Best Straighten Up Poems
She wore a gingham apron,
battled dirt on hands and knees
while garments washed swayed brightly
on a clothesline in the breeze.
She sewed and worked a garden,
did the dishes all by hand;
her wiggling giggling kids
would straighten up at her command.
Her leftovers were loved as much
as was the ginger cake
she drizzled with that special sauce
she always used to make.
Today they’d call her backwards,
for no feminist was she!
But all she’d ever daydreamed of
was what she came to be.
(For Mac's "Anything Goes Again" contest)
Categories:
straighten up, dedication, work
Form:
Rhyme
Trump Words and Sounds
All that Trump said were stupid sounds;
Causing emotion and heart that pounds;
Never cared,
He declared;
Straighten up one day hopefully is bound.
Jim Horn
I am amazed that he finally is starting to
admit things. Guess he doesn't have a
choice.
Trump Facing Reckoning
A reckoning, Trump must have to face;
He messed up things all over the place;
To understand,
We do demand;
Have to leave presidency with disgrace.
Jim Horn
Trump and Red Hand
Had caught Trump while waving red hand;
He was entertaining with much grandstand;
Had heard conclusion,
Of disturbing delusion;
Some day in jail with friends he may land.
Jim Horn
Baptized and Realized I Was Revitalized
Remember when I had been baptized,
And that very second I rapidly realized,
Water ran,
Like it can;
My soul and me were instantly revitalized.
Jim Horn
Categories:
straighten up, allegory, analogy,
Form:
Limerick
In spite of enjoying a very happy life
There are things I wish I had done
Like running naked through the Trevi Fountain
Or climbing the pyramids with a Nun
Walking the length of The Great Wall of China
While playing the Scottish bagpipes
Or exploring the famous Carlsbad Caverns
Dodging stalactites and stalagmites
The Colosseum in Rome is another site
That I've yet to see first hand
Remember the Beatles played a concert there
Now that was an amazing band
354 stairs in the Statue Of Liberty
Could climb them without a problem
Might need to have some oxygen handy
When I get back down to the bottom
Big Ben is an absolute must for my list
Like to hang from its giant minute hand
And straighten up the Leaning Tower is Pisa
While holding a pizza in one hand!
Then there's St. Basil's Cathedral in Moscow
An amazingly colourful structure
Commissioned long ago by Ivan the Terrible
Ivan's name sure makes me shudder
So now you know why I gotta stick around
To see all these very famous landmarks
So I can accurately construct every one
At the home when I play in my sandbox
© Jack Ellison 2015
Categories:
straighten up, nonsense, silly,
Form:
Narrative
You are my little one
Roasting me like an oven
A freshly baking bun
Making me a mother hen
I lay you as my egg, hatch
Make you go ‘peep, peep’
Your papa is my love match
Raisin’ you ain’t cheap
Baa baa black sheep
Now it’s time to sing you to sleep
I’m gonna sing you a nursery rhyme
Cause it is your bed time
Gives you kisses sweeter than sweet lime
Sing to you til my voice cracks
We a family, we run in a pack
You are the center, we will protect
Anyone disturbs you, they get decked
We raise you in a way that is correct
Up to the utmost respect
Like a little lady (or gentleman)
You as a baby, on the Gerber plan
We got a dream house with a floor plan
You are part of our master plan,
Protecting you with everything we can
Everything we have, its yours
Even when you still crawlin’ on all fours
Your daddy’s reason for the Army corps
You a little soldier, boy or girl,
You gonna one day see the world
But for now your daddy’s little girl
For now your mama’s little pearl
But for now you is a mama’s boy
Straighten up like a soldier, toy,
Creating mischief, you’re very coy
Like a fox you be runnin’ sly
Around strangers, you be hidin’, shy
Until at night when the moon is high
And to the world you wave bye-bye
As I sing you tonight’s last lullaby…
Categories:
straighten up, angel, baby, children, children,
Form:
Sometimes I wanna hold on and pray.
Hoping things will get better when day breaks.
Wrong I am because some things don't fix.
Unappreciative to those putting smile on my face.
It's a sad triangle going on in this phase.
Sense I oughta have when plans as such are misplaced.
Dead end trail I keep trying to chase.
Some iron never welder like in this case.
Forcing steel to straighten up gets me in no place.
Gotta let this transform to whatever caves.
I love what are not meant to be, Maze.
And get in races I don't win, Daze.
Categories:
straighten up,
Form:
Chant Royal
Hello disappointment
You visit me pretty often these days
Wish I could say seeing you again was an amusement
I'm hoping your coming so much is just a faze
Mr. Disappointment you’re becoming the only feelings I feel anymore
The happiness has started to fade away
I want our old life back where we were in love and a bore
Mr. Disappointment you make my life dark and gray
I miss the times where I would laugh and giggle for hours
I miss the times when I was the only one he wanted to be around
When you come around disappointment its tears and long hot showers
This love I used to feel is starting to be such a big let down
I don't want to be treated like this
I have to show him I am worth caring about
I miss our happy bliss
It's either he straighten up or finds a different route
Goodbye disappointment I want my baby’s kiss
Categories:
straighten up, confusion, dedication, depression, devotion,
Form:
Jesus, no doubt, is my hero and friend,
Till the end.
Was he perfect? Don’t know? But if So?
When he told the Pharisees that they were of their father the devil?
Was he sinning? Was he hating? Such that others could mock and revel?
In their own superiority? And his motives inferior?
My God, I feel wearier, every day,
That I feel the weight of the maternal scolds, and belittling things that folks say.
“Get a job!” “Get off the street?!”
“You’re just a burden as you sit there and beg at my feet!”
“You’re not a victim, so leave the past in the past!”
“That’s not nice, my little child, you’d better straighten up fast!”
Jesus, no doubt, is my hero and friend.
Till the end.
Was he perfect? Don’t know? But even if not?
I strive to be like him, and love him a lot.
And just as my Savior, got angry, I too,
Feel the fury of bias and the rage of pointed fingers.
Like singers, singing a song of condescension,
It reminds me of days that I am censured to mention,
When my dad was denied his pension,
Because of the tension,
Of his skin tone and refusal,
To be sheepish and bamboozled,
Am I Jesus, or even much like him?
Not really, I must admit?
But still he’s my Savior, even when I throw a fit.
And thank God he sees me truly,
Even when others scoff and chide.
And thank God he gives me courage,
For I refuse to run and hide.
For those like me, who started from the beginning at the bottom,
Our culture tends to view us as oh just a wee bit rotten,
And at the slightest hint of fury, seek to hunt us like Ben Laden.
So when I lose it? Yes I choose it?
This consequential crucifixion,
For I although others tend to want me silenced, prostrate in submission,
I have a savior, King, and best friend too, who never fails to listen.
Categories:
straighten up, angstgod, me, god, hero,
Form:
Rhyme
I never possessed time.
Time that I would call my own.
You see, amidst a broken heart.
I had heard a friend cry.
She said her own heart had been broken.
So I listened, counselled and wiped away her tears.
There was no time to sit and feel sorry for myself.
With a broken thumb.
A pounding headache.
A hard day at work.
I wanted a hot bath and cup of coffee.
To lay me down, I took a couple of pain killers.
But you see, amidst fatigue.
I had heard a cousin sob.
She said she had lost her job.
So I listened, counselled and wiped away her tears.
There was no time to sit and nurse my tiredness.
With a heavy heart upon seeing an accident.
A horrid image in my head that I had to let out.
I went looking for my best friend.
But I had heard her cry.
She said she was not happy in her life.
So I listened, embraced and wiped away tears.
There was no time to share and offload.
With yet another broken heart.
I had told myself to cry and shut it down for once.
I had planned to watch sad movies.
With a box of Kleenex by my side.
But you see, amidst another heart break.
I had heard a sibling cry.
She said she had hurt a person unintentionally.
So I listened, counselled and wiped away her tears.
There was no time to cry and weigh down my feelings.
With a torchlight.
I had decided to do my favorite thing.
On a warm summer evening.
Walk about the park and listen to the night.
Amidst my time of reflection, I had heard a close kin cry.
She said, her husband had cheated and had another child.
So I listened, embraced and wiped away tears
There was no time for me to reflect.
I never possess time.
I don’t think I will ever possess time to myself.
But you see, that’s okay.
I have made my peace with it.
So I guess that’s what someone meant when they told me:
“Straighten up soldier, There is never time to cry”
© Herzel Poshiwa
Categories:
straighten up, emotions, how i feel,
Form:
Free verse
Night time rest
I lie there counting the stars
as they glint in the Heavens
Desperate to sleep
exhausted tears streak streams
from cheek to pillow
Not that I feel sorry for myself
just simply worn out
in need of short respite
Scared to try to move
as nightly rigamortis sets in
but need is there to move
to free the stiffness
work through extreme pain
to break the grip
of thise imprisoned bones
to free the body
and bring short relief
that I might make routine bathroom trip
before it is too late
and further humiliation takes hold
Once I can bend and straighten legs freely
I can shuffle around suffice to sit
then reassure myself
just enough to feel able to cope
To push and put one foot in front of the other
Force this swollen crumbling body beyond the pain
required to move from sitting to standing
to start to brave the world once more
So I can live life to its fullest
The calm tends to come after the storm
but the peace that follows can be short lived
never knowing when the winds direction will turn on its heal
bringing tornados and lightening strikes
to rack tortures torment through my spine and legs
where this disabling degenerative disease desires domination
Red lipstick disguise fools those around me
They don't see me during these difficult times
the occasions I let only those closest to me near
Times I become almost totally reliant
Like so many mornings when I've no choice
but grapple between the raise bar
and my husbands strong arm
to standing stooped position
Flattened hands search the fronts of wardrobe doors
sliding upwards as I straighten up
taking crutches one in each hand
I prop myself strongly
then carefully I step slowly
and with each movement new release
begins to fall fresh upon me
for but short time
until the hours play same record over
or the devils bow plays fiddle
with the nerves in my body for encore
Categories:
straighten up, health, life, recovery from...body,
Form:
Free verse
You had better think twice before using that knife;
You won't be protected because that guy is well connected;
You are first on the list the minute he is missed;
Want to spend your life as some hairy man's wife?
I think you ought to know you won't run the show;
You'll have to PC up from the grave he'll erupt;
I think you need to leave or for life, you will grieve;
Reliving the day when you gave your life away
In a moment of doubt you pulled your weapon out;
You bullied them around & tried to hold them down;
I want you to know they'll still run the show;
Even if they go down you won't be around
You reap what you sow as you always show;
Doing this deed still won't quench your need;
Berate and dominate when it's yourself that you hate;
Claiming that its love but truly love can't be judged
It's your mind that creates scenarios that are fake;
Maybe take a tip I think you oughta quit;
Before its too late to stop your mind rape;
There is no excuse for constant mental abuse
Stories you make up another excuse to erupt;
Then plan your attack when no one's fighting back;
You push them around & throw them to the ground;
Consequences are severe for those who instill fear
Today I have to say you can't always have your way;
Straighten up your act these things you can't take back;
Take the knife from his back and throw away your sack;
Before its too late and you seal your own fate
Categories:
straighten up, addiction, anger, bullying, conflict,
Form:
You’re Having a Bad Day
Don’t scream and shout and pull your hair out
And don’t shed a tear for that bothers me dear
I’ll pick up the cat, put her in the back yard
Take the dog for a walk as that isn’t that hard
The house will be quiet; lie down; take a nap
Close your eyes; dream a dream without all of this crap
And when I get back from walking the pup
I’ll come in real quiet so I don’t wake you up
And I’ll let you sleep cause I know it’s enrichin’
Till about 6 o’clock, then it’s back to the kitchen
Back to the cooking, the cleaning, the scrubbin’
Till it’s time that you give me my nightly foot rubbin’
When the cream is rubbed in and I am relaxing
You can look back on your day and see it wasn’t that taxing
Then I’ll watch some TV while you straighten up
The cat missed the box and you know about the pup
Dirty clothes in the basket, wet towels in the bath
All need to be cleaned and that’s just my half
Don’t forget socks and my shirts on the floor
There are bills to be paid and probably much more
But I’m off to bed, you can do as you like
Cause that’s how it goes with your dear Uncle Mike
I read a poem on another site about a lady having a bad day - this was my response to her plight
Categories:
straighten up, caregiving, husband, wife,
Form:
Rhyme
Hey, you little boy with the hole in your shoe!
Yeah, you who thinks the whole world is
Looking down on you!
Straighten up those shoulders, stick out that chin,
That's right, keep on trying again and again!
Push out that chest, hold that head up high,
Things will go your way, by and by!
So they're pushing you aside - no, don't you cry.
Keep on trucking, forget that sigh...strut your stuff, prove you're a man, you can do it, I know you can!
Now it don't matter that your clothes are tattered and torn,
With a little faith you can still go on...to the top of the heap,
Come on boy stride, but I can't promise that
it won't tax your pride, and no, I can't promise it will be an easy ride.
Come on, little boy, you with the bow in your knee,
Push on, push on and some day you'll be free...
Of care, of want, of those shoes with the hole,
but promise me you won't sell your soul.
Reach out your hand, hold on to faith and trust,
Come on little fellow, do it or bust!
Climb out of that ghetto - aim for the top, and in the face of adversity, don't you dare stop!
Just remembr God loves you and so do I,
And things will get better if you just try!
Cynthia
Categories:
straighten up, inspirational, faith, boy,
Form:
Rhyme
Well, me and them rats polished off them chicken legs and I headed fer the door.
The sheriff handed me my 44s sayin, "Son, I don't wanna see you here no more!
Now git outta Santa Fe and don't go stealin' no man's horse or his saddle!"
With that we shook hands, I grabbed my hat and made a hasty skedaddle!
I hopped the midnight freight headin' fer El Paso whar that preacher man was at.
I was gonna git religion and straighten up and that's all thar was to that!
He was preachin' hell and brimstone at a revival meetin' at the edge of town.
With my hat I brushed the dust from my britches, strolled in and set down.
He was up thar a-wavin' his arms like he was fendin' off a swarm of bees!
When they sung "Jes As I Am" I ran to the altar and fell upon my knees!
I give my soul to the Lord and vowed right thar to become a preacher man,
To save the souls of thieves, soiled doves and gamblers to carry out His plan!
I ain't gonna git rich a-preachin - collections is sparse, but what the hell!
(Er 'scuse me Lord! I've gotta control my cussin' as Ya can tell!")
I got me a hoss legal like and a Bible and started out on my mission.
I was hell bent (scuse me agin Lord) to bring about the devil's disposition!
(He preached in saloons with his 44s and Bible spread out on the bar.
He did his level best to save their wicked souls from sin and hellfar.
For fifty years he preached and saved souls throughout the rowdy west.
When he reached the Pearly Gates, He said, "Son, ya did yer very best!")
Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired
© All Rights Reserved
Categories:
straighten up, funny, me, bible, bible,
Form:
Rhyme
I got a dog likes to wander around
You might see him anywhere in town
In my neighbor’s yard or in his trash
Today, I don’t know where he’s been
He just came a-staggerin’ in
I think that my old dog has found a stash.
I got a doped up dog
Don’t know what to do
He’s layin’ in the yard, howling at the moon
He won’t feel so good
In the light of day
I don’t know what makes him act that way.
Friday night and I’m on the town
You can see me all around
Any place where I can get a belt
Made it in a half past three
My old dog just looked at me
I think he knew exactly how I felt.
Like a doped up dog
Don’t know what to do
I’m layin’ in the yard, howling at the moon
I won’t feel so good
In the light of day
I don’t know what makes me act that way.
Well, Jake just looked me in the eye
And I said “Yea Boy, we can try
To straighten up and get on the right track
Then we won’t feel so rough
Messin’ ‘round with all that stuff
And you and me won’t ever have to act….
Like a doped up dog
Don’t know what to do
We’re layin’ in the yard, howling at the moon
We won’t feel so good
In the light of day
I don’t know what makes us act that way.
Categories:
straighten up, addiction, animal, dog, drug,
Form:
Lyric
I don't want to grow up,
Not today.
The thought of tomorrow,
Just eats me away.
Responsibilities are hovering up,
Like any fire in the forest.
My mind has been acting just like a mess,
And I can't make myself at rest.
Is this the life,
Which would continue further?
Cause I don't want to grieve,
Any after.
Guess, I would have to,
Learn to clean up my mess.
Straighten up a little,
And think for the best.
There are many wonders,
Left undiscovered,
The doors are closed,
Waiting to be rediscovered.
Life is hard,
Truly.
But what's the fun,
In easy?
13/9/2022
Categories:
straighten up, 10th grade, encouraging, grief,
Form:
Rhyme