Best Starting Out Poems
The End of the Road (Love Grows Not Cold)
We started as friends, a long time ago.
We’d meet every day and walk to our school.
In fall’s brilliant beauty, then trudging through snow,
and later in spring, when weather was cool.
I’ll always remember the sunniest day.
His mood had been changing when suddenly,
during our typical chatting away,
the look on his face seemed so sweet to me.
He took hold my hand, and turned a bit red.
I didn’t mind; I’d been wanting him to!
Just starting out – such a long road ahead!
Love blooming from friendship grew strong and true.
While still in our teens, he made me his wife.
That was the spring of our love blossoming.
Then summer came on the road of our life.
With joy came also the woes life can bring.
When autumn set in, it was the time that
our children were grown! Now we’re getting old.
But we’ll warm each other when we are at
the end of the road, for love grows not cold!
Jan. 7, 2017 for the contest of Nicola Byrne
Lucas my son, you are my world
My amazing bundle of joy
Born 8 pounds and 8 ounces
Words cannot express the love I have for my baby boy
Your birth was difficult
We had alot to face starting out
But with all the pain and the emotional stay
I would do it all again for you any day
You are my miracle that wasn't supposed to be
I thank God for giving you to me
I'm proud to be your mommy
It's the greatest gift I could ever receive
Even though it may be hard with it just being you and me
Just know that I couldn't be more happy
I will never leave you, that I could never do
I will stand by you thick and thin
I will hold you close and cherish you dearly
That is your mother's promise to you
A student came from Mexico.
He was a sweet and friendly guy
just starting out with goals set high.
His spirit seemed to have a glow.
We all could see it in his smile
and how he went the second mile!
In three short months, we saw him grow
from level one to level two
with so much more he meant to do.
Alas! What no one could foreknow:
While he was on his holiday,
An accident took him away.
His sudden death; the utter woe
of all his friends, his family,
and his new bride. A tragedy!
Dear Jimmy, we all miss you so,
but you were one who loved the Lord,
and now you’ve gone to your reward.
A student came from Mexico.
His spirit seemed to have a glow.
In three short months we saw him grow.
Alas! What no one could foreknow:
His sudden death, ; the utter woe!
Dear Jimmy, we all miss you so.
Written 1/5/14
For the Constanza Contest of Craig Cornish
At five years old, starting out in kindergarten
I went to school with my favorite best friends
Girls and boys I’d known as my local hearten
The ones I loved so I had no need for amends
We lived on a farm that was above the school
And my grandfather often drove me there, too
It was there that I learned to follow each rule
Where I simply knew the good ways that I grew
It just so happened, that our family had to move
So into town I went where I found a new school
At this new school I found very few to approve
The kids there were all about being so very cruel
After trying to know these new boys and girls
I finally realized that I was much better off alone
My past friendships had been such true pearls
That this new place begin to feel like I was grown
Somewhere amid the moving of my life to town
I discovered that I had lost the child who had been
She was alive inside, still wishing she wasn’t down
But there weren’t any new friends she could win
As the years passed by, my books got me through
But when I finally did find friends again in high school
They were wild and willful; the rebels were my crew
With these rougher crowd I was so sure I was cool
It would be years before I could finally look back
And see that the move away from our old farm
Led me to a loss that would haunt me with black
A world that was filled with loneliness and harm
When I see my old friends from those old days, long ago
I remember them with a sweetness that fills me up
They were the first relationships filled with love, although
The years that came later would teach me to standup
The moral of the story is that children feel the effects
Of loss, moves, divorce and other grown up decisions
If I could change it all, I don’t know what happens next
But I do know that love would be kinder with provisions
So if I could change one moment in my lifetime
It would be the day I moved away from that farm
Where I was so loved and known by that time
That I was content with my life that was such a charm
October 5, 2019
If only we could turn back the hands of time Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Silent One
Love is...
Happiness, for the couple just starting out., finally getting a feel for what love is all about. Not a care in the world as long as they have each other, thinking they'd be happy as long as they're together.
Love is..
Confusion, they don't know what's going on, they were once so happy but now they don't know what's wrong. The communication is failing, they seem so far apart, they are desperately trying to hold on to each others heart.
Love is...
Pain, because she just found out about the affair, wondering what she ever did wrong to make him not care. She cries herself to sleep and he drinks himself to sanity, nothing could heal the way they both are feeling.
Love is..
Desperation, he begs her to stay, promises her he'll change for her, she believes he'll change his ways. He spends every day trying to make up for what he did, but that trust he has broken can't easily be fixed.
Love is..
Anger, she can't trust him like she used to anymore. He gets mad when shes questions him so he just ignores. Both so angry and tired, they just want to give up, so that's what they do, they throw out their love.
Love is..
Fear and sadness, and tears and madness, they've made a mistake and they sure as hell know it. He wishes he could make things right and take back all the pain, she just wants him back in her arms, they're going insane. They could've worked it out, what they had was real, they both are wondering how the other must feel.
Love is...
Real, it'll always find a way back, he showed up at her house and she took him back, they know they've learned a lesson, and they know it'll make them stronger, and they know when they are together, this will make them hold each other longer.
Hello God, are you there?
I’ve been searching for you everywhere.
Starting out in my mother’s womb
Not very long ago,
When my life was barely beginning
Before I began to know…
Anything about you
And this world I was headed toward.
I was looking for you even then,
Perhaps so even more.
More than when I finally arrived,
The apple of my parents’ eyes
Crawling ‘round the grass and grounds
You placed down here for me,
When all I knew was sky is blue
And love was wild and free.
And as I grew tall and learned to run
I looked for you in shade and sun.
In churches, bibles, liturgies
And things I could and could not see
Like ocean waves and winds that scatter,
Poetry, symmetry and thoughts that matter.
And this idea of independence
And freedom from tyranny,
The pursuit of happiness, truth and justice
And the bounties that they bring.
And other things we take for granted
Like cats, dogs, frogs and birds,
Rivers flowing, flowers growing
And every song and kind of music played and heard.
While I never gave up and never let down
My search for You through cities and towns.
From tiny islands in the old gulf stream
To highlands and by lands
From Mount Olympus to New Orleans.
And continued my search with purpose and worth
In libraries filled with books
Of countless pages throughout the ages
How others thought you might look.
And if you are real, you know how I feel
About the majesty of Your creation.
Planets, stars and the universe writ large,
Consciousness, curiosity and causation.
From the first thinking man who was able to plan
His future among all things,
While looking for You just as I do
In places where he once lived and dreamed…
Down in the bogs and bayous
Where cypress trees grow tall,
And on the moon and Mars and in honky-tonk bars
And leaves turning colors in the fall.
And in the hearts and minds of others
And the catchlight in their eyes,
Hoping I might find you there,
In their laughter and their hope-filled cries.
Even now I’m still seeking and wondering
If you can hear my plea within,
I pray dear God if we’re not at odds:
Will I find You in the end?
© Terrell Martin, 01/29/2025
So it begins.., somewhere
it always must. Right?
Just picturing Dorothy starting out.., followin' Billie Burke's yellow brick road,
on a cause..
with bewitched ruby shoes.
many munchkins encouraging entourage in song..
a crushed one lost.
She was alone then, mostly, accept for Toto only
embarking on a journey to Oz...
Don't ya see?
It was belonging they both tried to find..
That winding road's spiral'd beginning
that's it
that's what it's like..
Blowin' dandelions at an age before
as ages go, seeds on the wind
before the scary sounds, the cries..
who's to blame?
Waiting your turn, soon to rush headlong
her bracelet still hanging on
a battle of bullets and longing
where a hallowed enemy waits...
all shredded waves
now gone
a bracelet worn too, he..
from her., just as you.
It was belonging they tried to find,
both of them.., could've been best friends
before war's indifference..
so glad once.., yet the same
oh, don't ya see?
who's to blame.
Snowflakes falling gently
Like a brides veil touching her face
A path now covered in snow
Like a trail of white covering the steps
leading up to the Aisle.
The wind howls a tune through the trees
Like a church choir playing the wedding march
The union of water crystals in air forming snowflakes
Exchanging of vows, the bride and groom now take.
The snow now bound together
like an endless white carpet
A couple starting out, on a bed of snow
Love keeping them warm with a radiant glow.
The snow now melting slowly to add
To rivers of life that flow
A magical wonderland,
When the evening lights catches the snow.
Dated 28.09.2020
Workel walked a wiggly wire
Strung between two church spire,
A crowd had gathered underneath,
To see this stunt beyond belief.
Starting out with his balance pole
He suddenly heard the church-bell toll,
This very loud ringing noise
Made poor Workel lose his poise.
He lost his balance, down he come,
Flying past a bell-ringing nun,
Luckily there was no slaughter,
He landed in a pond of holy water.
For forty six years now we've shared our home,
but for only the first months together alone,
moved into our own place the day we were wed,
and for forty six years we've both shared the same bed.
Though forever together and loving our life
we are never alone just as husband and wife,
except when on holidays in later times
when kids wouldn’t travel with us in our primes.
As well as our children, with one still at home,
we’ve opened our door to others that roam
away from their parents as their lives went wrong,
as their Auntie and Uncle they joined in our throng.
Our son moved his girlfriend into our place
they then spent a year looking for their own space,
but at last they have found it, we’re happy to see,
so in less than a week from our kids we’ll be free.
You can’t imagine the peace that will give us at last
relief from the chaos we’ve lived in the past,
although life’s been fun, and we think just the best,
I think that at last we’re deserving a rest.
So roll on the weekend, we’ll help with the move,
we’ve survived all the trauma and now we can prove
that retirement’s now starting to live just as two
as in our first married months we were able to do.
So think all you youngsters when just starting out
have your kids early and then kick them out,
with the children and grandkids I’m sure you’ll acquire
to be home alone one day……..I’m sure you’ll desire!
Ivor G Davies
Retiring Cowboy
He hung up his bridle by his bed on the wall.
His rig is preserved on a stand by the stall.
His old Appaloosa has been turned out to graze.
As he sits in his rocker and dreams of old days.
For years he worked hard herding cattle all day.
He worked hard to earn a poor cowboy’s pay.
There were days he would rise barely bearing the pain.
He would climb in the saddle and hang on to the mane.
Starting out riding drag then flank and then swing.
Then point man a position he wanted more than anything.
The job was hard but it beat the rest.
It didn’t take long till he was the best.
He worked hard to work his way up to trail boss.
He was tough but fair a man no man would cross.
And his horse came to be his very best friend.
They stuck together through thick and through thin.
Hot summer days and winters so cold.
Misery torment and torture untold.
But when it was finally all said and done.
He would never have traded with anyone.
T’is the season of jolly and such fun
Ending a year and starting out brand new
Others will be looking to the long run
Uplifting many with words from a few
Celebrating the new binding like glue
Moving together with tag poetry
Pot on the stove with Epulaeryu brew
This stew is filled with great artistry
T’is is just like cosmetic dentistry
Brings a smile to celebrating faces
The time is now for a royal entry
Like playing cards with faces of aces
Hello Lynn Marie go put on your clogs
Look out the window you have just been tagged!
Comment: I was tagged by Katherine Stella. Hello Lynn, this is especially for
you. Happy New Year! Now you will have to find someone whose poetry you
enjoy to tag. NOTE: The Spenserian sonnet rhymes as follows:
ABABBCBCCDCDEE. The second four lines are linked by rhymes to the first four
and the follow four, and a couplet concludes the poem by reemphasizing the
main idea or proposing an alternative view. Isn’t this fun!!!
THE SIXTY-FOURTH REUNION
By Leonard Kleeman
We held our 64th reunion just the other day.
We were the best class of 1949 we'd say.
Just us guys alone (we were not co-ed),
The girls came later after we all were wed.
Those of us who were left after all the years
would remember those gone and then shed some tears.
We lost some in Korea and some just passed away.
And some we couldn't find even to this day.
But of those who were left, we had a good core.
And we'd meet every year, and now for 64.
Some couldn't make it this time because they were ill.
Others would just forget as we elders commonly will.
A few came with walkers and then some with canes.
We were all old friends but couldn't remember some names.
We'd look around and see lots of white hair
and then there were others who had none to spare.
We ate and we laughed and some even took pills
We listened to each other and knew most had some ills.
The ills weren't discussed because it wasn't quite polite
and we wanted to think only of our high school day's delight.
Those were the years when we were just starting out.
We had health and vigor and had no reason to pout.
We were students and athletes and musicians too.
Our futures were bright and life was still new.
We lived so many years since we left our great school,
It's now all in our memories that shine like a jewel.
We meet together to share those wonderful gems
And to see each other again like all good old friends.
As we depart the reunion, shake hands and give hugs,
We stop to wonder with several deep shrugs
Who will be here next year and who will be gone.
We hope all will return and see the next dawn.
We are all octogenarians and still like to hang around.
We hope to be here longer and live to paint the town.
So for all you guys out there, we'll meet again next year.
Our 65th will be a blast and for that we'll give a cheer.
Copyright 2013 by Leonard Kleeman. All rights reserved, including reproduction in whole or in part in any form.
Plant Earth, full of crystal clear waters
Blue as far as the sky can see
Land masses to hold intriguing life forms
Not knowing of its true power
Maybe its just innocence or ignorance
Greens poke their heads out of the ground to say 'hello'
Your not alone
Look up and you'll see the sun (king)
Hot temperament
The suns been worshipped and feared
A super powerful light source
But don't get to near or it'll burn you for life
The sun was bullied by all the other planets
When it was just a star starting out
Got ostracized for being a nosense
(To big and to damn bright)
None of the other planets wanted it around
Until Earth shook hands and exchanged conversation
Meteorites are just gossips
Flying to each destination on a full tank of gas
Not caring who it hits
Shooting stars are the ballerinas of the universe
They give off a mysterious flare
Make a wish and it'll come true
Just keep that image in your mind
The moon wanted to quit years ago
Felt that it had no purpose
Just a grey boulder that gets in the way
Born Norma Jean Mortensen
Marilyn was a singing, poetry writing and acting American
Born and raised in L. A., Miss Monroe
Grew in in foster homes
Growing up, her world was grim
To escape, she learned to pretend
Far from flattering
Starting out with very low salaries
Becoming top 100 movie stars of all time
Yet gone too soon while still in her prime
Sexiest female movie star of all time
Classic shape of 37-23-36
Small minded men, only thinking of sex
Over 600 books written about her
Who know that she was a stutterer?
She said you can't curl up with money at night
Without a real soulmate, that sure is right
Hollywood pays you $50,000 for a kiss
Get out of line, you get dismissed
And 50 cents for your soul
Your life never whole
Big breasts, big butt, big deal
Ignore my body, look at my skill
People would always stop and stare
Follow the rules, you get no where
Finding out who she really was, people never bothered
Doing that was way too awkward
It's not easy being a star
Fame is fickle, fame is like caviar
It's good, but not damned everyday
She said drugs pull you down, always making you pay
A candle in the wind
Associating with the wrong kind of friends
She knew in the end
Diamonds are not necessarily a girl's best friend
It was a tragic loss
When she faced the double cross
Barbiturates administered by bastards, bigots and bandits
Given chloral hydrate
By her fake date
Homicide
Making it look like suicide
Disappearing tissue samples
What other evidence was trampled?
Finding eavesdropping devices in every room of her house
She wasn't married so it wasn't her spouse
Imagination?
Speculation?
Or true realization?