Best Strangles Poems
I wonder
Who I might become
If I wore another man's clothes
If I thought his thoughts
Dreamed his dreams
Lived his heartache
Felt his insanity
Walked along his razor's edge
Would I
Understand
Empathize
Digest his pain
Rise above his circumstances
Would I realize how easy my own life has been
Perhaps
I could search through his pockets
Look for answers
Remove the tie from his neck that strangles
Rip off the clothes that make the man
Return his sanity
Free him from the labels sewn on yesterday's promises
Or I could walk
A bit longer
Search a bit deeper
Discard my own misconceptions
Feel his peace
Think different thoughts
For he is more and less than me
He has danced and loved in exceptional ways
And as I walk and wear his shoes
I hear the tapping of his soul
I become
Aware
It is not him
Not me
Not anyone
That can save us
From ourselves
Yet we are changed
In inexplicable ways
By wearing
Another man's clothes
I chose this one for your contest because I feel as
a poet I put myself in other people's clothes all the time.
I like the premise of this contest and I hope this gives you
a glimpse of who I am.
Richard Lamoureux
Submited to Linda's contest
written in early December 2013
How much can i be vicious?
How much can i be worst ?
If i stop forgetting and start holding..
The devil whispers in my ear
Heart started to sink .
Lets just forgive
Then here comes villainous voices
From my heart .....
Which strangles me and says..
"I wanna kiss his face
With my broken heart.
I wanna paint his face
With all my scars.
I wanna get him back
To give him heart attack
I wanna feel his death
From all his heart .
I know i m being dramatic
But that's only left to imagine.
I just think what he owes?
Should i tell his mom ?
That his son suckkkss
What he does could proudly hurts."
Then i just swallowed the evil
But heart hurts deep .
He kept knocking .
Knocking on my valves.
Till it gives me heart attack.
This fortress is overgrown with moss,
guarded from storms of selfishness,
when the waltz with winter left behind
a mausoleum covered in frozen dahlia dust.
Fading with scents of summer Jasmine,
peaches rot in a forgotten orchard,
where ivy strangles statues of past lovers,
whose infatuation drifted with nemesis clouds.
But, beyond the barricade
with every butterfly beat,
there is a sigh craving for comfort from
lips that will surrender this solitude.
My soul searches for Rumi's field of fairness,
where 'forever' is not just a gesture and
honesty is not hidden behind metaphors.
Yet, I wonder if love is a beautiful phenomenon
that will endlessly evade my grasp.
In this giddiness, I ponder
why romance is an abused cliché,
so should I gift my garden to another,
when petals I plant only perish?
Maybe, I am not worthy,
maybe, I seek for it in starry eyed fantasies,
where all bonds are evergreen -
but in reality most are moulded artificially
Confined inside the sanctuary of this heart,
behind a stubborn shield,
there is a love story where roses flourish,
alongside honeysuckle, untouched.
Knock to enter if you desire to cultivate,
not conquer through self-centred crusades.
Compose a chorus of internal birdsongs,
to revive extinct flowers. blossoming in my
oasis of kisses, only seen in your dreams.
A simple Sunday Musing. An example for the contest I am currently running.
17 May 2026
Verse:
Calamity, atrocity...
Lord, if you please,
we need a little help.
Monstrosity, ferocity...
Here on our knees,
we pray for your strong Hand
To ease this pain, bring on the rain;
wash clean the scenes
of violence and abuse.
Nightmares and flares of hatred,
war and trafficking,
these days, are too profuse.
Chorus:
Set us free.
O Lord, we beg You, set us free
from the wickedness that strangles,
the temptations that it dangles;
this world's knotted up in tangles.
Set us free.
Verse:
We know you care; Your love for us
beyond compare;
we doubt You want our fall.
We've come so far, so many scars
show who You are;
please, harken to our call.
Humanity can do so much,
but so much still seems
way beyond our reach.
We've gotten ourselves in this mess,
we do confess;
Your help we now beseech.
Chorus:
Set us free.
O Lord, we beg You, set us free
from the wickedness that strangles,
the temptations that it dangles;
this world's knotted up in tangles.
Set us free.
Verse:
I've never really asked before,
but I implore You
please, don't look away.
Help pave the way for all astray,
those lost, uncertain, in decay
and those who really
could not love You more.
Please make anew, this world askew,
' least clean it of its vile, foul debris.
Help plant the seeds of dignity,
of righteousness and unity
with hope, joy, peace, and love
always in view.
Chorus:
Set us free.
O Lord, we beg You, set us free
from the wickedness that strangles,
the temptations that it dangles;
this world's knotted up in tangles.
Set us free.
Set us free.
O Lord, we beg You, set us free.
Even though our struggle's real,
we can't deny Your presence here;
be ever with us, Lord, until
we are free.
Set us free.
O Lord, have mercy, hear our plea.
We won't give up, not giving in;
we'll keep on trucking to the end.
Oh, won't it be amazing when
each broken heart is on the mend,
and we are free?
~Jodie 2024
WISH UPON A STAR
eyes drawn upward —
like a candle on a cake
first birthday or too old
the lottery is billions upon billions
tickets bought
blowing dandelion seeds for surety
tremor of seedlings like flesh
burning your palm
wanting your death
one star stands out amidst the myriads
richer than all kings
waiting for the poor in spirit
to rejoice with open arms
while money strangles the sea
crushed and fluid plastic —
even the wisest heart pinched
the saint patiently waits
for the sweetest answer
placed in folded hands
and worn out knees
a Father smiles and grants
eternity and all the treasury
the inheritance overflows
a luckless star fizzles
the blessed one glows
10/20/2018
a girl a child a life of 12 years
a by stander an innocent with no sense of fear
coerced, bribed, begged and beckoned
kidnapped, stolen, beaten and threatened
the thoughts now that run deep through her head
is how soon will they find me or soon will i be dead
he gags her, he ties her, he drives her to his lair of death
her heart, her soul, her mind will soon be at rest
he picks her up and puts her in a cold damp room
shes scared as she shivers and ponders her doom
he needs her so he feeds her as he keeps her alive
so he takes her and he rapes her for his sexual thrive
as daylight draws near and the sun starts to rise
all you see are dry tears that flowed from her eyes
with bruises and cuts and blood from her thighs
she was pure no more in her killers eyes
he despised and hated what she had become
unknowingly ignoring what he himself done
his anger and temper begin to arise
as he contemplates death for this young girls demise
he cuts off the cord from the lamp on the desk
he strangles and chokes her until her very last breath
then he drives her and dumps her small body to rest
the next morning they find her with a note on her neck
saying I HAVE JUST STARTED SOMEONE IS NEXT!!!!
I see you from a distance
Silently you cry as your heart is crushed by indiscretion
You scream out from within to be free
Loyalty and desire hold you captive
Fear engulfs and strangles you
He loves you or does he?
Are his words enough without the emotions?
You seek comfort and fulfillment only to remain empty
Longing surrounds you like chains
Binding you to him
Passion and love are what you seek
Trust is lost and you rely on instinct
Begging and feeling a loss of dignity you continue on
Your relationship hanging by a thread
I watch, I observe, and I listen
I see you and your reflection; your soul
I watch as you fall to your knees to pray
I listen and hear the words repeating
I conclude that you are me
Copyright © 2009 Lena “Lolita” Townsend
Damn this isle of mine...
solitary awkwardness surrounds
stifles, and strangles, and estranges
deranges, debases, encases, entraps
...singing this song lonely crazy
Damn this isle of mine...
coast eroding on every side
an intense sunshine serves to blind...
surrounded by sea, yet cruelly dry
squinting eyes and palate dies
Damn this isle of mine...
Mind gone aimless wander
condemned goner
seeing life that flashed reckless past
and gone...tone deaf swan song
beats on with insensitive rhythm
Damn this isle of mine...
Ever lacking human amenities
conflicting identities murky and sly
my own private Hyde sleuths like private eyes
questioning my reason with childish perspective
this madman my sole companion
this isle will kill me before I die
*not a tradition haiku because it is subjective it is my judgement you are told to see the vine strangling the maple something a person would do, further you are told my my imagining that the vine is seeking revenge - so this is more Free Verse than haiku
a bittersweet vine
strangles the dormant maple
ribbon of revenge
* haiku - objective, factual with a season, with 2 parts and implied metaphor
a bittersweet vine
twines about the maple tree --
swollen knuckles ache
I am here, I see the vine, I show you the vine, I see my hand at the same time, now you SEE the relationship, you FEEL, I don't tell you what to feel. The change occurs in where my eyes have fallen first up & out and then down to my hands
Though earthly life, as we all know, is full of strife,
Like most of men, I am in love with my life.
I know, on earth we are only interim passengers,
And cannot be here for ever as we are God’s cavaliers.
Despite my soul’s longing to step on the Heavenly shore,
To enjoy all the grace and bliss kept in store,
I don’t wish to shed my earthly existence,
And death, I try to prevent with all my persistence.
Alas! Days wither as petals from a flower.
Time draws near, when before death, I must cower.
My days here are growing shorter than I think
And I am briskly moving to my life’s brink,
When death’s noose strangles me tighter
Oh God, before you, I have only one prayer.
Don’t turn your back on me, when with Satan I fight.
And don’t allow me to be subdued by his might.
I deem my soul to be of priceless worth,
To be harbored in Heaven after my life on earth.
Oh Lord, from all diabolic forces, as I try to wrest,
Help me pass the final test to bide in your heavenly nest.
When I shed my earthly load and bid goodbye,
I shall be as light as a feather and soar high.
Thus, from my body, when my soul shall depart,
Pick me up and hold me in your hands never to part.
I dream of being wafted up by the heavenly throng,
To dwell in glory and lulled to rest by the angel’s song.
I shall then look upon my Savior’s shining face,
And shall thank Him for His benign saving grace!
Feb. 3.2023
How Does the Soul Enter Heaven Poetry Contest
Sponsor- Mystic Rose Rose
There is a hostile villain that lurks deep inside,
turning the human body into a battleground.
With disdain, it causes pain one cannot abide,
but the fight goes on until a cure can be found.
It strangles hope like an noxious climbing vine,
One that I wish overwatering would simply rot.
It stains a body with a toxic mark. I recall the line
as Lady Macbeth cries, "Out, out damned spot!"
It arrives unannounced, without an invitation.
attacking vital organs of an unsuspecting host
In self defense, the body fires back with radiation,
but the enemy has a cavalry to parry a riposte.
It lies in wait, stealing courage, and moral spirit,
burying itself deeply inside trenches of skin.
It's proven to be a killer; no wonder we fear it!
And yet, we ask, "How in the hell did it get in?"
The battle rages on, leaving the inflicted weak,
and it becomes a struggle to continue the fight.
Faith to conquer the adversary becomes bleak,
but don't surrender by waving the flag of white.
The battle can be won. Cancer can be treated.
A positive attitude helped many who have healed.
Speak with a survivor who was not defeated.
Attack that enemy who lurks within; concealed.
June 10, 2021
Cancer Ivy Contest
Sponsor: Chantelle Anne Cooke
loss of control. an aberration. a defect,
when the perfection of creation is lost,
a cell grows and grows without a stop,
and all its purpose and function is deranged,
it blinds the eye or strangles the bowels,
floods the lungs or stops the heart!
children die for no good reason…
who can argue with such a demon?
Hippocrates knew it and the pharaohs,
but the disease was not as often as now,
as greed grew bigger and hatred spread,
more chemicals filled our living space,
the demon grew stronger and stronger,
now it catches and eats even babies in cradle,
what was once a disease of the old
now strikes the young before they have begun!
as a doctor, I have held the hand of a dying 5 year old,
waiting for his mother who was late to arrive,
The tragedy of cancer is not in the disease,
but in the fact that we are the cause of it,
more we destroy the nature we live in,
more poison we create for our own kind.
A life of purity and green living,
is the way to conquer many beasts
of our times.
true wealth is nature, that gives without count, no cash needed, no receipt printed.
False world of man gives tokens of no value, awards and merits that perish with time.
we wear blinkers of social prejudices and lose the greater reality of nature!
Live in nature, love nature and be part of nature!
A panacea for all man made diseases like cancer.
THE IMMORTAL
“Once there was a tree, and she loved a little boy.”
Shel Silverstein, The Giving Tree
You will go to the land of Oblivion to remember. You will bring in the hands the faithful document of your calligram and the children's bread, as always, under the arm. You will turn to see, and there will not be a column of salt that will martyrize you the rest of the way. Your map is the snow, but, it is in the forest's fire that the Silverstein's tree awaits you, on its stump, sit down, your feet burn, your heart goes out through your mouth. Do not be afraid to take it out and lull it like a meek bird that trembles wounded. These things are and were written, but not as you will imagine the journey to the center of the seed. Go with peace, the root of your flesh and my flesh is hollow. Sometimes you will see orchids grow from their venom, but don't be afraid to take them to your chest and rub them as a symbol of your purity, they are helpless, they wither. Don't believe me a single word, shut me up with your back and follow the voice of the river peeking in the distance. Upon arrival, observe the water twitter, and the water birds that simulate fish but that nobody has seen and you will doubt. Perhaps it is an illusion, a deadly rant that collapses to mourn over the grave of heaven. A cold, cold in the neck, which strangles in the brain stem, and yes, produces a fine rain that transcends ghostly pain, and there, incline to its throbbing. Don't leave, the night waits intermittently, it loves you, it needs you in its orbit because you know its tunnels and without wings you fly. But it is not all. The absolute flash of a star at death is that; a poem that opens in solitude, in loneliness, and then, who reads?
To lie is like a seed being planted into the soil,
and just waiting for it’s down roots.
Every time another lie is told this seed gets water,
as the watering continues, the seed begins to grow.
And up sprouts the plant, the plant in which you the individual has given life to, for
this seed is not a flower, is not a tree, is not a fruit to give to thee, but a weed, a
weed of such destruction that destroys all other life surrounding it. By taking it’s
roots, the roots of pure loving flowers, pure loving fruit and pure loving small
trees.
Destroys them.
Strangles them.
As this weed continues to get watered it shuns them, grows taller then them,
allows them no sun light, allows them no room to grow or to breath, so in the
end, they parish.
And all of the truth that was planted before this has died, and the only thing left in
your garden,
Is your pathetic life.
And this weed,
That was once a SEED.
When hurt descends from the tree of life and
The stepladder breaks straight onto your pain
A trampoline turned jo-jo strangles creeping ivy
Entangles in trapezes and dreams of surrender
Pick me up where I have buried my wounded soul
Uncover my darkness and cradle my weeping heart
Mind gaps’s emotions and feelings of rational thought
Transcend into vibrating light of balance and harmony
At the bottom of searching for circles’ impermanence
Rests a rusty wheel barrow that nestles a garden of love
Sheds a load from my shoulders and unburdens torment
Fallow fields harbour seeds of regrowth and compassion
15th January 2020