Best Thither Poems
’Tween hither and thither while wending our way,
skipping, dancing through sand dunes in seascape croquet
and woven in waves watching dolphins at play,
I first tasted her lips in the ocean’s wild spray.
Mystic moonbeams, suffusing clouds’ shimmering sails,
then unleashed us and whisked us down sensuous trails,
soon evoking the trills of untamed nightingales
as our passions pervaded green valleys and dales.
Being specters of splendor in wanton sashay
we mastered our meaning in love’s matinee –
sultry breezes, in passing, slowed down to survey
blazing bodies embracing youth’s blooming bouquet.
With the wind as our wings, chasing rainbows we flew,
two gypsies on junkets through dusk’s residue
sometimes following pollen to everywhere new
beneath the empyrean, painted pale blue.
Rising higher and higher, the sun lured our sleigh,
teasing time was our temptress, night ’n day after day
as we gamboled and gambled, two waifs led astray,
with our shackles afire, our anchors aweigh.
Yes, we’ve drifted, like dreamers where sprites rendezvous
having stars in our eyes with all time as our view,
and feasted on laughter and sipped morning dew
while rambling forever as one made of two.
Categories:
thither, fantasy, love,
Form:
Quatrain
Poetrysoup, to me is just like a joint family.
How by a common bond, here we are strung together!
Though sailing in different currents and anchored in remote ports,
Distance among us has never been a hitch or a tether.
Here we enjoy a warm and genial camaraderie.
Often I feel my credit far exceeds my debit,
And am weighed down by a heavy sense of debt.
I wonder if I will ever be able to repay a small bit.
Before I am stamped an insolvent the rest of my life,
Let me strive to do some little good while I can.
Like a melting candle, let me bring some glow,
Before I grow weary and time runs out of my span.
Sometimes I feel I am an insidious bed bug,
Growing bigger and fatter on others' blood.
Here when I registered as an artless novice,
I was as inane and inexperienced as a kid.
As a kite with a piece of broken string,
I floated up hither and thither in the skies in vain.
You gave me direction, guidance and support.
I owe to each one of you for all that I could attain.
Your relentless encouragement helps me aim for heights,
Your heartfelt blessings give me loads of happiness.
Your poems open before me new avenues of thought.
Your gracious company creates for me a new ambience.
Before my eyes, a hundred smiling faces appear in a row.
Some stand out as beacons of radiant light.
With words of encouragement, they vanquish all my doubts,
Revitalizing my lackluster spirit and leaving it shimmering bright.
Through this forum, we share our inmost thoughts,
How close we feel though never been together.
Many have left the scene leaving trails of footprints,
And many join fresh to continue the endeavor.
Irrespective of creed, we are here at art’s sacred shrine.
‘Soupers’ we are called and we breathe the scented pride.
We stand tall among many others of our species.
Let us proclaim aloud our fraternity worldwide!
Categories:
thither, appreciation, family, poets,
Form:
Rhyme
Illustrious
Phantom
You chase
My desire
For satisfaction
As I chase you
Hither and thither
Like the rainbow's end
Always just out of reach
Escalating intensity or just
A trick of the cruel mind
Dancing across my skin
Infiltrating my sanity
As a ghostly feather
Until I find your
Illusive hiding
Place
Ahh
Categories:
thither, beautiful, deep, feelings, poetry,
Form:
Free verse
He tried to fly
flapped his wings
High above him
a dark duvet
drizzled sadness
Only yesterday,
or was it last week
his wings and feet
carried him
little raven
didn't remember
Carry me
carry me
he squeaked
to his sorrowful parents
We have to go
they said
hipping hither
and thither
He hid his head
under his useless wings
and waited
and wailed
***
September 17, 2017
7th place in contest: In The Dark
sponsor: Russell Sivey
Categories:
thither, dark, metaphor, sick,
Form:
Free verse
Feeling hurt owing to belied expectation
The earth entity floundered hither and thither
Spiralling gloom causing consciousness contraction
The wound cut deep since he relied upon his transgressor
Pain amplified by cyclic thoughts plunged him into despair
For healing he visited a reputed clinical psychologist
Listening patiently seated on a swivelling chair
Of no avail were therapists or hypnotists
Finding no way he asked this question
Who feels the pain and why is relief not simple
This line of inquiry brought him to a clear recognition
Cause of suffering delusion dwelling in images ephemeral
Reflecting deeper if an animal is ensouled in human form
It goes without saying that it’s actions will be feral
We expect not from a carnivore embrace warm
Thus our cognition should be spherical
Meditating thus in silence and stillness
He knew each being acts as of his evolution
With all our flaws we too seek divine connectedness
Yet hastily condemn others by our jaundiced eye perception
The afflicted soul then rose in the light of clear understanding
Looking at the other with kindness and compassion
His own orientation thus prayerfully correcting
In quietude of transcendental meditation
17-January-2021
Categories:
thither, forgiveness, muse, spiritual,
Form:
Rhyme
( An old poem, slightly modified)
How I wish my poems could,
soar higher and higher
like a bird of limitless wingspan,
dashing into horizons far!
But they skim like web footed water birds,
tilting their wings in vain,
unable to fly to any desired destination
helplessly watching larks and eagles
flying to the far edges of the sky.
How I wish my poems could,
sail across the limitless expanse
like parting ships bound to distant lands
carrying my fancies to the ends of the Earth!
But they remain like paper boats
set to sail by mischievous kids
that drift hither n’ thither on muddy puddles.
How I wish my poems could,
wind their way down slopes and dales
like a fountain stream running down
to join the sea, travelling miles.
But they slither like snakes,
struggling to move on polished floors.
How I wish my poems could,
grow out from chrysalis to butterflies
to flit around flowers and feed on nectar.
But they ever remain such creepy worms,
destined to hide behind blades of leaves.
How I wish, like an inspired artist,
I could paint on my canvas, with deft hands,
the luster and glory of the setting sun,
the freshness and beauty of the spring flowers
the scary grandeur of the mountains
the silence of the lonesome lagoon
the dark majesty of the unlit groves
the sunlit glades of trackless forests
and scenes and sights, so varied and myriad
that I could array before you in magic shades,
the wonders of an unseen paradise!
But, Alas! What I leave on my canvas
is just a banal scene!
My poems, like kites tangled,
among the branches of trees
are denied forward movement!
Still I don’t regret my efforts…..
Like the lyrics of a half forgotten melody,
my poems delight me,
in my sequestered hours of loneliness!
Categories:
thither, analogy, desire, poetry,
Form:
Free verse
How I wish my poems could,
Soar higher and higher
Like a bird of limitless wingspan,
Dashing into horizons far!
But they skim like web footed water birds,
Tilting their wings in vain,
Unable to fly to any desired destination
Helplessly watching larks and eagles
Flying to the far edges of the sky
How I wish my poems could
Sail across the limitless expanse
Like parting ships bound to distant lands
Carrying my fancies to the ends of the Earth!
But they remain like paper boats
Set to sail by mischievous kids
That drift hither n’ thither on muddy puddles
How I wish my poems could
Wind their way down slopes and dales
Like a fountain stream running down
To join the sea, travelling miles
But they slither like snakes,
Struggling to move on polished floors
Alas! My poems, like kites tangled
Among the branches of trees
Are denied forward movement!
Still I don’t regret my efforts…..
Like the lyrics of a half forgotten melody
My poems delight me
In my sequestered hours of loneliness!
Feb.6.2023
2022 Poetry Marathon Qualifier's Final Placement
Poetry Contest
Sponsor- Mark Toney
Nov.14.2022
2022 .Poetry Marathon mile.20. Contest
Sponsor- Mark Toney
Placed First
In the Brian Strand (1050) Poetry Contest
Sponsor- Brian Strand
Categories:
thither, birth, fantasy, words,
Form:
Blank verse
If only angles could be calculated by degrees of truth,
Counted along perpendicularities measured by parallel reasons.
If only spheres were round,
Found amongst the globes hovering in the heavens we've named Space.
Circling nuclei like electrons to an atom, orbiting thoughtlessly around a point that never proved itself.
Heat and light suffice reason, it seems.
To be and hither thither, round about we go, whether poisoned entrails grow.
Math were to be the way to see,
Rather than moth to flame,
Until recently, it seems.
Counting pasts and futures has become futile, when the present takes both for granted.
If only we could count the circles round we've been,
If only we could swing in tune to frequent hymn,
If only we could see that out is what's within,
Then we'd learn of curve, sine and reason.
Categories:
thither, america, analogy, extended metaphor,
Form:
Free verse
Is this the world that was so young
and fresh and fair but yesterday?
From leafy bows the robin sung
Is this the world that was so young?
Wild bees upon the clover swung
And grove and field with bloom were gay
Is this the world that was so young
and fresh and fair but yesterday?
Is this the world that was so young
and fresh and fair but yesterday?
Sere leaves beneath our feet are flung
Is this the world that was so young?
As if wild hands spectre wrung
Hither and thither, sobbing, sway
Is this the world that was so young
and fresh and fair but yesterday?
+++
October 9, 2014
Form: Triolet (Iamb Tetrameter)
Dr. Ram Mehta
Second place win
Contest: Structured Forms Iamb Verse III by Giorgio V.
Categories:
thither, dream,
Form:
Triolet
As cooler air replaces summer's heat,
Unbridled joy bursts forth so sweet.
Truly autumn is a wondrous time of year,
Ushering in cool breezes and warm cheer.
Metamorphosis turns green leaves to red and gold,
Nature's lush palette unveiled for all to behold.
Dancing leaves twirl hither and thither to the ground,
Enchanting us with their waltzes as they go round.
Little children form them into piles, then jump in.
Innocent, carefree fun reminds us when,
Growing up we once played the same as they,
Helter skelter, tossing, crunching leaves all day.
Truly autumn is my favorite season of them all.
Kim Merryman
9/3/2012
Categories:
thither, autumn, seasons,
Form:
Acrostic
Watch the frolicking squirrels
scamper hither and thither,
tree branch to fence, fence to ground.
Follow the leader!
Across a telephone wire,
they dash, then flash down the poles;
scurrying through yards, they play.
Energy to burn.
11/16/15
Categories:
thither, animal, fun,
Form:
Dodoitsu
Searching here and there, hither and thither not knowing when to stop
The road is long the path is narrow the hill so steep, is there a top?
Each twist and turn, a new obstacle, something else to overcome
But there is a way, a map for your world, no trail of biscuit crumb
Love finds you when you are lost, when the mist swallows you up
It clears away the storms; it keeps filled the cup from which you sup
The road becomes a pathway, the pathway becomes a road
The hill becomes level; love even carries that heavy load
The road well driven may not be the best, just because it’s used oft
Sometimes a change of direction helps find us when we are lost
Our road still driven need not make us worry, and should never us daunt
The road we are on needs a bump or two, it needs a little tease and taunt
A road so straight and often used, becomes a boring drive
We need a few little obstacles to remind us we are alive
So take your love hold it close, use it to guide your way each day
Then the road still driven will not be arduous, you will always find your way.
©
10/12/2012
Entry For Contest 'A Road Still Driven'
Categories:
thither, inspirational, love,
Form:
Quatrain
All is serene tonight along the banks of Antietam Creek.
'Neath the brooding moon, the battlefield looks so bleak.
Bloodied ground was hallowed on this dire September day.
On the field this night, six thousand slain heroes lay.
Six thousand valiant men stared heavenward with lifeless eyes.
Wounded brothers lay among them, emitting plaintive cries.
All about them was strewn the ravaged debris of battle,
Torn asunder by the cannons' roar and the muskets' rattle.
Strewn upon the field of strife were mementos now forlorn.
Thither and yon, Bibles lay, their pages scorched and torn.
Blowing in the breeze were photographs of those left to grieve.
Unfinished letters wafted about that families will ne'er receive.
Johnny Reb in tattered gray lay nigh Billy Yank in dusty blue.
Their mingled blood flowed as one, the sacred soil to embue.
It can ne'er be said that these men had sacrificed in vain.
Each believed in the cause for which he was cruelly slain.
Alas, other battles would rage 'til the war would cease,
When brotherhood would reign again, bringing blessed peace.
Soldiers lie awaiting Gabriel's clarion call, their duty done.
The sweet sounds of nature returned to replace the roaring gun.
Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired (© All Rights Reserved)
Categories:
thither, warmen,
Form:
Rhyme
Endearing words of mine piling in confusion
A soul dropping ink hither and thither in profusion
The muse of beauty denies my pen the spell
Gems of rarity out glow and strive against the shell
Voice of poetry, echo of my life
Compose your note and mind strife
Euterpe, Muse of music delight me bestow
Words of soul, inhale harmony and through flute flow
Amazed, my heart pounding on ebony and ivory
Enchanted, I take a bow in ecstasy.
Categories:
thither, beauty, confusion, inspiration, muse,
Form:
Rhyme
My Soul
My
Soul
Finds peace
Among words
Written by poets
And my heart soars afar, thither.
© Dane Ann Smith-Johnsen
January 28, 2010
Poetic form: Fibonacci
Categories:
thither, on writing and words,
Form:
Fibonacci