Best Supplied Poems
Coral life forms in copious swarms
feast in the Cambrian chyme,
dividing their cells and forming their shells
to end on the seafloor as lime.
Tectonic churning and magma upturning
renders marble whiter than bone.
The marble is mined, but the cutters are blind
to the angel confined in the stone.
A young sculptor arose, with a bend in his nose
and a transcendent creative spark,
charged with ambition to fulfill a commission,
an angel for St. Dominic's Ark.
An artist sublime who will live for all time,
his genius is to see things not shown.
For an angel to achieve he first has to perceive
its splendor enclosed in the stone.
At dawning's first glow he surveys the tableau
of the blocks the stone cutters supplied.
In some he sees dreams of potential themes,
but only one holds an angel inside.
“A beautiful thing never gives so much pain
as does failing to hear it and see it.”
The block that he chose was rejected by those
who then lied and claimed to foresee it.
With talent and skill he falls to with a will,
surrounded by rubble and relic.
His method you see, for the angel to free
is to remove all the bits not angelic.
Michelangelo’s art for all time stands apart
but there's something further to heed.
For there's a bit more to the fine metaphor
in the tale of the angel he freed.
“A beautiful thing never gives so much pain
as does failing to hear it and see it.”
For in all our insides a bright angel abides
and is just waiting for something to free it:
to remove all the parts which harden our hearts,
to chip out the darkness and pride,
to smooth the rough patches, to polish the scratches
and unshackle the angel inside.
© January 26, 2013
Believing that marriage was ordained of God;
that, like a seed, it needed constant nurturing,
she sowed her deep devotion with a hope
that stretched beyond an ordinary scope.
That hope scanned schisms that had left her desolate-
until it reached the heavens with her prayers.
Time and time again, her spouse complained or failed to do small things
essential to cementing the marriage bond.
With unusual restraint, she held her tongue, forgave. . . and listened.
If matrimony were the fire in a hearth, she supplied the kindling and the logs;
then lauded him for twigs that on occasion he tossed in.
Some nights she’d lay a weary head upon the chest
of the one she called her husband (when he was fast asleep and didn’t know).
In those moments, she felt the beat of that heart he never showed to her.
With humbleness she supplicated God
that she might find connection with her mate.
She wondered and she wondered why. . .if thoughts, invisible,
which were transmitted to the Lord, were able to be recieved by Him,
why could not her words, directly spoken to the one on earth she loved, be heard?
Daily on her knees, she telegraphed celestially with a faith most extraordinary. . .
and wisdom came. Her love would not be broken, and she grew.
The seed she’d planted took root too and grew until there came a time. . .
she laid a graying head upon the chest
of one that was her husband (not just in word only);
a someone who now watched HER as she drifted off to sleep.
With his heartbeat strong in her ear,
she heard him whisper softly, “I love you” as he kissed her cheek goodnight.
For Audrey Carey's "To Err Is Human to Forgive Divine"
Prometheus had erred and caused great ire
when stealing in stealth secrets of fire.
But Zeus could not forgive this deed.
The chieftain of gods punished his greed.
The lightning zigzagged across the sky,
in anger he let thunderbolts fly.
Instructions he gave to mould from earth
a woman endowed to prove her worth,
all humans to touch their lives and shift
the balance with her seductive gift.
Hephaestus was told what to create;
Pandora came forth through heaven’s gate.
Athena supplied her silver gown,
her head she adorned with ornate crown.
She hastened to guile the human race
her nature refined to tempt by grace
alluring deceit that knew no shame
her mission withstood distrust or blame.
Pandora’s torment flowed wide and far.
She carried with her an earthen jar.
Instructions were laid to be obeyed
to keep it enclosed and so it stayed
till yearning became hard to resist
temptation knew well how to insist.
Alone by herself beside a brook
she lifted the lid, a glancing look
that opened the flood to evil force
unhindered it spread and took its course.
She panicked and pushed with all her might;
the damage was done – eternal plight.
A trickle of hope was left inside
but hardly enough to turn the tide.
When laws are defied they cause much grief;
the pleasure derived is false and brief.
Temptation is what destroys the weak;
redemption is there for all to seek.
Forever in life it’s hard to cope.
Pandora we chase in search of hope.*
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* Pandora is chased for the only thing left in her jar – hope.
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Author: Paul Callus
Contest: Men Only #2
Sponsor: Kelly Deschler
Placed 1st
~It's Only Through Jesus~
(Rhyme)
It's only through Jesus that we can come to that wonderful place
So filled of love, and peace and supplied of eternal grace
It's only through Jesus that we can come to His Father someday
The Bible makes it so plain and clear and there's no other way
God is the sovereign Author of everything upon the Universe,the sea and earth,
He's written it all and designed it all with His own Almighty Hands
God is the Master Painter of everything you see all over the sea and every land
It's only through Jesus, the Perfect Lamb,that we can have salvation for eternity His love is so Grand
It's only through Jesus,that you can have the precious treasure of "new birth" and be "Born Again" spiritually
Just then you can understand and see the big picture, and discover, why so many things really make sense
The importance of God's plan and how much He really loves us all
Nothing happens by accident,He already had a plan for you and me, His love is profoundly immense
Praise be the Name of our Mighty God, because He's in control of everything you can and may not see
It's only through Jesus that we can have life abundantly and eternally, call Jesus! and then you'll see.
Dorian Petersen Potter
aka ladydp2000
copyright@2006
March.22.2015
Authors notes: Reference
Tap in to the truth - Scripture reading: John 3:16
FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY SON,THAT WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM SHALL NOT PERISH BUT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE. -JOHN 3:16
IN GOD I TRUST!
My very favorite Psalm in the Holy Bible..Psalm 23.
Psalm 23 King James Version (KJV)
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Amen!
Believing that marriage was ordained of God;
that, like a seed, it needed constant nurturing,
she sowed her deep devotion with a hope
that stretched beyond an ordinary scope;
scanned schisms that had left her desolate-
until it reached the heavens with her prayers.
With unusual restraint, she held her tongue
countless times. . . and listened.
If matrimony were the fire in a hearth,
she supplied the kindling and the logs;
then lauded him for twigs
that on occasion he tossed in.
Some nights she’d lay a weary head
upon the chest of one she called her husband
(when he was fast asleep and didn’t know).
and she'd feel the beat of a heart he wouldn’t show.
With humbleness she supplicated God
that she might find connection with her mate.
She wondered and she wondered why. . .
if thoughts, invisible, which were transmitted
to the Lord, by Him were then received,
why could not her words directly spoken
to the one on earth she loved, be heard?
Daily on her knees, she telegraphed celestially
with faith extraordinary. . . and wisdom came.
Her love would not be broken, and she grew.
The seed she’d planted too
took root and grew until there came a time. . .
she laid a greying head upon the chest
of one that was her husband(not in word alone),
who watched her as she drifted off to sleep.
With his heartbeat strong in her ear,
she heard him whisper softly, “I love you”
as he kissed her cheek. “Goodnight.”
For the contest FAITH/ sponsored by A Rambling Poet
Prologue:
It takes a heart free of hate
to let go of a false ownership
to step beyond your fears
provide strangers a helping hand
It should be a pre-requirement
of possessing our largest organ
that which clothes a person’s frame
everyone should earn their coat of skin
defines them as humans
than we could easily separate and remove
the demons roam Earth disguised as people
they sat paralyzed
as various notes brushed lightly against their senses
eventually accompanied by bare traces of rain
stroked their faces with naked fingers
occupied their emptiness
with the welcomed whispers of music
spread their lips
leaving a lucent mark of bliss
on the bones of their cheeks
the melody
drew them into an imaginary reality
safe from the ugliness of their truth
“another day of hell on Earth”
(a hell willingly supplied by hollow frames reciting words from their Fiery Red God while hiding behind a faith they never understood)
temporarily frozen against the symmetry
of an angels canvas
they would breath the unabridged artistry
for a brief but satisfying moment
the musicians for the time being where their Gods
and they relished in the quenching fruits
filled their empty dreams
the simple beauty of song was undeniable
Epilogue:
It takes a heart free of hate
to let go of a false ownership
to step beyond your fears
provide strangers a helping hand
It should be a pre-requirement
of possessing our largest organ
that which clothes a person’s frame
everyone should earn their coat of skin
defines them as humans
than we could easily separate and remove
the demons roam Earth disguised as people
My world changed so fast
that it caught me off guard.
I never thought I would see,
the hate and pervasive bigotry
that exists in the world today.
And then, the internet came along
and shrunk the world to fit in your phone;
opening doors that were once closed.
But, at the same time
supplied every kook, grifter, charlatan, and conspirator
festering on the fringes of society, a bully pulpit;
to cater to a select audience of like-minded trolls.
Corruption, fear-mongering, peddling lies
and alternative truths,
are entrenched in our government,
entertainment, and news.
World War Three, which was once unthinkable,
is gaining favorability with the masses;
fueled by cultist propaganda and doomsday bravado
that spreads like a virus on social media platforms.
We are polluting the land, poisoning the oceans,
and brainwashing the minds of our youth;
without any regard for the truth.
I remember a time when people didn't lock their doors:
neighbors greeted one another with smiles and waves.
But today, I fear that we've been caught in the worldwide web
of a technological spider's electronic threads,
and sooner or later, we will be eaten.
Merlin's wand brushes the sky,
As the sun rises with a groan.
The caw of crows are harbingers
Of brightening days tomorrow.
Full rightly is the special one
Seated upon the Stone of Scone.
Prayers bring full circle ancestors,
Whose Book of Charms they borrow.
In four more days is Christmas Tide.
Here Nature waits.
The tree alive.
These words are shunned
By Rome's contrive.
This good day gives each a gift
To the person by his side.
Sealed now with song of return,
May Earth, in wealth, be well-supplied.
In four more days is Christmas Tide.
Since the elders often proclaim, my how time flies,
You then naturally look up into the skies.
To study the heavens for at least one small sign,
From the horizon up to the tallest tree line.
Then suddenly, a flock of birds flitters about,
So you believe that you might have time figured out.
But when the old people mentioned, my how time flies,
They didn’t bring up birds; so is time in disguise?
As a carnival balloon, yes that’s it, you say,
Like the vanishing kind on a bright summer day.
But losing your own, is one of life’s biggest fears,
Since you don’t want to waste any time crying tears.
It’s possible that time is commuting by plane,
Which is surely the fastest speed time could attain.
But what good can that be when the planes out of sight,
Unless it quickly returns from its roundtrip flight?
Then is waiting around to see time such a waste,
When each day there are many affairs to be faced?
Then out of the blue a helicopter is seen,
And you reflect, maybe time is on that machine.
But as soon as a copter is here it’s gone by,
After noisily chopping the beautiful sky.
Although it’s very unlikely time takes that ride,
Unless it cannot hear, or ear plugs are supplied.
Wait a minute, I got it, time surfs over clouds;
If I could do the same all my friends would be proud.
And occasionally time would appear as rain,
But then an excess amount would go down the drain.
Then could time be a portion of air all the time,
To be breathed in, or to give life to a wind chime?
Though, is that really flying like old people claim?
It seems all my guesses are exactly the same.
Well, after a long life of thinking and trying,
To figure out the ways that time could be flying,
In heaven, by feather, or motor, as vapor,
Yet, not one of those ways can be proved on paper.
Until recently, when I looked in the past,
The answers were there for those time questions asked.
That time really flies, though it takes time to see,
That a lifetime of living, is the real key.
And now I tell the young, that time truly flies,
But don’t bother looking up into the skies.
Time earns its wings every day, inside the mind,
And can only be seen, when looking behind!
David Fisher for Impress Me-Iambic Meter Contest
Philosophical motif
...And Alexander Hamilton,
though know for controversy,
served alongside Washington
in the war to make us free.
Helped build up our new armed forces,
set the stage for our economics,
the prosperity we still enjoy,
he had a lot to do with it.
The man stood against slavery
when many just chose to ignore
the problem as unsolvable,
unwilling to seize something more.
He rose up from bastardry
to shape a nation not formed yet,
I think we should remember more
then the sad method of his death.
Then there is His Excellency,
George Washington earned that in full,
the only American soul
who any dare call by that title.
Stuck with an untrained army,
often outnumbered and outclassed,
he wouldn’t fight by Europe’s rules,
and the British he would outlast.
Ill-supplied and often hungry,
he kept the militas going,
and though they would have made him King
he gave it up voluntarily!
Taught us how to be a president,
was not a known thing in those days,
then even left that so he could farm,
the depths of his honor amaze…
Last is the one who didn’t arrive
until three generations later,
Lincoln, the man who finished the job,
that Great Emancipator.
Some would say he wasn’t a founder,
but I must include him within,
the nation we know traces right back
to the great deed done by him.
An ordinary politician
in a nation torn all apart,
forced to grow into a hero,
enough to test any man’s heart.
Forced to fight a murderous war
admist voices calling out for peace,
knowing defeat meant more chaos,
and millions left in slavery…
Nowadays voices spurn these men,
choosing to recall only mistakes,
forgetting that their bold ideas
are what have made this country great.
Teachers prattle on like socialists,
killers of one hundred million souls,
all of our mistakes pale next to that,
it’s a direction none should go.
But the wisdom of the founders
transcends the confines of their day,
they took on the challenge of freedom,
that’s a challenge that don’t go away.
If we take the time to heed them
then we can continue on thriving,
we should revere the founding fathers,
in truth we owe them everything.
The Joy of Knowing Jesus…
The joy of knowing Jesus is a blessing to know.
He brings peace and nourishment to my soul!
The joy of knowing Jesus brings a peace within.
Knowing that HE has removed my every sin!
The pleasure of serving Jesus is an honor indeed.
Knowing that he’s supplied and met my every need!
The pleasure of living each day, in honor to my king…
Helps me to realize that Christ is my everything!
This opportunity I have, is a special moment.
I know that I’ve been cleansed by HIS atonement!
This same Jesus can bring salvation to you today!
He’s waiting for you! And loves you in a beautiful way!
Won’t you take the time and receive him too?
See the marvelous work that he can do through you!
There’s a joy of knowing this Lord! He loves you so much!
He bless and restore your life by his special touch!
This can be the time, for you to come and accept him!
He wants to change your life! Won’t you let him?
Behold the king of glory! Hallelujah to the lamb!
He reaches out to all… With his loving hands!
Let’s thank Jesus for the joy that he’s given!
By his shed blood… We can all be forgiven!
He offers true love to all! And is what life is about!
He can change us now! And bring hope throughout!
The joy of knowing Christ is a pleasure to obtain!
We can find all we need! In his precious name!
By Jim Pemberton 11/02/14
My yard harbors lots of big trees
And in them live squirrels, with ease
In comfy twig nests
They do what is best
To live and survive as they please.
I feed them some nuts every day
And watch how they run 'round and play
They know me so well
And come 'ring my bell'
By tapping the window this way:
They come to the back kitchen door
Jump up on the rail from the floor
On the window sill
They sit very still
With paws against, glass beg for more.
I push up the window with glee
They know I'm their friend, for you see
My hand holds their prize
They watch with bright eyes
And take nut away tenderly.
Now, one day I thought I would try
To give something new, and so I
Supplied day-old bread
With smooth peanut spread
They loved it so much, with a sigh,
I made little sandwiches soon
On bread, spread nut butter by spoon,
A new treat for them
But so surprised when
I saw chunks of bread below- strewn!
They learned how to get at their prize
Nut butter between, and so wise,
With paws, they would pry
The bread part would fly
Enjoyed just the spread- I surmised,
Like kids open cookies to get
The cream that's inside, never fret
To throw rest away
Enjoy them that way-
The squirrels saw their need was met!
Too nutty, these squirrels taught me
They're smarter than I thought they'd be
They do things their way
With we humans play-
Together we live happily!
October 13, 2015
~1st Place~
Contest: "N" New Or Old Poetry Contest Contest
Sponsor: Constance La France
Judged: 09/21/2021
Theme Chosen: Nutty
Mama held me close to her bosom
wouldn't let me go astray
she shook the cradle of civilization
and to her wayward offspring
she paid attention.
She added a tinge of color to the cheeks of some
and tinted plenty with even more
for identification, as to whom they belonged.
While her purported gaze
stored us from mediocrity
she whispered silent pants
when our future's prowess
begun to shiver she remained astute.
Mana Africa! I call you by this name
You've nullified all bleak spectrum
situations bestowed on us
when frequent ill-health
pounded on our weary hearts
you trembled --never loss guard
We are forever indebted to your
unflinching affirmation of sheer solidarity
Mana Africa!
your goodwill seizes not to elude
Capricious speeches we confer
as we orate about the trying times
The soundbites of your caresses will never
be deserted; let alone our appraisal of celerity
The best of we your “Adeptus Children”
have supplied the melatonin
from your sacred womb
and you have followed us with
love and self determination
as we have toiled on foreign soil
Then as we have been scattered
to the four corners;
Innately we have held on to our sanity.
Stayed in tuned to our intuition
as we have maintained circadian rhythms
and overcame enough, clinging to
our dignity in one hand and our
lives in the other, still to rise above.
Nana has taught us to endure
to be courageous, outrageously
courageous we have been.
even as we achieved
Our circadian rhythms were off beat.
Sacrifices only a mother would make
from the alchemy of adoration comes her love
self-determination is the water of her blood
and she the blood in our veins
the blood passed on...a mother’s blood...
Mana Africa
Ase’
A collaberatetion withYoung Prince Kennedy from Ghana and Mama Oladeji aka Vicki Acquah
O dried up leaf lying there on the ground
Fallen from the top of a sturdy tree
Where you viewed everything that was around
While you bathed in the sunshine's glory
You manufactured food from the sunlight
And together with the help of the roots
Faithfully nourished your parent just right
Creating a sturdy tree bearing fruits
In spring and summer you wore brilliant green
And supplied shade to others from the sun
In autumn you became more colourful
and before winter dropped off one by one
Even now as you lay there on the dirt
Nature must move on in its cyclic line
You shall soon become a part of the earth
And become food for others of your kind
iambic pentameter
It seems like it was yesterday
in backyard sandbox she had played;
granddaughter loved to have her way
with sand, her pail, scoop, shovel, spade.
She'd mold and build, with special care;
imagination took its form.
Sometimes she'd throw it up in air
to watch it fly like a sandstorm.
Fast forward now just twenty years:
our princess then, in her play sand,
now lives a life on new frontiers
soon headed for another land.
A first lieutenant based stateside,
her unit soon will be deployed
to mid-east base...Kuwait...supplied
with desert sand, so vast and void.
Her 'sandbox' then, to serve with troops,
logistics and supplies command,
where sand is pushed with 'dozer 'scoops'...
and windstorms fill the air with sand.
It seems like it was yesterday
in backyard sandbox, she had played.
As West Point grad, she makes her way
to serve our country, unafraid.
Sandra M. Haight
~2nd Place~
Premiere Contest: Sandbox
Sponsor: Anthony Slausen
Judged:10/18/2016