Best Substitutes Poems
Words at the edges
Of your Tongue
Are not merely Words.
A Thought trying
Desperately to be expressed.
If hope lie in words
Is Hopelessness the absence?
No sound, no chirp, no brighter day ahead.
Engulfed by Darkness and Dread
If words are crucial to meaning
Why are they misused?
When slang destroys the basis of Thought
When LOL substitutes true Laughter
When a text makes Emotion
obsolete…
What do we do next?
Just ink on paper
Stained but not Bled
We await the future
Words…..
Categories:
substitutes, confusion, on writing and
Form:
Free verse
Millie millipede needed some new shoes
for her summer holiday fun Disney cruise
Her old shoes were tight making Millie hop
so she went with mommy to the shoe shop
Millie hobbled through the door and began to wail
the poor shop assistant’s face turned quite pale
because Millie millipede had got forty tiny feet
so she sat Millie down on a comfortable seat
The shop assistant summoned a little elf
to fetch some shoe boxes from a high shelf
and when Millie tried some shiny red boots
she said, "These are wonderful substitutes"
The boots were leather and had a thick heel
for walking round Disneyland they’d be ideal
With so many feet Millie needed twenty pairs
so the elf assistant dashed up and down stairs
Mom was given a discount when the bill was paid
so they stopped at a café for sweet lemonade
Millie wore her shiny boots all the way home
stopping off to show them to her pal Ted gnome.
Nursery Rhyme 2 Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Eve Roper
03/12/21
Categories:
substitutes, fun,
Form:
Rhyme
There was an old man, to the doctor he went
He needed advice, he needed to vent
He read that he mustn’t have too much to eat
Or his good health, that would surely defeat.
No sugar, but substitutes would be fine
No diet drinks, or beer, or even wine
He stressed out and tried to listen so well
And followed the book, as his friends would tell.
His entire life was spent planning each day
While following every word “they” would say
Then he developed all manner of “ill”
Was sure he was dying against his will.
An autopsy was done, a finding found…
His constant worry put him in the ground!
Categories:
substitutes, health, humorous, inspiration,
Form:
Sonnet
Garish should be the undertone
so say the ones who hold the line
desiring only that mutes explain
the breadth of life beyond the pale
until the souls who dare to dream
demand expression beyond the veil
with vibrancy of color’s swatch
and actions stated to justly shock
these statements exclaimed without regard
for sensibilities in fashion’s realm
instead the giants are thrown down
by admiration of damning jests
extracting praise for substitutes
the flagrant over the sadly tamed
a mystery that gods disdain
while beauty fills the latitudes.
Categories:
substitutes, appreciation,
Form:
Free verse
...for Stacey Haislop
A lady at a window writing,
measuring her words with strict precision.
She takes a sip of tea
as if to fuel her imagination.
Memories go drifting by - a brother
playing basketball, the softness
of a springtime rain, the anger
of an autumn sky, a flash,
and thunder rumbling.
Smells and sounds, grist
to her mill. Nothing spoils
her view until her best attempt is done.
Still dissatisfied she tweaks
and fiddles, substitutes a weak word
for a stronger one. At last content
she sets aside her pen.
Yes, they will feel her now,
know the beauty in her mind,
and know that she is always here to find.
Categories:
substitutes, writing,
Form:
Verse
If you’re older and somehow not dying,
Yet live with dementia or worse,
Prepare to be hit with some lying
Before your last ride in a hearse.
This strategy’s gaining approval
As nursing homes struggle to cope
With patients whose memory removal
Deprives them of reasons to hope.
So little white lies are suggested
Like, “Your husband will visit real soon”
Since the truth often can’t be digested
And no time will be quite opportune.
Or, “Let’s visit the nursery; maybe
You’ll help rock your child to sleep,”
Where a doll substitutes for the baby
Which remains where the memories keep.
If deception brings comfort, I wonder
Why, to me, it just doesn’t feel right
Reaching into one’s psyche to plunder
What the mind has kept tucked out of sight.
Categories:
substitutes, age, old,
Form:
Rhyme
I loved walking in daddy’s boots,
just to trample where he had been;
to track the path of prior roots
and then return them once again.
Some boots were old and some were new;
I loved walking in daddy’s boots.
I could have used any old shoe
but wasn’t fond of substitutes…
Grimy ones had great attributes,
they worked real hard to get that way.
I loved walking in daddy’s boots;
used for battlefield - bailing hay.
Daddy didn’t mind me wearing
if he could use them for commutes
and I didn’t at all mind sharing;
I loved walking in daddy’s boots…
Copyright © 2016 By Caryl S. Muzzey
1/24/16
Fifth Place Winner ~ "Show Me Quatern Poetry" Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Andrea Dietrich
Feb.22, 2016
Categories:
substitutes, children, dad,
Form:
Quatern
When I was younger i was taught to believe in god
Now i wonder if i misunderstood, Whether it was all a mirage
Baptized in holy water so the father could give a trial by fire
Suicidal thoughts seek to conspire
As we forget the angels and our demons consume us
Earth encrusted shoulders, each day a little boulder
And I want to be a believer
But all i see is anger and shots of liquid amber
I heard the preacher tell me that god loves us
That we're like angels, simply wingless
And i want to believe
That there's someone out there
But every prayer brings another Sandy
Children in the school yard fall like confetti
Like a bloody ticker-tape parade
As his light simply tiger stripes the shade
Never erases, simply highlights the
Yosemite Sam sound effects that serenade
A generation where white boards double a body armor
And with every dead child i struggle to reconcile
This love-hate relationship
But i want to believe
That the love outweighs the hate
But we're screaming hello
While he whispers goodbye
Like we're that second page in another hopeless fairy tale
Sprinkling bodies like Hansel's breadcrumbs
As we search for that ginger bread house they told us was a church
But we find only the pieces of us we left behind
The parts that shattered on impact as we free fell
Leaving us looking a little less beautiful than before
And i want to believe
But im stuck in this mortuary closet
Filled with skeletons of my past life
Sitting around trading war stories
And i want to believe
I look for god, but i never get pass the neon cathedral
Sacramental whiskey sips and bartender confessionals
Never used a chaser i was too afraid to chase the truth
Mostly cause i was to scared of myself
So i exchange fear for numbness as I use whiskey-scented band aid substitutes
Trying to drown my demons but my terrors taught them to swim
I just want to believe
But first i want to believe in me
Categories:
substitutes, depression, faith, introspection, spoken
Form:
Free verse
I have developed a temporary dislike of the things that I’ve convinced myself have been keeping you away from me. Mere substitutes that admitted to the murder of your mind.
This phone, and this 11 o’clock moon have slayed my reason’s for not just blaming your wandering eye.
Most of these nights I’ve tried Ctrl.Alt.Del.(ing) any ridiculous thoughts, by selecting all of the frequently frustrating things that know just how to push my buttons. I don’t know why I’m speaking in computer terms, but lately I haven’t been able to function quite right unless I’m near one. It’s the only way to get near you.
Most of these nights, this phone has been the entire left side of my brain, but now my mattress has memorized the rhythm to a ringtone it should’ve never been introduced to, and now the stupid cushion keeps me awake until it has made sure that I’ve felt it vibrating up my spine. My intuitive, creative right brain seems to remember being together with it’s brother each and every time I remember laying together beside you.
I wait for a wanting of your wanting. Muscle memories of warm bodies wrapped up in positions that make your mind say ‘what the ****?’ I am missing you. The you who remembers that the other members of her body are always here to help; no need to amputate a listening ear, or an gouge out an attentive eye. I still see you.
Sometimes, I forget that the phone’s main function is to send a signal of information to someone you can’t see. Whether it be via text, twitter app or vocally, you want to reach someone you can’t see. I still see you.
Sometimes, I swear I can see each of the moon’s phases during the day; completely filled with life during the time when it’s nearly invisible. It’s sad though, because New Moon, you show yourself to everyone else except me on the nights I always expect to see your face. Is this a trick man? or have my eyes been gouged out already, and I simply missed the painful message via text, twitter app or vocally? But still, whether with two eyes, four eyes or no eyes, I still see you.
Categories:
substitutes, confusion, depression, life, loss,
Form:
Free verse
James is my name with its historic meaning
An important king bore this name
Carrying it to its royal fame,
One reason why this name I’m esteeming
King James gave us the Bible in English
For which I am so proud
I say the words low or loud
But I could never speak Yiddish.
In the holy writ, more than one person shared
This name so renowned.
Oh, how she loved its sound ,
The name Mama always declared.
My uncle called me by a nickname;
He wanted to call me Jim
But Mama had words with him
She told him that JAMES is my name.
So family and friends, all my life,
Called me what Mom named me,
For that was her earnest plea.
Substitutes pierced her like a knife.
But I had a livelihood and bread to win
There, co-workers gave me a moniker
For which they would prefer—
They called me Jimmy or simply Jim.
Other aliases have been most replete,
Such as Whimpy, and Daneymoco,
Else, a-k-a, Hey You, or Jimbo.
Regardless, I will always come to eat.
For the "WHAT'S IN A NAME?" Contest
Sponsored by Linda-Marie The Sweetheart of P.S.
Categories:
substitutes, peoplewords, me, me,
Form:
Enclosed Rhyme
VIDEO/AUDIO on YouTube above. NOTE: On the video; double-click to enlarge, and/or, right-click for the drop-down menu and click on 'Loop' for auto-repeat, click settings and pick the highest level for quality viewing.
Morality
Moral
development,
standard adolescence,
we are externally controlled
also, trials are judged,
consequences
follows
Moral
adaptation
sensing both personal
and societal involvement
in adulthood supports
reestablish
bygone
Moral
definitives
intricate principles
rules obeyed avoids penalty
substitutes horrible
if it is met
better
Moral
law-and-order
continues through our life,
unpunished lawbreakers create
lawlessness, and mayhem
advantageous
urbane
Moral
circumference,
best helps one's interest
serving others, will further you,
naught based on loyalty
encouragement
reward
Moral
behavior's
when laws vary of rules,
light abstracts versus absolutes
o'er prejudiced thinking,
alternatives
exploit
Moral
complacency
peaceful coexistence
when facial grins excel the glares
good choices existed
self-reliance
attained
*Heptastich is a non-rhyming verse poem of 7 lines, syllables are; 2-4-6-8-6-4-2
2021 March 16
Categories:
substitutes, analogy, introspection, motivation,
Form:
Verse
A Search for Love’s Companion Terza Rhyma
If treach’rous men detain you in climes hot—
I’d battle sandstorms in the zenith noon,
Outwit the kidnapers –despoil their plot.
If you be lost at sea in dread typhoon,
Tho’ rescue ships may falter –all a ’shred--
I’d plunge shark-depths –prepared with my harpoon.
I knew my parents slept in true love’s bed--
Tho’ sought I substitutes—they’re empty shells--
(Refuse to think of lonely tears I’ve shed.)
Like Dante, I have glimpsed my share of hells,
But know that light exists in lover’s eyes--
In voice abides the intricacy of bells.
With diligence my search will carry on--
When our souls meet-- twill signify love’s dawn
V Anderson-Throop 29 July 2013 ©
Categories:
substitutes, hope, life, love,
Form:
Terza Rima
Animals forced to do man's fatal, dirty work
Penalised by the superior species
Men without sanity, crazy, berserk
Dogs delivering bombs get blown to pieces,
Animal mascots, monkeys, pigs, cats
Bat bombs fall, canisters with parachutes
Explosive grenades stuffed inside dead rats
Mules carrying goods, war tank substitutes,
Animals feel pain, depression, dreaded fear
Extreme injuries, wound camp training day
No animal rights, cheap lousy career
Hounds carry notes with messages to relay,
Animals in war forgotten victims ~
Lest we forget we sacrificed millions
Categories:
substitutes, abuse, anger, animal, betrayal,
Form:
Sonnet
Where I come from
Women are morale formed
Symbol of sanity
In a world of insanity
Mother Nature in personified
Mother to old and young alike
Better half of a man
A man ages above her
To be better, she is submissive
Submission, made possible by respect
Through the ages gaps the respect becomes natural
To love a man ages younger is unnatural
Therefore unwomanly, though women are blameless
Blinded by the illusion of sexual expressionism
And freedom which is not needed
With the presumed weakness, comes the strength
The strength that is fast eluding us
You don’t have to be men women
Because we men are jealous of women
For they always stoop to conquer
Who ever said age is just a number lied
Age substitutes wisdom and experience
Nature made it so and nature is woman
Offor Ujunwa
on the contest- Cougar Effect
Categories:
substitutes, family, lovenature, men, nature,
Form:
Narrative
The new generation is spoiled
They are dyeing due to their bad behaviour
Their good frash ideas were boiled
As they ignored their savoir
They feel themselves sugar
As they think they can have fun
Since they go about drink castle lager
But they will not be bright like the sun
You feel like flappers
While your like prostitutes
As you creating problems as huge as craters
When they burst you will sit like a football substitutes
Young people say they are doing swag
I don't know why they do that
When you wear your cloths look like toilet rag
As your problems are growing fat
Categories:
substitutes, growing up,
Form:
Rhyme Royal