are after the seat, to grab the cheques
Wanting the privileges and Excellency
Let's stand for our poor Kenyans
Say No to their treachery
A New Kenya, me and you. — thinking about Kenya.
courtesy of Kagz de falsa as at 10/06/2016
Categories:
standout, africa, community, corruption, courage,
Form:
Narrative
The sledding and the skating in ‘63;
the sugar cookies frosted green and red;
the stringing popcorn with my family
and going anxiously that Eve to bed.
The gift exchange when relatives would meet.
Some traveled far to Grandma's little town.
The feast and seeing cousins such a treat!
We stayed and played until the sun went down.
The program at our church where all took part.
Our flock was small but talent did not lack.
The joyous songs; before we would depart ;
the glorious sweets dispensed from Santa's sack!
No holiday to come could be as dear
as when I was a child in my eighth year!
For the "Christmas Past, Present or Future" Poetry contest of Kelly Deschler
(This was also the year my mother met my stepdad and we became a family of 9 instead of 5. A standout year, but also reminiscent of many of my childhood years at Christmas time in Iowa. With so many dear relatives now passed on, the past would be my time I would choose to revisit.)
Categories:
standout, christmas,
Form:
Sonnet
Miscommunication, is fabrication of reality
When actually it’s a matter of perspective.
She was a standout, with a name similar to yours
With pure intentions, painful convictions but losing to her own dispositions.
Deprivation of her moral mentality structure crumbles
Caused by misadventures of her past life
Blighted with horrific memories
Tragic upsets that shake the very foundation of her soul.
Lead by the goals of our society
To keep the mindset that anxiety… controls you
But who understands?
Those who demand you to over expand your capability of toleration to your demons?
Pharmaceutical apprehension to be your companion in this never-ending struggle?
School systems have programs
That program you to say
Everything’s okay
Just get over it and move on
But you see there is no off switch to pain
No preset to reset her experiences
The hand that she felt
A seatbelt that would strap her into a horrible roller-coaster ride of misery
You see, there is something wrong with this picture
Its missing something
Someone…
You?
Maybe everything that she needed was a frosty before third period on a March afternoon
Or maybe, an almond milk macchiato on finals week at Delos across the street
Or even an acquainted silence of tears while she spilled her heart on the dashboard of your car.
She needed a home
No not a bed to sleep in with complimentary breakfast
No!
A resting place
That’s laced with people who care to hear the response of how her day is,
Or how’s she’s doing in school
Or why is there scars on her…
Arms to be held in when she needs comfort.
Sometimes we’re the only savior that people see,
But what saviors are we when we’re preoccupied with our own self-indulgence of social media.
Temporary satisfactions from addictions ever going,
Distracting us from having true meaning in life.
We need to make a stand,
To withstand this generational curse.
Of carelessness of peoples pain,
But first, let me update my status.
Categories:
standout, deep, high school, internet,
Form:
Dramatic Verse
The Little Boy I Knew
It seems like only yesterday, I held him by the hand
This evening he was married, now he is a man
Yesterday, he left for school, kissed me, said goodbye
Now I’m at his wedding, trying not to cry
He made his first Communion, only yesterday, you see
Now he’s at the altar, with his bride on bended knee
Yesterday, he rode a bike. Today, he drives a car
To see him stand there, all grown up, seems a bit bizarre!
Time has overtaken us, little did I know
How soon he would be all grown up…now it’s time to go
“All my love, my darling, now you’re Man and Wife
God bless you both, as you start your brand new life”
I turn away to dry my tears…I don’t want him to see
How sad I am he’s all grown up and that he’s leaving me
“Goodbye my son” I whisper, “I’m so proud of you”
Yet in my heart he will remain, the little boy I knew
Copyright©1990 Beatrice Boyle
(All rights reserved)
For Frank Herrara's contest -One Standout Day.
Categories:
standout, childhood, nostalgia, son, wedding,
Form:
Rhyme
i wake up every morning
questioning my entire existence
they say i must be persistent
but i ask myself is god really present or absent
you folks say to make it i have to be obedient
Things fall apart
friends became enemies
gravity seems to be my worst enemy
all my plans seems to be rearranged
things i wanted to establish and accomplish
have perished and vanish
they say the world is round
and yet i think is a square
so many hurts we get from
corners here and there
Things fall apart
the sky is covered with a dark cloud
i try to speak but my voice is not loud
i tried to blend in the crowd
but i always standout
all my brothers are school dropouts
my sister works as a checkout girl
they said heavens gate was built to keep me out
moments like this i ask God's whereabouts
Things fall apart
Just as we say things are getting better
sweeter and tastier, they turn sour and bitter
the sky just fall in the middle of a storm
the trees are unfruitful
the rivers are dry
our crops in the field are devoured before harvest time
my eyes are all red and swollen
from the tears that shed
my mothers knees are red from
kneeling down and praying for a miracle
her knuckles are frozen from knocking on heavens door
her voice is all cranky from shouting
hoping god can hear her
Things fall apart
mom lost her job
daddy got retrenched at his
grandma has a disease that has no cure
soon she will departure
to the heavens above
relatives have turned into strangers
rags and shreds cover my body
my little sister singing
is my rhapsody of reality
as we stand firm together in unity.
Categories:
standout, absence, conflict, confusion, friendship,
Form:
Prose Poetry
If I could have one tree in the garden
It'd be a sculpted tree with white roses
The women, Beautiful and elegant in their stature,
would be the white roses that blossom earnestly.
Like branches frolicking in the twisting wind,
the men would solemnly standout
And I would be like a humble branch that has yet to bear fruit.
My ancestors, still anonymous where they lay
would be the unseen roots that firmly surveyed the land.
If I could have one tree in the garden
It'd have a couple of uninvited guests;
Weaving birds and African bees among many.
Flocks of wild geese would skim through tree
tops as they leave in search of fen lands.
If I could have one tree in the garden
It'd provide a shed to the homeless man from the blazing sun.
If I could have one tree in the garden
It'd be majestic for all people to see.
Categories:
standout, africa, children, community, dad,
Form:
Narrative
Firnham Wood
The day dawned bright with autumn gold
where slits of light cut through the wold,
bright flowers stood.
A blessing rang of bird and song
as waters lapped the while along
by Firnham Wood.
At length red flame turned indigo
the moon appeared a distant glow
where blackness fell.
In shifting shades of eerie light
that pressed the silence of the night,
a lonely bell.
There in the pitch of midnight dark
reflecting on the hoary bark,
a flickered flame.
As to and fro it cast about
grotesque gyrations that standout,
in this time-frame.
When shadows take on shades of life
and sounds are tremblings of strife,
so we believe.
No other date within the year
can fill the darkness with such fear,
All Hallows Eve.
Now homeward bound, the church-bell rings,
caught by a draft it once more swings
in dawn's grey light.
That cast off cigarette burned slow,
the fire it lit, a furtive glow,
to all, goodnight.
Categories:
standout, autumn, halloween, romance,
Form:
Narrative
So as the fauna flakes into flasks and the distance is at ease,
so as the forgotten fallen ones are at peace and you and your life are crease,
so as the harrowing start and a seasonal bar goes into the yonder park,
and an endimony of our presentation is falling into desert art-
I am pleading that you start speaking to them all in a heart-
I am donned to be peaking as I am just about to fall off the energy's leaving one little diamond in the war-
I said I wanted to fight, and became broken in the hallway,
it's O.K, I am only as ready as the unrealized baseness of seeing the future so stark,
let's let them off as we go because I have no other wool, and the only history of time is the glittering wine in the standout cottage on stage street where I round-about all hairy lore,
stupid as I can't breathe the only time I say please is honorary a beast so let's wonder about the finishing touches now heavenly and...
Categories:
standout, beach, birthday, celebrity, dream,
Form:
Epic
Drunken Inverted Triangle
I am a weird shape but, easy to figure out.
I would like to think, that I even standout.
I am an inverted martini glass filled up!
I will not spill because I will stand up.
I am a upside down pyramid too.
I am a inverted nutrition menu.
I’m a yield sign for the corner.
I am a upside down dollar.
Next time, you see me.
Just think, I can't be.
a circle. But, I can
be used in news-
articles. Watch
me be used;
in other
things
too!
Categories:
standout, funny, imagination
Form:
Concrete
ONE:
At three in the morning the Internet calls out.
Come to the computer; visit friends round about.
All of a sudden, soon pulling hair out,
The lights go off, a total blackout…shutout!
TWO:
Dressed for the country, a total knockout,
In a new white blouse, nothing worn-out,
Marshmallows and smores cooked at the cook out.
Chocolate on the blouse that will not wash out!
THREE:
Friends coming over for a big night out,
Children run to windows; keep a lookout.
Their car slips and slides while they are in route.
Festivities become a complete washout.
FOUR:
Going for a visit, the Interstate route.
A car passes by; guess what is thrown out.
Part of a burger with a Whopper handout,
Right in the face of the driver's shouting snout.
FIVE:
Rushing one morning to the punch-clock readout.
Arriving on time, that day had some doubt.
Picking up speed cautiously on the look out!
BLAM! The tire explodes, too late, a blowout.
SIX
The day's shopping spree had a strange payout.
Smoke from the windows escaping there out.
Eggs were left boiling when the cook went out.
Shells hit the ceiling and the floor; freak out!
SEVEN:
Walking barefooted on a beautiful route.
(Garden shoes were old with the soles worn out.)
Soft-smelly brown embrace toes round about.
Run to the hose to wash the stinky stuff out.
EIGHT:
Planting a garden with success in doubt.
Hoping for sun and for a big payout.
Watering tomatoes in times of drought.
One night of insects, the crop is wiped out!
NINE:
The birthday present would really standout.
Glow-in-the-dark wrapping, would be far-out.
Fluorescence to shine when the lights go out,
But I left it home and arrived without.
TEN:
A walk in the park to get a workout,
Flowers and children enjoyed throughout.
Birds chirp in trees, their favorite hideout.
A direct hit in the eye; bird fallout, wash out!
© October 8, 2011
Dane Smith-Johnsen
Categories:
standout, angst, funny, life, social,
Form:
Monorhyme