Best Step Up To The Plate Poems
We come into this world, kicking and screaming, like boisterous butterfly birth.
We have nothing to our names, but flesh and bone that bear witness, of Element Earth.
Copper granules mixed with sunshine and water (amalgamations like boy meets daughter)
an investment that pays off with emerald leaves -
the earth is pure potential that the angel's weave into little yous and little mes
(let's not take grace for granted and make the great father grieve)
... rather let's step up to the plate with dirt beneath our nails and heaven in our eyes.
Everything I've learned, from dreary dreams, tell me it's not a time for sleep, but a time to rise.
For we are made of Element Earth, formed as stewards for the planet
from just a whisper and lumps of granite.
Who can measure our worth? (except the ethereal esophagus)
Are we blessed or are we cursed --- dreaming of sarcophagus.
We are doomed to fade!
We are destined to bloom!
(in this big universe I believes there's room
for me and you and everyone)
But pure potential - though essential - is hard to tame.
What kind of earth are you?
The acorn seed, buried deep, with lovely dreams of growing,
or the famous statue, The Thinker, whom contemplates knowing.
Written March 6th, 2016
For the Elements: Part 1, Earth Contest Hosted by Brian Davey
Placed 1st
why are our tax dollars being spent on crippled
and paralyzed drug hoods?
why are we supporting teenage girl having babies
and not trying to do any good?
how Is It possible for foreigners
to get supplemental security income?
and where Is all the money supposedly coming from?
yet, when we the American citizens
who have worked and struggled all our lives
attempt to get any assistance from the government
we only get a lot of bull and some jive
what in the world could the politicians
have been thinking about?
when we have families right here in America
having to do without
Is It political policy
over social responsibility?
the American Government aspires
to be the world's police force
by deploying our young men and women into war zones
without any recourse
but who Is to blame for making all these
life altering decisions?
It's not those who don't vote
for they have no voice nor position
now Is the time for all Americans
to step up to the plate
make your voice and choice be known
before It's too late
we need to stop this madness
and unnecessary spending
call the politicians on to the carpet
and bring about some ending
Is It political corruption
versus social reconstruction?
so just get out and vote
and make your choice be known
put who you want in positions of power
with ideals like your own
It's time to take a stance
and get back our power
be more socially and politically conscious
at the voting hour
In the Beginning was the Word
Just a sound really
A somber echo into the abyss
that kickstarted the whole universe
(was the noise beautiful? was it ugly?
who's to say for sure...
...it was the First)
But it did its job
It filled the eternal silence
Before the wonder and the chaos
(before the peace and the violence)
And the Word was with God
But who was He? (or was it She?)
When did IT step up to the plate
to flip on the Switch
and kiss monotony goodbye?
And pronouns aside...
(we got bigger fish to fry,
believe you me)
...stick all the Hows and Whatifs
where the sun don't shine
I wanna know WHY
WHY it's all here instead of not
WHY instead of infinite space
I see nothing but Your Face:
a world full of splendor,
a world full of ugly
(you have a schedule to keep,
but before you leave,
I just wanna know)
WHY you created me
to long for what I couldn't
to do the things I shouldn't
Odds are equally as good
I could have been anyone else
(that's just not the way
the cookie crumbled)
But I guess I could be grateful
(instead of full of pride ... humbled)
(after all) I'm the only Me
that'll ever be around
(and WHY am I writing this now?)
I should be getting into bed,
instead I let unaswerables fill my head
I should have dreams to chase,
roses to smell,
instead I willingly get tangled in the weeds:
forget about the present,
dabble in the past,
fuss about what hasn't happened yet
I can't see the forest for the trees
(don't know the purpose of You
nor the purpose of Me)
Yet I tear open the Bible
with words to read,
and somehow comfortingly
they come back to Thee
The Word became Flesh
And the Flesh started to speak
syllables
... then seeds
Hims, Hers, Wes
And You and Me
sentences
... then sinew
And quick as a wink, wouldn't you know?
A whole human grew...
..cutting the world in two
No longer just Dark and Light, Day and Night
Now we have what's False
Now we have what's True
...and dwelt among us
giving His Blood
He took your broken-pitiful-self
and said,
"It is Enough."
Is a penny for your thoughts
Money well spent
Or is stating your opinion
A boring non -event
When its time for action
Do you procastinate
Is it always strike three
When you step up to the plate
Do you feel alone in a crowd
Do you ever fit in
And the game of life
Your finding hard to win
But you were created on purpose
Your not a mistake
From the day you were born
God held your fate
So dont let them tell you
That you dont belong
Hold your head high
And belt out your song.
I saw you with your perfect man,
while walking home just the other day.
You were sitting in a coffee house,
laughing at what the other had to say.
It was truly such a sight to see,
two young people so well in tune.
Your smiles were so sincere and warm
that they brightened up the whole room.
And the way you cuddled up to him,
under his shoulder where you belonged,
was so natural that it made me think
of a thousand sappy love songs.
It’s really hard to find that one
that you’ll always thirst to kiss,
and harder still to work up the nerve,
to step up to the plate, to take the risk.
It’s easy to imagine the two of you
settling down in a nice, big house.
You’d be chasing after the kids,
who scrambled round and giggled loud.
He'd be out moving the lawn
and would smile at the joyous sight.
Come bedtime you’d both take them up,
then tuck them in for the night.
Most folks are probably glad for you,
that you’ve found what you’re looking for.
They’d ask you if you’ve set a date,
and why you would wait a minute more.
In their shoes, I’d agree with them
and encourage you not to linger.
The only problem is that I am the man
who put a wedding ring on your finger!
...Get out.
I AM SHE THAT HATES TO DEBATE, ESPECIALLY, WHEN IT IS TOO LATE TO CONTEMPLATE WITH FAITH.
I WISH I HAD TOOK THE BAIT AND WAIT, TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE.
BUT NOW IT IS TOO LATE.
I SHOULD HAVE, I SHOULD HAVE HAD MORE FAITH.
NOW THINGS COULD HAVE BEEN GREAT.
BUT NOW SINCE I DIDN'T, I HAVE TO SUFFER MY FATE.
WITHOUT MA SOUL MATE.
A "Real Man"
Written By: D. Collins 3/26/17
We’re all sub-standard to hear women tell it.
With no emotions, low-down, mean, and jealous.
We should provide them with funds to feed their kids.
Step up to the plate, and get their hair did.
Paying child support, a car note, and all his bills.
Makes a “Real Man” with unblemished skills.
He raises his daughter all by himself.
Never seeking assistance from anyone else.
He puts in the work to keep his son alive.
Teaching him the ropes, and how to survive.
A “Real Man” shows his children nothing but love.
No different than what a strong, woman does.
He bears the brunt, and even takes the bullet.
Ten times over, that’s just how he would do it.
Even sharing the love with those who aren’t his.
That’s what a “Real Man” does, and always did.
Everyday when his dad came home he was waiting there
This was the special time that his dad always had to share
He taught him to throw and to catch how to swing his bat
Every game he played front row is where his dad was at
Started off with tee ball and even then he was a superstar
Not one of the older kids could hit the ball near as far
Then he moved up to softball and what was clear to see
The boy had a natural gift as natural as a gift could be
When he made it to hardball believe these words are true
Matt was one of the best pitchers the world ever knew
Through school and into Collage there never was any doubt
Their best player step up to the plate, Matt would fan them out
Sometimes in life just when we start thinking everything is great
Whether or not we deserve what happens we meet a divesting fate
Matt was out on a Friday night after pitching a picture perfect game
With the stands full of pro scouts promising him a career and life of fame
His fastball clocked at 98 and his control was pinpoint on the spot
After every game he would hug his dad and tell him “Dad thanks a lot”
A drunk driver ran a red light and ended Matt’s career that night
Being left a Paraplegic as it turns out would be Matt’s final plight
A lesser man would have been angry he would wallow in his hate
But that path was not for Matt he just stepped right up to the plate
Became one of the worlds greatest sit down skiers, the first to do a flip
Matt didn’t just come back swinging he was swinging from the hips
You see Matt’s dad didn’t just play with him he taught him the game
He taught him how to fully believe in himself, the W by his name
What Matt learned from Baseball he taught to you know who
Long as you believe in and assert yourself, nothing you can’t do
Written in honor of Matt Oberholtz
who I was fortunate enough to meet
because my friend Nick Jenkins was
his roommate. Want to talk about a
cool guy ice cycles shot out the back
of his water ski. Oddly enough I wrote
Matt's poem for Matt's contest.
where are the voices of the churches in the midst of this economic uncertainty?
where are the spiritual leaders the moral compass of society?
it seems that since the Rev. Dr. M.L. King died so has the fight for social injustice
what I want to know is why the leaders of the church
seem to be sitting on the fence?
they seemed more concerned about building a new church
while their members are in a financial lurch
it's time to restart the movement by speaking truth to those in high positions
to let the Rebuplicans and Tea Party know it's not just them who can make decisions
we need to talk to our youth and tell them of what we've survived and endured
from slavery to the Depression now to this Recession that is closing down doors
they say they want smaller government when in actuality
they want to reduce the numbers of minorities getting decent salaries
for the government be it Fed, City or State is the largest employer
of the Black, Hispanic and Minority middle class structure
now they're going after the Unions trying to get rid of their collective bargaining tool
also reducing or cutting federal dollars to state universities and historic Black schools
how will our children ever be able to afford higher education?
connect the dots and see that it's a process of marketability elimination
WAKE UP MY PEOPLE why can't you see
what the Republicans are trying to do to the middle class families
so what are we waiting for? why have the churches not spoken out?
what are we waiting for? are the churches in denial and doubt?
it's time for the churches to step up to the plate
to speak out against what the Republicans are attempting to propagate
we now have an African-american man as President of this great land
yet the African-american church has yet to publically take a stand
we have not adminsihed those who belittle him and keep trying to take him down
we have not publically supported him nor have we made a sound
what are we waiting for? can't you see the writing on the wall?
if we don't act nor fight back we will all take the fall
what are we waiting for? it's time for the movement to restart
for us to be like the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther king Jr. we need to do out part
The gospel episode of the Good Samaritan
mirrors the soul of the person replete with compassion;
although animosity has shaped the racial slur
between Jews and Samaritans ; like a clash of the titans.
That biblical motif, ‘who is my neighbor?’ makes sense,
it gives a colossal implication to everyone in quest –
in pain, in dire need to be assisted in many ways;
a call of duty with its depth of love and compassion.
The story itself is simple but concrete in action,
the powerful response that knows no second thought;
immediately, an act to the aid of someone who’s wounded –
enhances one’s sensibility and caring attitudes to many.
It’s an affirmation of ‘who am I to those who’re in need.’
like that Samaritan who never worries what’s gonna happen later;
suffused with compassion, he shows the spirit of God’s instruction,
that kind spirit in the form of religion reveals who he is to others.
Unlike those two spiritual leaders who just walked by and ignored,
the man who’s beaten and almost dead on the side of the road;
their hypocritical pride, fear or what other people might say
truly, a strong force that in light of this gospel episode
they appear making distinction of race or current situation in turn.
In Jericho where this incident takes place and unfolds its main point,
gives the opportunity to everyone who reflects its relevance and,
the possibility to see anew what patterns in one’s life needs a change;
either in true character or interpreting the real phenomenon before him.
It’s a challenge in depth, a kind of revelation that entails human care,
Like a person’s inward experience that flows into a sublime action;
With its working spontaneity deep within, along with inclusive application
That episode indeed, illustrates a treasure trove of human compassion.
A poem by John Nesbitt © 22.11.2013
I was eighteen years old and wanting to fight
I found what I looked for, in bars late at night
I took on the big guys, the small ones as well
They were all tough, as far as I could tell
-
As a jobless young man, proud of my country
I joined up with the army and trained how not to be
They told me I’d fight to keep us all free
So that we’d never have to bend the knee
They trained me in weapons, unarmed combat too
The use of explosives and what they could do
And how to take cover behind rocks and trees
They taught me to find bombs and those I E D’s
-
So step up to the plate boys, start waving the flag
We’ll be all draped with medals when it’s all in the bag
Think of the glory, this conflict will bring
A few months away, then we can all sing
-
On my very first mission, I was told to unwind
I took lead position, when searching for mines
The blast threw me up twenty feet in the air
I couldn’t feel my feet for they were no longer there
My right arm was shattered my left fingers gone
I once had two ears but now only one
I thought I was dying, I couldn’t hear a thing
I wasn’t thinking of the medals or being dressed up with bling
-
Now all I can do is sit here on the floor
and wonder what it all had been for
my comrades call around from time to time
I can see their discomfort when they’re thinking of mine
They wouldn’t trade places, no matter what for
They each have their memories, of that terrible war
My fighting days over, no more blood and guts
So I’ll settle right down in my terrible rut
-
I stepped up to the plate boys and I waved the flag
But I’m not draped in medals and it’s not in the bag
I thought of the glory the conflict would bring
No legs, no fingers and in no mood to sing
-
Things soon will be over in Afghanistan
Talks are on-going with the Taliban
We struggled against them for thirteen hard years
But all we produced was billions of tears
Fathers lost sons and Mothers lost child
business got rich, there were deals on the side
Where’s the next country they’ll start a new war
Persia?
Korea?
Let’s hope….. it’s…. not ….yours
Child support is a court-ordered rule that makes both the mother and the father pay until
his or her 18th birthday. It seems that when the mother gets full custody of the child or
children, then the divorced father must get a job in order to pay financial support. But t
seems to me that the dads are refusing to give the mothers of their children money because
for one, some of them will have used their past against them, and two, that they're using
their own children for financial gain. But according to the child support laws, the
fathers can't obtain all visitation rights, which it will have allowed them to have seen
their kids unless he pays the full amount to the mother. The ones who have custody of
their children don't have to pay, but the ones who don't have custody of them must pay
child support. Everybody knows that not paying child support is against the law in all 50
states, including Missouri. the dead-beat dads who are planning on not paying child
support or trying to skip on their own children and the mothers will go to jail for 2
years and get a $10,000 fine, and if these men owe the women and the courts a lot of money
in back child support payments, they're in financial trouble. So my suggestion is for all
of the would-be fathers to step up to the plate and help these women raise their children
because all of the mothers in America can't raise their children alone. And if they don't
want to raise children like responsible fathers, then these men shouldn't be real fathers
at all and left these women alone.
What does Father’s Day mean to you, sons and daughters? I was raised without a father. I don’t know how it feels to have a father, like so many children in America and around the world today. My wife and I had a son who died at birth. If he had lived, he would have been over 45 years plus. She doesn’t talk about it, but I know she thinks about it a lot. We also have two daughters who helped me to be a real father to them. With all of my mistakes, my daughters love me and I love them too. Both of them have finished college with their degrees. My older daughter has been in the military for many years and presently she is in the reserve and works in the medical field. My youngest daughter has an excellent position with Bloomberg News in New York, NY, and from a father’s point of view, doing great. I also have two adopted daughters and they are doing great also. They know I love them too. God has blessed them and they are a blessing to others, and that’s how it should always be. I am not writing this to make you sad or mad, nor to brag, but I am writing this to tell you father’s, step up to the plate and be a real father to your child. Any man can be a sperm donor (let's be real now), but it takes a real man to be a father. There are lots of responsibilities involved. He must be reliable and be a role model for his child. He must always take time out to teach them the right thing. A real father is strong, listens, suggests, and defends. He feels proud of the achievements his child makes, whether small or large. He is always there with a shoulder to cry on when things are right or wrong. I did not have an earthly father when I was growing up, but my Heavenly Father is always there when I call on Him. He says to trust in Him with all our hearts, leaning not to our own understanding, in all our ways acknowledge Him and He will direct our paths. That’s what Father’s Day is all about.
Two strong competitors fighting for the crown
So many promises, Where can we go wrong
What did our bible?
Said about speaking in tongues
Someone must lose in order
For the other one to win
That is what known at the game change.
Knowingly, nothing would ever be the same again
How many competitors from the past fulfill their promises?
Fools us once, shame on you, fool us twice,
We just have to say Oh! Jesus Christ.”
We listen and watch all those tricks and trades
With ponderings thoughts we said “who said what?
Can they really step up to the plate and deliver
Are we willing to put our country in the hand of the wealthy?
Who never knew the meaning being dirt poor?
Should we say, no more, no more?
Show us the beef, and we shall show you where our loyalty lies
Because man is his own authority
So he uses his brilliant educational philosophy so creative
he wink and said ” I get back to you on the real issues”
You law abiding fools
Satan is a liar, and so is man.
White, lies, black lie and grey lies
Everybody lied at some point in their life
why stop now?
First of all, I'm getting so sick and tired of these men impregnating these women and not
taking care of their children. These men had become a bunch of dead-beat dads since their
children have been born. Every guy in America knows that if they're going to be the best
fathers they can really be, then they need to help these women, the mothers of their
children, raise their kids. But by these men wanting to be there for these women during
pregnancy, they're not helping out at all. What's so cold about these dead-beat dads is
when they're not paying child support and not only that, when these women tell the men
that they're pregnant with their unborn children, they'll disappear, leave town for good.
What's also so cold about these men is that they knew that they were going to be fathers
and they knew that these unborn children were theirs to begin with. And not only am I sick
of these men not taking care of the children they already have, I'm also sick and tired of
these womanizing men always getting other women pregnant with their unborn babies, born
out of wedlock. The next thing everybody knows, there's going to be more children born to
different women by the same guy, even by the year 2015. This type of irresponsible
behavior has got to stop. What I'm basically trying to say to the men of America is that
they have options: either wear condoms, leave these women alone, or step up to the plate
and take care of their kids. And if these men aren't going to help their women raise their
children, they shouldn't have parental rights at all. My suggestion for these men is this:
if all of the guys don't want anymore kids with different women, all of the guys really
need to wear condoms, because these kids are going to keep coming from Heaven to Earth
every single time.