Best Swathes Poems
Long gone are the golden
Dusty days!
Where once, like Blazons
On Armorial Shields,
The gathered bronze sheaths
stood -
Cut through at the stalk...
Raised from time honoured
swathes.
Burnished like brushed copper
By high summers slanted rays:
That were sliced so thinly
From the thickening air,
As they brightly
Caught the hot glare,
From the grass mowers blades.
For the singing scythes,
Once wielded so ably
By strong, capable arms,
Are standing abandoned and
Forsaken:
Blunted, left rusting,
Languishing alone
In damp, dilapidated barns.
Now their songs are forgotten -
Lost within a woeful winds
lament!
Blown far out
From the green meadows;
Separated from their verses
Once sung so heartily
With purposeful,
Lusty, well practiced intent.
So think you all well,
Next time you pause
Your drawn eye,
Upon Englands rich harvests
Of ripened barley,
Yellow wheat, and stiff rye...
To dwell on the lost seasons
With melancholy tears...
And think of the old reaper
Who cuts back at the years!
Categories:
swathes, autumn, nature,
Form:
Rhyme
Where hazel bushes mix with sturdy oaks
and beech trees densely grow in shades of green
the fairy flowers come in early spring
attired in clothes of violet-blue sheen.
The swathes of bluebells, like a sheet unrolled
before our eyes, breathtaking to behold!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
This stanza is a Sexain or Sestet.
Contest: One Stanza
Sponsor: Broken Wings
Placed 4th
© 14th July 2016
Categories:
swathes, flower, nature,
Form:
Rhyme
as swallows land and swifts take flight
inside late noon’s last shards of light
the chill winds that descend on day
cause dense green swathes of reeds to sway
across the flooded vista’s ground
in harmony with nature’s sound
of shrills that echo through the air
from birds and insects everywhere
while stars with room to breathe and shine
light up a land divorced from time
to show the beauty and true worth
of life in balance here on earth.
Categories:
swathes, earth, environment, imagery, nature,
Form:
Rhyme
I've lived where orange blossoms fall
and flutter on the streets of Spain.
In Germany I've seen the wall,
and snow-capped mountains from the train.
I've known Bahamas' sunlight gleam
where palm trees shift in sultry air,
but Africa, exotic dream—
imagination takes me there.
I see the restless plains that stretch
to meet the blue, forever sky,
alive with teeming herds that sketch
a savage scene in my mind's eye.
I picture people, tall and proud,
whose ancestors have braved this land,
and tamed a wilderness, unbowed
by flooding, droughts, and burning sand.
And in this dream, white jasmine sends
a honeyed scent that hangs and bathes
the senses where the blue grass bends
to spice the air in pungent swathes.
At sunset, coral streamers drape
across horizon's purple bars,
and nighttime spreads its velvet cape,
bejeweled with half a billion stars.
I live in North America—
so cool and tame everything seems!
I've never been to Africa,
but I have seen it in my dreams.
Categories:
swathes, africa, travel,
Form:
Rhyme
Astound me with visual auroras
swathes of rainbows in chorus
that leap across lofty skies
strange intriguing patterns that rise
iridescent visions of midnight forests.
Mind bending colors turn sinister
haunting hues no longer minister
I awaken from dystopian dreams
seeking solace from simple means
I bask inside sunlight’s perimeter.
Written on 3/17/2018
Categories:
swathes, color, dream, light,
Form:
Rhyme
“Floating on prayer hymn the journey isn’t construed amiss,
it takes life through the stillness of soul to the bay of bliss.” – Quote by Poet
The unique landscape of life mesmerizing,
shrouded by the serene seclusion screen,
spreads the sensation of surreal stillness,
swathes me as I wander on my lonely journey.
The rippling breeze of spring beguiling,
captivates me with its charming cadence.
My essence roaming in the tranquility terrain,
gets suffused with the aura of rhapsody.
I walk on the fawn forest path meandering
through the shadow of the ancient trees,
shedding the wilted golden foliage of the fall
at the end of their verdant time.
My footsteps crumple the pile of leaves rustling,
making the morose music of aloneness
for my timeless journey within,
I am yet to finish.
At the sunset time trickling away unrelenting,
I saunter at the periphery of my livid landscape
toward the hazy horizon of obscurity,
to reach the eternal sanctum of serenity.
Flushed by the final flash of twilight tinge enthralling,
I am walking the last mile
on the remnant time-track to be traveled,
for the desolate journey in the domain of destiny.
________________
March 5, 2023
Word Chosen : Journey
Contest : Writing Challenge - "J" Words
Sponsored by : Constance La France
Categories:
swathes, analogy, destiny, life,
Form:
Free verse
stormbears
great swathes of rain
pushed, herded by gale gusts
from the north edging on arctic
moves down on polar bear paws
rumble, tumble dark across my sky
whispering vestiges of autumn
scatters sulky heat before them
brushes aside trees and grasses
balls of hail rat ta tat tatting on tin roof
enter my garden blustery bold
cool lips touch the last sweet petals
kiss away the dust of summer
soon they curl soft mounds
among pine, oak, hemlock
sleepdreaming of seas with ice palaces.
Categories:
swathes, autumn,
Form:
Free verse
A pple pickers gaily riding in wagons, sipping cider along the way, headed for orchards, on a crisp, clear sunny day.
U mbrellas turned inside out when wily north winds blow, and sheets of rain, without refrain, follow all the way home.
T urning leaves of gold and crimson hues, ignite the woodlands and city parks, a spectacular, humbling view.
U mber swathes of color, spreading over marsh and field, extinguishing summers rainbow palette, bronzing acres without yield.
M ischievious squirrels scamper, hording acorns in winter nests and wooly bear caterpillars journey to their rest.
N ight rises, dropping a charcoal veil, a choir of crickets chirping, in the chilly autumn air.
Categories:
swathes, autumn,
Form:
Acrostic
From Noonlight to Moonlight
I'll chance to mention a jaunt once took, along a sloping ridge; coming up steady o'er jakes ravine, cross the creaking pinewood bridge, tethering up the hosses, to a half charred lightening stricken tree; we gazed right down the 'scarpment at cattle roaming free after muffling up our riding boots in swathes of Hessian brown; stooping right over we made our way, by the darker shadowed ground, we got to to a stand of trees, that offered the needed hide; scuttling there as quick as quick, until we were inside made sure no herders were present, heard no sounds borne on the breeze; we picked out a couple of young heifers, this side of some bouldered scree then raising our crossbows silently, as moonglow licked each bolt; we loosed ..Whoosk.! the thuds)) sounded so strong you almost felt the jolt.: did i see a gleam in Mikkies eye?? could it be a heartfelt tear?? I said we had no real choice you know, my voice edged with tension & fear, a quick smile shot right back at me, as gazing deep in my eyes; she gave a hard kick into my shin, catching me by surprise!! saying now while I' affix the lariats Joe, you vamoose up the mountainside; get the horses and drags back soon, in case the rancher makes a ride, so I lit out for the ridge crest, my heart was beating wild." While swearing that damn hussey's more capricious than a wayward child; once on the ridge i scramble down, back to the waiting steeds quickly pulling the halters loose, my mind intent on speed!! soon I'm back with Mikkie, we pull the heifers onto the drags; then we're coaxing our horses up that draw!! headed for the safety of our own distant and shadowy crags. copyright Joe Maverick.co.uk
Categories:
swathes, cowboy-western,
Form:
Rhyme
In summer my garden comes alive
as graceful butterflies make it home.
Peacocks with vivid colours flit
from blossom to blossom
Busily working gathering nectar
pollinating as they go on to next
flower. All so pretty I love them all
visiting my climbing rambling roses.
Red Admirals, Swallow tails and monarchs
adding swathes of brilliant colour
chased by Skippers and Orange tips
as each one vies for one more bloom.
While Gatekeepers and Clouded Yellows
delicately sip from my hibiscus.
A cloud of Fritillary's descend on stocks
and Painted Ladies mock the sweet peas.
A drone of bumble bees sets the tune
for Tortoiseshells to dance to.
Purple Emperors set the scene
as they visit my asters and begonia's.
Ah! sweet summer flowers, all
are kissed by Comma's and Coppers
bringing my garden to life
with joy as they all busily work
written 08/12/2015
contest Skat's Butterflies
Categories:
swathes, butterfly, flower,
Form:
Personification
Absolute Beauty’s Celestial Delineation, Evening’s Festoons , Golden Hues, Inviting Jubilation, Kid’s Laughter, Myriad Nodes Of Picturesque Quietness, Resplendant Swathes, Tufts, Utilitarian Vision Weaving ‘Xtra Youthful Zest.
For: John Freeman's contest
By: S.Jagathsimhan Nair, 29 OCT 11
Categories:
swathes, nature,
Form:
ABC
She was conceived of Springtime’s grace. Flower- child molded from the freshness and a burst of indescribable hues. Like Sabbath delicacy and freckled tints of June morning; this woman became the melody of dawn and solace of midnight. Until, grey winter blinded her eyes so almond. Cycles of discoveries slipped between dark and glitter. Oh, but her spirit remained undaunted--- more daring and quite misunderstood. Grandma listened to a glowing sky, instead; and fondled avian drawings through her chest. Her passion for life was full just the same.
through a roused breeze
image flares, tracing colors...
muted in darkness
Nonetheless, she tended leaves evergreen. More trails of seasons arose and departed; and in between, her words laced the Braille with wonder. Grandma held the moon that spiked her hunger for more flowers. She decorated her own thoughts without need for remorse; imagination came with her own sunsets, endless. And her fire for life was full just the same.
as leaves cluttered
moonlight swathes blossoms...
opening new roots
Haibun Form Contest, Broken Wings
9.30.2013
Categories:
swathes, inspirational, nature, strength,
Form:
Haibun
So the records say on a past day,
The Dalai Lama sat on a peaceful bench, not that far away!
I had to find out if he was right,
So set off to sit on this Anglesey delight,
When I got to Llanbadrig church,
The wind was swirling high on the purch,
A boat was bouncing gracefully on the waves,
With gulls gracing the heavens, in swathes,
Knights graves still stood on the church wall,
Standing elegant, graceful and more,
The singing and dancing spiritual treat,
Added to the deafening silence on this magical seat,
Tiptoeing my way through this windy crowd,
High up on this Delai Lamas spiritual cloud.
Categories:
swathes, appreciation, beauty, faith, inspiration,
Form:
Couplet
Illusions,symbols of childhood,
coloured filled swathes of painterly
hues.A private fantasy in slow
motion suspended in space.An
abstracted blur in flashbacks of
yesteryear,caught in a daydream.
Categories:
swathes, art, fantasy, nostalgia,
Form:
Verse
I’ve lost a word.
I’ve dropped it somewhere
and I can’t find it now.
Four syllables, I think,
the swathes of a poem.
I’ve lost inspiration.
And it wasn’t great, you know,
just a word, as big as it gets
to let the poem come of age
in the plantations of paper.
I’ve lost moments
from my Secret Time’s pendulum
and the path
my mind follows
when it strides
off the beaten track.
I’ve lost few letters,
the aura that renders them a word
and the hues they take
when they’re stored in mind.
I’ve lost a voice
from my blood’s volumes
its activeness, its mood
its subject and its object.
Maybe it’s being tricky,
just playing a prank
or it may only be preparing
an epigram
‘The great poet who thought
he’s found the word!’
Categories:
swathes, inspirational, introspection, lost, lost,
Form:
Free verse