Best Tendril Poems
A body abandoned
needs to mourns its last breath in death
a heart cast aside
still aches to meet its last beat
and a free spirit yearns for a winged monarch moment
to fly in the spirit of freedom…
opportunity
flares a tongue
snaky and bittersweet.. a flicker
grows flames that twist passion’s kiss with kismet
a chance
to escape on a breath of air
an exhalation;
warm incense offered to vesper -
the wish of a scent to slip through the keyhole
above the hiss of heat
and gasps of air
rushing combustion to a roar
airy mystics spoke in the eerie smoke
w h i s p e r s
urge the purge of perishable pain
unclasping lonely-linger’s grasping fingers
soft-spun knit and purl unravels
as vintage yarn twined with sun and rain unties -
aging rays fail to stave Winter’s grays
and the ethereal thread of an earthly creation
releases its tendril
from the spinning wheel’s weave of circular seasons
from seed to harvest and warmth to chill
vestiges of sisterly hands cup a ceded sigh
chrysalis celebrates destined to re-emerge a butterfly
terminal tremble of a twilight trill is hushed
vulnerability swaddled
cradled by clouds of silver and gold
a mortal’s surrender consummates upon the pyre -
cinders cleansed of tears and cries and vices
but never the dreamy intrinsic colors
of the opal’s unfurling blaze
she ascends
a flash of embers relieved of ash
taking fire to the skies with a tigress torch igniting
molten pools spooning the spine of the western shadow
heralding an awakened afterglow to the afterlife -
lamplight gilds mare’s tails hooking heavens
pathways adrift from the burning thurible
of a trinity on the cusp of rebirth...
incense rises upon a heated atmosphere
riding the riddle of the four winds
beyond realms of soil and salt - reason and logic
yonder the profound truth of the-not-humanly-known
seeing past reflections within mere margins of a mind’s mirror
accepting the enlightening throb of the enigmatic pulse of creation
becoming one with the ultimate mystery
the wish of a scent to slip through the keyhole
fulfilled with exchange of gifts -
the offering of her sunset shroud
for the white mantle of sunrise
Categories:
tendril, angel, beauty, butterfly, death,
Form:
Free verse
How brave the amaryllis is
emerging naked from the soil,
an umber golden spear to pierce
the heresy of August air.
I am not brave like pilgrim bulbs,
though planted fifty years ago,
still sending offspring to the sky
determined in a hostile sphere
to brave remorseless elements
and kiss the hummingbird in flight
with coronets of newborn pink
that preach the coming of the light.
I am the baptist of the leaves
that peer above the April soil
and tendril hope in emerald verse
to cleanse the pagan garden dirt,
but only lay the nest of that
which must come later. I regret
I'm not the swan of human myth
that floats poetic on a lake
then sings my one seraphic note
upon my death. Indeed I am
but flesh that dies before the bloom
which glows an iridescent psalm.
8/1/19
Categories:
tendril, color, flower, metaphor, nature,
Form:
Blank verse
You come to me through breathing nuances of your soul
Pinpricks of laughter, tears, and excitement
Memories buried deep within
Trickles of blood
Moments of loss
My body warms
My heart expands
I am a conduit
To receive the gifts you bring
Dancing cells before my eyes
Seducing me with their movement
Our beings so blessed with
Magic and purpose
We function, often without thought
To the complexity of the mechanisms within
That pump our hearts
Containing light years of wisdom
How precious life is
How fortunate we are
To feel bliss, love, anger, and loss
We are capable of gazing into each other’s eyes
With compassion and acceptance
Able to feel the touch
Of another’s lips on ours
Miracles happen before our eyes
We can grab a tendril, a tailfeather,
A mane, or a hand
And surf the wave to gratitude
Anticipation ignites within my soul
Understanding the delicate balance of nature
Encompassing man, woman, child, and animals
Brings welcome sweet tears to my eyes
To receive the offerings of compassion, kindness, and humility
And sharing them with others brings joy
I am one
We are one together
All of us making our way
Through darkness and light
Fluttering monarch butterflies fill the air
As we gather and rise upwards
Riding the wings of the ancient bird tribes
Unspoken words fill the gauzy lavender sky
A pod of whales below guides us
Gentle giants leading us towards
Promise and new horizons
Ushered by the heartbeats of wonder within
Categories:
tendril, appreciation, butterfly, community, dream,
Form:
Free verse
This February will not usher spring,
wisteria like grapes hung on their roods;
more pewter shadows does the season bring.
Now I've misplaced all the beatitudes
to lambent grasses flocking on the mount
as spring green creepers tendril up the posts,
the lilac blossoms teeming like a fount
of amulets to stay the latent ghosts
that haunt as far as April with their rime.
As Puxatawny Phil goes under ground
I've six more weeks of gelid hush to mime
the turgid verses of this numbing round.
I rummage blessings as the winter girds,
yet somehow can't remember any words.
Categories:
tendril, nature, winter,
Form:
Sonnet
A thread ...
ties me to the Infinite
a tendril of sonorous joy, expressed
weaves the depth of my marrow
to all that is and was and shall be and shan't ...
O - sing, my soul, of all that I am - sing of what I can't be!
A breath ...
holds my melody of being
spirit coursings beyond the capability of sensate expression
swell from the reaches of my heart
to find their diaphanous wings upon the maelstroms ...
O - sing, my soul, of all that I feel - sing of a bounding love!
A scream ...
rooted in dulcet dreams
rhythmic and dolorous and dark, of the night
dances, lilting, to bind the wounds of that greater expanse
to shed in music what I fear most ...
O - sing, my soul, of all that hides - sing of my shaded sins!
A song ...
sews my innermost to the day
a choral conjugation of my bones and the breadth of heaven
the seed of expression, harmonious ... wending
to enjoin this sparrow's strain ... with the All ...
O - sing, my soul, of all myst'ries to find - sing of a life at end!
O - sing!
~ 7th Place ~ in the "Your Best Free Verse That You Wrote" Poetry Contest, Chantelle Anne Cooke, Judge & Sponsor.
~ 1st Place ~ in the "Your best free Verse 2020" Poetry Contest, John Hamilton, Judge & Sponsor.
~ 2nd Place ~ in the "A Poem Honoring Spirituality" Poetry Contest, Caren Krutsinger, Judge & Sponsor.
~ 1st Place ~ in the "Strand Choice X, Any Form, Any Theme" Poetry Contest, Brian Strand, Judge & Sponsor.
~ 2nd Place ~ in the "Sing It" Poetry Contest, Nina Parmenter, Judge & Sponsor.
Categories:
tendril, appreciation, emotions, metaphor, music,
Form:
Free verse
I stand-
gazing at the weathered door-
beautiful the knob is old brass
foliage dark and green
protects it
an assemblage of butterflies
lilt and move musically all about
fluttering and it's
lovely
at the weathered door beautiful
and I look behind me at the whispering
foliage dark and green
a labyrinthine of twisting memories
a long path strewn with tears
woebegone and sorrowful is my journey
as I
gaze
at the weathered
door-
beautiful
and the knob of old brass beckoning
from
foliage
dark
and green
that protects
and I
step forward to open
but tangled vines
cling to me-
around my legs and arms
holding me back
and butterflies
lilt and flutter musically
a beautiful assemblage encouraging
and the past
is whispering and hissing
surreptitious
of a manuscript written
where I languor listlessly and weary
oh the murmuring memories
that hold me locked in the past
my journey to the door a struggle
but oh I love them the memories
each one
weeping I must break free of the tangled vines
of the past so I take each beautiful
tendril off each clinging vine
and lay them gently on the ground
with a kiss
and step forward frightened and quivering
placing my hand on the old brass knob
and
I open that door
the weathered door beautiful
protected by
foliage dark and green
and step through
that assemblage of butterflies
flutter musically through the opening to
a lush and green sumptuous beginning
and I follow
them
into a future
mellifluous
________________________
June 18, 2015
Free Verse
Written for the contest, ...And then I opened THAT door.
sponsor, John Lawless
First Place
Categories:
tendril, future, introspection, life,
Form:
Free verse
Enchanted was I with a cloying scent...
whiffs of wild magnolia
mingled with the woodsy tang
of her lemon verbena perfuming the air
Like Samson's strength, the sun's threads of gold
were clipped by silver shears
of an ascending pearlescent moon
How sweet the bloom of love ~
We slowly walked around the lake
By the zenith of eventide
we were serenaded by a cicada symphony
in rhythmic allegro thrum...
In the distance... howling of a feral creature
crying with need of a mate
How wild the passion of love ~
She tensed at his wailing call
soothed with murmurs and kisses
Her heart beat in sync with my own...
tympani drums keeping time
like the pendulum of a metronome
How musical the lyrics of love ~
Her eyes met mine...
mirroring myriads of sparkling stars
gleaming as bright as a prismed diamond
I would pledge my troth tonight...
Here, beneath a celestial bower
How heavenly the gift of love ~
A tendril of long wavy hair
blew across her cheek
I crimped it around my finger
then released a raven curl
My lips whispered softly...
I bent to her like a willow to the shore
How eager the need of love ~
When I knelt
she trembled at my intent...
Bodies clinging, we swam fathoms deep
surrendering to each other as eternal lovers
passionately torrid... reverently tender
How plumb the depth of love ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
March 23, 2021
Eight Word Bardenesque Challenge
Sponsored by John Hamilton
Categories:
tendril, love, romantic,
Form:
Free verse
Enchanted was I with a cloying scent...
whiffs of wild magnolia
mingled with the woodsy tang
of lemon verbena perfuming the air
Like Samson's strength, the sun's threads of gold
were clipped by silver shears
of an ascending pearlescent moon
How sweet the bloom of love ~
We slowly walked around the lake
By the zenith of eventide
serenaded by a cicada symphony
in rhythmic allegro thrum...
In the distance, the howling of a feral creature
crying with need of a mate
How wild the passion of love ~
She tensed at his wailing call
soothed with murmurs and kisses
Her heartbeat in sync with my own...
tympani drums keeping time
like the pendulum of a metronome
How musical the lyrics of love ~
Her eyes met mine...
mirroring myriads of sparkling stars
gleaming as bright as a prismed diamond
I would pledge my troth tonight...
Here, beneath a celestial bower
How heavenly the gift of love ~
A tendril of long wavy hair
blew across her cheek
I crimped it around my finger
then released a raven curl
My lips whispered softly...
I bent to her like a willow to the shore
How eager the need of love ~
When I knelt
she trembled at my intent...
Bodies clinging, we swam fathoms deep
surrendering to each other as eternal lovers
passionately torrid... reverently tender
How plumb the depth of love ~
Categories:
tendril, love,
Form:
Free verse
Seeping heavy under my skin
Shivering inception
Calming from its wisping caress
Tenderly soothing
Reaching with tendril like fingers
Lithe and satin
Permeating through my veins
Enveloping essence
Taming the maelstrom within me
Purity embracing
Divulging the rains of promise
Cleansing shame
Defusing against the flow of time
Forever young
Standing open in naked candor
Unselfish passion
Categories:
tendril, imagination, inspirational, love, passion,
Form:
Free verse
t
e
n
d
r
i
l
s
Creeping on my windowpane
peek into my heart, them I refuse
Awake, I fear their unknown recluse
They wind my shivering fears in threads
and let them curl till they squeeze to last bead
haloed drops disperse from my window
my anxieties engulfed afloat like paper boats
spiral dreams bubble from the breeding-box valley
my room lit with their playful exuberance
Ah! One tendril I catch at last y
It lends me a hand to ascend l
we swivel from bedside and f
Afar, bursting light brewing hope
across the county line
Rhapsody of enchanting mid nights
the old gatekeeper that sings
white patches melt in golden hues
dreams tiptoe through mauve skies
treasures of crimson opera, I unlock
memories blush revealing dim chandeliers
they become more mine than I am
then lull me to sleep as I release
the effervescence dancing to beats
in the ballroom of my subconscious mind
like reclined paper planes in azure clouds
that spiral love on their paper boats
as snowflakes in the city that never sleeps
June 10, 2020
Spiral Poetry Contest
Sponsor: Kai Michael Neumann
~Premiere Contest Winner: 1st Place
Categories:
tendril, dream, imagination,
Form:
Free verse
for me ...
I stretch a coursing arm ...
my fleshy tendril of electric
actuality, spanning fingers
wide to encompass my full
and fiercely sensual quarry ...
I touch the tapestry of you -
silken warmth of anticipation,
digits close around absolution
and imagination, so I draw it
all gently, quietly, IN to the
blackness - the inky pool of
obscurity that I yet inhabit ...
now ...
close, ever gentle, your eyes ...
do you perceive the wonder??
There is NO light there, yet ...
it is NOT empty - no blackness
but that which holds a million
instances of energy and color!
A maelstrom, indescribable that
you rarely consider, yet it swims
there subliminal with every blink ...
a world of dark mystery AND
seemingly enigmatic chaos,
pulling, subconsciously, on your
being, thousands of times EACH
day ...
such beauty herein - such
extraordinary sublimity and
pulse ... do you feel it? Can
you own it? Does it pervade
the sinewy substance, thine?
Does that soft veil of vitality
close warm arms about you?
See! Do not open your eyes ...
don't fall to that aberration,
for there is a permeation of
static noise inside your lids ...
stay true to that conundrum,
and spread your senses, all ...
there is an awakening here,
I know ... it's an honesty and
verity not known to the many -
I am on the other side of it,
saturated and whole ... let it
absorb your being, allow it to
soak the essence of you, and
your eyes will alter - sharpen
focus ...
slowly, they'll adjust with your
spirit, and a new reality shall
swath you in its tender cloak ...
sacrifice the bright, for those
without eyes - know a truth,
astounding ... and live again ...
for me.
~ 5th Place ~ in the "Open Poetry 3" Poetry Contest, Charlotte Puddifoot, Judge & Sponsor.
Categories:
tendril, analogy, appreciation, introspection, metaphor,
Form:
Free verse
A Beckoning finger glides her flight
tasting the wind,
to gather insight
Lifting her arms tendril-ed to light
drifting in feeling,
is darkness and fright
Soaring to plains,knights had fought
in helmets and headstones
her passion is wrought
A Flaming phoenix,re-birthed no more
A splendor embers
to ash on the floor
Wizards are slain and witches dispelled
majestic they hung,
to final death knells
Screams of mercy,rip into heart
calling the magic,
dirt caged in part
Exquisite white witch dripping with love
trembling her spirit,
watched from above
Releasing her power A dragon breath pales
kaleidoscoped magic,
lifting dark veils
Four elements drawn earth,wind and fire
water poured forth,
soaking a pyre
Earth stamped evil beneath his sin
wind settled hell,
the flames did rescind
Dusted of tragedy,on hallowed ground
sucking black magic,
in gasps that resound
Echoing Demons,soaking with shame
anviled to stone,
now have no name
Fire burnt mercy back into heart
myths of history,
now live the past
Drifting in peace,a witch found rest
laying her head,
is all she requests
Categories:
tendril, fantasy
Form:
Rhyme
Drizzle drip the rain slips
Down from the eaves
To water a seed
Pitter patter
Meandering shower
Sullen clouds
Jacob's ladder
Seasons change
Sustaining towers
Tendrils reach
Birthing a flower
[]
a tiny tendril
Fragile and pure
Unraveling beauty
In a stunning allure
Leaning eastward
The sun crawls to show
Vibrant velvet colors
In a spellbound glow
Categories:
tendril, beauty, flower, nature, rain,
Form:
Free verse
Music by: Tim Nast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7ubQgJoayY
A flower dances in the sunlight close to me
with with every breath I take, a tendril petal falls
across the fields of memory , a daisy still...
Emerald grass, plushy dreams
oh how my senses thrill,
when sweet upon thy scent of earth,
the memory takes its fill;
Mornings awakened, by the summer heat
as gentle as a touch, made up of little lace
Like everything that lives and breathes,
the tiniest of seed sprouting on the ground,
in the softest spaces, called my heart;
I find you in the sweetly blossoms,
encounter you in love and only love
while you nestle in my soul like dear agate
I come to meet you face to face,
and proudly name you, "Grace "
Categories:
tendril, assonance,
Form:
Lyric
I’ve been deceived by golden buttercups~
dipped in chamomile incensed rain,
while butterflies slumber on poisonous petals,
oblivious to the weathered garden of greed,
where I’ve seen more than words can tell,
for not every vibrant vine nor tender tendril serves honey.
Categories:
tendril, angst, betrayal,
Form:
Verse