Best Unconvinced Poems
The sun is distant now; lowering its gaze upon me to a mere blanket of obscurity.
The sea is calm but still tantalisingly sinister and threatening.
The silence is hostile, I am cold and alone - each breath I take is an intricate requisite.
I am sceptical, burdened with misplaced ideals, unconvinced I will ever unearth the vitality within myself.
Kneeling on the edge of my own existence, I wait for a voice to utter my path,
The man in the moon offers me a reluctant and hesitant grin as he watches over me. I'm too incompetent to counter the gesture.
My inability in offering a tear is poignant for us both - He understands me. It is beautiful.
Sighs
The fresh chill
Of November morn
The stare of icy eyes
While the sun is born
Fetal innocence
Unaware, the Fall demise
Young oak unconvinced
Not older braver trees.
Blow north wind
Unfettered
Against the shallow charms
And golden warmth, deterred
By fragile youth's alarms.
Once foretelling portents swam within the
Apogee bath.
Torn wounds in flesh,
unequip the afflicted. Lack.
Unilaterality Undesirables systematically
inspect an overture unto the future.
Incisions.
Indecision.
Discussions.
Decision.
Resolution Found between
Thigh
and
Breast Fat.
We spoke on the old West.
Distain allowed to follow
in
shadows' shoes.
Walk-
from the gravestone tomb,
Talk-
from the cemetery plot.
prefer amnesia, anesthesia, or euthanasia,
the lot.
Apposed to this undying pain,
grief,
return of
disbelief.
A contrite
Sorry resentment
Sodden in maple
Solidity.
Solidarity pushed well past
comprise while
the unconvinced so
remained that,
a sacerdotal yet
antidotal dissenter.
Go on.
Permission to let Pessimism steep in dark tea leaves.
Reverse dove beneath the San Fernando crust.
A game of hide and seek breaks out
In the living room I duck behind the couch
Like a ninja on vacation
My dog trots by
Sniffing
Chuffing
Absolutely unconvinced
Until I pop out with a peekaboo
She jumps
Like she just met a ghost wearing my face
She sprints around the house
In victory laps of pure joy
Tail wagging so hard
It could power a small village
I pretend I meant to hide better
But she’s already celebrating her win
Like she solved the world’s greatest mystery
Round two begins
I “stealthily” slide behind a door
My dog staring straight at me
Because I’m terrible at this
Yet she still plays along
Bless her goofy heart
When I leap out again
She wiggles with delight
As if hide and seek was the greatest game on earth
At the end of the elated visit
Around the mind moving marble mausoleum -Taj Mahal
I was unconvinced to leave and got a place to sit
As excited to enjoy the environment, withal
It was the inside on the right, near the main entrance
Just before the famous ‘visitors bench’
from where visitors pose, with faces full of romance
As a monumental memory, though the fire won’t quench
I was seated at a comfortable distance
To watch this mankind’s magnificent marble marvel
My mind churned the charm, inch by inch
With visitors from the entire globe, lining after a long travel
Of all colors, gathering was the crowd of tourist
With dressing styles that were, to this land, new
My emotions of excitement, I could not resist
Their expression of ecstatic too, none knew
Flocking was also the beeline of photographers
With the face of everyone, full of excitement
Earnestly everyone was immersed, as none bothers
None can forget in life, this joyful moment
Distracted my ‘dream-like-reality’ was an eagle
He was flying low, short rounds over the main dome
Over his unusual behavior, into me, I did giggle
He returned after two short rounds, as it was awesome
He now flied directly to the Finial – Islamic moon symbol atop
He sat over the Finial, as if he came to chat with me
A new relationship between us began to develop
I enormously enjoyed this ecstatic and wondered to watch the game
Joy or grief never lasts for longer
As he could not sit there comfortably
As the edges seems sharper and stronger
My friend was forced to fly away, inevitably
This play of this eagle, perhaps I only noticed
Perhaps only towards me, He sat to chat
Taj as universal ‘symbol of love’ is highly placed
The joy of watching the eagle too, a tantalizing treat!
(Copyrights reserved by the Author)
BEAUTIFUL BEACHES, A Letter to Daniel
By Curtis Johnson
Hi Daniel,
There once was a man living high on a mountain whose name was Harry
Mt. St. Helen was threatening to blow its top, and everyone started to worry
Harry had been there 60 years and thought he would live on to tell his story
So after being warned to evacuate, Harry refused and decided to tarry
Sadly, when the volcano blew, Harry was later found in 40 feet of ashes
It’s interesting at times, that life can be so tame, so sweet, and so calming. Because of our positive experiences, we relax and enjoy seasons so charming Like Harry, we are unconvinced of danger, and need not fear rumors and warnings
Sandy beaches on the oceanfront are beautiful and lots of fun, when all is sunny and bright. For eight years my family and I lived in San Francisco within four blocks of the Pacific. Believe me when I say that the Oceanside is a calming and charming place. We spent lots of time in the Golden Gate Park and on the beach.
One Sunday afternoon, my two small kids and I took a walk across the rocks above the ocean beach. The waves were coming in pretty far, but I thought that we were high enough. I thought wrong. We had not been on the rocks 5 minutes before the waters came splashing against the rocks that we were walking on. I held the kids and protected them from the big splash. I got pretty wet, but no harm was done, and the lesson was well received.
The sandy beaches of life will often suddenly turn into rushing waves of sea salty waters. My friend, there are times when the volcanoes of life will heat up and blow their top. When they do, we best be aware, heed the warnings, and seek higher ground.
Dan, I do not know what you may be going through presently, but I am praying for you. If for any reason you taste those salty waters of what was once a calm and sandy beach, I have every reason to believe that God is going to change things for you. If the volcanoes of your life have blown its top, I have every reason to believe that the ashes will not bury you. When the troublesome adversities of life blow against all of us, God is always both warning and leading us out to safety.
So Daniel, my friend, may we together seek higher ground. Love you. Curtis09262013
The time has come to inform my boy
and pass along the flame.
The secret of a mystery solved
on how to get a dame.
'Your looks are key as they set the tone
if you intend to flirt.
Chicks will sigh and their knees grow weak
when in your muscle shirt.
Inhibitions gone, they may faint
when showing off your guns.
Give them room as they may fall
when flexing both your buns.
There are many ways to achieve the goal
and meet the fairer sex.
One sure way that never fails...
is to talk about you Ex.
Go on and on how you love her still
and extol your broken heart.
Of good times past, of great things done,
she was a work of art.
Peak her interest and speak of the virtue
of the life you led.
But most of all... her interests lie
in how she was in bed.
Another way is to take her places
you've never been before.
Like galleries, the opera
and the dentist you abhor.
You could try cooking if money's tight
when strapped by alimony.
What woman living? Would not be pleased
with a cold plate of beefaroni.
Still not enough and she's unconvinced
that you might be the guy.
When she turns to flee, the stage is set
and the time has come to lie.
You tell her now of things you've done
as an Alpha Male.
Of flying jets and curing cancer
but not your time in jail.
If you're shy, just hide that fact
and avoid acting too polite.
Just drink too much as most chicks dig
a drunk man in a fight.
She will start to swoon as her eyes grow big,
it's time you played your hand.
The simple fact remains... you forgot to say
that you're a singer in a band.
These are time honored ways by men
who know... of things a little shady.
But the results have merit and your chances good
of picking up a lady.'
My boy takes a pause as he begins to say,
'I think you should atone.
This may explain why to this day,
you're still living all alone.'
The End
*For those interested. I will be posting my cartoon 'Bob's your Uncle' on my homepage. A new one will appear every second day.
Could be you got
So much attention
Cause you proved
Someone wrong
Walk me through
Your studied result,
It's big picture,
It's randomized study.
It has suckered us
Into this hour's
Outrage-o-meter
With no positive in sight.
Only a dark night
Never ending
Grabbing at ammunition
For death ahead.
The trial unfolding
Before you.
Could be I got
Too much attention
And you figured
Me out.
Take back your inquiry
Add to it hindsight
Rewind on a meridian
Apply your mind to it.
Embrace the equation
The excellent math
Not the easy meth
We're too good for this.
I'm unconvinced.
No more reviews
Or bad grammar,
Past tense positives.
Could be we both
Got it wrong
.
At no time sincere.
Sun has risen
Reason into it
Where you're headed.
Spot storms
In the late
Summer of our lives
Plan a vacation.
A visit to Ancientness
Sunshine to rain
Dark guidance
From a mondegreen.
The suited result calculated
Understood, copied and posted.
day snuck up
before I could shut
the big light down
and in this land
where church bells
crack cold mornings
I am caught
on a day in a place
I am not prepared to face
oh well
this place
won't miss this face
if it rolls over
until the bars open
the night can bathe me
in sweet silky dreams
tuck me in its warm soft love
and cover me with stars
when its turn comes
I'll be easy
but this day
another cafe
coffee and cake
a walk along the Rhine
church bells
morning, noon and night
why
they don't toll the hour
clock tower's easy to read
they just remind me
of what I am unconvinced
wonder what the bishop
living with them hears
you are stuck in a routine
from which you'll never be free
for which, he (not she) probably
is thankful
day will never sneak up
on him (not her)
and those bells...
you know
Your memories, a perpetual stream of visitors.
Memories bursting with daring adventures.
Conquering the Kilimanjaro with an intimate artistic alliance.
Madness in the sky, a utter nutty experience of you flying a plane over the shore of Indian ocean,
extreme manoeuvres, you called it 'Top Gun Style'
with that, I said “shoot me down, I'm already dead”.
Traversing across a deserted island, detached from the world.
Stranded in the vast plains of Serengeti with a broken car and the unseen wild animals.
A taste of mystical wilderness of Africa, an insight to fragile life in a dangerous zone.
You drinking my share of Masai's ritual cattle blood drink,
vegetarianism was my lame excuse,
but you remained unconvinced
Exploring a volcanic mountain, never again toxic fumes fill my lungs.
Creation of life through our spiritual consortium,
where two lives emerged from me, carrying parts of you.
Climbing mountains with our offsprings with all the craziness of crying and yelling.
These eternal moments, I re-live on a quotidian in the sweet realm of my memories.
My soul honours our timeless connection, yet a temporary union of our presence.
Today in my heart, I carry your bestowed legacy of thrill seeking, adventurous, exciting, epic 'live in the moment.
Little rose incense leaves me in awe.
I adore the scent of my mother’s dishes
How I wish to delight the endearment of those near me!
I yearned not for favor but love
In anguish I stand displease, mutter fret!
Wondering how a man grew weary in woe.
I adore the valorous act of my father
How I wish to ravish the endearment of those dear to me!
I craved not patronage but love
In torment I live unconvinced, Ruth prevail!
Some people say that they will not believe unless they see God’s face.
Some people say that if God is real, he’s not involved in this human race.
Some people say that if God exists, why does he allow destruction and waste?
Some day I will see God’s face, but for now in this finite shell, I rather not.
Some remain unconvinced, but without God, we would have perished by now.
Some maintain a lack of faith; I maintain that God’s love for them is no less.
Though I have not seen God, yet in another way, I did see him up close, just the other day.
There is a Christian lady whose home I was in, and I noticed certain things she had on display.
First, I must add that her house is well organized, well kept, and so filled with peace, I must say.
There were beautiful and meaningful pictures on her wall.
There were three of them staring at me as I walked along the hall.
Their message to me was clear, and if one listens, it’ll speak to all.
I saw a picture of water and hills and clouds, so much a part of God’s creation.
There was a picture in golden tones with the words, “ The Light Of The World”. And I saw a picture of creation, The Sistine Chapel by Michelangelo.
No, I did not see God face to face; and what I saw on the wall will always leave a trace, because in the heart of that Christian lady, I saw God’s grace.
022108 cj PS
It was late afternoon and my thoughts were arid
when it struck me that I needed a new vehicle
to drive my thoughts far enough, fast enough
to the eyes and ears unknowingly awaiting them.
A meticulous consumer, I did my homework,
took my time, snapping reverse angle pictures
of me behind each and every wheel, feeling
the newness with each nostril and furrowed brow.
I tried out a traditional, up market Sonnet first
and – despite how many virginities had been
lost in its back seat – it still felt more like
my father’s than my own.
The Ode was no better, enveloping the driver in
thick clouds of vaulted purpose,
only came with AM radio and was impossible
to get parts and accessories for.
The 180° rotating side mirrors on the Sestina
were eye catching but seemed distracting
to the driver on today’s winding roads
and tempted oncoming traffic to admire itself.
And while the Dylan Thomas signature model Villanelle
looked like a joy to play with, I honestly didn’t know
what I’d do with it, was aghast by how much it consumed
and feared for its resale value.
Towards the back of the lot was an endless sea
of Haiku – three stroke wonders - which seemed cramped
and even the full-sized Tanka left me unconvinced
about how much leg room there really was.
With a blood orange evening tumbling ripe towards the Earth,
I bent to tie my shoes, scurried through a ditch
to Green Street and let the incandescent night fade in to
guide me, illuminating most of the street signs and
cheap hotels between "here" and wherever "there" was,
noting with interest one clap board place where “No”
was blacked out on its sign vacancy sign, its steps crooked
with time, a saxophone sighing through its open door.
swaying gently, with the wind, her mournful dance
leaves unconvinced of autumn’s breathless fingers
ruffled as shy feathers who tremble by chance
risking impulse who silence says still lingers
autumn tells news of crackling paths so perfect
paved with golds, oranges and reds to collect
puzzling dreams pile up in the spirit who sees
songs of grace, fall’s aching praise on dew drenched lawns
melodies rich with hope, betrothed to the trees
who wander across peaks, peace on quiet dawns
jolt of what it means to believe in autumn
calm painting silence like a foggy bottom
wars were fought, once upon a time, on her soil
she breathed in the aching sent of bloody souls
while the sunlight caught hearts with glittery foil
autumn whispered her right that always consoles
far and wide, I see the splendor of her voice
even though I love her, I haven’t any choice
she has gone to such trouble to seek me out
leaving my heart immersed in her misty quest
I’ll always love this season, without a doubt
she is the one who assures me I am blessed
without her quiet ways, her chorus of praise
I wouldn’t know the beauty that can still amaze
I'm almost disappointed
when
the pot of tea is
off the stove.
I forgot
her.
She stands next to me,
unconvinced.
I step aside
and let her
weep and wail.
She's here
for a few more days
and I will
figure this out.
She was sick
for years.
2/21/2021
Credit: Someone You Love Is Gone by Gurjinder Basran, Page 13