Best Swaggered Poems
And his frost-clad lips I gently kissed
So mildly radiant amid this place--
That the silvery night grew quite intense
Until a gasp rushed from his cheeks.
While awakening to each other
Our throbs exploded into daybreak…
When sweet nectar of fresh beginning
Piqued an appetite's thrill…reborn:
Even though flakes bobbed near the pane
I gazed keenly inside those irises
Raw yet tender under gloss of lamp shade
Igniting my hunger for a charmed surprise :
And sipping cedar's pulp of intoxication --- a drink for two
Mint ambrosia through dusky air roused all hours
As we jived , swaggered along together--
On this flamed wintry honeymoon day~
Best Free Verse From November 2018 Poetry Contest
Sponsor: Lu Lou ~ Written 11/25/2018
Submitted 12/10/2018
The steely-eyed hombre stepped down from the stage that sultry afternoon.
He looked about with disdain, then swaggered to the Cripple Creek Saloon.
His hat lay low upon his brow and swung low was a pair of 44's on his hips.
He sported fancy duds and greeted a few loafers with a snarl on his lips.
Jeremiah Slade was the feller's name and gamblin' was his trade.
He sauntered up to the bar and stunned the bartend by orderin' a lemonade!
Then he strolled to a table in the back of the room with his back to the wall.
(This was his usual modus operandi just in case there was a free-fer-all!)
He announced, "Boy's, my name's Jeremiah Slade and gamblin' is my game;
Join me and ante up fer a round of poker, but, boys let's keep it tame!"
Three chumps took the bait and scurried fer Jeremiah's table to grab a chair!
He let the dudes win a game or so to assure that things were fair and square.
Now, unknown to the three suckers, Slade was a professional gyp!
The scoundrel was invited to leave umpteen towns west of the Mississip!
Slade had a few tricks up a sleeve that he soon entered into play.
Mysteriously, numerous aces appeared in his draws and were on display!
The trio got wise to his game and jammed three rods in Jeremiah's face!
He was quickly consigned to eternity fer playin' too many an ace!
Jeremiah was conveyed out of town, that no-good cunnin' knave,
And now lies at the foot of Mount Pisgah a-molderin' in his grave!
Out of the blue I searched for you,
Under yellow skies I walked,
With scarlet red the things you knew!
The black lace talked and talked
I found you thumbing on the road,
Drifting south for a change of pace,
Your suitcase was hardly a load,
My heart began to race.
A game was lurking in your eyes,
I wanted in to play your sin.
Fortune’s wheel did not disguise
The roguish plans you held within.
You took the keys and off you went,
With gaping mouth I stood
My heart inflamed with discontent,
I whimpered all I could.
With bold resolve my feet did go,
Dust and sweat led the way.
What did tempt I did not know,
But hidden fires held my sway.
Marching like a highway man,
Of dreams untold to think about,
I tried to chart your steps and plan,
Whose saucy tease I had no doubt.
Feline ways invite soft prints,
Invisible shades eyes large make,
I saw the method in your hints,
By subtle fumes my nose did stake.
I tracked and looked and never quit,
To find your world and magic curve,
But at some point I had to admit,
I wondered if I had the nerve.
I hung my head, I sang low tunes
Echo’s hope was just a trace,
So I took to heed the passing moons
Oh your purring heart did I chase.
As though you saw my forlorn look,
My ears you tapped with engine fire,
Behind me came your line and hook,
Smiling in my car you took.
Get in you said with lips to bend,
With a grin that spoke of lazy miles,
To you my vows could but commend,
So sure were your entrancing styles.
I swaggered in next to fate,
Forever gone, here was now,
Praying for mercy on this date,
Still like a mouse hearing meow.
You throttled up and off we flew,
The wind and hair was just a blair,
If my better half only knew,
The forbidden things I would dare.
The ride was smooth and oh so cool,
Skin touched skin and all was one,
Kissed by heaven’s secret rule,
Ay there’s the rub, just have some fun.
Salvation’s road leads to crime,
Heat and sweat are natures beat,
Lemons aid the bitter lime,
To overcome what might defeat.
Out of the blue I searched for you,
Under yellow skies I walked,
With scarlet red the things you knew!
The black lace talked and talked.
Six magpies brought their mourning squawk,
soon joined by several others,
disturbing all their neighbour's talk
and waking sleepy lovers.
Some hopped and did their swaggered strut
between a felted flat roof top
and a guttered water but.
Some preferred a higher perch
and troubled nearby taller tops of green leylandii.
All the while their squawk increased
and shattered suburb's morning peace.
Two black crows flew overhead and settled,
one on gable top, the other found his place to stop
and watch from nearby psychamore.
Upright, silent, silhouettes,
not bearers of the magpie pall
but undertaking nonetheless
to show crow's dignified respects.
They joined this congregation
to recognise corvid's connect.
They joined this chorused agitation
while magpies mourned their murdered son,
crumpled feathers low on grassy ground,
til course of squawk and strut had run,
and one by one they flew, without a sound,
and all was done, and all was done.
I loved you John Wayne!
I wished you were my father
or maybe an older brother
who’d tutor me to be tough
when manners weren’t enough
and toughness was needed
that civility be heeded
and not to brag or complain.
O I loved you John Wayne!
As soon as I was old enough
to earn the price of admission
I saw your films in succession
at the first run houses down
in the big deal part of town
and enshrined each one on a list
taped to my bedside wall
and read about the ones I’d missed.
Shucks, I loved you most of all!
Fort Apache and Red River
took pride of place on the page;
they’d eaten up my weekly wage.
I missed the Yellow Ribbon;
I hoped I’d be forgiven.
At the Rio and the Broad
(in a dicey neighborhood)
I atoned with films you’d done
before I was even born.
Western after Western
and tales of oil and whiskey
and scheming ladies, O so risky!
I hoped I’d be excused
when I compromised my muse
by adding well-built gals
to Duke and all his pals.
Montez, Russell, and Lake
made my hormones quake.
O I loved you, John Wayne.
I could feel your bashful pain
When the pretty lady roped you
and hat in hand you’d bow,
the furrow deepening on your brow,
and utter monosyllables plus “Ma’am,”
no longer a ram, more like a lamb.
O I shared you pain, John Wayne!
And still I loved you John Wayne,
your true grit and donnybrook,
your menacing brow, the look
that said, “Enough, my friend.
“This bull is going to end!”
You swaggered? (not quite it--
as if your boots didn’t quite fit?)
You took him by the horns and shook;
Plomp! Down went the snook!
How I loved you, John Wayne!
And I love you still when again I see
the doughty Duke on my smart TV
as much as Papa’s lone old man,
with fish chewed down to the bone
loved Joltin’ Joe Dimaggio
when the Clipper’s legs began to go
and he was hobbled by his heel.
John Wayne, you were the real deal.
What do you see when our eyes chance to meet?
A wizened old woman; a mouth void of teeth?
No heavenly body, no long flowing curls
Just a gnarled, barren landscape remains of the girl.
Can’t you see her so young; with wings on her feet?
Her beauty arresting, to all she would meet.
A heart filled with joy, and mirth overflowing
Created from love for giving, bestowing.
See the hopeful young beau’s falling down at her feet
In droves they would fight for her hand - None she’d keep,
Until that rogue Billy swaggered right into town
Knowing the bounty was there to be found.
That one sided smile, the slick curly hair
She stood not one chance to resist this affair.
She was there for the taking, her eyes told her truth;
For this handsome of heroes she’d pledge life and love
Trusting their love to natural existence
Their lives now determined by the full power of “Kismet”,
Assuring warm sunshine, while showers may prevail
So their love could be fruitful; or rot in the rain!
Martha and Billy and Jodie and Ben
Holly and Kitty and twin boys and then…
The fruits of their love, a passion ne’er spent
As for Billy, the “Hero” ……….- true to the end
So when by chance our eyes meet and this gnarled figure you see,
Pause a while, take your time Nurse - Do you see the real me?
Bob the buzzard is colour blind i think
he doesnt think a flamingo should be pink,
say he has seen many and he knows
that flamingos are blue in Galapagos.
buzzards eyes gleen as he watches them feeding,
now buzzards are big but surely he is exceeding,
tbe size of his hunger no way can he swallow,
a flamingo even if his stomach is hollow
he flew onto its back they looked eye to eye
^get off^ said tbe flamingo, shoo go fly,
buzzard swaggered lost grip on floor did land,.
down came flamingos foot on his head he did stand.
Bob saw stars begged to be freed said he
would never fancy a blue or pink flamingo again for tea
penned 19 January 2019
contest sponsored by Anthony Slausin...Buzzards and flamingos
There was a man's man, you could say he was grand,
who blessed the cinema screen and had millions of fans.
When he swaggered into a room, men stepped aside,
their wives and their daughters they would all try to hide.
He had something about him, some called it true grit.
Others would say, "What ever it is, I wish I had it!"
He stood around six-foot-four, larger than life.
If you crossed paths, you had better brought more than a knife.
On and off the screen he got his respect,
actors today, sorry to say, don't have that effect.
Willis, Deniro, Pacino and the Rock all rolled into one,
wouldn't come close to John Wayne and the things he has done.
Now I've seen all his movies, thanks to my Dad, his number one fan.
From Rio Bravo, Rooster Cogburn, Chisum and The Quiet Man.
That's just a few, to list all would take too much time
and drain all my ink and ruin my rhyme.
The Duke didn't lose many fights that he fought,
the man he portrayed was invincible we thought.
The battle called cancer he just couldn't juke,
but I'll always remember this pilgrim, known as the Duke.
10/12/18
I took my mum to slimming world
On every Tuesday night
She’d get her finest glad rags on
And beam with sheer delight
Not much of an adventure,
On the way she’d barely speak.
But she’d set her sights on glory
As the slimmer of the week.
With eager expectation
We queued up by the scales
Catching surreptitious glances
“Has she come off the rails ? “
“Shoes off please and on the scales”
Then handing in your book,
You felt your pulse start racing
When you dared to take a look
“Just a half pound gain this week”
“But don’t get too despondent “
The lady scribbled in mum’s book,
Like a weight gain correspondent.
“Have you checked the scales” said Mum
“They simply can’t be right ?”
“I think they need to be reset
Because I didn’t weigh that last night ?”
“Are you staying for the chat ?”
Said the slimming world consultant
“We’ve got some bars for you to try”
And mum looked quite exultant
“Would you like a raffle ticket ?”
I can still picture the scene,
When they drew your numbers out
And you won an aubergine.
“So how’s your week been Linda ?
Did you keep track of your syns ? “
“I just had lots of chicken breasts
But I didn’t eat the skins “
“Mark - our slimmer of the week !
Share your story with the group”
“I just ate Quorn and Quark all week
And pints of lentil soup”
Mum kept smiling all the time
While others told their tales of woe,
A Chinese meal that took its toll
Or a Hot Dog at the show
Brenda stormed out of the room
Just looking for attention.
“ I’ve not put on 3 pounds” she screamed
It’s just water retention
“See you all next week” said Sue
The hall’s needed by the Vicar
Mark, smiling smugly, swaggered out
Showing off his latest sticker.
On the way back in the car
Mum was smiling, full of glee
I said “what are you so pleased about? “
She said “ They’re all bigger than me”
Coal-red eyes protruded from your bust
As we swaggered in mock-bravado.
We were afraid of you Charles
And the shadows you cast
From within cast shadows.
Chinese Apple replacing Adam's
And a terry-towelling cap to repel the '02 sun -
Resurrected in '74 -
It was, Charles, a time of rebellion.
Steel-blue Winfields survey the source
Of your pipe-dream...
How you must detest, yet now, that coinage!
And do you see, Charles,
From your self-inflicted throne
(With inscription below)
That it was no pipe-dream?
Perhaps death has cured your blindness.
I Harbour hope, Charles,
With the wisdom I have gained
Since '02
Back in '74,
That you see your feats fulfilled...
And mine forgiven.
Bronwyn the Barbaric amassed admirers
like oceans collect river-flow
Streams of suitors all tried to woo her
each determined to be her “best beau”
But our fair pirate queen was a fickle young lass
whose attention was hard to retain
She'd have no truck whatever with crude fellows crass
insisting they possess “half a brain”
She longed for a man both witty and charming
dressed rakishly jaunty and vogue
With manners debonair and smile disarming
('though a bit of a rascally rogue)
Few chaps could achieve these high standards, indeed
yet, one day she met him- and he did!
He was dashing, all agreed, on his wild stallion steed
a sight to behold- resplendent!
And Bronwyn herself, couldn't help but admire
this arrogant, haughty young blaggard
by the name of Beauregard Brody, Esquire
how he bragged, and blustered, and swaggered!
Sailing into his arms, Bronwyn swooned straight away
and they would've composed quite a pair
if only her dog hadn't got in the way
of their breathless and heated affair
Bronwyn's sidekick was a pup quite precocious
all beautifully soft, plush and furry
but she was surprisingly fierce and ferocious
sending most people off in a hurry
Yes, Hellion was a marvelous part-Husky pooch
with one eye brown, and one blue
who took great offense at each intimate smooch
with each snuggle, her distrust grew
It was at the National Finals Rodeo
The year was 1967, the place OKC
I had just turned three &
was excited as could be
to be behind the chutes watching
a ride that could make history
Freckles Brown was the cowboy
loaded up in chute two
Tornado was the bull he'd drawn
a meaner ride he'd never face
and when they threw the gate
a tremendous roar filled the place
when that blessed buzzer sounded
and they announced his score
Freckles stood as World Champion
out on that arena floor
Every little buckaroo who watched
Freckle's & Tornado fight
went home and rode the legs
off momma's kitchen chairs
that sweet December night
Me, I swaggered round
the back chutes & told
everyone who'd listen
That one day I'd ride like
the great Freckles Brown
In momma's eye, was that
a tear that glistened?
For I'd said before
that I'd ride one day
Did she think that I was fool'n?
Heck I might not be four yet
but I knew it was
something worth doing
So I tip my hat to Freckles Brown
and the rest of
The old timers, too
for they laid the path
that I ride now
and taught us all
a thing or two
I walked down the street today
As one would
Wearing my bright green shoes
As not everyone could
I held my head high
As not everyone should
I swaggered and strutted
As freedom deemed I could
With my headphones on
And yellow scarf slung
I felt fashionably dressed
As only a fashionista would
Compliments were given
As I expected they might
I basked in the glory
As only the vain could
It was such a lovely day
To walk down the street
As I felt I should
High Noon Antics
High noon, the time was set upon this arid, sultry day
The guns would set against the other, quick-draw style
In speedy rivalry and bid to have their final say
With keen eyed rapid movement versatile
This Western town could not contain two greats
Fanned were the flames of liquor and land dispute
Thus one would remain, the other to a deathly fate
In quick draw fashion and concluding shoot
The saloon doors yield to the spurred and booted big boys
Holstered guns secured against their denim hips
They walk out with swaggered gait and angry poise
Out from the quieted hub bub of secure sealed lip
A spitting sandy cloud cause tumbleweeds to roll
Across the vacant lot betwixt a row of phantom, cardboard houses
Where twitchy curtains hang, but of people, not a soul
They count the paces for the big encounter
Ten honest steps with one determined turn
And steel eyed stares that cross the shaky divide
With hands that hover o’er the fire arm unconcerned
Now sudden moves determine who might live
Discharged the flash of solar weaponry betwixt the gap
A groan from somewhere denotes a direct hit
On crumpled knees the gun relinquishes its grasp
Now prone upon the dusty earth, a final moan emitted
He took the bullet between the eyes by one more precise
The other just grazed upon the arm, remains unfazed
Blowing smoke from his gun, he revels in the others demise
Only room for one here, he removes his gaze
For example a Dachshund dog was thrown 5 floors to his death
The owner photographed this and posted it online
His dog looked like he was sleeping but was dead
I tracked the Dachshund Dog’s Killer down and killed him
I put him in an 80s violent video game with block graphics
I hit him with a stabbing dagger in both shoulders
Then machete chopped half of his pinto skull off
Finally finishing him off with a flick knife in the gut
Next there was the case of the animal rescue centre
9 pussycats were murdered for no real reason
Except they were living in the centre
I drove up to the animal sanctuary in a Technical
I beeped and they opened the gates and I saw him
The Pussycat Murderer who swaggered about like a real man
I aimed my remote control 50 Cal gun with my PS2 controller
And popped the motherer with a hundred 50 Cal Raufoss rounds
A woman cut the foot off her dog with a machete
Because the dog annoyed his owner
All this was filmed and posted online
I found the Limping Woman who made her dog painfully limp
I said Hi and smirked then tightly tied her up
And had my way with her 25 times in a calendar day
Her pussy was sore and needed stitching due to the table leg
As did her feet when I sliced off all her damn toes
Most bizarre of all was the small dog
Who was partly skinned alive by his owner
This dog was rescued and given treatment
Dog Skinner was a hard man to find but not hard in a fight
I threw him a knife and said, ‘Skin me or be maimed...’
His lunges were slow and unskilled and embarrassing
I blocked them with one hand and closed my eyes
I snapped his spine with one single side kick
And a man drove his car and threw out his dog
Like a bit of trash with duct taped up feet and muzzle
The cops rescued the dog and jailed the man
I impersonated a Police Officer and ‘apprehended’ the suspect
Who had just been released from jail for leaving his pet dog for dead
He let me into his house and I Tasered the bastard and duct taped him up
I dragged Dog Duct Tape Man to my fake squad car and put him in the trunk
I drove him to a secluded spot and did a very enjoyable EJK
I enjoyed each and every act of Pet’s Revenge and Murder
This is my new job and I always enjoy it and get away with it
I have backing from Big Brother and the Illuminated People