Best The States Poems
Each day Annie Lesley opened a can
Her eighty-six-year-old hands trembling
As she sat with her cat and ate pet food
What is wrong with this elder’s rendering?
Pride swallowed to remain independent
Large, sunken eyes peered from her weathered face
Her late spouse a decorated hero
Annie’s lifestyle a national disgrace
More enlightened cultures all over the world
Have revered their seniors throughout history
Asians and Native Americans
Are just two who honor their ancestry
Polynesians, other Pacific tribes
Respect the wisdom that comes with age
Seniors are welcome in family homes
But here in the states they’re placed in a cage
Bone-thin Annie Lesley chose to be free
Amazing neighbors with her endurance
When social services tried to intervene
She fought with remarkable resilience
Old photos on walls told many great tales
But only purring Tibby was listening
Each morning she rose to care for her cat
Until the day that Tibby went missing
In tears she claimed he must have been poisoned
Though in cat years he was older than she
Each day she sat by the window, staring
Awaiting the homecoming of Tibby
She’d been abandoned by society
Lost in the world’s most “progressive” nation
For sacrificing her spouse in World War II
Annie received little compensation
This widowed war bride never had children
Her mate had met his fate in Normandy
Posthumous awards she dusted each day
Annie’s life was defined by loyalty
To a man and a cat who never came home
And the vigil she kept all alone
Ended quietly one warm summer night
When an angel came to take Annie home
With a can of cat food in hand when found
Annie had nothing else to eat in her house
This is the way a veteran’s wife died
And tear stains had blemished her faded blouse
Although seniors’ wisdom is heeded
In societies that grow from history
Too many like Annie lead lonely lives
Wisdom untapped, they die in poverty
With broken hearts we turn to You
Our tears cannot help those in need
To countless souls we bid adieu
And hope You listen as we plead
Bahamians need Your blessing
While they try to rebuild their homes
Dorian still keeps them guessing
As through the streets the homeless roam
Take pity on this island nation
Where families lost all they had
Starving, hopeless in devastation
Many still missing, and all so sad
If Dorian’s swift, salty surge
Carried many souls out to sea
Please help their families emerge
Stronger in the Isle of Free
For from the states some slaves escaped
To build better lives in Freeport
Blankets of flowers are now draped
On coffins bearing lives cut short
Written September 13, 2019
For Regina Riddle’s “Write a Psalm” Poetry Contest
(A conversation with my wife Vera Selena (Osburn) Hinshaw on our 70th wedding anniversary 12 October 2022)
Honey, I thank God every day for bringing you into my life;
For making me the father of our children and for agreeing to be my wife.
We were just two starry-eyed kids when we met on the Bermuda Isle.
Even then I knew you were the one I hoped to escort down the bridal aisle.
Diamonds gleamed in your eyes when we pledged our eternal love.
There is no doubt that our life together was ordained by God above.
Love glowed in our hearts when we were united as man and wife;
Romance has been very much alive during our wedded life!
We've shared so many wonderful memories throughout the years.
There were lean times, laughter, and yes, a sprinkling of sorrow and tears.
Even though your hair has turned from bonnie gold to gray,
To me you've become more beautiful with each passing day!
You've met the vicissitudes of Air Force life with dignity and grace.
You've taught Sunday School and Girl Scouts leaving each base a better place.
You've made a house a home whether in the states or foreign lands.
Our kids and grand kids are what they are today due to your guiding hands.
I brought you a bouquet of yellow roses since they're your favorites, dear.
My love for you grows stronger and stronger with each passing year!
(My eyes welled-up with tears as I knelt and placed the flowers on her grave.)
SHE’s COMING AGAIN!
There’s a chill in the air
There’s a word on the street
Be afraid have a care
Put the children to sleep
She was gone, bells were tolled
But the body’s not cold
For she’s coming again
Yes she’s coming again
It was safe to suppose
She was due to be crowned
Then a young wizard rose
Had them all spellbound
With a look really cool
Like a kid from high school
But she came back again
Yes she came back again
Then she’d surely reside
In a white stately home
She’d the right, qualified
With two X chromosomes
She’d be in with a song
What could ever go wrong
She was coming again
She was coming again
But an old wizard now
With a strange style of hair
Took the stage took a bow
And with her almost there
She was pipped at the post
Cross the states, coast to coast
She was numbing again
And succumbing again
Without power came the crash
Sans connections she’d plied
Then the flow of the cash
Disappeared, nearly dried
So she needs to dispense
With some new influence
So she’s coming again
Yes she’s coming again
Feel the chill in the air
Hear the word on the street
Be afraid have a care
Put the children to sleep
So you thought she’d depart
With a stake through the heart
No she’s coming again
Yes she’s coming again
6 August 2018
Lifeless were the eyes of infamous Ted Bundy
No remorse, all emotion had been doused
His gaze pierced my soul as I gave testimony
He maintained there’d been too much publicity
Four coeds attacked in a sorority house
Lifeless were the eyes of infamous Ted Bundy
This demon had the nerve to make a bogus plea
“Move my trial or there’ll be no justice,” he groused
His gaze pierced my soul as I gave testimony
To explain news coverage in Tallahassee
Reporters took the stand, court quiet as a mouse
Lifeless were the eyes of infamous Ted Bundy
I took the stand shaking, did not want him to see me
I was sweating so much, wet stains were on my blouse
His gaze pierced my soul as I gave testimony
It appeared his conscience was totally guilt-free
What kind of excuse could this death machine espouse
Lifeless were the eyes of infamous Ted Bundy
His gaze pierced my soul as I gave testimony
*Entry for Catie’s “Villanelle Me” Contest
Note: Serial Killer Ted Bundy successfully convinced the court he could not get a fair
trial in Tallahassee because there had been too much pre-trial publicity surrounding
his attacks on four Florida State University co-eds in their sorority house. After
Tallahassee reporters were required to testify, Bundy’s trial was moved to South
Florida. Bundy assaulted and murdered at least 30 young women, and possibly
many more, in the states of Washington, Oregon, California, Utah, Idaho, Colorado,
and Florida between 1974 and 1978. After more than a decade of denials he
confessed to 30 homicides, but the true total remains unknown.
1. Big Brother
Big Brother's protecting his mice
with a secret eavesdropping device.
If you hang up the phone
he'll just send in a drone
when a warrant won't really suffice.
2. Neutrality
The internet's meant to be free,
yes for all, such as you, such as me.
But now there's some doubt -
will it lose all its clout
with the death of neutrality's spree?
3. Privacy
'twas surely our forefather's dread
all our emails would someday be read.
Now that push comes to shove
by the powers above,
private thoughts must now stay in our head.
4. Guantanamo
Guantanamo bay's a resort
where the fishing's a fabulous sport -
with your back on a board
tepid water is poured
spawning tales for a kangaroo court.
5. Banks
To bountiful bailouts give thanks
for there's nothing much richer than banks -
making money galore
taking homes from the poor
while they're managing mortgaging pranks.
6. Health
If you live in the States don't get sick
(lest a cut of the upper class clique).
Whether injured or ill
all they'll give you's a pill -
if you're lucky you'll surely die quick.
7. Economy
Our economy's doing just fine
lying dead with a slug in the spine.
So come follow the call
where there's money for all
and pure profit's the bottom-most line.
8. Safety
Vigilantes and cops are wide spread -
as for justice… not even a shred.
The avengers of right
score when stalking the night
so beware of a cap in the head.
Overweight Terrier:
Porky
Yorkie
Un-cool Terrier:
Dorky
Yorkie
Spaniel dog breeder:
Cocker
Stocker
Parrot who mimics a Spaniel's bark:
Cocker
Mocker
Book on how to care for Cockers:
Spaniel
Manuel
Originally from England, a well-rounded Spaniel stays in shape by playing:
Cocker
Soccer
Then showers and dresses by its:
Cocker
Locker
Dachshund headgear:
Weenie
Beenie
Grouchy Dachshund:
Meany
Weenie
Proportionally, male Dachshunds have:
Teenie
Weenies
(But size isn't everything)
Dachshund making critcal life choices:
Eenie
Weenie...
Lassie was a level-headed dog and never engaged in:
Collie
Folly
Reared in a loving environnment, she was a rather:
Jolly
Collie
Bred in the capitol city of NC, making her a:
Raleigh
Collie
To commemorate her frequent (and often rowdy) visits to N.O. a streetcar was renamed the:
Collie
Trolley
Snoopy immigrated to the States but alas, was found not to be a:
Legal
Beagle
Thus he was deported back to England but was promptly knighted by the Queen becoming a:
Regal
Beagle
Now a celebrity, he even had an entourage of nubile young female beagles named:
Snoopy's
Groupies
Eventually, he met his soul mate, married her in Westminster Abbey and it is rumored that they engaged in numerous and somewhat kinky sessions of:
Snoopy
Whoopie
While rambling like a vagabond in a seraphic poetic submersion, in a remote region, witnessed the most captivated sight ever,
a sleeping valley rippled in wild blooms, as sparkling in mystical celestial beam, in the mesas of the clouds, the Dzukou Valley,
a remote dale at the border of Nagaland and Manipur,
in the untrodden tableland of India's Northeast!
The picturesque landscape was ringing with the
once in a lifetime scene of emerald shades of hillocks
paving the way for azure mountaintops,
luminous flowers waving in the winds amongst the tall grasses!
The vale was tweeting and twirling amidst the virgin vegetations enriched with the spectacular sights of verdant forests,
exquisite flora and fauna,
serpentine streams, myriads of panoramic pink
and white wild blooms that dot
the vast caldera of the valley and its' verdant meadows,
alongside the meandering rivers of Dzukou and Japfu,
appeared as the absolute paragon of serenity and tranquility!
Surrounded by the whispering platonic hills,
with numerous colorful flying creatures,
the valley seemed as smuggled over
the dewdrops' fragrant feral fruits,
Oak and Rhododendron forests are a feast to the eyes!
Half way up and any signs of tracks disappear,
and one is just left with wheezing enigmatic bamboo thickets!
Botanists' delight, trackers' paradise, seraph's psyche,
rovers' riddle, is reclining placidly ,
the untrodden earth's lulling lullaby,
in the abode of the divine Lily's
anomalous nature's absolute pamphlet,
a rich biodiversity hotspots
of endemic species, the Dzoku Valley;
an uninhabited unsullied phosphorus valley
Note:
The Dzüko Valley is located at the borders of the states of Nagaland and Manipur in Northeast India. The valley is known for its extremely rich biodiversity, seasonal flowers and flora & fauna. It is situated at an altitude of 2452 m above sea level.
© Silpika Kalita
If you can work, or go to school.
You will be allowed to. If not
how can you discover a non
spam or get rich scheme.
Promising to solve all of your
financial problems. "You can
earn $10,00 working from home."
I hung up my cell phone two
times.
Mary C. and I wanted to call
our mutual friend, Starshadow.
Who has self quarantined. But
on three occasions the robot
interrupted my personal my
Cricket cell phone. Because I
did not respond. They promised
to call me back within 42 or 48
hours. I will vote by disconnecting
the scam call.
Success at last! I was able to
call her and Mary dropped
off the sack lunch. Courtesy
of a Seventh Day Adventist
Church. Using the Central
Lutheran church's property.
The people did not know if
they would be back there
two weeks from last Sunday.
My friend Mary C and I will
not be attending any more
community meals in the
cities of Everett and Snohomish.
King and Snohomish Counties
are two of the most impacted
counties in the Evergreen State
of Washington.
Since all of the parks have been
shut down in Snohomish County
Washington. And mayor Cassie
Franklin has ordered Everett under
a lock down. President Donald
Trump is calling out the National
Guard for the State of Washington.
The State of Colorado has dispatched
300 doctors, nurses. and medical
assistants to the State of Washington.
And they have already arrived,
and are working.
The States of California, New York,
and I believe Illinois will also
have National Guards present
in their states as well.
Stay at home, stay safe.
Say your prayers, read your
Bibles and home devotionals
Attend your church's on-line
services if possible.
Air out your dwelling places,
if at all possible.
Love in Christ Jesus!
Roxanne Lea Dubarry
Roxy Lea 1954
Roxy 1954/ October Country
March 12, 2020
For the second time in memory,
We’re faced with the ironic
When we look at an election
More divisive than harmonic.
Though the states made their decisions
And Republicans can gloat,
Seems the Democrat, the loser,
Won the “popular” (ha!) vote.
Something’s wrong with such a picture.
If the population’s voice
Does unite in its selection
We should, thus, respect that choice.
So we end up with a president,
Unpopular at best,
Leaving more than half the country
Pessimistic and depressed.
We have some breaking news, straight from the U.S.A.,
her citizens had a meeting and here’s what they had to say.
We’ll send old Joe to the nursing home and turn off Trump’s remote,
and as for the 2024 election, there’ll be no need for anyone to vote.
These two old farts can just stay home. That's our next great deal,
and for the next four years, we’ll just stay single and try to heal.
We will shut down CNN and pull the plug out on Fox News.
We'll all take time to sit and chill and share some ice-cold brews.
We will party from North to South and unite the East and West.
It’s time to relax and take a breath then show the world our best.
All politicians will be fired, and we’ll elect a fresh new batch,
who won't play with a nuclear football while playing catch.
Getting rid of Marjorie Taylor Greene will be our biggest coup.
Since she wants to divide the states by colors, red and blue.
She's such a dumb butt imbecile, whose eyes are too close nit,
there's lot of worse names to call her than moron and nitwit.
This life is what we make it. There’s just one way to deal with scum.
Let’s flush old Putin down the toilet as we smile and wipe our bum.
If his crap plugs up our toilet, a huge plunger is what we need,
we can use the one we did on Trump. It will do the job, indeed!
I'm so late for work; this line is just crawling along
With only two windows now open here out of ten.
Though silent, inside me, I'm wailing a misery song
and wishing I lived in a century way back when. . .
Far back to a time when a person might buy untaxed land,
When air still was clean and the number of people was small.
Neighbors were friendly and offered to give you a hand
and probably people did not need a license at all.
But now we have all become numbers that wait in a line;
And yearly you pay for the right to keep driving your car.
Yes, honor Big Brother, or you will be faced with a fine,
and nor does it matter in which of the states that you are.
I think I would rather be driving an old Model-T
than be standing in this frigging line at the dang DMV.
Andrea,
a woman considerate and kind, mellow, down to earth, and fun-loving,
she loves to use her mind.
Thefore, scrubbing on her knees, this gal you’ll never find!
Sisters she has four of, but there are many others.
Gal pals she has, who are her sisters from other mothers.
One husband all her life - at times he drives her insane.
Old boyfriends sometimes are subjects of her poems.
They reside in the treasure chest compartment of her brain.
Mother to two is she– one girl and one boy.
Grandma to four – two of whom don’t always bring their parents such great joy!
She loves to eat, so it follows that she loved to learn to cook.
She makes things up and has no need of recipes coming from a book.
She loves to hunt for bargains and save her honey money.
She loves all kinds of movies, both dramatic ones or funny.
She feels great passion for the things she believes are true
and feels she’s learned a lot in life from all that she’s gone through.
Her fears are rather silly. She avoids driving in a strange big city.
It brings her stress, which she detests. She might freak out, which is not pretty.
Changing weird attachments on a vacuum cleaner would
be a thing to stress her out. At puzzles she’s no good.
New technology keeps coming at her job. This also makes her stressed,
but she can sure accessorize. She’s great at getting dressed!
Her greatest fear – seriously – is facing suffering,
so fear of pain and torture (more than fear of death) is her scariest thing.
She saw a lot of Europe when she studied in Madrid.
She got to take one nice cruise, and other things she did
were seeing more than half the states and going to Brazil.
Her husband hates to travel, so it’s good when she was young she got her fill.
She only really wants to see her lovely family.
Because she lives so far away, with them she’d love to be.
And when she dies, her brother Dale she hopes she will see first.
Young he died, and finally . . . with thankfulness for poetry
and for all her other passions she feels her heart might burst!
Dietrich
(edited now with my name showing since announcement of winners!!)
Aug. 1, 2021
For the "This Is Who I Am" Poetry Contest
Sponsor: L. Milton Hankins
On the Greatest country on this Earth
The American, country of their birth
Sioux, Cree Apache
Native Indians all of thee
For generations they hunt and live
Summer bloom, Winter sieve
Move their tribe on freedom lands
Explorers show their poisonous glands
Spaniards, British French too
Expect to take your lands from you
Many battles many deaths
Arrows against weaponry strength
Colonial life's as races bond
Indian kids haired blonde
Civilisation hope, wars fade
Has this great country made the grade
This country takes another turn
Neighbours, fight and burn
The North and South differ so
Free the slaves, let them go
Awesome words from Abe the man
Freedom to all, his major plan
But blinkered sight from those so grand
Who actually owns this wonderful land
Decades pass, the States grow
Neighbour hoods flourish - flow
American Hispanic, ***** too
Europeans like me and you
But sadly in the background mist
The most important has been missed
Do i need to tell you who they are?
Indigenous Man, your ultimate clan
They are The American
http://www.thehighlanderspoems.com/native-americans.php
My senior year in High School
a friend once turned to me
She asked, "After graduation,
what will you then be?"
With no hesitation,
the words I gladly spoke
"I'm going to be a writer."
She laughing, said, "What a joke!"
I wasn't as amused
as my friend had seemed to be
Writing was my passion
and it set my spirit free
She said, "Writers are just dreamers
with many years, holding pen
Once too late, there they sit
wishing again and again
That they had done things different
instead of wasting time away
And if you don't find yourself a career,
that's going to be you one day."
Seventeen years later,
over coffee I explain
"Though my pocket is quite empty
my work is not in vain
I may not be a journalist
and traveled round the states
Still I've been to many places
and recorded special dates
The many words I've written
is a story from within
Thoughts, feelings, where I'm going,
the places I have been
Remember years ago,
when I made with you that bet
That I would gain a lot of wealth
and have no big regret?
I may not have much money
but I am wealthy as can be
For there's a treasure that I hold
that lives inside of me."