Best Terzanelle Poems
"September, beautiful month of my birth, is nigh, but I cannot feel glad."
September, drifting in with glow of moon,
you stifle Summer’s ardor. . . and she grieves.
In guise of fire, the Fall comes all too soon.
Your breath grows cool. You’ll blow and loosen leaves.
The hills and woodlands will reflect new hues.
You stifle Summer’s ardor. . . and she grieves.
In Autumn’s chill, the colors are a ruse!
You're passing on, and trees are set ablaze.
The hills and woodlands then reflect new hues.
Though warmth may linger through your final days,
old Sun is waning, yet he still seems strong!
You're passing on, and trees are set ablaze.
September, you’re a melancholy song.
Though time be short, you paint a brilliant dusk!
Old sun is waning, yet he still seems strong.
October looms. . . Your ending will be brusque.
September, drifting in with glow of moon,
though time be short, you paint a brilliant dusk.
In guise of fire, the Fall comes all too soon.
8/29/11
for the '2022 Poetry Marathon Mile 7' Poetry Contest of Mark Toney
The cold hand of Winter swiftly approaches
Its breath etches frost on my windowpanes
Nearer my threshold, Death now encroaches
Blood is slowly chilling inside my frail veins
Reaper's wild winds pelts hail on my roof
His breath etches frost on my windowpanes
Snowdrifts climb higher on the sills in reproof
Huddled in a corner, my fear is spurred
Reaper's wild winds pelts hail on my roof
This room is the chamber where I'll be interred
On the threshold of madness, I'm losing grip
Huddled in a corner, my fear is spurred
Winter's hand has caused a temperature dip
I flinch at the sound of a knock on my door
On the threshold of madness, I'm losing grip
Terror incites me to curse what I abhor
The cold hand of Winter swiftly approaches
I flinch at the sound of a knock on my door
Nearer my threshold, Death now encroaches
August 17, 2017
The flower that is given little light
tastes not enough of joy and cannot thrive -
then fades away like dusk into the night.
The soul who struggles just to stay alive -
much like the flower wilting in the dark -
tastes not enough of joy and cannot thrive.
How can a fire be lit if there’s no spark?
Without hope’s gleam, the soul will waste away -
much like the flower wilting in the dark.
This is the plight of one whose world is grey:
Though others say a paradise exists -
without hope's gleam, the soul will waste away.
A man upon this earth who tastes no bliss
is like a soul brought low who droops his head
though others say a paradise exists.
How sad that someone rather would be dead!
The flower that is given little light
is like a soul brought low who droops his head,
then fades away . . . like dusk into the night.
Written 11/15/12
For the "Hope" Poetry Contest of Craig Cornish
Now for A Brian Strand Structured Poetry Contest
I pass the graveyard deep in snow.
One woman at a headstone weeps
all dressed in black like winter crows
as memories in warmth she keeps.
While icicles from boughs hang low
one woman at a headstone weeps.
Still muted angels' trumpets blow
and 'cross the powder darkness creeps
while icicles from boughs hang low.
On granite crags do snowflakes heap
where frost on trees like lichens grow
and 'cross the powder darkness creeps.
As past the iron fence I go
her mortal love in silence sleeps
where frost on trees like lichens grow.
My heart into my throat now leaps.
I pass the graveyard deep in snow;
her mortal love in silence sleeps
all dressed in black like winter crows.
inspired by The Platters song, ‘Ebb Tide’
Rise And Fall
Salty tears ebbing away on moon’s tide
as whispered love echoes on ocean waves
across caramel sands where hearts reside.
Coves of sheltered inlets harbour veiled caves
that glistens with laced, seaborne aqua foam
as whispered love echoes on ocean waves.
I caress the shoreline where oft I roam
under wistful, silver of shallow sky
that glistens with laced, seaborne aqua foam.
Footprints merge upon sands of time as my
lover waits with arms of open embrace
under wistful, silver of shallow sky.
Bodies cling, like sea to shore, face to face
with the rise and fall on ocean’s tipped crest,
lover waits with arms of open embrace
and I wander no more at peace to rest —
salty tears ebbing away on moon’s tide
with the rise and fall on ocean’s tipped crest
across caramel sands where hearts reside.
I take for granted all that I can do
Thinking that what I have has all been earned
Instead I should be so thankful to You
A spirit of pride is one that is learned
I start to believe the things that are said
Thinking that what I have has all been earned
Within my heart I begin to be led
Rising within the pages of Your Word
I start to believe the things that are said
I learn to fly on the wings of a bird
Here is where I learn the ways of Freedom
Rising within the pages of Your Word
I no longer doubt your Kingdom will come
Without your Love I will never know Peace
Here is where I learn the ways of Freedom
Within the Heavens praises never cease
Without Your Love I will never know Peace
I take for granted all that I can do
Instead I should be so thankful to you
Any poem #4 Contest.
Sponsored by Nathan A.
Written March 7th 2014
In Ordinary Cups
The blades of winter grind into the ice
like blood on a bitten lip
two lovers spin and twirl
The days pass from teacup to teacup
in the peaceful silence of a solitary nest.
From gentle easy sunrise through sheer white
to the subtle fall of accordion night.
The echoes of childish laughter tremble
across the cracked surface of plaster walls.
Random squeaks in oaken floors return
the footfall of father, coming and going.
Long lost cat's paw prints impress carpet
dragons from Shanghai with ghostly ease,
and every loved and loving one returns
in peace, to rest beneath the tapping fingertips
upon a porcelain cup of tea from China.
11/9/10
Re-formed for Roy the Verse BELOW
The Teetotaler
The blades of winter grind into the ice, flirting
with the rosy cheek of puppy love, snow-crusted mittens
cling, like chapped skin on bitten lips; scarfs twirl; they spin.
As steam rises from the cup, reminisce, the first kiss,
across swamp-grass hummocks, rotten ice, lace tripping
with the rosy cheek of puppy love; snow crusted mittens
cling. Black hair, fair skin, Irish-eyed, he cajoles a grin.
In the steam, not the leaves, she remembers him
across swamp-grass hummocks, rotten ice, lace tripping;
they spin. Assam seeps in porcelain, another cup
she pours. In an empty nest the cup clinks saucer,
in the steam, not the leaves, she remembers him.
From sunrise through fall of white, she sees the mist
falling accordion-like into chinks of memory.
She pours. In an empty nest, the cup clinks saucer.
The recollections of youthful laughter cut, tremble,
across the cracked surfaces of her mind's walls
falling accordion-like into chinks of memory.
Random squeaks in the oaken floors recall returns,
these images mist swirl from the tea-of family,
across the cracked surfaces of her mind's walls.
A long lost cat walks shrouded through silent the scene
in peace, they rest beneath her tapping fingertips
these images mist-swirl from the tea-of family,
Every loved and loving one returns mist-born
within a porcelain cup of tea from China;
in peace, they rest beneath her tapping fingertips.
3/21/15
Where will I be twenty years from today?
The World is moving at such a fast pace.
Will I still look at love the same way?
Will I be able to look at your face?
That is my heart's greatest desire.
The World is moving at such a fast pace.
Now when I'm with you my heart is on fire.
I wish for my soul to still burn for you.
That is my heart's greatest desire.
My eyes may grow dimmer I know that's true.
A love so beautiful will never fade.
I wish for my soul to still burn for you.
Even if my body to death is laid.
That will never stop my true heart's beating
A love so beautiful will never fade.
The world may be fast sometimes defeating.
That will never stop my true hearts beating.
Where will I be twenty years from today?
I'll still be looking at love the same way!
Valentines Contest
I’m sailing on a blue sea in moon’s glow.
Beyond the horizon my days are kissed
with magic; far into the past I go.
Walks along a cherry lane! An autumn mist!
Reality or just a fantasy?
Beyond the horizon my days are kissed.
I think I can recall a Hanah Lee. . .
on wisps of memory to which I cling.
Reality or just a fantasy?
What birds of splendor did I once hear sing?
I yearn to know again; I slowly drift
on wisps of memory to which I cling.
Upon a dragon’s tail I wish to lift!
Dreams ripple on the waves, and to a land
I yearn to know again I slowly drift.
To run again with bare feet in white sand!
I’m sailing on a blue sea in moon’s glow.
Dreams ripple on the waves, and to a land
with magic - far into the past I go!
the magic moon . . .
in moonlight’s absence
could fantasy survive?
12/19/12
Inspired by the Peter, Paul and Mary song "Puff the Magic Dragon"
and the "Terzanelle Fantasy with a Questionku Chaser Poetry Contest
For Mark Toney's the '2022 Poetry Marathon Mile 25' Poetry Contest
Life has changed so much for everyone
Many ways, different levels too
Fighting battles, waiting to be won
Holding on, trying not to feel so blue
Unexpected restrictions around
Many ways, different levels too
Looking for ground we once walked and found
But, none of us are in this alone
Unexpected restrictions around
We still walk the path the sun has shown
It is all out there for us to see
But none of us are in this alone
So let us allow our words to be
Let us comfort anyone who hears
It is all out there for us to see
Let’s rebuild dreams from fragmented fears
Life has changed so much for everyone
Let us comfort anyone who hears
Fighting battles, waiting to be won
Heidi Sands
5/10/21
Make a difference in somebody's life
Touch a lonely soul as it silently cries
Be the one who lifts to let someone rise
Comfort the children who have no toys
Bring someone a gift of awesome joy
Touch a lonely soul as it silently cries
Listen to the cries of a poor blind boy
Be a friend who climbs mountain highs
Bring someone a gift of awesome joy
Help a man who cries as loved one dies
Let wisdom speak of a healing advice
Be a friend who climbs mountain highs
Rush to the scene when a disaster strikes
Lift your strength to incredible highs
Let wisdom speak of a healing advice
Shine a guiding light to keep hope alive
Make a difference in somebody's life
Lift your strength to incredible highs
Be the one who lifts to let someone rise
Poem of the Day on 8-31-2017
August 29, 2017
Maple trees adorn yellow and orange blaze
Colorful vistas dance singing nature's praise
Crispy cooler days embellish in colorful ways
Brighter moon reigns over twilight's dull haze
Canvas of falling leaves oscillates in sun's rays
Colorful vistas dance singing nature's praise
Sunset orange and red sets evening-sky ablaze
Distant stars glitter igniting hues that amaze
Canvas of falling leaves oscillates in sun's rays
Birds migrating south foretell winter, as always
Meadows brown and gold attractive to gaze
Distant stars glitter igniting hues that amaze
Kids frolic in cold, happy with candy they raise
Thanksgiving dinners charm families with grace
Meadows brown and gold attractive to gaze
Autumn wraps barren trees in cinnamon glaze
Maple trees adorn yellow and orange blaze
Thanksgiving dinners charm families with grace
Crispy cooler days embellish in colorful ways
September 18, 2017
Placed first:March 2019 week 2 contest by Brian Strand
First place-Autumn Colors contest
Placed 4th in best rhyming poem contest
I saw your blue eyes, so gentle and kind
Some things we see, leave imprints in memory
Like a treasure, forever, in your mind
A gentle touch, lasts forever freely
Unexpected hugs can highlight a day
Some things we see, leave imprints in memory
We may bashfully not know what to say
So many things touch our soul and heart
Unexpected hugs can highlight a day
Distance stirs emptiness deeply, apart
Cherish all genuine, that you may share
So many things touch our soul and heart
Cast as far as you can to show you care
It’s a smile, that moment strikes, you’ll see
Cherish all genuine that you may share
Surprises are found in simplicity
I saw your blue eyes, so gentle and kind
It’s a smile, that moment strikes, you’ll see
Like a treasure, forever, in your mind
Heidi Sands
2/26/22
I wish you a Merry Christmas to all
Across the long distance of many miles
From shining stars to the sparkling snowfall
I wish for you presents of many smiles
And soothing bells ringing for you to hear
Across the long distance of many miles
For joy to surround you and warmth to be near
Colorful lights to brighten what you see
And soothing bells ringing for you to hear
A sense of inspiration, filled with glee
Smooth as a sleigh ride on a peaceful night
Colorful lights to brighten what you see
I wish for you contentment with each sight
Candles to be lit with hope to ignite
Smooth as a sleigh ride on a peaceful night
Love surround you in a halo of light
I wish you a Merry Christmas to all
Candles to be lit with hope to ignite
From the shining stars, to the sparkling snowfall
Heidi Sands
12/21/19
Quality of time, choose how it’s spent
This moment will never be again
It cannot be bought, borrowed or lent
Just a relived memory then
Cherish it, feel it, look all around
This moment will never be again
Hold details in sight and all of the sound
Time won’t stop, so what you have is here
Cherish it, feel it, look all around
Make the best of it, let go of fear
Take in the moment given to you
Time won’t stop, so what you have is here
Live it fully, accept it as new
Your thoughts and insight will show the way
Take in the moment given to you
Each moment is a gem in the day
Quality of time, choose how it’s spent
Your thoughts and insight will show the way
It cannot be bought, borrowed or lent
Heidi Sands
9/17/20