Best Tackled Poems
In memory of----
Solely in my room, I can't stomach the sound of my pulse
I sit here alone to forget the taste of air.
Overwhelm by the scene -unbelievable footage
18 seconds long, "I can't breathe."
My judgment "GONE" stressing all night long
I use to fear dark colors, now I fear spinning bright lights
Red, White, and Blue, I spew the NY crew
What's wrong with your blue eyes?
You see him, you want him to die
What a day to trade -- a life for illegal cigarettes
Persecution and judgment day, sweet life - taken away
"I can't breathe", executed in broad daylight!
Bullets left and right
Who's policing the police
What happened to mind our business?
Moneymaker refused to be singled out
A hurting voice tackled by racism
Free to see, pouring his heavy heart,
Oinkers demand the ground, shutting down his testament
8 times too many, "I can't breathe!"
Where did his vitals go?
No one to tap him out, pound the pavement!
What the hell, why are you just standing there???
Stress, anger, madness, the voice of innocence
"I can't breathe." the volume to valium
"Officer, did you not hear the man?"
Are you deaf, have you forgotten how to save a life?
Is it just the NYPD or is it every other badge,
Insinuating crime's a one-color show.
We are all criminals, why the excessive heat?
Shot, tasered, beat down, pepper-sprayed, now on the ground
The mother of all chokeholds, murdered, outnumbered
The echoes remain "I can't breathe!"
- The truth!
Eric Garner robbed of his own natural path and youth
One man down eyed suspiciously
Perplexed minds suffocating him instantly
The mistrusted, the awe, the hate,
So tangible, uniforms using deadly force
One asthmatic in a chokehold
Slamming his head on the floor
Open wounds, worldwide tears
My heart goes to the family and friends left behind
A courageous last breath, for the first and last time
"I can't breathe," now deceased.
You left this world unwilling, waking up a strong community
Strolling in a safer world, where racial discrimination doesn't exist
"I can't breathe," Eric Garner Rest in peace!
By: PD
Categories:
tackled, abuse, bullying, color, discrimination,
Form:
Free verse
The Playbill for the 9/8/01 show at Godspeed Opera House falls from my palm to the floor. Here I sit, with a drugged hangover but alive. The last thing I remember is a suicide note in the Underwood typewriter on my desk, beside an ashtray of Blanche's lipstick smeared butts. Putting back on, the bifocals that had been dangling from one ear; I frown. I can't remember arriving? A phone's ringing; I stumble toward the tone. Odd looking thing, I think, as I bend over. The note taped to it says; it's a cell phone? "What the hell?" As I flip it open, I'm tackled. My heel slips on a broken pencil; I'm down. "What did you do? You bastard," he bawls, waving an airline ticket in my face. Looking toward him, I notice the stage still lit. He grabs the cell phone, "What the hell is this? You a commie spy?"- The 'phone? screen?' says 'Fred go to the opera house by midnight or you're both dead.' The curtain parts revealing a pool of blood: a chord is struck.
It's midnight accordin' to the ticker. I have a moment's relief before my arm's wrenched behind me. I'm cuffed. There's a shout from the lobby and the sound of sirens. Lifting me, he shoves me to the wall; locks me to the door pull. The theater hall appears empty except for us. Through a door, he charges. "Back here guys." The SWAT team arrives. "Smells like the dead in here Marco's, where's the body?"
"Ask him. Take him out and open some damned windows will ya." Two of the gorillas toss me on the porch under the moth laden lights. Just when the cop was about to kick me in the head; a woman screams. The coppers run inside. I hear a crash and a half dozen clod hoppers trompin', then through the door rolls a single gold earring. I scream "Blanche!!!!!!"
The crew hollers CUT-PRINT-It's a WRAP. I smile as Blanche saunters out.
Categories:
tackled, mystery, drug,
Form:
Prose Poetry
The Play Bill for the Godspeed Opera House fell from my sweaty palm to the floor. 9/08/01. I’m still alive; it’s a miracle. Pushing my bifocals back, I frown. I can’t remember anything after arriving at 11pm.? A cell phone rings. I stumble toward the buzz; bend over to look for it, when I’m tackled from the wing. My heel slips on a broken pencil; I’m down.What did you do? You bastard,he bawls; looking toward the old theater house’s stage. He grabs the phone, retrieving the last message— Fred get to the opera house by midnight or you’re both dead.
the curtains part
revealing a pool of blood:
a chord is struck
Seems I’m alive and after midnight too. I had a moment’s relief. My arm’s wrenched to my back. The pain’s hard to ignore. I feel cold metal; he shackles me. There’s a shout from the lobby and the sound of sirens. Lifting me, he shoves me to the wall fixing the cuffs to the door pull. The theater hall is empty except for the two of us. Through an open door, he charges.We’re back here guys. It’s clear.That moment alone was all I had. The SWAT team arrived. Smells like the dead in here Marco’s where the body?“Ask him why don’t yah. Take him out and open some damned windows will ya. Two of the gorillas toss me out on the porch for a closer look under the moth ladden lights. Just when the cop was about to kick me in the head—a woman screams.
Categories:
tackled, mystery,
Form:
Haibun
The Play Bill falls from my sweaty palm to the floor
September 8, 2001 and I'm still alive; it's a miracle.
Pushing my bifocals back up my nose, I frown.
I can't remember the play at all?
A cell phone rings. I stumble toward the closed doors.
Bending over, I'm approached from the wing and tackled.
My heel slip-rolls on a broken pencil; I'm down.
What did you do you bastard, he bawls.
the curtains part
revealing a pool of blood:
a chord is struck
My arm's wrenched to my back the pain's hard to ignore.
Arms back, I feel cold metal, he puts on shackles
From the outside, there's a shout; a cop's siren sounds;
he lifts and shoves me to the wall.
Categories:
tackled, betrayal,
Form:
Verse
No dove coos, the sun
sleeps below morn's horizon....
family rises
animals still sleep
old man gets upon his feet....
scent of bacon floats
coffee's aroma
wafts upon darkened cold room....
computer alive
buttered toast awaits
time to lie in the warm sun....
breakfast eaten soon
dogs stand by her chair
begging for some bites of food....
bacon entices
day's chores soon tackled
with much enthusiasm....
farmer plants those seeds
fatigue calls out rest
a nap is caught in his chair....
work some more outdoors
whip-poor-wills calls come
night has slipped in the front door....
two dogs, old man rest
Inspired by Marvin Celestial
Haiku about my family
Written: May 6, 2016
Categories:
tackled, family,
Form:
Haiku
Contn'd from Pg 1
So she called out to the stranger and asked for a ride
Snow had fallen heavily and already piled three feet high
When she climbed into the four-wheel truck never giving it another thought
Before he headed down the highway, he went into a crowded bar
Intuition nudged her, ‘get out now, turn back!’ But pride urged her, 'stay'
He returned with a brown bag; appearing harmless as he turned to her
‘Say, you’re trembling!’ He said and flashed a breathless smile
‘Here, have a slug, of this, it’ll warm you up, pretty girl!’
Hesitation loomed for a minute then she accepted the bag from his hand
Young Rachel, was now treading a path beyond thin, cracking ice
As tears stung her beautiful eyes, she'd never had a drink this strong
How her vacant tummy rebelled against the searing burn
Nausea arose from deep within, and she began to have regrets
Registering strong protest, her regurgitation would later accuse her killer
Her faith was sealed as there were no open doors left for escape
And before she realized he had made a reckless wide left turn
Down the snow covered dirt path through tall pines and fir
No longer were there sightings of sparsely lit farm houses
Interspersed along the desolate, picturesque landscape
The four-wheeler tackled with ease, snow drifts of fresh fallen snow
Where the following spring young Rachel's body would be discovered
That night Rachel laid buried under a few feet of snow
She was at rest now to awaken to eternity in sunny fields
Beautiful as daisies growing in heaven, carefree and endlessly in bloom!
~*~
For: Rachel..R.I.P.
Categories:
tackled, dedication, life, loss, sad,
Form:
Free verse
I knew I loved you, I knew I always did, I loved you then,
Every day of then, so much I’d lay down to die.
We had a rainbow, navigating this Earth,
A spectacular, impossible rainbow filling our sky.
I loved you when you tackled my heart, grappled it down,
Held it, stomped it into the ground.
My heart became obedient, yearning for your word,
Patiently waiting for it’s turn to come around.
But you stood, foot firmly on loves throat,
Making sure it couldn’t breathe or move or moan.
You stood as we watched our love quietly die,
Watching as I built our love’s headstone.
But you didn’t realise my love was smart and strong,
That it had planted a seed before it died.
This seed grew into a new rainbow, a new love of my life,
That was strong and honest, it was dignified.
My memories I’ll always respect, always nurture,
Cherish like an honest hands on martial art.
And I’ll always defend my soul with this magical karate,
Used by the formidable love that’s in my heart.
11th June for contest
Categories:
tackled, love,
Form:
Quatrain
The campfire crackled
As old friends tackled
The problems of the day
The problems weren’t solved
But everyone involved
Felt they had melted away
Categories:
tackled, fire, friend,
Form:
Rhyme
Rugby, what a beautiful and passionate game
Its not about money, fashion or fame.
Invented one day by a guy named Webb
How do go "I have a game to play"?
A war that's fought on a muddy field
They'll give their last breath to insure victory is sealed.
The pride of a nation rests on their shoulders
They have the heart, they're stood like boulders.
Its not about winning and they know
We're a rugby nation, we wanna see heart and a good show.
With quick passes out to the wings
The Millennium erupts, the entire country sings.
He's on his twenty two, he has a way to go
And stood in front of him is a Tommy Bow.
He has the pace and a Rugby brain
He makes ten yards and changes his lane.
He beats the one but not the other
A cheeky offload, its in the hands of his brother.
He's tackled fast and what a hit!
Two minutes on the floor he'll need to sit.
The balls been recovered and passed inside
The forwards have got it, you better run and hide.
Bests of men who never get the glory
I think their work is 80% of the story.
We're just over the half way and today's not the defenses day.
They missed their chance,
the ball went back but they was all in a trance.
We still have the ball and we're smashing trough
Now we're on their twenty two.
The balls being passed from left to right
Their looking for a gap, that little bit of daylight.
Our captain he gets in in his two hands
He boulders through on his ass the defender lands.
That was it! The chance we need
He done his job, he knows how to lead.
The ball goes out straight to the right
Only one defender left in the fight.
One quick dummy and he's been conned
He touches the ball down and you see the brotherly bond.
Crying, cheering and cwtching and that's just the crowd
They can take a break, they done their country proud.
Those feelings they have I'll never know
I just wanted to say, "Thank you for the show".
Categories:
tackled, beautiful, celebration, culture, inspiration,
Form:
Couplet
In the world of masters and slaves
There were species of great kind reunited
Conversation never ends until late dawn
Time filled with laughs, smiles and wisdom shared.
Connection has no beginning nor end only sparks
Everything was validated since things were immemorial
Uttered words flown, and rippled in every tic of the clock
Energy within radiates its truest nature with exuberance.
Great ideas shared, validated and confirmed intensely
Vivid past, present and future goals created
Propensity in possibility and probability were realized
Growing mass ideas shown beyond its radiance.
Mind boggling reality tackled constructively
Consciousness traversed more than expectations
Never ending creations transpired every thought made
Heart beats and magnify each moment eyes blinked.
Inner and outer influences changed as vibration rectified
Various auric colors seen as energies intertwined
Essence of them simply exudes greatness
Amongst of all whisperers roamed around continually.
Categories:
tackled, adventure, fantasy, memorial, symbolism,
Form:
Free verse
Playing soccer as kids for their very first time,
he only five and she just turned six.
She simply looks his way,
and the ball is passed without any tricks.
The other lads look on in disbelief,
as the passes are abundant.
Not a word between them, just quick looks and fleeting smiles,
Nothing is redundant.
They attend different schools,
their acquaintance is brief.
His hazel green eyes remain in her memory,
without any relief.
Years later an opposing cheerleader looks familiar,
at a college football game.
When tackled on the visitor’s side,
his eyes look up, rekindling a flame.
He passes out, then graduates,
Taking a job in the city.
They almost meet again, on a blind date,
but the fates disallow, such the pity.
In a grand hotel, she stands beautifully in a wedding dress,
as a groom looks on lovingly, eyes burning.
She daydreams of another pair of eyes,
contemplating an old yearning.
She runs, preempting the ceremony,
leaving audience in shock and dismay.
No meeting of soulful hearts this time,
this day.
Years later still, a pleasant voice calls for help
while fishing a stream in the wild.
He responds with net at the ready,
only to find a familiar, great smile.
As he nets the fish, their eyes lock,
and she says thanks for the assist.
His heart thumps loudly within his chest,
It’s nothing really, it’s a trophy not to be missed.
She hesitates, have we met ?
I have the strongest feeling of déjà vu.
Regaining composure he says, maybe, but ..
I think I’d remember you.
Minutes later they sit chatting away,
like kids who’ve just met.
Their souls seem older though,
and linked in a way neither will soon forget.
Categories:
tackled, girlfriend-boyfriend, inspirational, lost love
Form:
Rhyme
It was snowing, and in the middle of a great big storm… as…
Another storm raged on, inside our dear, sweet little Dragon,
His penguins so care free, were now chasing after, you see…
The great Dragon Country Western Singer and Star, ‘Drago’!
Yep, they wanted autographs from that OTHER musical Guy!
Dressed up in country attire, as they two-stepped, down the hall.
So Dragon put on his cowboy boots and hat, and other fine stuff…
And caterwauled, in competition! Low and behold, surprising us all!
We fell, begged, & prayed for Dragon, to stop, what he was a doing.
He thought he was, grander than grand, for us to be bowing and cooing.
In truth, we were merely, passing out, from traumatic exhaustion!
As he stopped we tackled him, to the ground, which was the only option.
He was so happy; to have such devoted fans, swarm over him, instead!
He was rushed into a sound proof room, to record for YouTube, we said.
In mercy to all, we turned off the sound, so he unknowingly, lip-synced.
Yep, to Drago’s song! Low and behold! He got 50 million hits, I am told.
With so much acclaim, for the video! Royalties roared in, so we decided.
To rent a big bus, to take us, next summer, to see our new friend Drago!
So beware, there’s still time, to get out of town! This truly is, a warning.
I impart, and if he tries to sing again, have a soundproof room a waiting!
And between you two, in a music video, you and Drago will be set for life!
Don’t forget, the penguins, want to dance, in the video with their idols.
Isn’t it amazing, how stories can unfold, to quiet, the WORST of storms?
But Beware, two Dragons, bring bigger storms, than one alone can form!
Written 2-28-2015
Categories:
tackled, celebrity, fantasy, fun, funny,
Form:
Light Verse
You give into peer pressure and hesitantly cut class,
So you can smoke cancer sticks and,
Get high in the school bathroom with,
Five other boys that are your so called friends,
A security guard smells the cigarette smoke and,
Chases you out of the bathroom and down the hall,
Everyone gathers at the classroom windows to watch,
As eight more guards join in on the chase,
You run up and down the halls all the way to the eighth floor,
Quickly you hide in a supply closet as the guards turn the corner and run past,
Once the coast is clear you sneak back downstairs to the first floor,
Unwittingly you stop to talk to a girl,
In doing so the guards spot you on the cameras and give chase once again,
Unsuspecting you are rushed at by a guard and tackled,
Soon after all of the other guards pile on top,
All the while the girl you were talking to watches in amazement as you're,
Hauled off in flex cuffs to the principals office,
You sit in silence as the principal yells at you and,
Gives you three weeks of detention,
All the while you never knew that a fellow student recorded the whole ordeal,
And posted it on youtube under the name,
"kid gives school security guards a run for their money"
Which has already been viewed over three million times in the last five minutes,
You don't know it yet but you just went from being a nobody,
To a five star bad boy,
Categories:
tackled, education, high school, student,
Form:
Free verse
a modest snowball
spirals through the air--
burst of laughter
As soon as I see his expression, I know I'm in trouble. I usually have terrible aim, so my success is a result of pure luck. I watch his body stiffen in surprise before he wipes the snow from his shoulder and turns toward me. He tries to keep a straight face - to be intimidating - but of course his lips twitch until they stretch into his trademark grin. Shaking his head, his sparkling eyes say, You're in for it now.
Swallowing another laugh, I turn to flee, but he's faster. Before I know it, his arms have encircled my waist and I'm being tackled to the ground.
a heavy snowfall
softens the frozen ground--
two breaths mingle
Categories:
tackled, love, seasons,
Form:
Haibun
It never ceases to amaze me
how much loving care is given
by our overworked medical staff.
Their dedication to patients supreme.
When one stops to think of abuse
that is often thrown their way.
It makes one wonder how they cope
with screaming thrashing confused people.
How hard to know that someone is dying
yet still show them kindness and respect.
All the while knowing their best is not enough
as a young child loses its battle against cancer.
Then the nasty jobs involving personal dignity
that are tackled with fortitude and grace.
Yes Indeed! Both our doctors and nurses
are the true angels worth their weight in gold
Categories:
tackled, angel, devotion,
Form:
Ode