Best Symbolized Poems
flowers are women
in my family’s garden -
Mom and her daughters
rhythm surrounds me
as I sway in contentment -
September’s Aster
Geranium Jen
bends graciously in the breeze -
our southern comfort
charming Melanie
with her sunflower brightness
warms us with her smiles
Our sister Doris
the stalwart Gladiolus
will never fail us
With perseverance
Thea boldly holds her own -
sweet Delphinium
Mom at our center
a spiritual iris
simply inspires us
A forget-me-not
for my sisters and mother -
and roses of love
WRitten May 3, 2016 for the Haiku on "My Family"Poetry Contest of marvin celestial
(I used flowers that symbolized the traits of my sisters and my mother)
The lake was still sleeping
a light mist rose above,
a weathered dock could be seen,
its aged wood; full of memories.
The air crisp, breeze light,
trees majestic; watching all.
Squirrels busy scampering,
as a flock of geese soared above.
Way over yonder
clear across the still lake,
shining brightly were yellow shutters,
on our cabin; our special place.
We had toiled the garden
planted yellow roses with great care,
we had painted the old wood shutters,
yellow paint; speckled our hair.
The roof we re-shingled,
one painstaking nail at a time,
we even counted the ouches;
when our hammers got out of line.
With nothing but smiles
on our weary, aching bodies,
we held hands, and went running,
into the still of the lake; giggling.
We swam out to the dock,
it was a race; he won,
my hand he took laughing;
as he quickly scooped me up.
Our toes dangled playfully
sending ripples in the lake,
as we gazed at our cabin;
yellow shutters; fresh with paint.
The trees swayed slightly
as if nodding with approval,
for our cabin by the lake,
was our private sacred jewel.
As we cuddled together
warmth filled our souls,
for our bright yellow shutters,
symbolized, our love's blossoming growth.
It was on this very dock,
air crisp, breeze light,
when he gave me a yellow rose;
and asked me to be his wife.
Into the deep woods cheerfully I walked
Following the path of a lone shining star
Hosting a magical fairytale in my heart
Beholding sweet visions of who you are.
Sights and sounds symbolized the dark
Resonating nocturnal bird's wailing call
Alarmed by the whining of porcupines
Breaking silence of a formative night fall.
Gentle winds blew carrying ardent vibes
As your beautiful sight graced my eyes
Being a regal princess in heavenly attire
Delighting the province of moonlit skies.
Flashing mythic smile in lyrical vocabulary
Attuned to the cadence of musical strings
You whispered to voices of sensual wishes
Arousing passions seductive dream brings.
As you then kissed me I became a prince
Adding a new chapter to ancient allegory
Until the bird songs rudely awakened me
Alerting you to vanish before end my story.
January 8, 2019
Poem of the day on January 10, 2019
Placed first in February 2019 week 1 contest by Brian Strand
Placed 2nd in Into the woods poetry contest by Silent One
I was once really new to our Poetry Soup,
and I knew I should try to join in with the group;
post my poems on-site to be read by a few,
and then give it a whirl, join a contest or two.
Soon a couple of them were a win, a good score;
was on top of the world, so I entered one more.
But to my big surprise when that contest was done,
my sad eyes saw in fact that my write had not won.
I clicked on 'Contest Entries' and saw it was there.
But, behold, a strange sign near that one, I declare!
A N/A- what was that? Very weird, was this right?
Could not find what it meant anywhere on the site.
So I looked up N/A on the Internet, but
what I found was not good, left me still in a rut.
This N/A symbolized a long list, now for me,
my head spun to fit in which of these it could be??
N/A…Not Applicable………Did I not follow rules?
N/A…Not Available………Did my entry get lost?
N/A…No Answer………Did they try to call me?
N/A…Not Authorized………Did I need an okay?
N/A…No Action………Did I fail to take steps?
N/A…Negative Approach………Did I say something wrong?
N/A…Not Analyzed………Should my write be explained?
N/A…No Acknowledgement………Did I fail to respond?
N/A…No Account………Did PS lose my file?
I Soup-Mailed contest judge and her answer therein,
“Well you see, the N/A means your piece did not win!"
Now I still do not know what N/A represents
When my poems don't win in Soup contest events!
December 22, 2014
~1st Place~
Contest: All Yours (Jun 8)
Brian Strand
Judged: 06/09/2021
~1st Place~
Contest: Quirky Things That Confuse and Confound Me
Sponsor: Caren Krutsinger
Judged: 07/14/2018
~1st Place~
Contest: New or Old 4
Sponsor: Eve Roper
Judged: 08/05/2016
~1st Place~
Contest: The Contest
Sponsor: Jerry T. Curtis
Judged: 01/10/2015
Anapestic Tetrameter (5 verses of 12-syllables lines)
Anapestic Dimeter (N/A Section - Questions Only)
After my father died, I moved to his old house
Donated many large items to charities
As each item was removed, tears streamed down my blouse
But some were not wanted; what would become of these?
Set up a table in the yard; sign said, “Free Stuff”
The old Underwood typewriter wasn’t set out
Parting with memories it evoked was just too rough
It symbolized Dad’s life, without any doubt
The late night hours a CPA spent at his desk
With my cat curled up next to him, evoking grins
As Dad typed away, little Prince looked statuesque
I learned to type on what is now a “has been”
This manual contraption replaced by high tech
Represented a man who worked to provide
Freely offering love, but stretching each pay check
To give us a better life, Dad’s efforts applied
The hours work took away from his family
I used to resent, but I understand more now
A sacrifice he made for my siblings and me
The thought of parting with it I couldn’t allow
The typewriter remains on Dad’s desk in the den
As a reminder of how hard he worked to please
Sometimes I still peck at the letters now and then
When I’m missing Dad most, somehow it brings me peace
This quiet night the earth was still.
A Virgin birth would be fulfilled.
A real bright star would lead their way,
to a manger, so far away.
The Magi's gifts were for a King.
Frankincense , Myrrh, and Gold, to bring.
Mary's miracle comes to life, as
Joseph watched with great surprise.
This precious scene, God-Child arrives.
As the Magi's hear, the baby's cries.
Simeon asked to hold the son,
for he knows, he's the Holy one.
Amazing grace was felt within.
As they all praised, the new born King.
Jesus, Jesus this gift from God.
He sent for us from up above.
Oh Holy Night the Angels sing,
to us is brought, a new born King.
Dying for us and then risen.
The greatest gift, ever given.
Did you know that the three gifts the
Magi brought the new born Jesus had
very special meaning? The Frankincense
symbolized Jesus Divinity and Godly role.
The Gold symbolized Jesus Kingship, and
the Myrrh symbolized Jesus death and
Embalming fragrance. The greatest gifts
didn't come from the Magi. It came from
Jesus, for Jesus gave up his life and died
for us so by repenting and believing in
him he promises forgiveness and
everlasting life in Heaven. The Greatest
Gift Ever Given was Jesus himself to die
and take our penalty of sin, a man who
never sinned. How great was he?
Wishing Everyone Peace, Love and Joy
during Christmas, God bless you all...
A crystal-clear picture!
The embodiment of courage!
An unsung Warrior, vigorously protecting uprooted,
heart-broken kin, and many shelterless,
After a devastating partition of the homeland!
A man in his prime, giving up
dreams of comfort, luxury, indulgence,
Embraces a life of unimaginable hardships,
a life of never-ending toil,
So others feel safe, after a harrowing experience!
A life of everyday struggle for survival,
A life of torturous self-deprivation,
a life of agonizing separation -
From own loved ones,
so others live with theirs!
I remember the powerful hands,
which symbolized strength, offering a refuge,
I remember the devotion and dedication,
the tenderest care, the soulful empathy!
I remember the determined voice which symbolized
assurance, calming fearful souls.
Partition of a homeland - an unforeseen,
traumatic, curse for millions of sufferers,
Surviving with bare minimum, in an
unknown land, for an unpredictable future!
Leaving behind all cherished memories,
precious and prized possessions.
To me, One man symbolized -
how to climb uphill
Carrying a formidable weight,
on the steepest mountain,
And reach the summit
with sheer determination and indomitable spirit!
He is My Father!
September 8, 2020
Winner In Courage - Premier Poetry Contest
Sponsor: Chantelle Anne Cook
Tracing my fingers on his lips
I knew they told me lies,
I kissed them anyway
I had loved the way love tastes...
Fingers intertwined in mine,
He said he was mine,
He sealed it with another kiss,
A kiss of lies
Lay beside me
Reminiscing
On our highs and lows,
And the years that passed us by- so slow
My eyes told him i loved him
The pained expression in his
Told me he didn’t feel the same way.
Kiss of lies
Trying to change
What evidently lies
Ahead.
I tried to memorize
How his face felt under my hands
And his posture when he stands
I tried to etch
His scent onto mine
Grasping at anything that would
Keep us close,
Frantically trying
Because i wanted him to feel the same way
I wanted him to stay,
My heart knew overtime
That something had changed
Kiss of lies
In the life
He had promised me
Even when he knew he’d leave
Kiss of lies
He didn’t love me
He just wanted use me
One last time
Before he said goodbye
Kiss of lies
On his tongue
That promised me the world,
And had me believing in
Fairytale scenes
And things made up in our dreams,
Like “I love you” and “i do’s”
With tiny hands
That symbolized
The depth of love shared.
Kiss of lies
That played across his lips
In soft whispers
And internal tears,
I refused to be
Driven by fear;
Not this time,
Love WOULD be my lifeline...
He leaned in close,
Brushed his lips against mine,
Promised that he’ll always be mine
He said it all with a smile
And his
Kiss of lies
I am an ephemeral purple flower, a rare variety,
named as most beautiful!
Did that arouse adoration to a mother’s heart?
She chose the name for her baby in the womb,
She thought, my name suits best for her girl
Who was going to arrive soon!
My name kindled her imagination…and she
remembered the Princess of Malawa in disguise,
the enchanting dancer and heroine of Sanskrit classic...
Prince Agnimitra enamoured by her
beauty, grace and talents - happy ending to the historical
Romance, although after gripping intrigue!
Part of my name indicates a garland, usually
used for worship ….to the mother I symbolized
all the traits - kindness, strength, wisdom, and grace...
she wished her daughter to possess!
Potpourri
By: Tom Wright
7/16/03
God gave me Passion of Heart when discovering first love,
A prayer for Love and Peace as symbolized by His Dove.
I have the Confidence of an Oak, deep rooted and unbending,
I glimpsed the Joy of a Dragonfly ere midsummer's day ending.
I've the Enthusiasm of a Butterfly, as it nectars a flower,
and the Patience to accept Life, hour by hour.
Land of the free
Home of the slaves
The blood, sweat and tears of my ancestors resonate
Amongst the soil where they were slain
I’m hearing their struggle
I’m feeling their pain
I can’t imagine being forced to part from my family
All for massa’s gain
So I pay homage to those who promoted change
People like every slave who tried to escape
Nat Turner, Ms Carlotta, Harriet Tubman
And the safe houses who were in accord
And peg leg Joe with his song
Follow the drinking gourd.
People like, the disregarded - those thrown overboard
And who was dismissed and defamed
The ones who were stripped of their soul, their pride, their names
The list could go on
The full will never be told
So I pay homage to others who were bold
Like John Brown, The Freedom Riders, Sojourner Truth
Ida B Wells, Phyllis Wheatley, Maya Angelou,
Langston Hughes and Charles Drew
George Washington Carver, Ruby Bridges
Booker T Washington and Mary McCleod Bethune
Charles Houston, Ralph Bunche, Fredrick Douglass
WEB Dubois, Paul Robeson, Ralph Abernathy
Benjamin Banneker, Marcus Garvey and Crispus Attucks
Who’s death by the way
Symbolized the American lie
You cant declare the rights of all men
While the people of African decent rights get denied
But still we rise
Thanks to Dr Martin Luther King, Malcolm X,
The Black Panthers, the Buffalo Soldiers and Tuskegee Airmen
None who were showed any love
Yeah it’s an uphill battle,
But obviously greatness can be done.
We can rise above this stigma
That blacks are lazy and daunting
That our worth is null and void
And in essence minus nothing
And of all the names mentioned
And the greatness of their successes
No one has been able to erase the evil transgressions of a racist mind
And once you have experienced just a taste of it
It changes your perception of time
The oppression beats like the drum on the chariot
Of when it was finally time to escape to freedom
It's mine
My love do you remember when we met?
At the Rubandikarya corner near the gigantic cypress tree,
An old sport known for romance,
Where lovers used to meet evening hours?
And they would do their romantic chanting?
That was the epitome of our dates.
My Love do you remember the letters we used to send each other?
The letters we could scribble on dirty papers,
Because our parents complained of how books were expensive,
Though the spellings used to confuse our thoughts,
But our hearts would understand the lines and smile,
Then the funny images of us we would draw at the end of the letter,
Though they looked funny but symbolized our true love.
My Love do you remember the crazy games we used to play?
Hide and seek, kalongolongo, baba na mama etc.
They made us look stronger in our love than today,
They made us smile even when tears were forcing their way into our love,
They made us see love not as the world sees it today,
They made us be called love drunkards.
My Love, that love, where has it gone?
That love that every one used to gossip about,
That love that made us be called idiots,
That love that made us nicknamed Romeo and Juliet,
That love that wiped off our tears when pain sprouted,
That love that made even dogs be jealous of us,
It’s that love that I need.
My Love I need the love we had before evolution,
The love that always overlooked the boundaries,
The love that never hid behind shame of nature,
Love that never used to shout in public,
But would whisper into our ears soft music,
That glued our hearts together.
That love that carried us within the harsh whispers of the wind,
Moved us through the claws of the storm,
Shielded us from the terror of darkness,
Sheltered us from the tears of the sky,
Gave us a shade when the sun scorched,
That love my Love, is all I need.
My Love, that love they call old school love,
Is the love that will prosper us,
It’s the love that will crown us amongst mighty Kings,
It’s the Love that will raise us above the turmoil of the world,
Pass us through the devils traps,
And set us on our predestined throne of Eternal Joy.
Old School Love!
He would have dissolved the congress party
Would have stopped at once all its festivity
Certainly would have gone on hunger strike
And, would have, launched a blistering attack.
He would have wholly banned the sacred khadi
That some time ago symbolized utmost sanctity
According to him it stood for human dignity
And no present day politician is found worthy.
He would have removed all sorts of reservations
And would have urged people to spurn such sops
Encouraged developing self respect minus props
To earn bread thro’ honest labor of sweat drops.
He promptly would have stopped all pensions
At the moment enjoyed by the freedom-fighters
Would have told them to return the allowances
As serving the motherland calls for great sacrifices.
He would have fought against all injustices
Would have put full stop to discriminations
Which divide the people and the human race
And create a schism in a fragile social order.
He would have banned entry of all the Mnc’s
And encouraged forcefully all rural industries
Making the village development a focal point
That aims for growth and banishes unemployment.
He would have stoutly advocated family planning
Convincing the public to practice non-indulgence
To help the nation prosper with self-reliance
And avoid facing consequences of dependence.
The state of affairs is so stomach-churning today
It is good that he attained martyrdom on that day
Were he alive to witness the present day nonsense
He might have sought the slayer pleading death.
In ancient times when cruelty abounded, everyone's fate
was controlled by powerful gods who engaged in debate...
deciding where they lived, how they met their death;
today they are similar ones but act with much stealth.
The twenty century was chaotic, bloody and bellicose;
Nazism represented world power, conquest and victory,
and Fascism symbolized the iron hand of ugly tyranny...
Roosevelt and Churchill had a plan to subdue their vice.
Maddened Hitler committed suicide by poison and
Mussolini was hung in Milan; these despised tyrants
faced their final hour enraged by the advancing fiend,
but did they realize the atrocity of their madness?
When men become gods, their morals can sink very low
and by pursuing power, they mock the one who dreams;
and while expanding their evil empire to the extremes,
they gloat over their rivals' wealth--fearing it will grow.
Golden Eagle
A raptor formed from days of dinosaurs—
the largest and most nimble- it is said
our Golden Eagle flies with highest scores
for fear. Neath clouds, heroic wings are spread
with grace, but carry death- talons, and beak
his tools of killing prowess honed to hunt
down prey in tree or nest from mountain peak-
adept at swooping down, sharp eyes confront.
Yet, as a symbol, Golden Eagle gleams;
from fledgling on, his strength presents a sign-
a calling to be etched in cultures' dreams.
His courage symbolized- with him aligned:
The aspirations to attain new heights—
and self-discovery through soaring flights.
Sandra M. Haight
~5th Place~
Contest: Golden Eagle
Sponsor: Shadow Hamilton
Judged: 10/23/2015