Best Take Stock Of Poems
How easy it is to get wrapped up
In our own little universe
The cocoon of the daily grind
Of going about our business
Trying to protect our turf
‘Cause we’re more fragile than we let on
We live in fear that aggressors surround us
Propelling us to not forget and not forgive
Yet when we step back and
Focus on the meaning of our life
On the direction we want to take
And the legacy we’ll leave behind
We do want to be kinder and
Contribute to a better world
Not just for us but for mankind
In the end we’ll face our Maker
Standing alone solely accountable
For our deeds and misdeeds
Responsible for our own journey
For how we cultivated our heart
And the goodwill we did impart
When tallied will we have done enough
Or will we be asking for forgiveness
For barely meeting a passing grade
With this in mind and while it’s not too late
Let’s all take stock of what’s in our heart
All start practicing forgiveness
And letting go of the past as we realize
To forgive is to set ourselves free
AP: 3rd place 2025
Submitted on November 3, 2018 for contest SOMEONE FORGIVEN YOU: WHEN IS THE LAST TIME YOU'VE FORGIVEN DRAMATIC VERSE sponsored by JAMES EDWARD LEE SR - RANKED 4TH
As Thanksgiving Day rolls around again,
I take stock of my life and I’d like to say,
That every experience I have ever had,
Has helped shape who I am today.
Life is a balance of highs and lows.
I have had more happy times than sad,
But those sad times have helped me grow.
So, I’ll take the good from the bad,
That’s something I am Thankful for.
Although it may be hard to see at the time,
even bad moments have lessons built in,
While the hardships allow my soul to grow;
When life is good, I’ll take the win.
I can put food on the table.
And I have a place to lay my head.
I have a roof to give me shelter,
Nothing more needs to be said.
That’s something I am Thankful for.
I’m Thankful for memories of loved ones I have lost,
I think about them every day.
And although they are no longer physically here,
They let me know they’re still around in some small way.
I’m Thankful for friends who are still in my life,
For the fun and love they bring to each day.
For as long as I have people who love me,
I am more blessed than I can ever say.
That’s something I am Thankful for.
Many years ago, I hopped across the Pond,
And I’m Thankful I had the courage to change my life.
Through all the ups and downs,
I am Thankful for my loving wife.
We have been on a rollercoaster ride,
And the years are going by in a blast,
But, together, we can take on the world
Because through it all our love has remained steadfast,
That’s something I am Thankful for.
So, as Thanksgiving Day dawns,
Let loved ones know that you care,
Enjoy the day, the food and the fun;
Look forward to all the joy you still have to share.
It’s easy to lose track of what matters most,
As you deal with all the stress and all the strife;
Take a moment to remind yourself,
Of all the good that’s in your life.
It’s something to be Thankful for.
new dawn
on the horizon
we know
that the fantasies
of the
night
will stumble
into a cruel
daylight
unreality, however has
its" ways
of seeping into
corners
of
the
mind
the stuff of dreams
is a powerful vapor
which intoxicates
leaving little room
for the heavy burdens
of "Absolute reality"
Our days pass
by in a hurry
litttle time to
take stock of
what we experience
If
you
wish
hard
enough
The sweet scent
of the forest
will allow you to
Escape with a capital E
which is
the first latter of Energy, Enlightenment and Eternal
On life's journeys do we stop to reflect
take stock of where we have been
Asking pointed questions helps us select
a path forward to avoid taint of sin
Where have we been? Where are we going?
To Whom will we report in the end?
In order to reap, we have to keep sowing
Lovingly, our gardens to tend
I feel it to a small extent - a little tinge of it -
those times I hear about
friends going on vacations to fun exotic places;
friends of mine receiving special presents from their husbands;
women I have known for ages getting plastic surgeries,
losing weight, and looking now like models;
Anyone who does not feel a tinge of jealousy
toward those who are receiving the very thing
one is longing for in one’s own life
I think would not be human!
But most of us can rise above the tinge of jealousy.
All of us are gifted in one way or another.
We need to have security in who we are,
and gratefulness for all the gifts uniquely ours!
Most likely, those whose good fortune we might covet
are looking back at someone else with a tinge of jealousy.
Nobody has everything they want!
We cannot know the many facets of a person’s soul -
their hidden insecurities, their dreams left unfulfilled.
Maybe there exist a few on a higher plane
with not a jot of jealousy inhabiting their heart.
Until we reach that higher plane,
We need to be as happy as we can be.
Congratulate successes of your peers.
Swallow any little bitterness and know. . .
with hard work, you can achieve successes in your life.
Imagine your dream and go for it!
That thing which is of the uttermost importance
will be the thing for which you ought to strive.
What drives you? What brings you the most joy?
Once you’ve answered those few questions,
take stock of your own life.
Are you doing all you can, despite even facing
possible hardships in your current situation?
Don’t sit back and daydream.
Force a smile if you have to.
Be happy for life’s winners.
Envision a dream that is attainable for you;
work for it, being grateful all the while
for the talents you already have.
Those with low esteem or prone to idleness and greed
will not want to do the needful things.
They will feel the tinge of jealousy; then let it fester.
Growing and growing, it will manifest itself
in acts of hideous deceit, or worse,
jealousy can lead to murder and revenge.
It happens all the time,
for it’s the root of nearly every crime!
Breathe. . . and let out jealousy.
Feeling jealous means that you are human,
but never go beyond the tinge of it!
Today we celebrate the
beginning of the New Year for the sons and
daughters of Israel
As the prayer says life is "the dream that flies away"
Well, now is the time
to take stock of ourselves
breathe a deep sigh
for all that has gone before
and look ahead confidently
into the future
We lift our voices in song
and our hearts in prayer
The Book of Life opens
and our fate
is inscribed in it
The world is still a vast and sometimes dangerous
place
With our eyes wide
open
we prepare ourselves for the New Year
The blasts from the shofar
cut through the autumn air
signaling hope
for Israel and the diaspora
On this autumn day
We should recall
the sacrifices
of our forefathers
and attempt to live up to those
standards
Not an easy task
but a necessary one
L'Shanah Tovah
On the old scale of one to ten
Today has been bout a four
Won't explain, just one of those days
Had 'em many times before
To expect every day to be a ten
You're dreaming, it ain't gonna be
Ups and downs are what life's about
Come down from your perch in a tree
This is it from here on in
Must learn to live through the strife
The alternative ain't too appealing to me
Really it's a very small price
To feel the warmth of a summer's day
The crispness of another fall
The bite of yet another winter's day
Then spring, that's the joy it all
When you really take stock of what life's about
It's getting from “A” to “B”
With the least amount of hassle and strife
Just being happy and free
To raise a family and hope you did it right
While building your own little castle
Living and loving as we travel life's roads
Without too much of a hassle
On the old scale of one to ten
If you can say it was eight or better
You've had a good life, better than average
You've successfully balanced the ledger
© Jack Ellison 2015
Almost forty and I feel as if I'm in my prime. I look up to the ones I love and admire, and see their downward decline. Granddad, who's done more than his share of living, slowly has things stripped away. Cadillac sits parked. Ladders and lawn mower cultivate cobwebs. He fights to keep living, but he has a kinda pride that lets us know, "who are we kidding." God's about to turn the street lights on, and the kid in him will hurry home. Have an aunt just a generation away has the same fight as her pops. She visits the hospital more frequently. She's family and feels like a best friend to me. Can't help but put her situation in my own life lessons. Taught me so much about God and religion I could be an honorary deacon. Don't know why this reflection is suddenly upon me. Don't know why I decided to take stock of my life so early this morning, but I'm thankful. Whether in your prime or on that slight decline, a little love makes getting by alright. No one knows when that diagnosis will come; when God turns the porch lights on; or when the caddy stays parked and kango collects dust adorned on a coat rack; so it's best to get living. I guess my sentiment is for good health long after the holiday season. All the gifts won't amount to time spent so save your money this season and spend time instead. Time filled with so much love it makes those in decline feel like they're in their prime and those who are in their prime feel doubly alive.
To know you is to love you.
You brighten my whole day.
Just what I'd do without you,
I really couldn't say.
Without you to guide me,
I'd not know what to do.
I'd prob'ly think I was okay,
I'm lucky I've got you.
Without you to point it out,
I'd miss most of my faults.
I'd probably just vegetate,
Eat chocolates and drink malts.
You tell me what to say and when,
And what I should wear;
You're quite a find I must admit,
That just shows you care.
You're so well informed and smart,
Not at all like me,
I couldn't do without you,
I really must agree.
Always there to lend a hand,
With "helpful criticism".
I'm so dull and dumb I miss,
Your clever witicisms.
You really ought to leave me,
But that just isn't you;
Because you're so long-suffering,
And your heart is true.
You're so good to stay right here,
And take such care of me;
Showing me where I fall short,
'Thout you where would I be.
You're such a little honey bun,
You fill my life with laughter.
The last time I had this much fun,
They'd just put back my bladder.
(Some people are so busy correcting the faults of their family, friends and neighbors they forget to take stock of their own. People like that don't get invited back very often.)
It's a lovely day in Cyprus, there's not a cloud in the sky,
We take stock of the life we have,sit back and happily sigh.
We saw a cruise ship near the harbour the other day,
It stays for while,it makes folk smile then goes on it's way.
We're not going out because Fran wanted to stay at home,
She said she was feeling tired, and didn't feel up to a roam.
This is one of the pluses that come with being retired,
You don't have to do a single thing, unless you feel inspired.
So I now sit at my computer, Fran has gone for a nap,
The dogs at my side dozing,I'm hoping they don't yap.
Yes,it's a lovely day here in Cyprus, something very nice,
I'll go make myself a refreshing drink and pop in a little ice.
Maybe I'll write some verses, what theme, I do not know.
I'll sip my drink and have a think,then maybe I'll give it a go.
© Dave Timperley 26 August 2016
The people take stock of the people,
and evening star rotates on it's spindle,
we hear what we hear and fear no evil,
but what we don't expect is our eventual upheaval.
They will clash,
they will unmake their own kind,
it's evolution in every way,
yet we cannot mind,
it's in again-
so we listen,
the movies state to be a pog,
getting slammed in doors of their enigmatic laws,
as being a free culture is in no way free to support-
even walking takes some kind of a horse.
Christmas
A real Merry Christmas is a time
Not for an unfettered pastime
Or, for fowls to take stock of brood
To see which turned into food
Nor time tummies to be braced
By flow food not to be disgraced....
It’s a time when more you give
And less you expect to receive
A time you must be led by love
Not a time to punish the stove
With endless cooking of treat
Or to attempt some daring feat!
JM
25th December 2013
a Spanish sonnet
Passion thrives on forgiveness, oh my sweet.
Your scorn will reason well to wonder why
I attempt a smile even though your eyes
refuse to cherish blooms laid at your feet.
We need to take stock of trust when we meet;
weeds of abomination poke and pry.
From the overlook, my soul heaves a sigh,
you uproot our relationship with deceit.
Your lie lacked confirmation from the start -
why you would mock or kid, I do not know.
Struggle rose within this admiring heart;
impatience flames and yet I rise with hoe
of love to root out what your two lips thwart.
Each day, sees me at work melting your snow.
I think patience works well to promote passion in love relationships.
Notice the words in italics in the second stanza, flowers bloom there.
Nature, Nurture all sounds bliss
Disregard, Degrade, noisy people piss
The smell, the patter, just after a rain
The swell, its matters, that cleanses the pain,
It corruptly endures yet progresses some such
Disdain that I weep for its sentient crutch
For drop dead intonation, all things conveyed
A derivitive deep angst over memories depraved
False diplomacy sexcaste endured,
Duplicity for fun, our futures interred
We incorporate, enlist all things believed
To only find later, they can't be retrieved
Like molded leavened bread, by loving hands
I shift life thoughts in that hourglass of sands
Is there an antidote to our sociostupid ills,
Guns, drugs, death, ideaology, OTC pills
In the end take stock of your stoic self BARENESS
Looking glass clarity to your inept self AWARENESS
Who are you really, do you listen to your soul?
When it comes to humactions, submit a resume.
When smoldering embers
ignite, they tend to burn.
Pain is a part of love,
that hearts have yet to learn.
Life is fraught with sad tears,
manipulating fate.
And depression deepens
while love morphs into hate.
Indulging fantasies,
you let chance guide you through.
But you hide your feelings,
and love keeps taunting you.
Seduction and desire
feed the flames of passion.
And you sacrifice truths
when sin is in fashion.
Drain the emotional
weight of yesterday's tears.
And take stock of your life,
don't give in to your fears.