Best Sufficed Poems
The heartaches of living are many
The comforts of living are few;
The truths we are told are not many
And the lies we were told have come true.
Anxiety's anguish and burnings
That trust, now frustrated brings
The endless sorrows and yearnings
Are lost in the exhaustion of things.
We're done with the frivolous fancies
They sufficed in times of the past;
When we gathered the poppies and pansies
We knew the dream couldn't last.
When all who are weary are sleeping
Collecting their joys and their cares;
Their planting now ends in the reaping
Of thistles and thorns and the tares.
What happens when dreams are all scattered
As leaves are tossed in the storm;
When our faith has been hopelessly shattered
And hopes and our dreams won't conform?
What we had should have been and therefore
It might and perhaps it will be;
And if not, we should prepare for
A flight from reality.
We speak of the worst and the wiser
But the wiser and worst are as one;
Philosophy is the despiser
Of all that lives under the sun.
There is nothing concrete but confusion
There is nothing decisive but death
We imagine our lives an illusion
For life is an ephemeral breath.
We may not have a "White Christmas", yet joy remains the same
I find delight in viewing candles reflected on frosted panes
They remind me to be grateful for warmth and light so near
Welcome to my holiday home at this special time of year
A scenic view of white smoke rising from the chimney tall
Dainty snow flakes falling as kids roll them into balls
They sail against blustery winds and I wonder how they dare!
Welcome to my holiday home at this special time of year
Sweet music heralding peace, urges hearts to spread some joy!
Displayed is a wooden Nativity Scene to greet you at the door
A glittering tree with twinkling stars stands proudly at the rear!
Welcome to my holiday home at this special time of year
Fresh pine garlands dress stair rails with large red velvet bows
The aroma of cinnamon and pine saturates, delighting one’s nose
While a cozy wood fireplace glows, inviting, daydream stares
Welcome to my holiday home at this special time of year
The baking’s almost done; and tons of sweets are ensured
Though, there will not be any Christmas pudding this year, for sure
Mama’s been gone home a while, yet the many memories linger here
Welcome to my holiday home at this special time of year
Whatever may happen in life, Christmas joy lives in the heart
A warm home and loving hearts have sufficed from the start
Much food, drinks and good conversation; lots of fun to share!
Welcome to my holiday home at this special time of year
“Less formal” is my style preferred, so do relax if you please
Sit on the floor, take off those shoes; dance or just be a tease
When you feel stuffed and need a nap, if you snore, have no fear!
Welcome to my holiday home at this special time of year
~*~
Bill's snowman was missing a snout
For carrots in shops had run out.
A sausage sufficed
But as it de-iced
Its purpose was cast into doubt!
30.01.21
Winter Snow Or Ice Limerick Contest Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Tania kitchin
Amidst great ocean of life --- voyaging
I’m blest with the Lord’s granted fellowship
partnership-bliss in faithful stewardship…
Captain is Christ by His love’s engaging.
Along life's trip, I've learned Bible ships’ facts
attesting the Creator’s supreme hand
working by His omnipotent command
assuring sweet peace from evil attacks.
With God’s sovereign design, notable
Noah’s Ark in Genesis does prevail
as Earth’s first ship fulfilling divine sail
to preserve creation, grandly noble.
As a floating zoo against water might
Almighty-propelled vessel was haven
for animals while showers poured from heaven
bound Noah’s family with home’s delight.
One sea-vessel expressed by the Scriptures
showed baby Moses on his gracious trip
handled by the omniscient Father’s grip
the buoyant basket wrought great adventures.
Victorious ship in the Old Testament
surmounted grievous horrible tempest
when Prophet Jonah passed obedience test
admitting guilt for pardon fulfillment.
The greatest was the ship* of Jesus Christ
encountering numerous miracles
with the Saviour calming all debacles
by His truth and guidance, mercy-sufficed.
In this journey toward eternity
sailing with my Captain in reaching-out
as fisher of men midst soulwinning bout
I’m safe in His friendship of grace-bounty.
*Mark 5:21 And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea.
November 7, 2021
4th place, "A Noteworthy Ship" Poetry Writing Contest
Sponsored by Robert James Liguori; judged on 11/11/2021.
Those yanks in their tanks never got many thanks
The locals moaned, ‘they’re over here’ *
We Brits had the ration, those yanks sought out passion
With cigarettes, chocolate and beer
Girls couldn't rely on a whiff of a nylon
So legs got the tea or the gravy **
Eye liner pencil sufficed for the seam
The trick was to not make it wavy
But Typhoo and Bisto for fellas from ’Cisco
Was something quite hard to explain
Those girls would do lock ins with painted on stockings
All thankful that it didn't rain
Then with the war over and husbands at Dover
And Uncle Sam’s troops on their toes
Wives by the dozen had buns in the oven
And those baby’s dads were John Does
——
* Over paid, over sexed and over here - a reference to American GIs
who came, seemingly, laden with otherwise rationed goodies.
** In the absence of nylons/stockings, women would ‘stain’ their legs
with tea and draw on the seam. According to Mr Google, some even
used gravy. Neither were waterproof and rain (in Britain?) was to be
avoided at all costs.
I love my mother-in-law,
I admire her way of life,
I look at her God in awe,
Who’s led her through deaths and strife,
I followed her to her land,
Leaving my people behind,
My God had great blessings planned,
Family love, I did find,
Though I am a Moabite,
In the lineage of Christ,
I’ve found a place, such delight!
God’s Grace and Love have sufficed.
Tribute to Sam Kauffman
Jubilant!!! Indeed reigning with serenity
her earnest words exalt the Supreme Almighty
“Breathe of God” “Giving Godly Grace” surely proclaims
“Lord of the Morning” --- “Resurrection” verity.
Triumphant!!! Such expresses her hope so gracious
midst “Agape” showing “Joy of the Lord” --- precious
from “Eternal Emmanuel” “Our Bountiful God”
oh, “Amazing Grace Inspired” healing the anxious.
Radiant!!! Her poems shine along great Saviour’s glow
affirmed by “Redeeming Faith in God” of trust-flow
with her reliance to HIS “Eternal Embrace”
as “Prayer Warrior Blessings” she knows will follow.
Vibrant!!! That marks her sweet relationship with Christ
echoing “I Thank my God” since she’s well sufficed
filled by “Treasures of my Soul” she does testify
in her “Psalm* of Joy” lyrics, wholeheartedly priced.
Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
May 26, 2021
2nd place, "Title Wave" Poetry Writing Contest
Sponsored by Richard Lamoureux; judged on 6/28/2021.
Love paints graffiti on butterflies,
With neon sighs and gilded lies;
It overflows what once sufficed,
Turning sweet and nice to sugared spice.
It hangs bright lanterns on the breeze,
Carves secret hearts on trunks of trees;
Holding hands, a kiss, a hug just right,
Soon stretches longing far beyond delight.
Now every kiss leaves colors smeared
On fragile wings too richly veneered;
For love that adorns with wild excess
May leave love lost, to more or less.
Love paints
graffiti on butterflies
leaves, more or less,
to excess -
beyond the want,
left to be filled
sometime.
No rift in the unthawing ice
The sled took dark matter over crystals of snow
Here the water's thin bonds sufficed
And the one who led was the one who should know
There was no glory in the game
For him, a southern heart seeking a northern pole
Of stars when his heart was aflame
For the warm rhythms of drums called him for a role
Beyond the ken of history
Where his firsts are ancient as the Nile, wrapped in night
Filled with stars of antiquity
Old, so old, the magi had never seen their light.
Today we know where ships must seek
Without the theodolite of desert sands
Time replaced the proud with the meek
God guides the world with his great inerrant hands
Now the servant throned in silence
Is unmasked to his regal heritage, and brought
Maryland's son his prominence
Since first Peary's eyes in his wisdom's net was caught
Like a schooner around the globe
This freedman's soul brought home cargoes none knew before
For something in his blood's wide robe
Could not resist those paths ancient Ghana explored
Scripture asks us to love our neighbor.
But some think love comes without labor.
It's something we speak,
Not something we seek.
A fine cup of wine with no flavor.
Declarations of love make me laugh.
Without knowledge such words are just chaff.
You say I love you,
But that isn't true,
'Til you've traveled that ship, fore and aft.
A neighbor is a gem in a box,
Which is freely displayed without locks.
But when you decide
To not look inside,
Your love goes no deeper than the box.
It's the heart that defines who we are.
And you cannot love that from afar.
You have to dig in,
Look under the skin,
It takes patience to open that jar.
Any love less than this is a lie,
Just a superficial lullaby.
When you won't connect,
It's sung for effect,
A performance arranged for the eye.
In God's kingdom, would this be your goal -
To have neighbors without heart or soul?
Should we love your grace,
Or only your face?
For a love without depth isn't whole.
If make believe love has sufficed,
Then your love is improperly priced.
Rewards one receives,
Show what he believes,
When such love has been offered to Christ.
For as you've loved the least of His flock,
Those empty faces there on your block,
That's how you love Him,
A name in a Hymn,
It's a church built on mud, not on rock.
So before He meets us at the gate,
Learn this lesson before it's too late.
Love's ultimate goal,
To open the soul,
Is a truth that determines our fate.
African-American and abusive, my late step-dad
was a reverse racist:
an army sergeant; a Vietnam vet; and, a backhand,
face-hitting sadist.
I once bemoaned that I was a white child
(as if it were my fault!?)
and that he was black and resentful of me.
So, once in reckless revolt
against his ongoing abuse,
I rebelled under my breath
and uttered the "n" word at him
(so he beat me nearly to death).
Bruised, I never uttered that word again;
then mom and he divorced
as I grew older (which freed us at last!):
now unrivaled (with no remorse),
I suddenly was the man of the house; and life
for us seemed less stormy.
For the first time in years we lived without abuse;
and, at last, we were a family.
Then I got religion and met God;
and gave myself to Christ.
It was the best thing I ever did!
Born again, I thus was sufficed.
So the scars of my step-dad's abuse which
for years I had repressed
began to heal and disappear; and so I became
less and less oppressed.
Now old, my erstwhile step-dad developed
advanced swelling of the lung;
I had not forgiven him yet (back when
I was still angry and young).
Not yet able to forgive him for the abuse that
made our lives so unbearably grim,
I nevertheless still realized that the weight
of still having hatred for him
was far worse than my pain. I recognized
that in life we all transgress
and come short of God's glory: so, moved by
His grace and forgiveness,
I made the right choice to forgive him;
for me a daily, ongoing process,
I at last began to let go of the anger
and truly begin to move past the mess
that was my step-dad's legacy to me. Also, I
began to forgive God;
for He was not to blame for him (whose own
father, too, did not spare the rod).
Still, tho' I had chosen to forgive (him) and let go,
he was unmoved and unchanged as ever:
but I, however, realized that what truly mattered
was that forgiveness set me free forever!
When at last he died, I had already completely
let go (so that he was forgiven).
Now I can only ask of God whether my step-dad
was changed from his glimpse of heaven?
Bring the fried ackee well dressed
In fresh herbs and spiced
Blend in codfish, like a breast
Flamed suckled, sufficed
My tongue to taste this
Dream of bliss.
Joy!
My BROTHERS --the Cherokee ---you may refer to me as cross-breed-- or not.
As an ancestor ----if it’s your aspiration?
My Grandmother----half Cherokee- half Blackfoot----as the old tales were told.
Citizenship with your sovereignty —till she was three—that I discovered-
with-in her descendants origin.
My Grandmother ---bought off your reservation after your----- relocation.
Bought by my Grandfather a “white-man” -------to the root!!
172 years belated —consider this --a cross-breeds apology--an accolade --to your entire-
nation.
A nation and PEOPLE-- forcibly removed in 1838-----by the U.S. Government.
Hundreds of Cherokee died----- Who Walked the Trail of Tears.
A NATION and PEOPLE-- vehemently abolished in 1838.
By the U.S. Government---with-in President Andrew Jackson’s administration.
Consider this a cross-breeds apology --with a symbol- ----eternally existing.
Of the anguish and affliction on the Trail Where They Cried--- the symbol of the Cherokee-
rose--that still grows------- that still grows!
Consider this a cross-breeds Tribute to Those Who Walked --that Trail --filled with-
Cherokee Tears.
No words can justify-- no expression can advocate --- what Jackson’s administration-
arranged.
No apology, no apology, would seem adequate or tolerable---to ONE human race.
Notably ----your NATIVE RACE!!
Innumerable thousands have spoken their inadequate and intolerable claims.
Knowing only one and only one-- honest, respectful, faithful, and trustworthy vindication-
would have sufficed.
Consider this-- cross-breeds desire for -----Forgiveness.
Forgiveness for any ancestral involvement---in the mass genocide of your civilization.
Healing our nation --from OUR CURSE—must embark from hear—hear at forgiveness.
Forgiveness extended by --OUR CREATOR---to our race and yours.
By : WEM/MEW/EWM
Dear Lord thank You for a mother
who stayed through it all with us,
who has shown us the way to church,
because in You today I trust.
Thank You for every hardship she faced
for she has taught us sacrifice
now I can give my all to You,
nothing else would have sufficed.
Thank You Lord for all her toil
because she represents great strength
for even in adversity
she persevered through great a length.
If anyone be candidate
let it be her You honour Lord
for You know all about her struggle
and surely You are her reward.
I praise You greatly for Her life
my life without her could not be,
show her Your favour without measure
for everything she's meant to me.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
My wife and I have lived in our present home for more than 14 years, and I think that the loveliest time of the year in our community is the fall season. One look at a tall leafy tree can take your breath away. One such tree is just across the street from our house. When I saw it, one word sufficed. Wow!
Although I am certain that this tree has grown taller and broader over the course of fourteen years, there were years that transpired before I even noticed it's beauty. For years, it's beauty was more than 'bark deep' and staring down at me, but I never noticed.
It was only about four to five years ago that I was walking down the hall on the second floor of our home. When I looked up, I was deeply moved by the sight of the tree. It seems that all things simply came together at that particular moment. Both the door and the window blinds in that North facing room were open, and I was treated to the awesome sight of that tall fall tree.
It was as if I had just awakened from a long sleep, or had hidden in a cave. The summer green had turned a beautiful golden yellow. It was as if a voice yelled out and said, "Just Look At Me! ". The power of orange captivated me, and I was arrested by a live portrait, painted by the hand of God. I have looked forward to the sight every year since.
The tree did not have a facelift or makeover, and it had not moved closer nor farther away from my view. But at that moment, it cried out for me to notice and observe its stunning beauty. With pleasure, I was mesmerized and beheld its awesomeness. On that occasion, I did not glance or pause for a quick look, because this time I was not hurried or too busy to look, as I must have been for so many years prior. I was stopped completely in my tracts and drawn toward the tree for a closer view.
Perhaps this fall tree encounter speaks so much about my life and thinking that has slowed and changed over the last few years. Perhaps I can see and feel more of what really matters because the pace of my life has been slowed. I have a much clearer view because the hot summers of my busy life have departed. I am no longer blinded by the forest because a single, exquisite, and distinguished tree has yelled out to me. The tree of picture-perfect orange has ordered me to stop and stare.
11212011 PS Contest, 09142017, Autumn Colors, Nayda Negron, 2P