Best Swamped Poems
Notus comes creeping furtively from the south
hot and bothered from the blazing summer sun.
The wind of change...concealed it launches sudden storms
as clouds pile up across the sky, dark and towering,
lightning flashes, thunder drawls, torrential rain descends;
rivers swell to bursting point; fields are swamped, crops destroyed.
Then once again he sneaks away, planning his next move.
His neighbour, Eurus, wants to show he’s no less able.
Bearing his inverted earthen vase he goes along
clumsy in gait and spilling water on dry soil.
His forays from the east tend to be unlucky.
Autumn fades with a sigh on Aura’s gentle wings
as ice-cold winter rushes in impatiently
from northern frozen lands to take its place
goaded by the domineering force of Boreas
who moves ahead with strong, intense authority,
his violent temper uncontrolled. Despite his age
he pushes his galloping stallion to the limit
riding forth relentlessly, cloak billowing behind,
his white beard curled; shaggy hair spiked and frosted.
Roaring, across the land he speeds with utmost haste,
a sacred conch shell grasped firmly in steely hand;
tremendous power he exerts and blows aloud
while humans cower in dark caverns, shivering.
They know his moods and fear his devastating wrath.
In their minds, princess Oreithyia’s forced abduction,
rape, and carnal satisfaction are still fresh.
They yearn for winter’s bitter ally to move on
so that the gentle Zephyr enters from the west
bringing with him rainbows and showers of spring,
calm serenity, greenery, flowers, shades and hues,
romantic feelings, fiery passion and intense love.
Ultimately, all four have to heed and appease
King Aeolus, firm ruler and keeper of the winds.
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*Aura = breeze goddess
*Oreithyia = mountain Nymph
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18th December 2014
Contest: Gods of Winds
Sponsor: Shadow Hamilton
Placed: 2nd
Categories:
swamped, wind,
Form:
Verse
"Fragments and crumbs of life,
all the little pieces"
John Ruskin 1853
Having lived with our Mom in Sydney for six months
Federal Police returned us to live with our father
He had begun working as the art teacher
at a small Christian school in Tasmania
He and other staff members lived at the school.
I was 8, my sister 6. Geneva was experimental then.
Elementary students were taught together in one hall.
Desks divided from next, talk was completely disallowed.
An American curriculum called ACE was adhered to.
As the art teacher's daughter, naturally I washed all the brushes.
Three utterances compiled in class per day earned detention.
Despite it being 1991, rulers whapped knuckles on occasion.
Cherished butterfly catching buddy, best friend, Penny
Fed apples from ample pile to fence wire necked horses
Dawn saluting dairy sold milk for locals, chapel on site
Peers lived a wall away, an idyllic community lifestyle
Generally, three afternoons per week, my father took
My sister on playground, shopping outings.
I stayed home. Instructed not to go outside.
Staff's children grassy antics gazed at through glass.
I ate vitamin c tablets by the dozen, and scrapings of butter.
A staff member bought all our groceries from a limited list.
I sang for company. There was no radio or TV.
My Dad and sister returned at nightfall. Chewing on sweets.
Alone in the house, I imaged it was a cruising ocean vessel
I sailed down the dim driveway, swamped by giant pines
I took apples, a cow, a Bible, pencils for sketching horses
Sailing on jaunty sun hugged foliage, I was captain
'Geneva Has Evolved'
Constance La France
All The Little Pieces Contest
25th August 2020
Categories:
swamped, 3rd grade, child, dad,
Form:
Bio
The year is 2025
I have come back to my past
To witness the Mayans
Who said Earth would not last
2012
Was the year they declared
That the planet we knew
Could never be spared
An Asteroid shower
We could never comprehend
Sends this heaven to hell
In catastrophic spend
The first to hit
Was the daddy of them all
Our axis twisted
The human race in fall
Just of Madagascar
In the Indian Ocean
It's where it all started
That set our demise in motion
Tsunami waves
Like giant tower blocks
Swamped Indonesia
As Polynesia rocked
The force of impact
Reverberated west
On the Canary Islands
A dormant volcano so reft
It's massive mountain side
Into the Atlantic slipped
To the eastern seaboard
Of the United States it shipped
A second Tsunami
Half the world long
Would submerge the east
Taking the weak and the strong
The second to hit
Hit a place struck before
Tunguska in Russia
Receives another sore
Daylight turns to night
As earth meets our skies
Fallout from the reactors
In shattered demise
Radiated clouds
Eventually filter down
Leaving bleeding lacerations
As we humans death drown
Smaller asteroids
Some just a few hundred feet
Around the world they were marvelled
Until they meet their greet
The place where I stand now
Was Yosemite National Park
Now dark ridges of black
So bare and stark
It's been many many years
Since the sun shone through the screen
When I close my eyes I remember
When the earth was lush and green
How many of us survived
Will we ever know
Was this in our destiny
I think all around me, now shows
Categories:
swamped, angst, death, fantasy, history,
Form:
Rhyme
Mirror mirror on the wall
Please tell me why I always fall
When I try to do something that will build me up
Then suddenly lose motivation and zeal for it all
So many pursuits were met halfway
I tried to learn skills but procrastination domes my way
Or suddenly I'm swamped with other responsibilities
And when I'm ready to go back, people have already gone far
When I look at my reflection what I see
Is a failing hypocrite starting back at me
People think I'm so smart and so put together
They don't know what burns underneath my sweater
I wish I could be easier on myself
And take things one step at a time
But with the way things are going
I can only feel peace with God by my side
Categories:
swamped, change, character, dedication, growing
Form:
Rhyme
Paratroopers stealthily slide unnoticed,
chutes deployed, small blazes of white obscured by
fog that lingers lazily, til their numbers
cover the meadow…
Faster, faster, not just content to cover,
reinforcements filling in, words unspoken,
synchronized with perfect precision, ever
picking up tempo…
Occupation utterly overwhelming,
swamped defenses, raising a flag, surrender.
Long, the arm of conquering winter, brings a
lengthening shadow…
Categories:
swamped, winter,
Form:
Sapphic stanza
Are You Really Dead
Well you once marched into my old life
and started putting my dreams down.
Your love was smiles, kisses and strife
and in black seas my heart nearly drowned.
Well you came naked into my night-bed
and crushed strong vines that were ripe.
Your wicked struck deep inside my head
and your flavor wore an evil stripe.
Well you left my soul in a sad mess
and your long claws cut deep for blood
Lies swamped dark love you did confess
and your venom seeped in like a flood.
Well you tore this sad heart asunder
and your love nearly brought about my end
I still hear your cursing in distant thunder
and truly know you were never my friend.
Well you invaded my nights with memories
and left your sweet stirrings around my bed
I feel your darkness these long centuries
and now I must wonder, are you really dead?
Robert J. Lindley, 12-12-2016
Rhyme
Categories:
swamped, art, dark, death, judgement,
Form:
Rhyme
I Swear A Sincere Oath Each Arriving New Morn
Amidst wreckage and sorrows dwelling deep
I fight to beautiful memories keep
To break dark that threatens to engulf me
So oft swamped by storms from crashing seas
I a floating leaf in massive expanse
Lonely and bereft of heart's true romance.
I walk beneath wondrous beaming blue skies.
Ever seeking that which time now denies.
I swear sincere oath each arriving morn
To thus battle, to mend this life so torn
Not as a warrior to brave or too proud
Or a timid soul hiding in the crowd
But instead as a hopeful refugee
One so desperate and too mad to flee.
I walk beneath wondrous beaming blue skies.
Ever seeking that which time now denies.
Once eager heart beat in me and much more
Long ago, I strolled sweet white sand shores
Singing with light and dancing in fine tune
Under summer sun in the month of June
Watching rolling waves and that deep blue sea
As a young lad, not this old refugee.
I walk beneath wondrous beaming blue skies.
Ever seeking that which time now denies.
I swear sincere oath each arriving morn
To thus battle, to mend this life so torn
Not as a warrior to brave or too proud
Or a timid soul hiding in the crowd
But instead as a hopeful refugee
One so desperate and too mad to flee.
I walk beneath wondrous beaming blue skies.
Ever seeking that which time now denies.
Robert J. Lindley, 8-27-2021
Rhyme, ( New Writing To Refill The Cookie Jar )
"We race on trying to regain our youth,
vanquished by reality and truth." RJL quote
"Nos currere ad trying ad repetendam adolescentia nostra:
victa rei veritatem."
Categories:
swamped, appreciation, art, creation, deep,
Form:
Rhyme
There is a need for footprints on the sea.
The sea, prepared for shalom break, not yet.
Sodden, the boat's high walls extend. The lee,
The Life’s on way, two feet, the time is set.
Jesus, the Creator, did water splash,
as deep, you walked, toward the disciples’ tears?
Pelted by raindrop score, the storm cloud’s lash.
You arrived, just in time, to still their fears.
In rocking boat, one other day, You slept.
The calm and peace, the grace of Christ, bestowed.
Inner and outer strength - with crowd You wept,
Between life and resurrection, line towed.
Authority of God - imparts His will.
Christ speaks to waves and storms, and us, “Be Still.”
Immediately he (Jesus) made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side…Meanwhile the boat was already some distance from land, battered by the waves…Jesus came toward them walking on the sea…When they (Jesus and Peter) got into the boat the wind ceased…(They) worshipped him and said, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
—Matthew 14:22, 24, 25, 32
Suddenly a violent storm arose on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves—but Jesus kept sleeping…”Lord, save us! We’re going to die!”…He (Jesus) got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm
—Matthew 8:24, 25, 26
When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days…Jesus wept…(Jesus spoke to Father God) After he said this he shouted with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out (they unwrapped him)
—John:17, 35, 43
Jesus told him (Thomas), “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.
—John 14:6-7
Categories:
swamped, christian, death, life, miracle,
Form:
Sonnet
Very Rude Haiku
Winter? 3 lines?....Right! ....
5-7-5 cadence, meter
I don't think so!...Blah!
-or-
Table by brook swamped
Consume fish, tail, heads, water
No soup for you!...Tip!
Categories:
swamped, fun, rude,
Form:
Haiku
This old sea-rig is swamped and don't float
I TOLD you we'd need a bigger boat!
Now you are HIS prize
Sure ain't no surprise
That you're fish-food, you hard-headed goat!
"Jaws" - 1975
Categories:
swamped, adventure, funny
Form:
Limerick
A kind of cultural sensitivity,
that strengthens discovery; a space
for identity and history.
It’s a style of thought,
chosen to highlight its core;
A lengthy discourse that
acts and synthesizes.
Significant efforts that deal
with elements of change.
It’s a trend to implicitness
that evolves on the Asian heartland.
Discoveries and re-discoveries
about Asianness or Orientalism,
its nature and institutional sense
has its roots to share; a wealth of faith.
Features of the colonial past
reflect the emergence and growth
of that conventional wisdom;
At the same time, a reaction –
to sensitivty and understanding.
It’s an important element to draw
and carry out integration anew;
with other cultures or global forces
in developing nations; a relationship
a blend of strength, a sharing of gifts.
Asia seeks and grapples
with a great deal of systems;
In a world market swamped
with Eurocentric mindsets, a challenge-
a reinforcement that has its semantic shield,
that defends otherness and people with differences.
Categories:
swamped, life,
Form:
Narrative
Zika Virus End Within Sight
For far too long we have been at the mercy of tiny little creatures from hell..
Specialised tormentors that seek and suck blood from victims in order to procreate…
Being mosquitoes, their insidious bites and itches are most irritating to our toes…
Each time they make a bee line for quick nip of blood letting , much to our woes..
Given the many varieties and types of these irritating flying insects…
It is most abundantly found in many countries, especially in the tropics…
Besides interrupting sound sleep, these hellish insects spread dangerous diseases…
Central to all of these deadly diseases is the spread of the flaviviruses…
Now this is a family of dangerous and deadly viruses borne by mosquitoes…
If these viruses are a danger to the mosquitoes themselves, we can rejoice…
But the Almighty God in His infinite wisdom has deemed otherwise…
Mosquitoes are carriers, they are the vessels to spread the diseases worldwide..,
Latest World Health Organisation alert has awakened the world all over…
Zika virus is afire, spreading and infecting the human population many times over…
Health and hospital authorities are swamped with increasing numbers of Zika sufferers..
It is a worldwide call to be vigilant, microcephaly in new born babies a consequence…
Today there is some good news to the end of this Zika tunnel of health concern..
The proverbial light at the end of its tunnel of darkness and its dire consequences…
Careful research on a group of volunteers isolated for some intensive clinical monitoring…
Has yielded very promising results that might well signal a momentous medical breakthrough..
As the world awaits for more conclusive and definitive measures to counter the flaviviruses..
Hopes are raised that in time, medical science overcomes all variant forms of the flaviviruses…
As we continue to hope and await the latest drugs and medicine to be readily available..
It is vital we try to minimise and eliminate the mosquito menace at home as far as possible…
http://www.star2.com/health/wellness/2016/03/18/works-100-dengue-vaccine-is-effective/
Categories:
swamped, community, encouraging, environment, family,
Form:
Free verse
With the onset of earth
man became birthed
perplexed, he pondered his purpose
swamped with wildlife
fish and birds rife
am I meant to run a circus?
I'll need entertainers
and animal trainers
a tent constructed of kelp
moreover, an audience
to add due ambiance
where to start? "Oh, heaven help!!"
"Howdy there
was that a prayer?
Please call me Master or my pet name King
May I call you Adam
short for Macadam
the nickname has a rather cute ring."
"Master, is my purpose
to start a circus?"
"Of sorts but not quite, progenitor ace
I'll gift you a wife
for furtherance of life
but pray don't fall foul of my grace?"
"Nice round to my buns
but I'm still half-done
my titties are dry and flat as a deck
no ring in my bell
nuts without shell.
Will my partner be built to full spec?"
Adam and Eve
were both naive
lacking in sex education
their juicy parts hidden
and some fruit forbidden
their order was tall: create a world nation
Eve, foolish girl
gave it a whirl
succumbed to the charm of a snake
Adam lost flavor
when he sought favor
she begged off; invented the headache
Adam had to release
his lust appease
sans sex dolls and movies tinged blue
a hard task at hand
he took a firm stand
the first argument ever ensued:
"Your sordid affair's
neither here nor there
admittedly there's a hole in my pride
at being deceived
but now I'm aggrieved
my own conjugal rights are denied."
Categories:
swamped, humorous, , cute,
Form:
Rhyme
Major misery must have been mounting on Monday.
The traffic jam miraculously DIDN'T end until terrific Tuesday.
The traffic at 4pm was winding way westward which was way
More than what we wished was wishful thinking.
Well it was a colorful and confusing week.
All the while we were planning to pulverize the players
Pitilessly with BALLOONS filled with punishing cold water.
Wow Wednesday wasn't way off.
Meanwhile we were wishing it was Wednesday while we
Wrenched each others woes.
Finally that night we played planned and prepared.
Well we wasted our wretched wishes on the traffic jam.
All we did now was whine and whimper.
The traffic jam was dwindling.
We weathered our way to the entourage eatery.
Got our gare and resolved to BOMB some BUTT.
We took the back entrance way.
The best thing to do would be to BATTLE our way
Through the restaurant to the front entrance.
Then we placed the enemy he was made and he saw
US too. He motioned for us to return to the rare.
Soo we discussed it for 2 minutes.
He was waiting for his boys.
So we cooperated.
We went toward the rare.
BUT...
The enemy had ARRIVED.
NOW what the HOLLERING HELL!!
we knew everybody had the same thought.
WE CAN DO THIS RIGHT HERE. NOW!!
, the first guy is waving no, no.
He was afraid of flooding his job.
Everybody was ignoring him, and laughing.
The SHORT OF. IT
Best to be backed up by water bullets.
Basically bombarding your enemy.
Some of us were just a little bit BLISTERED
From the HOT car ride.
Soo many of us sort of Welcomed the bombardment.
One of us made a spinning move and a slam dunk
Like. He was playing basketball. He completely
Obliterated his opponent with a large blue water balloon.
But he caught one in the face.
Both sides were having handfuls of fun
Until the popular prolific police arrived
Saw the place was swamped
And forced my friends and i to abort the
Blundered mission running pass the
Pensive police down the narrow path.
That was a WORTH WHILE WEDNESDAY.
Categories:
swamped, anxiety, basketball, car, celebration,
Form:
Alliteration
ATLANTIS - The Lost Continent
There once was a fifth continent, known as Atlantis. Is it fact
or fiction ? Well that is for everyone to decide. In the
early beginning of modern times there was Atlantis, an
advanced civilisation, that had moonstone crystals and used
them for suppling heat for everyone, larger crystals had the
power to destroy the world, the scientist realised this and
wanted to protect their secret, but the King and his astrologers
found out about this from spies in the kingdom, they were
planning a conquest of the new world and would travel past
the pillars of Hercules to invade and to take control of the free
world. As their plans were to unfold, the volcanoes were starting
to erupt with anger as they had enraged the gods with their
evil intentions, as they were all ready for there conquest
the volcanoes erupted and people were in panic and tried to
flee Atlantis, by this time the island was starting to sink
beneath the waves. The evil king and his men were swamped
by hot lava and ash and were choking on the fumes as the
beautiful cities of Atlantis was doomed. After a short time
the few boats that did escape moved into the distance
the refugees were all looking at the destruction of the once
proud city of Atlantis. Atlantis is now gone as it sinks into
the depths of the ocean. Years later it would be well
remembered as Atlantis, - the lost continent.
Categories:
swamped, fantasy, science fiction,
Form:
Prose