Best Toughen Poems
nobody sees you the way I do
in your wheelchair
with your unopenable arms
where everything crashes to a gray twisted landscape
my brother
alpha male
of demon strut clashes
in our shared childhood
once you flipped your hockey stick between my thin legs
to see how many stairs I'd tumble down
your yells to me to "toughen up"
cursing a younger brother
"bookworm sissy"
"vanilla boy"
to expletives that ran like tap water
when proximity was a contact sport
at the care home
to your lips
I spoon in pudding
its dull tranquility
vanilla
into a body that feels itself liquid, limbs pliable and porous
I'd like to re-touch our brotherly photos
to change them to accuracy
or crumple them like a wasp nest knocked to the ground
for nobody sees you the way I do
for nobody knows you the way I do
Thank you
How I keep saying
Deep gratitude showing
Generosity, kindness, beauty
The wonder and joy of giving..
What would I consider or measure
The value of what is received, the feeling of pleasure
Unable to weigh or count
What is given, a flowing fount..
Thank you
A word too much used and said
Nothing equal back could be paid
Just the sweet taste in hearts we pass to mankind
And a legacy for Humanity of being good and kind..
Thank you
How I keep believing
In words converted to true feeling
In genuine souls to my worries kindly listening
My pain enduringly wiping..
Thank you
One of God’s many a blessing
The gift of gratitude for which I keep praying
Recognition I keep showing
To those who paved the way for the grace of living
To all those who filled my whole with smiles
And my dark chambers with light
So as I could reach the warmth of Hope and Faith inside..
Thank you
Over and over I would say
To people of God
And to the Almighty I would pray
As I recall more than one sign and call
Nothing should be in life for granted taken
To meet life twists, the heart toughen..
Thank you
So much in life I owe
To who caringly appeased my fear
Patiently lent an attentive ear
Lovingly brightened a gloomy atmosphere
Humanely bore my weakness and what I shed of tear..
Thank you
Of what life brings am in awe
Despite my perception of its limitation and flaw
Tolerance and acceptance I keep fostering
Allow peace and bliss my inner self illuminating
And only the wonders of good in Humanity I keep seeing
With a strong belief in sharing, caring and giving..
Thank You
I know we love to read of beautiful things
Hear early morning serenades the song bird sings
See buds blooming into roses perfumed
Within majestic sunset's horizons become consumed
There's another place I lived in for a little while
A neighborhood where somethings didn't make me smile
A child banging on the door, mommy let me inside
Things in the home, I guess from his eyes they must hide
I befriended a boy of ten riding his bike
Said he always went to me-maws to get a bite
For there was no food in his house to eat
Dad found other things to buy instead of meat
A few days pass, no sign of my friend
There he was riding down the street again
I asked where he'd been, was he alright?
He explained he was recovering from a bad dog's bite
I asked him what the doctor had said
He replied, I sewed it myself with a needle and thread
I reluctantly said, let me see your nice sewing job
He pulled up his pant leg, I choked back a sob
I asked him if his daddy was ever mean
He shrugged his shoulders, said sometimes it seems
It kinda hurt my feelings when he said to me
Finish him off - right between the eyes
I won't feed a dog that bites
Not worth the ground where he lies
Sitting on his bike, a leg began to sway
Eyes filled with tears, quickly he wiped one away
Remembering the killing shot he'd fired that day
Toughen up son, is what his father said
Advice given in love, maybe....
Then off on his bike he rode to have some fun...
I know in some places many families still really care
But Mayberry exists only on TV in shades of gray
I moved back to the country where buds bloom into roses perfumed
And into majestic sunset's horizons I can be consumed
©Donna Jones
Bid Them Return With Knowledge Of Eternity
Send out your best wandering tramps
to the far halls of mortal darkness
Bid them return with knowledge of eternity
and golden words secretly hidden
Beware phantoms will cut and burn
their hides that are soft and tender
Where demonic fires consume each mortal soul
a few hides will there toughen.
Few return but we the living may profit
from dark and deadly encounters
Hercules, half-god more than mere mortal
sowed seeds in man's seeking spirit
Forever we seek the golden chalice
at costs far too steep to bear
Sent courage, blessed gift from the Netherlands
where in darkness, sparks of life blood is kept
Bid them return with knowledge of eternity
Where demonic fires consume each mortal soul
Hercules, half-god more than mere mortal
Sent courage, blessed gift from the Netherlands
R.J. Lindley,
June 19th 1971
Note- From my private writes/journal.
Age 17 and walking through dark corridors..
I sit quietly, while I belittle a storm
That’s been brewing for some time.
It crashes in a drunken rage,
And mellows out into the softening wind
That is the next day.
Shortly hereafter
It begins anew.
A fresh theater,
And a fresh view.
Feels good to end each day,
In the light of a drunken haze.
A storm brews on the horizon,
Fresh, and oh so new;
Beautiful neglect, yet…
I love it oh so true.
Chaos and disorder rings in new,
A sown hatred I drew
Oh no, what to do?
Don’t care or give a ****,
“Stop your crying you *****…
You’re making me sick.
Calm down and take a sip,
And puff a little on this.”
Undereducated and too true;
So weak, and oh so new.
Too young and too stupid…
I pity you.
Toughen up and get through;
Its life, it’s here to wear on you,
Not cuddle and be a fool.
Now listen here,
A shot and some weed to make it true;
Vindictive and shortly rude,
Mixed apathy… I forget you.
Driven white lines chopped and hewed;
A little coke to go with this brew.
It’s part of the fun…
You followed through.”
Each day a storm brews,
Cold and mellow;
Yet it’s made to do.
I live with it,
And I love it.
Messing with dangerous memories,
Blacked out and confused…
Just grab the bottle
And follow through.
You learn to live,
Than learn to lose.
You find religion;
Or some drug use.
Drown in sorrow,
Than get numb on due.
Shaded light that is the dawning flow;
But you see and just won’t go.
I love the end of everyday;
The dimming blue,
Found in my drunken haze.
For those who lost their lives in battle.
Their photo still rests upon the mantel.
They gave their lives, to fight for freedom.
They gave their lives, with spirit and wisdom.
Army boots and bags.Navy Seals and rags.
Air Force wings and badges.Marine Corps
boots and buttons.Helmets of steal which
truly toughen.Toughen the fighting men who
wish to be free.Remembering the lives we
lost for freedom.Remembering the days
we had to dig in.While fighting the wars on
land and sea.Defending our flag, for the
right to be free.A twenty one gun salute, for
all our brave men.Who battled at war, until
the very end..
Veteran's Day Poetry By Kim Robin Edwards
Copyright 2010,2013..
All rights reserved
Growing too big for the egg
It pushes out
With all its strength and might
So naive of the outside world
Yet so determined to push through the shell
And leave its comfort zone
To see new world
Scribbles, tinkles, sprinkles, twinkle twinkle
Innocent eyes see the light
The feathers make little moves
The legs straighten out
The beak toughen
Making little sounds
Songs of freedom, songs of new dawn, songs of flight
Mama bird guides it through
Feeding styles
Hunting tactics
Feelings of depthness
Staying active
Lessons of, reasons to, seasons for
It heeds the advice
It follows its instincts
And lets the words flow
Far beyond the paper
Like a baby bird
Growing and flying higher
Trees still shade the road
where Gramps and I once rode
in his old green car -- I drove --
on dusky early evenings
in my fifteenth year.
We stopped, as he insisted, at spots
where an armadillo scratched
among the tender greenery
in ditches.
I was dispatched,
with Gramps' strong wood cane,
to kill a pesky armored creature
by striking hard, once, upon its snout.
Gramps waited in the car,
called encouragement or condemnation:
"That's it! Hit him hard!" or
"Can't you do a damn thing right?"
He knew I didn't like to kill
but was determined to toughen up
my softness.
That hard old man was not accustomed
to being crossed or contradicted.
But part of him was tender,
and he had a sense of what was right
in the bayou country of his day.
How could I tell him that I hated
killing just to please him?
Often, I killed, then killed again,
although, at times, I'd miss the snout
or be slow to follow up,
and permit an armadillo to escape.
Sometimes, I'd temper force with moderation --
I'd stun the creature, grab the tail,
fling it far into dense bushes
to revive and live another day.
My grandfather eyed me darkly then,
but often kept his peace.
He gave me the treatment
I gave those stunned armadillos.
Could he have felt the same
toward me as I toward them?
Whenever it seems that peace may break out,
Sabres start rattling, and brave leaders shout:
“Are you talkin' to me?” “Are you talkin’ to me?”
And the sh!t hits the fan, so we all can stay free.
God, for sure, is on our side,
Where the brave and free reside.
As long as we keep sayin' our prayers,
He ain't never gonna be on theirs.
And always are small arms okay.
Never mind who's caught in harm's way.
Everybody's got the right to buy and bear 'em.
If folks toughen up, it ain't a-gonna scare 'em.
So we got us one or two nuts,
Spillin' a bit of blood and guts,
Praise the Lord, and pass the ammo.
Dress the people all in camo.
If you're a-wantin' to get to Paradise,
You gotta be a-flauntin’ the merchandise.
Semi or fully automatic,
Whichever makes you most dramatic.
Armour piercin' and hollow point,
Whatever helps you clear the joint.
Launchers of grenade and rocket.
Get your favourite – load and lock it.
On our show, they're droppin' the curtain.
Snowflake liberals are makin' certain.
So we might as well go out a-blastin'
Leave an impression, forever lastin'.
No one lied, get it out of your mind
Don't start badmouthing again, putting your foot in your mouth
knocking your teeth around
You saw the warning signs, you are not a rodeo clown
This isn't new to you
this happened before, it was bound to happen
Without struggle, there can't be progress
This anticipation is making you scared, hyper aware
ignore your body signs to run, you hold it in until you're done
breathe a sigh of relief at the finish line
It'll come in time, stop holding your breath
frustration release
You knew it was all too easy
how 30 mins of your time was all took to get a straight answer
now you're crumbling here in near grief
40 mins is a bit excessive and unprofessional, yes
but just sit tight
don't run, don't you dare
You've been through too much to just walk out the door
You just gave a pep talk to the world or at least to your readers
now you're here banging your head on the walls
your fingers tapping away at your keyboard
waiting for your name to be called with baited breath
This has happened before, this happened before don't forget it
This has happened before, don't you dare quit
Look me straight in the eyes and tell me you get it
look me straight in the eyes and tell me you'll beat this
This is nothing
Stop hoping someone else will come through and save you
no one can save you but well me…
see your reflection there?
I am you and look what happened?
You did it…
We did it…
I did it…
I DID IT!!!!!
…
Is it wrong for me to be proud of myself
Is it wrong for me to look forward to the future
plan my own outcomes
Is it wrong for me to celebrate, celebrate this win
this win I've achieved
Is it wrong? Am I wrong?
I fear I am never nor ever feel like I belong
let's see if I belong here
My physical ability says no but I'll toughen it out anyway
I need this
God, help me, I need this
Mother, keep me strong
I need this
I just hope all my sore limbs don't fall off in the process
when Spring River recedes
we will break a ritual bread
together
the lover plans
I would rather build a fence
along the bank,
the woman swears
at the daybreak,
she calls a fence-builder
to have him build
a fence
between her farm
and her lover’s field
on Spring River
say by fate or by will
(or by divine intervention)
the fence builder builds
not a fence
but a bridge
over Spring River
the lover thought,
standing on the bridge:
bone-deep sorrows
can distill the soul
they don’t kill,
they harden and toughen
and cleanse and heal
the foul!
What the Butler Heard
Extract from a memoir
Lord Illustrious Penge of Lampwicker Hall,
Welcomed local Toffs, to his Name-Dropper ball.
Noses upturned with a touch of conceit,
Hob-Knobbing with gentry and gentleman elite.
Colonel recalled, his luncheon with Churchill,
Discussing backbenchers and a new Commons bill.
Shooting down Stukas, Captains claim to fame
“We had no choice Sir, Hitler started the game”
Lady Bell and I, champion ballroom dance,
After meeting Fred Astaire, purely by chance.
I worked with Crosby, taught him to Croon,
Just as well really, he couldn’t sing in tune.
Rupert went to school with Dame Vera Lynn,
and starred in a war film with Anthony Quinn.
Mortenson served, in old Atlee’s Cabinet,
Roberta was a Barrister when they first met.
Bradman hit this Six, into the members stand,
Luckily, I caught it, stretching out one hand.
I got a hole in one, on the sixth at Upper Plumb,
Sir Monty looked aghast, utterly struck dumb.
Sent my son to Eton, toughen him up a tad,
Hopefully play at Flanker, just like my old Dad.
Got myself a Cadi’, drives like a dream,
Shiny sleek and black, trim of vintage cream.
Gielgud and Guinness, met me at the Royal,
A script for their new play, Rich Man & Toil.
Later with QE2, after receiving my MBE,
She asked my opinion, of the shows on BBC.
I stayed at base camp, nursing a busted leg,
Hilary splinted it up, with rope and spare tent peg.
Spent some time in Burma, till the Japs came in,
Came home to Blighty, temper wearing thin.
I was at the Oval when Hutton hit 364,
England posted 903, a record breaking score.
In service with his lordship, so many stories,
Serving champagne to upper class Tories.
Tales might be true, just a little overstated,
Like the one that got away, typically inflated.
They were rather pompous, but often kind,
Especially the ones, left with half a mind.
Get me a stiff one Walters, Champers is gassy,
Just Lords way, sounding snob and brassy.
Then I won the football pools,
Bought my wife a gem,
So now I am a gentleman,
Just like the rest of them.
10/2/12
-------------------------
Reveled through the world His words are cherished
Many read the peace of His words, yet works be perished
We see the problems without the power to cure it
Lacking the wisdom we need and God’s Holy Spirit
The Feast of Tabernacles calls many to action
And with it comes happiness and endless satisfaction
Five aspects will lead us closer to the mind of God
He shows us a clear path though our ways are flawed
The paramount action is respect to one another
To be present, formal and kind to each other
What we wear physically and spiritually is important too
To be humble and dedicated in all that we do
The second call for action is the call to rejoice
To enjoy physical food and drink—the desire of our choice
To stimulate the mind with gladness and cheer
And be thankful for our trials as we ponder the year
The third act is important and it is to recall
All the blessings and promises of the coming Kingdom of God
To read back in scripture to the great men of faith
Allowing your mind to rest from the wreck of sin’s ache
As we recall we find it necessary to recommit
To be re-awakened in His life—to make something of it
We may want to acknowledge where we have fallen short in the past
Not dwelling in the desires of physical life—the things that won’t last
The last course of action will help us toughen the shell
We must recharge to build—keep refilling the well
By the Spirit of God we are quenched in barren terrain
Releasing sheets of merciful, cool rain
Many will suffer before the peace begins
But continue we must until the very end
I wish all could know just what is in store
God will reveal it eventually—just knock on His door
Encouraged by the Spirit we become the light
Defying worldly governments—refusing to fight
Shortcomings are inevitable and mistakes will be made
It is not difficult to fall—to be easily swayed
“People can be free, but still enslaved"
But in the end, all will have the chance to be saved
Look to the Bible and try what you read
Perhaps you’ll discover where the narrow path will lead
*inspired by David Hulme*
I guess this had to be said
The root causes for the way
I am kept awake at night
Summer heat no sleep
My only companions are
Past events and the opinions
My soul resents.
I guess it had to be felt
Every reflection and failure
To society, my appearance must
Be on point and tailored
To meet another’s expectations
My soul craves approval like
Success and celebrations emotional
Rollercoasters to ride on certain occasions
As a man fear becomes unacceptable you must
Be the brave one.
I guess this had to be heard Oh, sorry say that again?
I can’t hear you. My soul then becomes numb misunderstood
Makes you feel dumb because you must be the only one when
The second or third comments speak up son. Damn it another crack collateral
fracture to move forward must move faster to escape the disaster
in my life oh well, time to backtrack.
On the bicycle of this thing called my life, I fell off way too many times the bumps and bumps and bruises become a badge of honor look how bright they shine. So how do I heal as I deal with how the pain festers when the scabs of old wounds peel. I heard my brother say toughen up like the Navy Seals. For him, my heart is cold like steel stories I retold myself based on events half real.
I guess this had to be seen the rumors about me are not true I am not really mean
Although I do get mad and half the time I don’t know the words to describe how I feel. Your insults don’t hurt me I devour them like three-course meals. Lets talk about what’s really on this brain how lies were sold and how this soul growing up in the modern education system studied long-term and was short-changed but I guess the was all part of the plot to teach base on rigged curriculums and whether I learned or not teachers still got paid at the end the day.
I guess this had to be sensed since every human I ever crossed paths with subconsciously convinced that parts of my soul do not fit into the mainstream
No one left to pick up the pieces so forget about seeing the bigger picture when the vision is blurry.
You played the game of thrones
with devious glee and amoral passion
Nothing was too low for you to stoop to
Your career-cutting teeth were honed
in staid institutions of medieval bastions
Ruling class initiations helped toughen you,
made you understand
the necessary things you needed to do
But, it was only part of the game,
you always knew
On graduation day,
you were thrust into the political arena
against an old, crafty pachyderm lion
He had tough, scarred skin,
and you had to fight dirty for your first win ...
but it's a different world,
now that you're an incumbent
Some say you were looking rather presidential
A few years have now rolled around,
and your party's touting you for the crown
It seems easy enough ...
you're going up against an unseasoned rookie
So you start off by giving him a sound byte cookie,
hoping he stick his greedy hand in the jar
Then you put a couple of honeys around his hands,
and sent the curious media bees after him, buzzing
That made the amateur millionaire boiling mad,
then you talked trash about his wife and his dad
You was slinging the mud, often and fast,
loaded with plenty of ammo from his dirty past
Made your arch-rival raise the white flag of surrender,
and the path to the throne littered with so many pretenders
Now you're the king sitting high atop all alone,
with all your enemies vanquished and subdued
Cast off to the wayside,
as you penthouse gaze with a panoramic view
Having satiated thoughts of conquest
It was never personal ... it was only politics,
you always knew