Best To The Contrary Poems
Now this is quiet a famous little stream, many untold story
The muddy waters run slow, but don't let it fool you when it comes alive
Divides the United States and Mexico, but it is just a line
Old Cottonwood trees and quick sand, some cross it for glory
A history of out laws crossed it fleeing into Mexico, some did not survive
Maybe holding up a bank or stealing from a gold mine
Long yesterdays ago, Pancho Villa and his raiders came
They robbed and killed, then head back to their sanctuary
Some though him to be a hero, to the poor he was a giver
He was an out law, that is where he got his fame
Even today there are those that will argue to the contrary
After he did his damage, he always crossed that river
Those muddy waters have seen a lot and still active
It has been a battle ground, many old cowboy songs sung
But like history, the old river changes too
Sometimes history is not very attractive
Those cottonwoods have seen many horse and cow thieves hung
Back in those days that what they had to do
The tides of the old river have changed. smugglers bring drugs to this side
No longer six shooters, it is machine guns now days
No more cowboys and Indians, now cocaine desperado thugs
Anything goes there, no such thing as pride
And the old river once again has had to change it's ways
It is all because of damn old drugs
Categories:
to the contrary, historyold, history, old, river,
Form:
I think my words are far more worthy
than I am, the writer – often feeling,
grateful – but apart! For the mind
and heart, can seem, at times, mere
spectators to the being. Inspiration
pouring in, as if a blessed shower
or cloudburst, from far off or high
above, somewhere outside conscious
push-and-shove. Feeling honored
to be allowed a share; pleased to know
something far greater than I is taking
dutiful care – for one's soul can
be its own worst adversary; faith,
the vision of blind, dispelling
all notion to the contrary --
Categories:
to the contrary, faith, growth, inspirational, introspection,
Form:
Free verse
The fall of man is attributed to Eve
Who urged Adam to eat the forbidden fruit
Such is the story ancient biblical scriptures weave
Bringing about, as is said, on all of mankind disrepute
Reserving judgment on whether this tale is false or true
Blind belief that we have sinned shrouds us in guilt
Heart contracts every day swallowing this brew
No wonder then facing storms of life we wilt
Instead if we say man and woman are one
Polarities of God’s singularity that split in duality
Then concepts and beliefs entertained come undone
Allowing us to holistically view the absolute truth in totality
Eve is certainly not the villain she has been made out to be
Quite to the contrary, Adam was incomplete without her
Such is the interpretation, which our loving eyes see
We hope dear reader, that with us you concur
Categories:
to the contrary, perspective,
Form:
Rhyme
It takes real faith to be an evolutionist
For as you study science
The most difficult element to find
Is randomness
And if randomness is scarce;
Almost theoretical,
Then there is design
(a thought heretical)
And if there is a design
There must be a designer?
DNA is information
Coded strips of pure devotion
To the contrary of the notion
That we came out of sludgy potion
But then we need to understand
That in every place in every land
Evolution is preached as gospel truth
And if preached, it is religion
Without proof, not a smidgen!
Funny how the scientists find
That adaption of genetic kind
Was programmed in by a superior mind
Funny how the scientists find
That DNA has an operating system
A base code filled with wisdom
I just don’t have enough faith to believe
In evolution
Categories:
to the contrary, faith, irony, science,
Form:
Dramatic Monologue
DIRTY HANDS
by
JOHN M. ARRIBAS
Little boys playing with mud and silty sands
Will return to their houses with dirty hands
Mom will scold them, but knows what to do
A little soap and water, they’ll look like new
Soap and water doesn’t clean off all stains
Especially those amassed from ill-gotten gains
Those boys will grow to men and go on their way
Confronted with selections each and every day
All have the choice, a conscious creed election
Conduct with principle or live with deception
Ethics apply, rules obeyed, as society demands
Tread the line cautiously avoid dirty hands
A quick gain of treasure due to fabricated facts
Will no doubt lead to more disingenuous acts
Wealth will grow, applause and fame may follow
Despite images to the contrary the core is hollow
Conscience is muted a false illusion commands
Its always the same for those with dirty hands
Predation of the ignorant by well connected gentry
Swayed by promises that usually come up empty
Lifelong politicians rise to the top of the heap
Fooling the public with promises they never keep
Attaining the apogee and the attention it commands
Could not have been possible without dirty hands
Wealth and power is the ultimate goal
Dirty hands are the symptoms of a toxic soul
Categories:
to the contrary, abuse, betrayal, corruption, introspection,
Form:
Rhyme
My lady friend Mary invited me over one day to have a little ham
So, I put on my big heavy coat and my fur hat and grabed a digital cam
It was late in November and the streets were white with snow
But when Mary invited me over for some ham, I was sure to go
Now I also want to mention that come spring little Mary
Becomes a different person, quite to the contrary
Last spring I asked her, Mary, Mary...(she's hard hearing) "how does your garden
grow?"
Well, she just went sort of weird on me and and replied: "sheeps in the meadow
and cows in the corn"........
I could tell that she was a "Little Girl Blue", so I just went over and for her I did
blow my horn
But after a little while (the ham was gone).. so Jack (me) I was nimble about it and
sort of quick
I turned all of a sudden and just jumped right on over her candle stick
I had my digital camera with me though and did take her picture, but no more talk
And what do you know when I steped outside I ran right into this bean stalk....
Well it was more than I could resist, so I climbed it.... and so it just went on and on
Till it was gone......... And so am I............ Real Gone.........
Categories:
to the contrary, fantasy, funnyme, spring, me,
Form:
Light Verse
Nine wild mustangs canter across the prairie
Old West symbols of animals on free range
Known to them is only one adversary
-- Pounding hooves fade into history’s pages
Magnificent specie appears unwary
Victim of habitat infringement and change
Government roundups so unnecessary
Protection not offered, to the contrary
Mustangs captured and sold for slaughter’s exchange
Deaths of entire herds appear arbitrary
-- Pounding hooves fade into history’s pages
*February 26, 2019
Categories:
to the contrary, horse,
Form:
Roundel
I propose love is not the answer
It’s not what brings us together in our lives
I believe it’s to the contrary
Perhaps that’s the flawed reasoning in our “why”
The majority of our life we suffer
We fervently strive to avoid all of life’s pain
Ironically
We suffer and suffer more just the same
So what if we embrace suffering?
What if we learned to observe the pain and let go
Perhaps awareness would occur - it’s all ephemeral
Amazing – it’s our thoughts that make it so
The truth – suffering is what brings us together
In our darkest days we find light
It’s where we flourish
It’s where we become stronger in spite
I propose love is not the answer
Love is an emotion that manifest from overcoming pain
It creates empathy – sympathy
It creates a stronger emotion that doesn’t wax or wane
I encourage you to embrace all of life
Cherish all that life brings to you
Suffering is inevitable – a necessity
The answer?
I propose gratitude
Categories:
to the contrary, appreciation, deep, growth, i
Form:
Rhyme
You had to pass through security
and insisted you could stand
on your own two feet
and progress of your own volition.
Though your wheelchair
and diagnosed dementia
evidence to the contrary,
I figured: Who would it hurt?
The stares of strangers
as I held your hands
and helped you to your feet
informed me that I might be hurt --
Poor dear, so young to have
to care for one so old!
Or, perhaps, hurting you --
How could she put
him through this?
With the weight of their eyes upon
us, you leaned on me and lurched:
arduous, shuffling, inching on
until you passed through security.
You made it to the other side
with a walk you won't remember,
and I'll not soon forget.
Categories:
to the contrary, caregivingme,
Form:
Free verse
We are the people, did you know,
Better be ready, do feel it so.
But, to keep you accurate to, you!
We live in a human world;
Where sin is thick, judgments clouded;
In a world that's full of hate;
The people were shouting.
People are boasting about themselves:
In prideful ways, they'll soon regret;
The things they've said in their vanity.
Racial slurs are happening everywhere:
We as people cannot move forward;
Because we lost to our hast;
Such sorrow to see this happening in despair.
Who gives the right for such arrogance to bear:
I know of one, which soon will be here;
Please give it a guess, then wait and see.
I see people for who they are:
They have but one color in my eyes;
That's the color of love, for all to reside.
Our times now find us to this:
New World Order, a dictatorship;
They want their citizens to bow to them.
But, to the contrary:
I bow to no one, but One;
Our Father in Heaven, and I love Him so.
Categories:
to the contrary, conflict, confusion, culture, future,
Form:
Prose
There is only one true freedom we have in this world,
That is not hindered by the Time and Place of our Birth,
Our Religious Beliefs,
Family circumstances ,
Or even the dictates of the regime we reside under.
We can try,
And keep on trying as long as we have a breath left in our body,
We are free to try and be kind,
In the most adverse circumstances,
We are free to try and make a better world,
If not for us, then for those yet to come,
We are free to try out new things,
And free to try standing on our own two feet.
It is only in the knowing that we tried,
That we can call ourselves truly free,
And shout from the roof tops,
That by our own standard our life has been worthwhile,
Then no opinions to the contrary,
Will hold any sway,
And we can be truly content,
Within our own skins,
And hopefully have made some lifelong friends along the way.
Categories:
to the contrary, appreciation, best friend, care,
Form:
Dramatic Monologue
Love is a kiss
A prelude to the dreams we hum
A postlude of what has become
Love is a wine
Intoxicating heart and soul
Over the mind it gains control
Love is a song
A melody to remember
Forever a burning ember
Love is a light
Dispelling darkness in the night
Keeping hope of morning in sight
Love is an ointment
Soothing discomfort through the years
Healing our wounds, calming our fears
Love is a nourishment
A meal giving comfort and strength
Encouragement for the day’s length
Love is a refreshment
An oasis along the way
A cool drink at the end of day
Love is a Faith
Bearing hope in the worst of times
Always waiting to hear the chimes
Love is a Jewell
A dangling necklace of fine gold
Staying the same as it gets old
Love is a perfume
A fragrance seeking our favor
An aroma we can savor
Love is a curtain
Protecting our secrets and pride
A shadow where we can confide
Love is a banquet
An emotion to celebrate
A good reason to Decorate
Love is a banner
Appreciating our worth
Expressing our value on earth
Love is a flower
A lily growing from the pond
Beauty that expresses our bond
Love is a voice
A call to the places we roam
An invitation to come home
Love is a guardian
Protecting us from things that spoil
Watching over the fruits of our toil
Love is a rock
In whose cleft we obtain refuge
Granting us strength for battles huge
Love is a covering
A quilt hand pieced with perfection
Stitched with peace, hope, and affection
Love is a garden
A soil where our lives can take root
A fertile place producing fruit
Love is a spice
Amending the ordinary
Bringing taste to the contrary
Love is a tree
A gentle breeze providing shade
A place for the stories we’ve made
Love is a seal
A room that captures and confines
A lock that holds us and refines
Love is a comfort
A shelter from the wind and cold
A blanket when sick and old
Categories:
to the contrary, devotion, faith, heart, kiss,
Form:
Rhyme
Extinctions Distinctions
Will it end with one distinction -
We – as authors of our own extinction.
Sucking, vampire–like, the life essence
necessary for our ongoing presence.
Will it end with roar - or whimper
warring beasts or broken souls
flaming wrath of mindless death
huddled fear of bridge-less trolls.
Will the end come quickly – slowly
sinner’s first and then - the holy
God’s that failed to tend their flock
reducing fertile earth – to rock.
Will the end be one last breath
uttering sad truth’s lament
despite rumors to the contrary
mankind wasn’t heaven sent.
It will end – of course – but how
in some future here and now
unless the thoughts of our distinct-ness
become the first that we extinguish.
12/30/2015
submitted to - Extinction – Poetry contest
sponsor – Anthony Slausen
Categories:
to the contrary, betrayal, death, earth,
Form:
Verse
Alas, we've elected bozos on both sides to again guide the nation!
(Some folks are sobbing in their ale, others are filled with jubilation!)
To rid this great nation of such knaves, here is what I would propose:
Elect retired noncoms who are well qualified to lead, heaven knows!
Noncoms are known for their integrity and by the way, lead from the front!
They don't take shhhtuff from anyone and are known to be rather blunt!
There should be a crusty Master Chief to head the Navy overseeing the fleet,
And a Marine Gunny Sergeant should occupy every congressional seat!
A Staff Sergeant who's been in the trenches should be the Secretary of Defense.
Chief Master Sergeants qualify for the oval office (Obama, take no offense!)
Sergeants First Class would eminently qualify for the Secretary of Labor.
They'd put deadbeats to work so as not to mooch off their neighbor!
There's a horde of Navy Petty Officers who'd qualify for Treasury Secretary,
Who've faithfully paid their taxes unlike some Yale czars to the contrary!
There's a brigade of Sergeants Major who'd excel as the Secretary of State,
Who'd tell other nations where to go if they didn't deal with us straight!
Master and Technical Sergeants are well qualified to occupy a governor's chair.
Their prime concern is the welfare of folks, not just building castles in the air!
Retired Noncoms are a special breed who believe in and uphold the Constitution!
Patriots who'd oust the current clowns, some of whom qualify for a mental institution!
Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired
© All Rights Reserved
Categories:
to the contrary, political, satire, integrity,
Form:
Rhyme
Humour is my forte, perhaps you've noticed
Sure don't hear any of youse people protest
In fact, to the contrary
A poem that is merry
Brightens your attitude each day to the mostest
© Jack Ellison 2915
Categories:
to the contrary, humorous,
Form:
Limerick