Best Tokens Poems
Balassi stanza
as fickle love is cruel,
makes of many a fool
as hearts are many broken
“tokens of Jealously”
`kept of hearts zealously’
as hurtful words are spoken
hearts do become word graves
as jealousy gains slaves
common as subway tokens
=================
For and In honor of Dr Ram
And contest: Balassi Stanza
By John Moses Freeman
red roses are fine
to give me sweet valentine
but this year I want
tokens that lasts a lifetime
honesty, trust, commitment
~*~
1/25/13
What gift can I give her in token of my love?
It should be something most women think of!
Something like a book, a perfume, or a rose.
She can read the book wherever she goes.
When she reads the book , my love grows
My name shall be on every page she reads.
It’s not the book; it’s my love she heeds.
I know women like perfumes so much.
I think a small bottle will be a nice touch.
Every time she wears some, I’ll be around.
The scent she smells will keep her bound.
I think a rose or two will be a great gift!
As women, we know, identify with it.
It could be red, yellow, white or pink.
A rose of any color is a joy they think.
I think a book, a perfume and a rose.
Shall bear witness to my noble cause.
18/10/2014
Liquor cabinet, doors wide opened
All those bottles,
Chosen Tokens
heart broken
words spoken
life taken
rude waking
trsut lost
emotions dependent
tears shed
anger bred
chains linked
circle continued
cycle breaks
hearts separate
emotions handled
life gained
joy filled
Unspoken Tokens - by Bob Atkinson
he walked over desert sands
for miles stumbling as a wild man
up to a fellow he did approach
to tell of the journey he made for gold
with quiet eyes this gent appraised
the needs of one who tramped so far
no canteen upon his back he saw
just tattered clothes and skin rubbed raw
"you need a bath" he said so softly
"the dust of road sets on you now,
I have no water for your dried lips
but here's a fountain in which to dip"
"please sir, a drink of water now
or I will die within the hour"
he showed his mouth dry of moisture
lips cracked open, face afire, broken
"no man," the gent respoke with irritation
"no water to drink, just to soak in,
you set out on this journey when you had duties
many things more important than wandering remotely
yet you proceeded to trek across desert
your lack of duty left your life useless
now you want water for drink of mouth
re-arranged priorities to that of the obvious
sit down on that rock and ponder all of this
how you ignored responsibility for a fools quest
take your bath with pleasure there
yet sip not the water, as you don't care
for those strong ties of devotion
to others and life's unspoken tokens
Reflections of life already lived.
Impulsive urges; thinking maybe it still is;
But really it’s not.
Maybe it’s all just rock and roll;
With some personal twists perhaps but;
It’s definitely dance to the beat till the music stops.
So with tokens in pocket;
And hat at a tip
I dance on
Little Tokens of Love
Each day for wisdom I pray
To lead them in the right way
For strength and grace from above
Wonderful little tokens of Love
You make my world bright
Amazing little lights
That kindle love's fire
You are all I desire
Sweet little tokens of Love
Amazing gifts from above
My world of wonder and delights
All through my days and nights
You show me life's meaning
It's on you I'm leaning
You teach me what love's all about
You leave no room for doubt
To raise you full of courage
To acknowledge your worth and privilege
That's my fervent decision
I'm committed to this eternal mission
And we have become
so cool so cool
collectible tokens
token
bike courier
popping up everywhere
selling pills
selling time
ambiance
reality
through the TV screen
strategic
comedic relief
token
character conflict
bike courier heroes
saving the world
and can we admit
we are so cool
when we feel it
know it to be true
no more just
a job exists
we will always be
just
the messenger
wilted flowers and candy
that's well past its sell by date
are the tokens of your love...
the trash can is mine!
* based on a friend's failed romance
written 15th January 2017 for Constance's Valentine (form D) contest
I used to think of tokens
in terms of appreciation
Until someone mentioned
something in passing
they said they had grown weary
of being a token
What a curious thing to say
is what I thought at the time
But I soon got to see it all
for what it really was
It often starts off innocently enough
The appeal of getting the opportunities
denied the rest of your kind draws you in initially
To be the exception to the rule
is most certainly a thrill
You get to be the exotic one
while the others are seen as repulsive
It can quickly turn to one selling their soul to earn or maintain approval
It's an easy trap to fall into in all fairness
In most cases you have to be a yes man
Willing to vote against your kind to fit in
Being a complete and shameless sell out is a must
You have to put up with being stereotyped for effect
Even throw in a few laughs at bigoted jokes
aimed at your kind for added bonus
Nobody wants to be rejected obviously
but being a token might result in self betrayal
or even self hate,I think
You have to shun a part of yourself
in order to be useful in concealing disparity
Be the bold voice and face that represents a false display of equality
How do you ever look your kin
in the eye again after that, I wonder
Or even look at your skin and coily hair with love ever again
Do you simply stop seeing any of that
as part of your identity, maybe
How does one even begin to cope with all that burden
You might even start believing the scam that you have been lured into
Its truly tragic in my opinion
But then again what do I know
I'm not built to be a pet
I'm an African wildling
I was born free
TOKENS
in an
appropriate
culmination
restricted
&
eclipsed
yet
halloweded
&
steadily acquired
yet
is measured
& deliberate
embellished
& animated
exhibiting
a passion
in
sublimely
evocative
thoughts
drifing freely
vividly
illustrated
at the time
in an
extraordinary
surreal
visuals
potent
literal
in
a
coincidence
of
figurative
allusions
NOTE:THIS IS AN OPEN(organic) FORM VERSE using spaces&breaks without grammatical symbols ,the ' open' relies upon 'the one breath limitation' & so inherently requires the 'reader' (reciter) to input and responds thus making this enigmatic form a two way interplay & interpretatIon unique to the moment& changing according to mood is inherently variable.
Copyright © Brian Strand
Jolly works best
This funny zest
In playground fest
Laughter greets fun
Here on the run
With blazing guns
Entertain that flow
With games that show
A stress-free blows
One by one see
Sheer fun crazy
As poise can be
Luck of the draw
In frame and flaw
In fighting raw
Be beyond blame
Games thrill bold flame
To crave a name
By this fun world
Let play unfurl
Raw nerves that swirl
Playtime now gains
Tokens free pain
Prime hits get slain
Round and round seek
The random peek
To slay odd freak
Games of all sorts
Here can be bought
With tokens sought
Here for a while
Flash easy smiles
Play puzzles style
Leon Enriquez
19 June 2016
Singapore
Though the words, you have rarely spoken.
You present unexpected tokens.
With my kiss, your intent percepted.
Your apology is accepted.
Added note after contest judging:
My husband rarley says "I'm Sorry" He does however leave
me little tokens that say it just as loud. A single Rose.
Bringing me home an ice cream bar. A silly card.
Doing the dishes that night, stc.
For Barbara Gorelicks contest:
Apology Accepted
Placement: Honorable Mention
Got a bag of old tokens I keep near to hand
They have served me well when travelling through this land
Never gets turned down, it's money in their banks
Each one is labelled and just simply says "Thanks"
As I move along this ol' road that I'm upon
I may visit with you but soon I will be gone
I will give you a token and point out they're free
To show you that I enjoyed your fine company
Someone had once left me, 'twas her time to depart
I carry the memories deep within my heart
She did give me a token with a hug and a grin
I will repay her when at last we meet again
So when you wake on morn, fill up your token bag
It will lift your travels whether they're good or bad
Giving thanks is like karma, it comes back to you
And after time goes by your tokens will accrue