Best Trekked Poems
It took the Israelites forty years
to finally reach the promised land.
I could well take double that time
till my long journey comes to an end.
Having trekked for endless nights and days,
faced many storms and hurdles on the way,
I would at last come to my destination.
Stopping at the bank of the river of fire,
an angel guides me, ferrying me across
to the other side, where resolutely
I walk through a shroud of thick mist.
Then, to the sound of heavenly song,
I step into the realm of Elysian Fields.
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A ‘Cross’ themed contest
Sponsored by Carolyn Devonshire
Placed 2nd
Awarded POTD ~ 1st March 2019
© 27th February 2019
For This Is The Story, An Old Poet Sought Not To Miss
(Part One)
I've ate Eden's last apple, coveted Jason's* golden fleece
chained myself in caverns of darkness, begging no release
refused mighty crowns of power, fed myself painful feasts
crushed my beating heart, as if it were a ravenous beast.
I've tamed the lions of Serengeti, sailed around the Horn*
trekked unarmed, darkest jungles, where fiercest beasts are born
slain dragons with Sequoias, tossed Rock of Gibraltar*
walked in realms of Hades, spat upon its first altar.
I've outran Hermes*, sank my teeth deep into granite walls
sat beside Odin*, gave Thor's* first crown in Valhalla's* halls
wrestled mighty Minotaur*, its armored hide I ripped
stole the Nectar of the Gods*, laughed at them as I sipped.
I've shot Eurytus' bow*, killed Titans* with Heracles sword*
defeated dark Elf* armies, massacred Atilla's* first horde
swung Hammer of Hephaestus*, slept in Forest of Burzee*
trained Arminius army, taught them to show no mercy.
I've quenched Vesuvius fires, held lightning in my hand
flew bright skies over Asgard*, defended its precious homelands
swam with Undines*, feasted with beautiful Amphitrites*
fished with friend Ao Qin*, dragon king of the Southern Sea nights.
I've seen this world of fantasy, inked its splendor in words
sailed in its oceans of love and flown with magical birds
dreamed in its word-paradise and found true love's deepest kiss
for this is the story, an old poet sought not to miss.
Robert J. Lindley
Rhyme
original version written , March 9th, 1977
edited/updated today- August 9th , forty-one years later
The Fishing Hole
by Jason Williams
Twenty years is quite a while.
And yet I still reminisce and smile,
thinking of those carefree times,
that we trekked and we climbed,
over fenceposts and through pasture,
to reach the fishing hole.
Oh, how I remember those hikes.
And the glow of the warm sunlight.
The smell of manure and wildflowers,
still shining with dew from the early hours.
Oh, how we’d joke and we’d laugh,
on our way to the fishing hole.
It was at the water’s edge,
where our love we first pledged,
and under pale blue skies,
I looked in your eyes.
And kissed your sweet lips.
Down at the fishing hole.
The fondest memory I can think of,
was out in the open, when we first made love.
On a blanket of grass we watched the sunrise,
and the dancing and buzzing of dragonflies.
They simply didn’t notice, we never caught a thing,
All those times at the fishing hole.
________
**My poems with audio recordings can be found here:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000075581702&sk=notes
Born in Ireland in eighteen seventy four
He was a remarkably brave explorer
Three times to Antartica he did go
To that barren wilderness of ice and snow.
Once with Captain Scott and twice on his own
And it was on his third visit that his bravery became known
The expedition was to reach the southern pole
For all the great explorers, it was the ultimate goal.
The Weddell sea was freezing and tightened its grip
And crushed the Endurance, the expedition ship
The crew saved all the equipment and food stores too
They were stranded on an ice floe there was nothing they could do.
But the floe breaks up and on the sea it floats
So the order was given to launch the life boats
They set sail for Elephant island in the southern ocean
And with worsening conditions approached it with caution.
It was a temporary move, they knew they couldn't stay
Shackleton had to get help, there was no other way
Except for five crewmen all the rest did remain
On the island for four months with its inhospitable terrain.
South Georgia was the place that they needed to get to
From there they would be able to launch a rescue
Eight hundred nautical miles they had to row and sail
Through gigantic waves with snow, ice and hail.
Stromness whale station, it was their goal
But on their boat the harsh conditions had taken their toll
South of the island they had to land on a beach
Thirty six hours north was help, they needed to reach.
Three of the crew were taken ill, no more could they take
So Shackleton and two others, a long trek they did make
They trekked in conditions that could have caused harm
But they reached the whale station and raised the alarm.
The three sick crewman were rescued, thankfully still alive
And the twenty two on Elephant island were struggling to survive
Penguin and seal meat was what they had to eat
But they kept their hopes up not admitting defeat.
On August the thirtieth in nineteen sixteen
A Chilean navy ship on the horizon was seen
It was Shackletons fourth attempt to rescue his crew
Their ordeal was now over, but hell they'd been through.
Written 9th January 2018
What knowledge do you have of my home?
Have you taken a walk through the cemetery?
Walking on my tracks, footprints of eternity.
Have you read about the deserts?
Thus roar, thus blow filth,
Have you, met the survivors?
Felt have you, their struggles?
In The dusts that destroy,
That whistled as they sizzled,
So you shouldn't be judging,
For you're senselessly irking me,
For a fool that I am not- is the fool that is you.
You believe in the reporter,
Who experienced little of a quarter,
Of the life he broadcasts,
You let the television fool you,
Have you walked the fine line?
Have you let hunger define you?
I did. Oh I did sweat in the dust,
Trekked through the cracks,
And I, stood face up with the sands,
So you shouldn't be judging,
For you're senselessly irritating me,
For a fool that I am not- is the fool that is you.
I breathed within a twister of dust,
So you wonder not of my eyes as they carry,
The memories of the old struggle,
So wonder not of my skin either,
As it bears the manuscript of my old life,
Yes I move immaculate, but do you know of my heart?
Let you not be fooled by my slenderness,
My strength far flows beyond my weight,
So I lift a whole continent with my pride,
And if I have to, I will put my life aside,
Just to fix a smile on mama Africa's face,
So you shouldn't be judging,
For you're senselessly irking me,
A fool that I am not- is the fool that is you,
Mama is beautiful, yet you only see,
As far as her horn, and the slums,
Where the strongest among us might've been born,
Yes mama is beautiful, yet you neglect to see her exquisiteness,
How could you go to my house,
To only document the cracks on my walls?
Couldn't you walk in to my living room'
And maybe peek in to my kitchen?
Thence you might see the beauty that is my home,
How long will you only look at,
Just the color of this book's exterior?
When will you ever walk in it,
To see the beautiful illustrations within?
So you shouldn't be judging,
For you're unreasonably riling me,
Cause the fool that I am not- is the fool that is you.
I came into the world with my hands folded.
Yet they welcomed me with laughter and danced the sorrow away for tomorrow.
Soon, I could no longer walk with my four legs,
I became a little star, running around the field with two legs.
I sat inside a rolling box as we journeyed to the east
not bold to tell anything about the strong black feet on-road miles
I could only ask why the other stars ate with their fingers stained
Was it because I was born with a golden nail?
Sooner or later, days turn into years,
And the sun was fun for me no more
For I became one of the souls that trekked a thousand miles,
because the rolling box was sold for some cake.
I had no penny to live a large life
My eyes kept running the ice
Was it because I had enough to take?
The beauty was too wrinkled and old to hold my hands,
So, I held her instead of the more
I became the breadwinner of the day,
with my head spinning like a clock with no pay.
Then I remembered my little days
When I wouldn’t eat until my toy was bought,
But here I am pleading for the day to come with some bread
As I watched my old beauty smile at me
She said to me
The journey begins when the tree gives birth to its fruit and leaves it ripe.
Until the shell that covers its seeds is removed
The seed will always be blind.
But when its cover is removed,
It struggles to live or else it dies.
Then I saw the future dancing from afar
With less effort to come nearer
I realized life isn’t as it seemed when I was a child
For it was too easy than it is now
Panting in low moans
Meandering through dense brush
Shrouded by evening sky above a forest
Crystallized by frozen branches
Oaks, maples, pines
Coffin wood encasing icy earth
The amber-eyed predator’s fur
Damp and matted
No prey in sight as hunger grows
While creatures huddle with their clans
In feathered nests and sheltered lairs
She trekked on frozen leaves confused
Longing for the comfort lost
She couldn’t understand her plight
Life had once been kind
As dawn dispelled the sandman
A cry I heard outside
Weak and wanting tones of desperation
A child lost? A babe who strayed?
Anxiously I donned my coat
Fearing what I might find
On this late December morn’
Listlessly she scratched and sobbed
The glass door kissed by thick ice
But when I turned the knob
And pushed the panel forth
Her tragedy bit hard and sharp
Her tender paws, raw with dried blood
Infection had sealed one eye shut
A bony spine, frostbitten ears
So fast I took her in my arms
Cradling this wayward soul
Reaching for a blanket, sharing salmon
A faint purr was my thanks
For warmth and love and food
Peering at her one good eye, I wept
Overcome with pity and grief
I realized the selfish act
That led this sweet one to my yard
College youths on Christmas recess
Left her on a nearby road
Before they joyfully headed home
I found their tiny cat today
Abandoned, nearly dead
Stung by an act of thoughtlessness
Fear not; the one-eyed cat will live
A refuge I’ll provide
But do not ask me to forgive
The sin that made her mine
For P.D.'s Pet Contest.
Dedicated to Katie Cat, my pet of more than 20 years.
High on a passing cloud there floats a dream
Never to be easily forgotten,
Devious destiny weaved its fierce scheme,
Turned my youth into a life so rotten.
The soft song of a Summer Breeze was gone,
But by then we had met and love had won.
How oft we trekked the hills and watched the dawn.
How oft we made love, happy so well done.
Carefree we roamed out our romantic days,
Many noticed silhouettes in moonlight.
How could I not shower her with sweet praise?
Alas she had cancer, love turned to plight.
The gilded leaves of autumn sigh her loss.
Her funeral I bore with a harsh cross.
In times of retrospection we discover
The miles our vagrant compass trekked
Silent horrors from which we recovered
What be righteous or unworthy we assess
For to all children life is not toys and hugs
Or enchanting dances on daddies feet
But bitter realities of drunks and thugs
Eggshell walks and battering clubs
Bewildering the difference the years can make
And the choosing to which one is inclined
To follow the path with which they were faced
Or to carve a new path by need redesigned
They say that Rome was not built in a day
Stone upon stone is a sound foundation laid
Tethering twine pulling massive loads up high
Burying tears in abysses carving smiles from cries
Oh no, I'm fine. Concern yourself not with me
For I am the architect of my own design
Someday a pillar in the Temple I will be
My fortress not breeched nor climbed
My world hastens wisdoms patience
Compassion and mercy will abound
Fragrant love skilled willing agents
Through tenderness barbarians turn clown
Recreating the days of innocence
Forgiving those too weak to see
That some with all their pitiful ignorance
Have not the power to strip you of your dreams
There's a power of soul endowed to man
To walk by authenticity
Pities frown subsides as does vengeance
When taken hold of true humility
No promise of ease nor heart unbroken
To even one was this promise solemnly given
Though pain so deep to bleed is relief
It is friction that compels the driven
Though shadows past haunts you to fright
There is light to be found in its darkness
For shadows be slight illumination of light
The evidence of all you've accomplished
How far I've traveled from condemnation
My compass directs true north
On days my history taunts my persuasion
It's for loves sake I've stayed my course
Beyond the blue ...
sailing past the farthest tearful kiss blown
Hoping for clear skies ahead,
as my Aussie eyes see wallaby clouds
joyfully jumping by
From Perth to Sydney,
a dragging anchor of parting sadness
has dropped to the deep
Last thoughts of loneliness
is an indigo splash of speeding aft memories
Decked in colorful, island attire ...
sitting leisurely behind a free-spinning nautical wheel
Passenger on an unscheduled wave ride,
heading to wherever
the romantic adventure wind blows
beyond the Gold Coast
Pineapple pleasure ... tropical frozen feeling
soothes the kiss-parched lips
On a lounge deck, sitting beside an open port window,
I listen to the receding waves of the rainforest echoes
Going to the other side of life —
that joyous Aussie place,
a heartbeat above Mt. Gambier
From Melbourne to New Castle,
I searched platonic near and engagement far
for the missing part of my heart
I tear trekked thru the bleak urban wilderness,
and the barren suburban outback
From Wodonga to Toowoomba,
looking in hotel high and motel low places,
the hidden treasure wasn’t found
Now, I finally reached the other side of life —
that beautiful Aussie place,
a heartbeat above Mt. Kaputar
Beyond the blue ...
sailing past the farthest dream sigh mist blown
Crystal clear skies loom ahead,
as my dancing Aussie eyes see kangaroo clouds
hopping happily by
Fifteen years old…I trekked the river-bend, dived
Around balmy ledges, held by a curiosity
Nourished in toddler years,
When Father would tenderly utter of lighting
My adolescence anchored on the salty
Yet fragrant curls of a bay’s fathomless wave
Now imbued within: Viewing the shift of clay,
The marvel of paper boats leaning on rocks--
This soul became fearless calm noble,
Until modernity drove an islet to the ground;
And as I take a long, last gaze at a crumbled site
A part of my innocence rushes out with it...I wail.
The Last Contest, for Silent One
12/1/2018
O'er fields strewn with harvested evergreens,
There ventured a marine from Queens,
His flesh were a slight inky, his clothing was ragged,
No more alive, flowing in dread and haggard.
All around him darkness loomed quite blue,
Once a fair surround, radiant and imbue,
In the light he walked there, shadowed by fear,
But tragic winds did jinx his heart severe.
Then wondering thro' rain and stormy clouds,
Opaque in brittle hues, ghostly in shrouds,
With white shades of bubbling horror his evermore,
A mere ripple in earth's waters he'd deplore.
Onwards thro' the crushing storm he trekked,
The landscape ahead was defiantly suspect,
Its dour horizon presented a challenge to survey,
Where the sounds of thunder it rapt his day.
In raucous rumbles the marine heard the sky,
As frightening, with spawns of black fly,
Memorialized in his sleep, to haunt him evermore,
Then have brews of mystique he'd explore.
And a bejewelled goose would decorate his path,
There draped in quaint linen it felt his wrath,
Murmuring quietly the water bird flew into the light,
As bright as the sun, in some alluring plight.
To dream of despair, tenebrous in its imagery,
Hypnotic, muttering of death and infinity,
There with the wink of an eye he let the sunshine in,
His mother then smiled at her miracle kin.
She'd been there all along thro' his tribulation,
That struggle of low bumps and amputation,
Rosemary oil bid him comfort there as he woke,
From a coma it were, but horrors did evoke.
Down the pallid rush of melancholy misfortune,
A marine was reunited with life all impromptu,
His will to live it were strong after what he'd seen,
So two bungalows he obtained from a queen.
Escaping grinding poverty
And violent crimes
You left scant existence
Holding your Dad's hand
In the middle of the night
Going on a long journey
Dreaming of a free land
Miles and miles you walked
Learning for the first time
Price of liberty is high
As you trekked along
More than thousand miles
Exhausted by heat and humidity
Hungry and thirsty you got
But you didn't mind
Marching for a cause
Approaching the border
Happily you sighed
When strangers fed you
Tortillas, beans, and rice
But things soon changed
As borders got closed
Even for asylum claims
Clueless of what that meant
You sought refuge
In your Dad's judgment
Finding a way in
Surrendering yourself
As they took Dad away
Without a hug or goodbye
Ignoring your cries
Being in detention now
Affection you longed for
Yet you carried on
Searching grown up faces
For any sign of Dad
As days and weeks passed
Till you lost your resolve
When two kids in custody died
Paying the ultimate price
And yielding to anguish
Relentlessly you cried
Unable to think or breathe
Wanting to scream loudly
But choking on your grief
No one has told you yet
Your father's whereabouts
As you wait and wait
Learning day by day
In the land of the free
What misery feels like
To a destitute child
December 31, 2018
Placed 3rd..Misery poetry contest by Edward Ibeh
My Tired And Lost Soul Next This Wise Advice Out It Screams
As harder blown dry winds skulk among oldest granite stones
And the spitting sun flamed the mass of white desert sand
I trekked alone, jagged pains pulsing through my old bones
My weathered soul cursed God of this god-forsaken land
I could see a gloomy night trying to rear its ugly head
Where could in this barren pitiful hot, hot place dare I sleep
All here was hard rocks and sand, not a damn good place to bed
I thought this damnable fierce land wants this dear life to keep
As my worn-out soul begged for water and damn lot of rest
So under a scrubby bush I sat down to my diary write
Was this a hazardous darken journey, a god given test
Then these eyes saw above, bright stars painting the night.
With my nightly prayers said, I laid down to dream
And this love-struck heart recalled her very beautiful face
And how we together were such a great and fine winning team
Then massive sadness flew on into my brief joy replace
Dawn's breath was blown and my romantic heart finally woke
This reborn spirit decided to this abject darkness fight
Mused I, this soul-searching journey is indeed no damn joke
Surely it was not my responsibility to set things right!
Had she not to another man sworn her undying love
Promised him to be his new and true beautiful queen
Even next, promised to forever love to our God above
And swore to forward race over to his daring dark scene.
My tired and lost heart soul next this wise advice outward screams.
Son, you deserve better than light from her black treacherous beams.
Robert J. Lindley, Rhyme
July 17th, 1973
Note-
I was only 19 years old when I composed this one. I thought about doing a major editing job but decided not to. Just let it stand as is, a poem written by a 19 year old kid. God bless..
She bathes my soul within her
Sanguine waters ardently
Inundating my senses whole
I become upon her embrace
We become one spirit aloof
Within both light and darkness
Depraving sharp hunting eyes
Perceiving the mirrors self image
Of high tribulation chiseled
Stone falling across studio floors
Swept scrupulous and surgically
Transfusing this beauty of essence
Upon the humid air of breath
Sweetly scented floral calling
Across unmeasured distances
Trekked of unfettered resolve
Heightening as you draw close
Tending my wounds unshaken
Confidence in trusting touch
Eases tautness now diminishing
Away flying into night taking
Pieces of you in my pocket
Clutching for hope and strength
Of this blossom rooting deeply
Within one another we discover
All that we behold and feared
I give to you willingly…untainted
Wholly my poetic heartsong
Inscribed within and without
My trusted two thousand miles