Best Stripped Down Poems
Scrolling and scrolling
the scripts slipping in
seduction of the scene
seen or unseen
deflection
not to mention reflection
mirrors don't always appear
to be or not to be
drastic times call for drastic measures
an ideal idiom of sorts
depending on who's cause
effects the cohorts
a false dichotomy on decline
no one gets to run or hide
even they can't pick a side
________________
I digress as I undress the distress
and distraugt being taught
but is any of this right
why is there always a fight
I'd rather spread peace
and love
not push, not shove
so in the shadow of hate
I simply wait
stripped down and nude
join me, would you?
Categories:
stripped down, love, political,
Form:
Free verse
I walked up to the bunkhouse, beneath a cloudless sky,
searching to find the Christmas star, still shining there on high.
The bunkhouse was warm but lonesome with no other cowboys there.
They had all gone home for Christmas. I pretended not to care.
Christmas carols on the radio brought back thoughts of the star
that had shown down on those pastures in that Eastern land so far.
Taking off my vest and Sunday shirt, I threw them on the trunk.
I stripped down to my underwear and crawled into my bunk.
My day had started early. I had worked hard with the crew,
so they could start their Christmas fun, when all the chores were through.
With no wife nor kids to need me, I had told the rest I'd stay
and watch out for the cattle. They could have their Christmas Day.
The warm room made me sleepy and I started into doze.
Right there before my astounded eyes, the Christmas Star arose.
I was a lonely shepherd in that land so far away,
who had been left to guard the sheep until the break of day.
I heard the angels singing and saw the moving star.
I marveled at the beauty and glory from afar.
The bright star beckoned to me and angels led the way
to where the future king of all lay in a mound of hay.
I wanted so to follow them but I had pledged my word.
I had to turn a deaf ear to the messages I heard.
I knew my solemn duty lay in guarding helpless sheep.
I prayed the Lord's forgiveness but the vigil I must keep.
The star reflected in the eyes of creatures all around,
waiting for the lonely stray or any sheep they found.
I could not shirk my duty to seek Him out that night,
but I knew I never would forget that glorious, wondrous sight.
I had that dream some years ago, but should that star reappear,
I've hung my rope and saddle up. I can follow with no fear.
Posted: 12/1/14 For "One of your best" contest
Categories:
stripped down, christmas, star,
Form:
Cowboy Poetry
Let the birds be silent
Let the air be poisoned
Let every sound be tormenting
Let the light be dark.
Let my flower not bloom
And my days be gloom.
Let my dream be a nightmare
And my thoughts become
frightful.
Let my pages be empty
And my colors be dry.
Let my words sound confusing
And the sky fall to the ground.
Let my night sky be moonless
let there be no stars, Let the
rivers run dry.
Let the sweet taste of honey be
just memory and no bees and
no hives.
Let me forget life as I know it
Let me just fantasize.
Background:
My home land Lebanon was once a beautiful place to live. Now instead it's unbearable! It is consumed by noise pollution, dirt pollution, politics pollution.... our green mountains are been stripped down hardly any forest left. Only 3 % of our forests exist. Our Cities are over crowded with cars not to mention motor bikes of all kind and sizes, they appear from nowhere ready to crush you, strip you or both. Generators noisy and smelly it gets to you inside and out. Our politicians are too busy filling their pockets with green paper, fighting among each other who should get the lion's share. Sorry to say! Lebanon was known the Switzerland of the Middle East. Today we are among the most corrupted nations!
Categories:
stripped down, growing upsound, green, me,
Form:
Verse
There was pity for one second for the victim in this case,
when 'Hilly', 'Bee' and me were walking to our drinking place.
We were slobbering in thought for what keeps us all afloat,
then 'Hilly's' eyes flew open wide - "Is that a hundred dollar note!"
A hundred 'bucks' was lying there upon the unknown nature strip.
'Should we hand it in' 'Bee' mentioned with a quivered bottom lip,
but the vote was three to zero when 'Hilly' mentioned that the 'brass',
"Would buy a slab of VB plus half an ounce of 'grass".
'Bee' and I ain't into drugs but seeing 'Hilly' found the cash,
we brought ourselves the VB and let 'Hilly' buy his 'stash',
then walked to the Catholic Church and sat around the back,
where we drank our first three cans and 'Hilly' opened up his 'pack'.
I watched him lick his papers, and stick together three or four,
and roll his 'grass' just like a 'snag' but then he broke the law.
He lit the 'joint' and took a drag, but then went 'glassy eye',
and from this point was senseless, and believed that he could fly!
Not only did he flap his wings; 'Hilly' thought that it was hot,
and stripped down to his birthday suit displaying what he's got.
'Bee' and I laughed at his antics 'til he ran out on the street,
and done his style of ballet dancing 'round, everyone he'd meet.
No matter how we tried to help him 'Hilly' stuffed the plan,
with a big grin on his dial and shouting out 'peace man!'
It might be alright for 'Hilly' thinking all the worlds at peace,
but that became a different matter with intrusion of p'lice.
Because we're in the company of a bloke whose floating high,
the coppers threw us in the van for what I don't know why!
But said they wanted statements from the pair of us, that's all,
while 'Hilly' stumbled out some garble 'bout making a phone call.
Now under legal obligation 'Hilly' dialed and then he spoke,
and in a very short time at the desk there stood a bloke.
The copper said, "Are you the lawyer, for that doped up dill?"
"No" the bloke replied - "I've got pizza's here for David Hill".
Categories:
stripped down, humor,
Form:
Rhyme
(continued from part 1)
What is innocence
that little boy
whose pulling his toy
with it’s broken wheel
Do you think he doesn’t know that the price of that crack needle
Could buy him a meal?
Do you think he doesn’t, know
that that beer bottle
Is why he bares the bruises on his skin
Is it why he has to force himself to grin?
Is that little girl sitting with her perfectly coifed dolls
Singing to herself so she doesn’t hear the screams
Doesn’t she scream in terror
as her father bursts into her dreams.
And shoves her mom crashing into her little table.
Does she have to dream, to live her fable
And even then,
is she able?
Do you wonder what she is thinking
as she struggles to push the head back on her doll
or is it a way for her to merely, ignore it all
Are you watching with 20 million other viewers
A drone in your living room, a slave to a box
A fly in a web of airwaves
Do you think your government is doing the same
Or are they filling up
Graves
is there an agenda being played
as our minds are swayed
Is this distraction as innocent as it seems?
And that epidemic….An epidemic of having too much food
Begging someone please!
stop us from eating I cant see,
my knees
like it’s the bubonic plague
like we’re dropping like flies
An epidemic!
Could we build a memorial and carve on its stone
5 million died this year
from an this epidemic alone
we could… if we replaced obesity with
starvation
Is it ironic that the fat kids stomach looks just as big
as the starving ones.
What is innocence
Is a boy who just wants to spend time with his grandpa
He doesn’t understand
As his grandpa takes him by the, hand
And leads into the bathroom
To show him the darker side of man
That in that moment he’ll have to grow up
Faster then he planned
Faster then he can
What is innocence
Does it exist in this land
From the time were born
We stripped down, bought and torn
From violence to ****
We’re watched and mimicked
Our lives just a gimmick
To get in our little kids heads
Where innocence treads
To take away their bliss
The only thing that they were born, with
What is innocence
Does it exist anymore
Or in this day and age
Have we closed that door
Forever more?
Categories:
stripped down, life, sad, slamtime, ,
Form:
Dramatic Verse
Bike Riding
Once, I was able to navigate my sleek black Fuji racer, sitting arrow straight, pushing hard, and hands at my side. It’s amazing to think I was able to maintain my balance, down hills, around
unyielding corners, no plastic garbage pail stuck on my head to protect what little brains I had in the first place. Ah, those were the days.
I was dashing and daring back then, hawk-like eyes focused, clear and bright. There was no need to squint until my head ached. I rode with a pack of wolves, flying maniacs all part of my tribe, hurling down streets littered with the remains of Detroit’s monsters. There was no sissy water bottle stuck on the frame, no reflective side mirrors to steer me away from danger. No, just a basic stripped down machine was all I needed as if I was a test pilot screaming past mach one, the rush of pure adrenaline.
Now, when I bike ride, I feel weighed down with the expectation of a crash landing about to happen. Flung backwards by the slightest breathe of wind, I choke the handle bars with white knuckled kid gloves with eyes glued to the road, I expect the worse is always about to happen, watching the odometer to gauge how far I have gone, and how much time I have left.
Categories:
stripped down, adventure, change, nostalgia, old,
Form:
Verse
"Stripped Down"
Stripped down
the external shed,
snakes aren’t what you think
stripped down
the external shed,
skins hung on a beam
overhead,
hanging souls
and their fangs
penetrating
Stripped down,
you hear me now?
Stripped down
inside
outside,
upside down
Stripped down,
what you looking at now?
Reflection
inside
Light,
outside
power
(LadyLabyrinth / 2023)
gvlm-llb
"Lux Vitae" -
"Vitae Lux"
homonyms.
shed
beam
Categories:
stripped down, light, mirror, muse,
Form:
Narrative
He saw something in her eyes.
And he couldn't help but devour the deep desire
to get a peak of her soul.
Because of all the pain, she boarded up her inner most being
and put a lock on it;
So that no man could see how empty she had become.
INDEPENDENCE; she wore across her chest,
making it known to all man kind that she'd rather be stripped down to
the lowest she could possibly be before asking for any handouts.
Many men knocked at her door, but she refused one after the other.
... He continued to pursue her.
And although she made it impossible for any emotion to show,
he studied her.
She reminded him of the waves in the ocean.
Rushing forward to give just the slightest feel of the coldness,
almost cold enough to bring chills down your spine.
The coldness wasn't the problem, it crept through the cracks of your toes
and became quite soothing as it pushed up to your ankles.
The problem was that as the waves crept up, it became both torture and pleasure.
Because as soon as you began to really feel the warmth,
the wave is pushed back out; a continuous tease.
And although he only got glimpses of who she was,
he stuck those memories together creating a masterpiece of
the woman he believed she could become.
Categories:
stripped down, beach, beauty, for her,
Form:
Free verse
Sitting staring out the window for my sister to return
An overwhelming sadness, my stomach in a churn.
She a half day at school and I have not yet started
I thought the fates were cruel that we were even parted
The sun glinting off the puddles, maybe we'll play outside
Or maybe play barbies or color if she wanted to stay inside.
From school she returns and asks mom can she go outside to play
I ask can I go and she replies "no, they're my friends and you're a baby anyway"
Two 5 year old girls waiting on the porch, am I losing my best friend?
I hide my disappointment for if I cry I will hear about it to no end
Mom tells her to wear rubber boots and change out of her school dress
It was in that moment I hatched a plan that was spiteful, I confess.
She stripped down to her underwear and began to gather up her stuff
When she couldn't find one of the boots she got herself in a huff
My sister has a temper and a full blown tantrum fully erupted
She began to yell, and started throwing things, until my dad interrupted
"This will cool you down", as he put her out on the porch and locked the door
Standing outside in underwear, tears streaming, now with something to cry for.
Her friends look upon her, their faces register shock
If there was only a way that I could turn back the clock.
I stare again out the window, but this time at my beloved sister
My heart in so much pain that I'm sure it will certainly blister
I felt so bad, so dreadful, my stomach tied in one huge guilty knot
I slowly walk to the hamper to retrieve the boot from it's hiding spot.
*True story, vivid memory for a 3 yr old I know, but this affected me deeply.
I told her I hid the boot when we were teenagers, we had a great laugh.
For contest: "A Childhood Memory''
Categories:
stripped down, childhood, funny, sister, sorry,
Form:
Rhyme
I went to a monster party,
At Castle Frankenstein;
With lots of food and spirit,
The fun kicked off at nine!
Ol' Frankie did the robot,
I stepped to a jitterbug;
The floor began to quake,
We really cut the rug!
I moved on to a sexy witch,
We slid across the room;
I broke down in a two-step,
While dancing with her broom!
I was jammin' to the Charleston,
The Werewolf joined in too;
Igor failed to fight the beat,
He danced without a clue!
Dracula did the tango,
I boogied with the Bride;
The Mummy looked bewildered,
As we did the electric slide!
I tap danced on a table,
Three zombies did the same;
I stripped down to my boxers,
They shouted out my name!
Jekyll was rather classy,
Wielding his futile pride;
When the music struck within,
He turned to Mr. Hyde!
The chandelier was shaking,
Skeletons hit the floor;
I danced to a rumba,
The crowd was wanting more!
Everything was peachy,
Oh what a beautiful night;
Along came the Invisible Man,
And started an awful fight!
He squeezed the Bride's booty,
Other ladies felt the same;
And when the dust had settled,
Guess who took the blame?!
Off went the music,
So long to our fun;
I had no other option,
But to tuck my tail and run!
Those who partied with me,
Were raising such a chatter;
The crowd was crying out,
"Put his head on a platter!!"
I aroused the little lady,
To an ear-piercing scream;
Hallelujah for a nightmare,
It was just an awful dream!
Was it really just a dream?
A thought raced through my head;
"Honey, I have a question",
"Why's that witch hat on our bed?"
Categories:
stripped down, halloween, holiday,
Form:
Quatrain
I've always been a prankster; I just can't resist a joke.
I think I'll shake things up a bit, when in the old folks home.
They'll think they have a fairy when I hide all their false teeth.
No money left, just a note; a cactus they are neath.
Swap preparation H with Bengay; this will be such fun!
Muscles shrank up, butts on fire; Oh! How they will run!
Spike the soup, send invitations; my party please attend.
Bed pans on our heads and stripped down to Depends.
Don't fall asleep with eye glasses left upon your head.
I'll paint flames or angels on them. You'll think you woke up dead.
I'll grab my chest and moan and groan; they'll call a handsome Doc..
When he gives me mouth to mouth... MUAH... A double lip lock!
When they come to check my vitals; Ha! This one's truly grand.
I'll play possum then yell, BOO!! They'll faint right where they stand.
A go-cart motor on my Little Raskle; down the halls I'll speed.
Skid marks round the corners. The fastest nurses won't catch me.
They'll place a warning on my door for all the world to see:
"Enter at your own risk.".... They'll call me, Hell on Wheels... HEE! HEE! HEE!
Categories:
stripped down, age, funny, old, silly,
Form:
Rhyme
What's up with all y'all?
I'm awkward and tall
Catch me before I fall
I'm dancing in the Hall of Fame
Shame just came...just came...
Tame me up in God's name
Liar and cheaters aren't tolerated here
Lick me with your fire and hold me dear
Have no fear; darling, have no fear
Steer the boat away from trouble...
Danger will double...double...
Don't burst my bubble...bubble...
Bubbled up by bubbles...
I'm not dumb - I'm a young teenager right in front of your face
I'm super deeduper smart and fantabulous in vast grace
The future has got me many places...I remember the traces
In a coma
Add on my stress like a comma...
I pause, then I go
You know, I'm living just foshow
Leave me alone, negativity
I invite you in, positivity
I need You to make me optimistic
I don't wanna be so pessimistic
Sarcasm was rolling off my tongue
You're my other lung
Lunge into me, breath of the Holy Spirit
I have a boyfriend, so quit your ****
You can eat me up bit by bit...
Because I don't throw those 5-year-old fits
Too many times have I covered up for you
You belong with me, darling, it's true
I'm a wild child for a reason
I am as magical as the winter season
Like, seriously, brah, you good in the hood
Because shame on me - I'm misunderstood
My confident stride
Is due to my bipolar ride
My confidence shines
Paying your fines
Punks and dorks are filling this room with doom
Let me bloom like a butterfly flower...consume
Happiness...resume on with your joy and peace - get a room!
I am growing like a mushroom...
I hear the explosion of excellence - boom!
The writer, the fighter...
Has came back 7-fold
I'm a sensitive guy, so don't go higher...
We are on the same level, my darling devil
I am oh so bold...
Maybe a little too much for my own good
I'm in the arms of a billion angels
In all angles...stripped down by devils
I blush, for you are the one for me
I crushed on you, my blessed baby
Let's live on and die a mighty winner
For, you are a winner, reader
Confidence shines...let's follow the Leader
Categories:
stripped down, words,
Form:
Free verse
Dere once was a goil in da Quawta
Who never did do what she oughtta.
She stripped down one night
--Dat was really a sight--
Till NOPD come and caughtta!
Categories:
stripped down, humorous,
Form:
Limerick
I stripped down to my skivvies
Revealing all flab
Something is sagging
I think it's my BALLS
MAN! am I bummed
Can't examine the rear
Who would laugh
but the kids drinking beer
Their's are nice and firm
While ours is dragging skin
The bulge on my weenie
is old age coming in
When I go to the john
the diaper is smelly
especially the parts
that connect to the belly
When worse comes to worse
My uncle makes house calls
To the old and weary
geezers with sagging balls
Categories:
stripped down, angst, life, time, old,
Form:
Epitaph
At the end of my tunnel I use to see the light.
It was built not with rock but with thick vines green and bright.
I could see my path it was there I always walked,
sometimes I would sit and think, listen as plants talked.
Sweet peas, marigolds and pansies were at my side,
I lived my life with friends in who I would confide.
The air was scented in sachets rare,
coloured in muted tones stripped down bare.
Growing above me were angel lamps,
also gorgeous dahlias, on the ramps.
I remember in the large blue pond, a rare pair of two toned swans,
while below the weeping willow, an almost sleeping chipmunk yawns.
Convergent ladybugs clustering for warmth on the ground,
drifting leaves acted like an ocean wave just to confound.
Back then switched on lights would decorate the night sky with stars
but now alarms sound as they shut me down behind these bars.
22~10~2014
Sponsor: Isaiah Zerbst
Contest Name:Pick a Title
Yesterdays Joys
Categories:
stripped down, angst, change, freedom, garden,
Form:
Rhyme