Best Trade(A) Poems
In memory of----
Solely in my room, I can't stomach the sound of my pulse
I sit here alone to forget the taste of air.
Overwhelm by the scene -unbelievable footage
18 seconds long, "I can't breathe."
My judgment "GONE" stressing all night long
I use to fear dark colors, now I fear spinning bright lights
Red, White, and Blue, I spew the NY crew
What's wrong with your blue eyes?
You see him, you want him to die
What a day to trade -- a life for illegal cigarettes
Persecution and judgment day, sweet life - taken away
"I can't breathe", executed in broad daylight!
Bullets left and right
Who's policing the police
What happened to mind our business?
Moneymaker refused to be singled out
A hurting voice tackled by racism
Free to see, pouring his heavy heart,
Oinkers demand the ground, shutting down his testament
8 times too many, "I can't breathe!"
Where did his vitals go?
No one to tap him out, pound the pavement!
What the hell, why are you just standing there???
Stress, anger, madness, the voice of innocence
"I can't breathe." the volume to valium
"Officer, did you not hear the man?"
Are you deaf, have you forgotten how to save a life?
Is it just the NYPD or is it every other badge,
Insinuating crime's a one-color show.
We are all criminals, why the excessive heat?
Shot, tasered, beat down, pepper-sprayed, now on the ground
The mother of all chokeholds, murdered, outnumbered
The echoes remain "I can't breathe!"
- The truth!
Eric Garner robbed of his own natural path and youth
One man down eyed suspiciously
Perplexed minds suffocating him instantly
The mistrusted, the awe, the hate,
So tangible, uniforms using deadly force
One asthmatic in a chokehold
Slamming his head on the floor
Open wounds, worldwide tears
My heart goes to the family and friends left behind
A courageous last breath, for the first and last time
"I can't breathe," now deceased.
You left this world unwilling, waking up a strong community
Strolling in a safer world, where racial discrimination doesn't exist
"I can't breathe," Eric Garner Rest in peace!
By: PD
WHEN TEARS TOUCH
The twelfth of November reminds me of the day
when our paths first crossed then came to grow on trail.
Soon... all the days like waves rolled into years
as we reminisce our pasts: joys and tears for fears.
A pad with pen I hold to write what pops by;
Each tint and curve a bell that says, you and I.
The words are mere push and pull medley of thoughts
shaping a circle melody of heart shots.
Learning flower our way as our cultures shared;
gem writings topically crafted are compared.
Feelings flood colours to our world, closer we became--
Creeping longing is "our meeting" as this both our aim
Beep and peek are lace ladders to higher trust grounds,
every tap and trade a thread fortifying our bond.
The lasso tying our heartstrings to etch some rhymes,
vital signs checked normal but awhile raise second hands
Can it be that this a fruit of stardust's grand wand?
Or a rose waiting to bloom and behold upon bosoms?
Now the day has arrived, suitcases packed, I smile
a journey, I have dreamt about, many many miles.
Nervousness cocoons but it's normal to feel this;
for this my long wish as I enter the coming hours.
Distance and differences our silent enemies!
But... It did not stop us from thinking sound strategies.
Interest and love gleams as our loyal company
enabling us to draw verses of harmony.
Broken bridges we cross by grace of felicity~
yearning to meet eye-to-eye an intensity!
Along the wires we jibe to friendly deal
that as crisp December sings we will make it real.
The cool December made our wanting a tip-top exhilarate..
and from somewhere, a song plays:
"When you feel in your skin in your bones and the hollow
Of your heart, there's no way you can wait till tomorrow.
When there isn't any doubt about it once you come this close
Cos you know and you know that you know...."
_____________________________________________________________
*** the last stanza are lines taken from the song: "WHEN YOU KNOW" by Shawn Colvin from the movie Serendipity.
©J.A. Fraser and O.E. Guillermo
October 29, 2014; 10:05 pm
LIFE'S UNDISCOVERED PASSION
I reached up far to touch a star.
It only took a second.
I thought I heard a salient call
alas it did not beckon.
While looking for an artful craft
and finding none; the time blew past
I looked toward the heaven's stars
for talents that could break these bars
Like thickened paint on canvass fashion
Mixed with rich excitant passion
From Starry Night to sheer delight
but never wrong and never right.
Should I envy those with deep affection
with skills that move in-synced direction
for passions born into their soul
to define their purpose-- take control.
Athletic prowess, artistic flavor,
a builders trade, a science major,
musicians joy and mountaineer
for all of those we stop and cheer
and think if we could only be
but they are they and we are we.
Somewhere, somewhere deep inside
are struggles there we cannot hide
doubts and fears that suck the joy
from life's sweet gifts; a noxious ploy
of destiny failing in an attempt
to re-discover a lost lament.
CAK 12-2-2012
SYNOPSIS
Sometimes, I find myself lamenting
that I do not possess an
exceptional skill or talent. It seems
many people find great joy from theirs.
It seems to gnaw at my being and
I grow sorrowful that somehow
I am missing something.
WHEN TEARS TOUCH
The twelfth of November reminds me of the day
When our paths first crossed then came to grow on trail.
Soon... all the days like waves rolled into years
As we reminisce our pasts: joys and tears for fears.
A pad with pen I hold to write what pops by;
Each tint and curve a bell that says, you and I.
The words are mere push and pull medley of thoughts
Shaping a circle melody of heart shots.
Learnings flower our way as our cultures shared;
Gem writings topically crafted are compared.
Feelings flood colours to our world, closer we became--
Creeping longing is "our meeting" as this both our aim
Beep and peek are lace ladders to higher trust grounds
Every tap and trade a thread fortifying our bond
The lasso tying our heartstrings to etch some rhymes
Vital signs checked normal but awhile raise second hands
Can it be that this a fruit of stardust's grand wand?
Or a rose waiting to bloom and behold upon bosoms?
Now the day has arrived, suitcases packed, I smile.
A journey, I have dreamt about, many many miles.
Nervousness cocoons but it's normal to feel this;
For this my long wish as I enter the coming hours.
Distance and differences our silent enemies!
But... It did not stop us from thinking sound strategies.
Interest and love gleams as our loyal company;
Enabling us to draw verses of harmony.
Broken bridges we cross by grace of felicity~
Yearning to meet eye-to-eye an intensity
Along the wires we jibe to friendly deal
That as crisp December sings we will make it real.
The cool December made our wanting a tip-top exhilarate..
and from somewhere, a song plays:
"When you feel in your skin in your bones and the hollow
Of your heart, there's no way you can wait till tomorrow.
When there isn't any doubt about it once you come this close
Cos you know and you know that you know...."
_____________________________________________________________
*** the last stanza are lines taken from the song: "WHEN YOU KNOW" by Shawn Colvin from the movie Serendipity.
© J. A. Fraser and O.E.Guillermo
October 29, 2014; 10:05 pm
With sand dollars in our pockets
we could live without a care;
I would lasso two sea horses;
we would ride them everywhere.
A simple life of freedom
would be yours and mine to share;
living solely for each other
on a silver strand somewhere.
Oh, the heartache men would barter
just to smell the sweet sea air
unencumbered by the burdens
that came upon them unaware.
They would trade a pile of money
For a day without fanfare,
Walking barefoot on white beaches--
just sand dollar millionaires.
Copyright, July 29, 2014
Faye Lanham Gibson
Embarrassed to talk, hates to walk, as white as chalk, wouldn't trade a burger for a million dollars. keeps his life limited to one dollar hollars. one day he had a hart attack, it sent chills down his back, but he didn't care. got out held his life in the air, for someone to take it. woke up and tried to bake it, it left him the night he got home. and his wife wrote a poem about everything she loved about him. and how she was proud of em. but now he gave up he's gone she knew something was wrong. forever, good luck on your future endevors...
I sit here by the waterside
Watching the river flow
Dreaming of the day when you were born
To me that day does not seem so long ago .
My heart swooned when you took your first step
Then melted with your first word
You singing your first nursery rhyme
The sweetest sound I have ever heard .
I have watched you grow and I've felt such pride
My heart overflows with love for you
The joy we've shared and the tears we've cried
Are so many yet so few
I would never trade a moment
Of anything we've ever done
but darling , My heart is telling me
The best is yet to come.
This struggle he has, is oh so real...
Not given s fair shake,
Handed a raw deal.
Mistreated, lied upon, and constantly abused.
No wonder, he's angry, and sometimes confused.
Unable to trust, and let down his guard,
Being a black man, must be oh, so hard.
Constantly having to validate his worth,
That beautiful black skin, must seem like a curse.
And though I love him, as only a black woman can,
I must admit, I don't always understand,
The pressures, the hardships and struggles of the black man.
But through his struggles, he is my king,
And for his love, I wouldn't trade a thing!
He settles my uneasiness, and he holds my hand,
He picks me up, when I'm unable to stand.
He comforts me, when my heart is torn,
Renews my confidence when it is worn,
A role model and father, he will always be,
For the little ones that grow inside of me.
Life's struggles are just a test,
The black man's no quitter,
He gives the fight his best.
Although you struggle,
your resilience will make great.
One day you will be on top, black man...
This is your undeniable fate!
I make a cup of coffee, and bathe in its perfume
And add some chocolate cookies til my diet must resume
I pray the photographer doesn't see that I have gone food rogue
Cuz like he said, "Chubby chicks will never grace a page of Vogue."
I'm careful because my Chanel gown is white and never sold
In the kind of stores where I can shop, or any shop, I'm told
And very soon they'll call me back to set to vamp and pose
Hair perfectly coiffed, make-up en fleek and Louboutin on my toes!
"I've chipped a nail," I mumble and three stylists all jump
And while they're at it one applies some hairspray with a pump
A gorgeous man in best black tie approaches me and grins
"I am your partner for this shoot. Cheri, you are so THIN!"
He takes my hand and helps me up, I teeter on the heels
He holds me close and says he needs to take me for some meals.
He bends his face and parts his perfect lips to plant a kiss
But instead I feel a liquid spilling and wonder "What is this?"
Loud noises filter in my brain and break my daydream's hold
The liquid was my coffee spilled and sickeningly cold
I grab a paper towel to wipe it off my kitchen floor
But being nine months pregnant makes it hard to do, for sure.
I refocus on the noise I hear and realize it's my boys
Two-year-old triplets ready to trade a nap for toys.
I pass the hallway mirror, see my hair a mess, I'm round
Not the model from my dream, but it won't bring me down.
I walk into the boys' room and all three reach out to me
And the hugs and kisses given no French model could exceed
I love my boys, I love my life, even in a cheap stretch jean
But still and all, I did enjoy my lovely little daydream!
1/13/2017
A million angels sing in the sky,
but your music is more melodious;
you trade a tone so priceless and precious...
A twilight dance with you, do not deny.
The stars speak when you are near:
their tales spark within us fresh fire
as we drown in the streams of desire...
Keep me in your arms of love my dear.
Over the years, you remain ever true.
You are a treasure no weigh can measure;
a pool of passion, purpose and pleasure...
I pledge my love and loyalty to you.
Our Smoldering Factory Town
free trade, a brick around
It’s gurgling, swollen neck. Surrounding
gray quiet smolder, evokes,
Once thriving factory smoke
A Crumbling horoscope
once paid it's worker's, soaked
in quiet desperation.
We are it's rusty antiques
sinking ships on outsourced seas
a swollen, bailout casualty
a fallow field, a dustbowl breeze
While children sew our sneakers
In bananna sweatshops, cheaper
hands can make, children's fate
wont matter, they'll dig deeper.
My heart skips a beat I lose my breath
When I think of his life of sacrifice
And his crusade for human rights
Leading the revolution against apartheid
With rare tenacity and might
A lawyer by trade a pacifist by nature
Standing for truth and reconciliation
Just him and his ideals for god-given rights
Standing and never wavering
Giving voice to the speechless and the persecuted
Refusing to be silent in the face of injustice
Determined to annihilate tyranny and racist oppression
An icon of democracy and social justice
Never to be forgotten
A statue erected where Mandela
Was released from 27 years in prison
A simple man bigger than life itself
With dreams of emancipation
One philanthropist who would change
The world no matter what the cost
Read on air by invitation ~ April 28, 2021 'WORDS & MUSIC'
AP: 1st place 2021, Honorable Mention 2022
Submitted on January 25, 2020 for contest ODE TO A PRESIDENT OR POLITICIAN OR LEADER PAST OR PRESENT sponsored by SHERI FRESONKE HARPER - RANKED 5TH
Oh the stories that I can tell
I remember them oh so well
The children growing up so tall
Winter, spring, summer, and fall
The gatherings of family and friends
The fights and marriages beginning to end
Listening and supporting them one and all
Being pushed and thrown down the hall
The smell of dinners on the holidays
The crying nights and brand new babes
I have been there through thick and thin
Saw some hard times and will again
Through prayer meetings and a loving kiss
There’s not one moment that I would miss
My broken sides and saw cut seat
Being splattered with sauce and meat
I would not trade a single minute there
A perfect life for this old kitchen chair
Copyright © 2009 Lena “Lolita” Townsend
*For Matt Caliri’s “Speak Chair! Speak!” contest
[Verse 1]
I’ve seen you sitting there, you've been here before,
Always leave me wanting, restless for more.
But never quite like this—lamp glow on your face,
You must be from Heaven, not of this place.
[Pre-Chorus]
I come here to write, to chase down the muse,
But now all my words are getting lost in you.
[Chorus]
Lines in the moonlight, dancing on your skin,
Pulling me closer, don’t know where you end or I begin.
You smile like a secret, a spark I can't define,
I thought I came to write—
But darling, you just rewrote mine.
[Verse 2]
You asked if I’d share, said “let’s trade a few dreams,”
Your voice soft as verses in unwritten themes.
You opened your journal, I leaned in slow,
Two souls tracing stories the stars used to know.
[Pre-Chorus]
The night wrapped around us, so quiet, so still,
I reached for your hand, and time stood still.
[Chorus]
Lines in the moonlight, dancing on your skin,
Pulling me closer, don’t know where you end or I begin.
You smile like a secret, a spark I can't define,
I thought I came to write—
But darling, you just rewrote mine.
[Bridge]
Every heartbeat echoes, like a whispered song,
In this moment with you, I finally belong.
With every word you share, you paint a new scene,
Life feels like a canvas, vibrant and serene.
[Chorus]
Lines in the moonlight, dancing on your skin,
Pulling me closer, don’t know where you end or I begin.
You smile like a secret, a spark I can't define,
I thought I came to write—
But darling, you just rewrote mine.
[Outro]
So let’s fill the pages till the sun starts to rise,
With stories and laughter, just you and I.
In the glow of that lamp, I found more than a muse,
You’re the song in my heart, a love I won’t lose.
Emptying your heart of sad emotions
shelters you from experiencing norms.
And hiding behind your protective walls;
you feel impervious to sudden storms.
But betrayal cuts with a rusty edge;
dulling your appetite to chase rainbows.
And you trade a kaleidoscope of hopes;
for Depression's achromatic shadows.
The truth invariably outlasts lies;
indomitable as the sands of time.
And pools of bitter tears often gather;
as sadness fuels anxiety's climb.
Abandoned dreams get set adrift in time,
losing sight of their initial heading.
For it is scary when you're all alone;
and cannot stop the panic from spreading.
Your heart, wounded by the perils of love;
you cry upon the shoulder of a friend.
And derive some solace in the knowledge
that sometimes, relationships simply end.