Best Strike Back Poems


Premium Member When Words Cut Like Blades

safe haven for poets once existed
till destructive forces came on board
those who seek just to hurt others
end up harming themselves

several such people have inflicted pain here
though no one would call them “writers”
juvenile antics and hateful comments
are their only legacies

through profanity and threats
digging holes to poetry’s Armageddon
alienating those who won’t strike back
or resort to petty, personal attacks

they say, "You're the most despised among the soup clan" 
spew lava-like proclamations
hold grudges for years when they don't place
in a contest where only quality work won  

evil doers adopt numerous aliases
to favorite each of their own poems
but poets can easily identify them
as their “attempts” at poems all sound the same

if one who can’t write, gives you a contest win
what is it you have really won
their friendship? No, they don’t have friends
do you compare your poetry to theirs 

who wants to share on such a site
where mean-spirited people call the shots
other places enforce rules to promote civility
let your conscience guide you to these sites 




August 18, 2014
Categories: strike back, bullying,
Form: Free verse

Premium Member Strike Back At Terror

His grandfather attacked mine
    to remove him from land that grandpa had bought
  Oozing hatred from deep in his gut
    he'd force grandpa off of land that he sought

  Then his father attacked mine
    with molotov cocktails, homemade bombs
  I asked my father, why not strike back
    my dad was silent, a good answer he lacked

  Now the grandson attacks me, ever more viciously
    Yet the world shrugs it off, doesn't seem to see...
  But when my family's attacked, when I strike back at terror
    ~ Why is it I, the Israeli, who's always in error?!
Categories: strike back, international, myth, political, war,
Form: Rhyme

Premium Member Stirring the Soup

predator from the deep 
 destroyer of amity
  his fin glides toward you
    voracious enemy

peace in soupdom imperiled
 by beast with many names
  his temperament assails
   engaging in mind games

from friend to friend he turns
 spewing hateful lies
  his style so lackluster
   to divide and conquer, he tries

victims selected randomly
 he finds some won’t strike back
  but others band together
   planning a counter-attack

joining hands for defense
 souper strength shines strong
  he flees with jaws debased
   to rue his every wrong




*December 29, 2018.
Categories: strike back, animal, conflict,
Form: Rhyme

Book: Radiant Verses: A Journey Through Inspiring Poetry


Premium Member Let Your Soul Shine





          Sharp feelings hurt like a tack.
          So blunt, you may want to strike back.

          Take a deep breath, and say a soft prayer.
          To blatant anger and ego, never to surrender.

          Love your neighbor and practice humility.
          God heals all, and provides a sea of tranquility.

            
   
              
                        1/30/2021
                            ~1~
Categories: strike back, community, friendship,
Form: Couplet

Premium Member Prologue to Springtime

Written: April 22, 2024

                    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Whimsical whispers of spring wallow,
     Awakening from nature's languid tingle.
          You were maundering to strike back,
            A euphonic kaleidoscope garden bloom.

Switching back won't suffice this time,
      Changing seasons can't be tucked away.
              In the depths of the spring warmth,
                Embedded in the depths of your being.

Whispered by Equinox, an alias I once knew,
    We are in a nexus by a motley thread.                        
          In a world so bright, all else fades away,
                  I'll remain adorned in pristine periwinkle.
© Sotto Poet  Create an image from this poem.
Categories: strike back, analogy, beauty, spring,
Form: Free verse

Premium Member How Thick Is Your Skin

How Thick Is Your Skin?
Written: by Tom Wright
3/31/2018

In today’s society it appears to be about skin,
Many whine when things don’t go their way.
Laying at fault, is that our skin is too thin,
We’re easily offended by what others do and say.

Whiners leap to the podium with much to say,
Spewing words which aren’t from their own;
Saying clueless things swaying others their way,
Too young to realize you reap what you’ve sown.

Taking everything personal young tempers boil,
They seek to destroy any with dissenting view.
The old adage “to the victors belong the spoil”,
Seems to aptly apply to a “disadvantaged” few;

They seldom view things as just another’s opinion,
And are quick to strike back thus creating a flap;
Over verbiage alone each is granted dominion,
We need to give thought before opening our trap.
© Tom Wright  Create an image from this poem.
Categories: strike back, word play, words,
Form: Lyric


State of Mind

I wanna fly away to Cloud 9, and live in a euphoric state of mind
Every thought is another tic, on the the inevitable hands of time
Go to my utopia, and be carried by golden chariots with silver trim
Fly above a sea of angels, and never feel any pain again

But instead, I learned to make art out of scribbling lead,
Entering another dimension while I had head rushes flush through my head
And flashbacks attack and jump at my back, when strength lacks
With venomous ways, it's torturous but I learned to strike back

Every bad night is awaken by an even brighter day,
And while the moon hides low, the sun comes to brighten the way
So fight for today, tomorrow might not come burden free
Think better thoughts, unlock better locks, and better is what you'll be

Somethings are better left unsolved, I'm not Sherlock Holmes
But I'm a detective who detected how to fight wars, with out leaving my home
I'm blacked out with no emotion, frozen over and told that I cant shine
They tried to take my light, but I'm to bright, when I scribble out a rhyme

And as the rain drops fall, we all stand up taller
We all get manipulated, we're all wearing a shock collar
It doesn't matter the reason, that you're hiding in the dark
Every last soul, has a route to it's heart, through its spark
Categories: strike back, depression, song-
Form: Rhyme

Premium Member Red Pony -

The tribe she grew up in had troubles, they had tenacity too,
thunder in the pulse of nurturing, lightning in traditional strengths,
some called her a young arrow, sharp & carved well
with feathers found in the ancient forest,
others were jealous like rocks to rubies, squaw they said she was,
she would strike back, sometimes against herself,
cuts can feel meaningful whether from the mouth of mother
or from the blade of blame, Red Pony learned to stich her wounds,

she taught the Chief to care again,
the tribe would not starve,
brothers and sisters would forgive from respect rather than from sympathy,
Red Pony could travel to depths others found frightning,
she had to find herself in the shadows before teaching by light,

so young and so legendary, Red Pony taught the feilds to grow,
she showed how love could be a force deserving bravery,
I am Howling Wolf, she encouraged me to dance away from death,
Red Pony and I made love out of suffering and mystery -

J.A.B. %
Categories: strike back, courage, love, red,
Form: Romanticism

Please Hear What I Am Not Saying

Don`t be fooled by the face i wear,for i wear a thousand masks and none of them 
are me.Don`t be fooled, for god sake don`t be fooled
I give the impression that im secure,that confidence is my name and coolness is my 
game,and i need nobody,but don`t believe me.

 Beneath dwells the real me, in confusion,fear and loneliness  that`s why i hide behind of this mask i`ve created,to shield me from the glance  that knows,but such a glance is my salvation,that it is followed by salvation,
it is followed by loveIt`s the only thing that can liberate me from my own 
prison walls.
     
  I`m afraid that deep down i`m nothing and no good
   and you will reject me.
  And so begins the parade of masks,i idly chatter to 
  and tell you everything that means nothing,and nothing that is everything

  that is is crying within me,so please listen carefully as i try to hear
  what i`m not saying.  I want to be genuine spontanious and me
   but you please help me,hold out your hand. 
   Each time you are understanding, kind and gentle,  the harsher i strike back.
     
  My heart grows very feeble wings.
 Your sensitivity, empathy and power of understanding
you alone can release me from my self built wall
and lies my only hope.

Beat down these walls with firm hands,but gentle
for a child who is sensitive.I`m someone you know well,
for i am every man you meet, i am every woman too...

               I AM ALSO YOU. 


                     
    
   
                                 
   
                     

                                                 
                      
Paul Beadnall.

Sponsor Tracie ~*~ A solitary sonnetist 
Contest Name Everyone knows, anything goes... 

                                             

      
This was copied from a wall from a  Mental hospital wall, i didnt know the Author
but do now Mr. David Summers (1966)






                    
. 

                       
This shone light back into my days..                                        
          
I read  this when i was in a torrid time in a mental hosptal ( unknown author)
Categories: strike back, depression, inspirational, me, time,
Form: Free verse

Hurtful Things You Say

Hurtful things you say,
Tear me apart in every way
Think before you speak to me,
Because I will not let it be
I treat you nice, and show some slack,
But there are times I will strike back
Even though you are my relative,
If you want love, be sure to give
For I am sensitive just like you,
I have feelings and can hurt too!


Written after my mom said something really mean to me about my Granddaughter 
Genevieve on Easter Sunday.
Categories: strike back, familyeaster, me, granddaughter,
Form: ABC

Premium Member For What Is Power

FOR WHAT IS POWER


For what is power?

A dream, a vision, a destiny? 

All un-achievable because….

Because we accept the definition handed down by those in power.
Power is strength.  Strength is power.

Rosa Parks had strength, she exhibited power,
not in muscle or machismo but in her presence, in her tenacity,
in her steadfastness.  Rosa Parks was empowered
by her strength - to act.

Ghandi had strength, cloth wrapped, sinewy strength.
He exhibited power, in his defiance, his belief.
He shed blood, his own, while refusing to strike back
at those who struck him but at the laws and mores that
permitted such actions.  He was empowered
by his strength – to act.

They did not wait to become empowered,
did not seek validation of their strength,
became the empowering strength for others.

Martin Luther King was not empowered by his dream,
he drew his strength from it,
used that strength to empower others
to find their strength, to stand, to march,
to defy, to unify – to act.

And what of us?  Will we acknowledge our strength?
Will we use that strength to empower others
to find their strength?  Or will we deny that strength
and hope to find empowerment elsewhere.


John G. Lawless
7/10/2014
for Verlena S. Walker  contest-Strength Empowers
((sorry Verlena, I blew the line count))
Categories: strike back, leadership, power, strength,
Form: Prose Poetry

True Songs On Why I Love Pain

True love and frustration,
Songs of my heart,
On being a woman. Why?
I love you.  That’s why.
May I?  What?
Have more pain?
Please.

I cannot avoid the trigger, I….
Just cannot.  Sorry.
Too often, an outbreak,
 Of frustration—pleasure--pain,
When I simply cannot 
Avoid the trigger.  Who?
The trigger is you.

Waving my flag, we both play our part.
“Don’t matter what you do, Little Darlin’
Wave your flag, stomp your feet.”
The trigger, the frustration.
My heartbeat.
Look, everybody makes mistakes.

Pain is a witch’s brew, 
No coincidence there,
No bad luck.
So intense. Interesting.
I malfunction.
In several, colorful ways.

What about you?  Are you angry?
Self-centered, unforgiving,
Insecure, finding fault.
Can’t recall a single day?

It may hurt, but there is 
A new season upon me.
Other people, not always 
The problem, sometimes
It is me.  
The end result.
Worth it?

Awkward.
Facial expressions,
Feeling special. 
Still worth it?
Moodiness, imperfections.
Is that how you see me?	

It will not be easy for you.
Blindly I strike back,
The nearer you approach.
Even as I demand it of you.
Irrational, fighting what I seek.
Underneath my mask…weak,
But there, you,
Just might find my love,
Again.
Categories: strike back, feelings, forgiveness, heart, introspection,
Form: Narrative

Premium Member Come Back and Attack

A sly fox invaded the chicken coop
Fostering ill will in a fowl-tasting soup
With feathers festering in a cruel stew
Good hens, the fox makes a mockery of you

The fox chooses faves; others it condemns
Roost rulers say there’s a glitch in the pen
Sometimes the fox holds three races at a time
Contenders use the fox as a way to climb

Race results this dark force found a way to skew
Making a mockery of hens like me and you
If a chick is favored on the fox’s list
It shows the pride in her run’s been dismissed

The way for fair-minded chicks to strike back
Play by foxy rules; go on the attack
Resist temptation just to score a win
Don’t support fox races, to its chagrin

Patrons of drivel, weak chicks fall in line 
Are you willing to stand up and refine
A coop deserted by quality hens
Those who held the most talented pens

A quality flock this hen house once boasted
But some feathers by the fox were roasted
From spitefulness, many hens have drowned
Return equity to a coop the fox brought down

Don’t let angelic hens fly the coop
Just step back, see the truth, and then regroup
Far be it from hens to support fowl play
In other coops finer lines are displayed

If you’re one who flew due to a fox attack
Revisit the coop; we hens can strike back 



*Dedicated to all the talented ones (men and women) who flew the coop.  Not directed at one person.  Many a fox raided the coop.
Categories: strike back, angst, humor,
Form: Rhyme

Premium Member Distant Star

A million light years away
   In a futuristic galaxy 
Far beyond our sky
 Dwell  the knights of the Jedi


   Obi Wan Kenobi is a great Jedi Knight
 He battles the forces of evil
    To do what's just and right
 As he wields his  weapon  of light

   Looking like a knight medieval
Darth Vader causes great  upheaval
   He belongs to the evil empire
 To destroy the galaxy is his desire

   Vader is building a death star
  A weapon of mass destruction
 He must be stopped before he gets too far
 Or there will  be a massive explosion

  Then Obi Wan confronts the medieval knight
 In a battle with sabres of light
   And the rebel forces attack with might
 For justice they do fight

Joseph May
Theme: The Jedi Strike Back
© Joseph May  Create an image from this poem.
Categories: strike back, science fiction, space,
Form: Free verse

One Pesky Mosquito

A Pesky Mosquito

There is this pesky little mosquito…
It nipped painfully down there on my big toe..
Quick! I’ll need to strike back or it will soon flit off again…
Even as my brain registers its itchy pain...!

Grrr! If only it stays in one place…
I’ll make sure it becomes as flat as a pancake…
Yes! If only it stays still till I’m ready….
I’ll have it all flattened and crushed already..!

One tiny but ever so pesky mosquito…
Merrily it flies off to land lightly on another big toe..
All it does, now and then, is to give a little nip…
You’ll see me scratching from each itch..!

There it lands again, finally!
Steadily and stealthily I bend down, right palm opened, up and ready…
Ouch! What a mighty slap I did give…
Hell! My skin smarts but the mosquito, it still lives..!

One tiny pesky little mosquito…
I’m going crazy with the itches on both my toes…
Do lend me a hand, readers and my fans…
Please help me and see off this little fiend..!

O God, why such a nasty little insect…
Thank Heavens somebody invented this aerosol for insects…!
Here, eat this, you nasty, cursed little pest..
This aerosol I spray is supposedly the best in the market..!

Aha, oh glory be…!
My pesky and nasty little mosquito is finally at rest…
When fully into this bug aerosol I put my trust….!

Lord! What a relief…!
My itching toes, one final scratch, that’s all they need…

One pesky little mosquito…. And my poor suffering toes…!

http://www.star2.com/living/living-environment/2016/04/27/fear-em-or-hate-em-mosquitoes-are-very-amazing-creatures-heres-why/
Categories: strike back, anger, fantasy, flying, humorous,
Form: Light Verse
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