Best Unencumbered Poems


Premium Member Evolution of a Soul

A soul unites with a vessel. With no preconceived notion of what lies ahead.
A soul, upon arrival is molded by senses, by experiences, by emotions.
A soul is innately adept at navigating the treacherous and tumultuous upheaval 
created by conscious thought.

For if not.........
A soul becomes lost

A lost soul acts within a vessel ,yet remains unattached, unaware, and unbalanced
A lost soul can not process its own feelings, its own reality, its own existence
A lost soul has no sense of direction, no sense of reason, no sense of purpose 
It clings only to the will to press onward

For if not............
A soul becomes trapped

A trapped soul is bound to its vessel. One entity caged within another.
A trapped soul dwells in circles on that which enslaves it. Unwilling, unable
A trapped soul withers, and weakens, and wonders.............and near its end it hopes
And in this hope the shackles that bind need be unbreakable

For if not..................
A soul becomes free

A free soul is independent of its vessel.Unrestricted, unencumbered and in control
A free soul molds that which lies before it, reaching beyond comprehension.
A free soul has found itself. It does not gain understanding, it is understanding. It 
does not seek purpose, it is purpose. I does not fear life, It is life.

For if not...........
A soul becomes irrelevant
© Joe Inka  Create an image from this poem.
Categories: unencumbered, philosophylost, lost,
Form: Free verse

Premium Member Breaking the Surface

A millstone around my neck and weight about my feet
drag me down so deeply 
that I’m being pulled toward something. . .  
something from a darkened dream - nihility -
the place to lose chagrin 
and then to taste absolutely nothing.
Tropical delights do not swim here
 to brighten  the dingy water of my plight.
No rainbow fish dart to and fro where murky disillusionment oozes
   all around     and through me.
I go lower. . . . 

But above me, I can barely see a tinge of rose and of blue,
a sparkling distant light as the void below crouches, 
tugging at my soul.
Hope, through ocean’s skin,
peeps down at me.
Rays of reassurance come gleaming through
the layers of my gloom’s descent,
and be it from God. . . or from simple human will,
Prospect calls to me.

I feel wonder as gravity relinquishes its hold,
and the restraints around my ankles now fall off!
The millstone is released. Unencumbered, I ascend.
Up, up, up I go - 
bursting to exhale and to take into my lungs
a refreshment of sweet oxygen.
A final surge of spirit . ..
and I’m breaking the surface.
The coral glow of breaking day rushes forth splendidly
to greet me.
Categories: unencumbered, allegory, hope,
Form: Free verse

Premium Member Silent Invocation

Give me strength and courage
To rise above adversity...
To power past pain and suffering.
Let there be freedom in my breath
That lets me soar to places where
Dreams dwell... unencumbered
By earthly chains that bind me and
Keep me a prisoner in my own land.
They cannot control my spirit that
Roams free as the day I was born.
The freedom that was born with me
Shall remain a sacred secret until I die.
I bow before you with my heart in
My hands, I surrender my soul to you
Knowing one day I will be free physically
And the golden gates will be open to me.

© Connie Marcum Wong

*Dedicated to those who face fear and tyranny
on this planet.
Categories: unencumbered, courage, dedication, faith, freedom,
Form: Free verse

Book: Radiant Verses: A Journey Through Inspiring Poetry


Premium Member May Love Forever Burn Brightly

Friendships are made, friendships are broken
But the friendships here on the site
Are as strong as any that have ever existed
Unencumbered by outside influences
They thrive in an atmosphere of a common language
That of love, compassion, and joy
In the knowledge there are still loving souls out there
Amid the turmoil that exists in the world
Wars have been fought since the beginning of time
They have always been part of the human condition
This desire to be king of the hill
Starts early on with childhood interaction
Bullies trying to prove their superiority by strength
But their strength is usually only physical
There is also a strength of character
Which the so-called meek of the earth possess
That is stronger than physical strength
Strength of character is the strength I describe
Those that possess it often go on to great success
If their fire within is allowed to burn brightly
So let the friendships here on this site
Burn brightly with the love of the written word
The words in rhyme that communicate
A love of our fellow inhabitants
Of this wonderful site and this wonderful world
We call Earth!
Categories: unencumbered, friendship love,
Form: Narrative

Premium Member What's now rather than then - collaboration

The youthful memories I have did grate
Upon my innermost self and I’d cry
For my depressed spirit which longed to die
And halt life tainted with anger and hate

Yet now in a manic marvelous state
Akin to alcohol’s euphoric high
My heart’s core renewed can soar to the sky
How this came to be I’ll try to relate

I trapped thorny issues behind a gate
Forgiveness has become a great ally
Love found everyday gives reason to fly
Like a balloon unencumbered with weight

While able to breathe and greet each sunrise
Living and giving seem like the best prize

                         *****

Youth represents life of song to be sung
Laughing out loud when memories are made
But you wept as your spirit became frayed
Though now you’re wiser than when you were young

Having crossed the threshold of angst that clung
See how clover's nectar can be arrayed
Let your heart rejoice and not be afraid
As delight comes from strands of pearls restrung

The door's ajar—from the cage you've been sprung
Take wing knowing happiness will not fade
A heart’s compassion will never abrade
Where you go now—no place is too far-flung

Revel in moonlight and dawn's painted skies
An attitude change has opened your eyes


Lin, working with you is a pleasure and does bring a grand internal and external smile.
Categories: unencumbered, appreciation, beautiful, happiness, wisdom,
Form: Sonnet

Inherent Swimming

Stepping past the crater towards your door,
     I am reminded of warm days
surrendered in flowery abandon while
     brushing against cool veins of
leafy promise, requiring only the slightest
     compassion for the flow of life.

The scope of our crusade sings bitter,
     like absinthe in a Fanta bottle;
tangs of anise and wormwood persist
     within ether's truthful vision
resisting factory flavors in a curtain,
     velvet reminders of flesh.

Lap your moistened shape. You dissolve,
     my expectant sugar cube, no longer
made jagged by expectation or campaign
     but fragile again, doughy in
blissful rapture upon my snacking,
     curling up in a fetal calm

until we flow once more with the surge
     propelling us entangled yet
unencumbered, finally breathing our
     amniotic potential within this
spiritual umbilical making my stomach
     spin within these tugs of finality,

despite my carpenter's heart yearning to
     mend or create. Do arrogance and
industry compel mankind's devastation? Such
     a question drifts unanswered as I
kiss your wrist before strapping on my boots
     to hurl my blood into the fray.
© John Weber  Create an image from this poem.
Categories: unencumbered, nature, war
Form: Free verse


Premium Member Soul Haiku Revisited - Zodiac Style

Aries Soul

Mischievous flint spark 
razes lethargy’s prison 
igniting joy’s fuse.

Leo Soul

Rich roaring campfire 
radiant warmth draws attention 
confidence blazing.

Sagittarius Soul

Long-tended embers 
spawn dazzling wisdom flashes
endlessly glowing

Capricorn Soul

White gleaming marble 
proud solid stability 
structural beauty.

Taurus Soul

Lavish lilac shrub 
broadcasting sensual delight 
exudes comfort.

Virgo Soul

Majestic maple 
limbs' crimson remnants swept clean 
prepared for new growth.

Libra Soul

Sleeping lover’s breath 
passion’s rhythm synchronized 
harmony complete.

Aquarius Soul

Fresh pine-mountain air 
clears celestial vision 
connections revealed

Gemini Soul

Frolicsome breeze 
swirling dance unencumbered 
transports wisdom’s seeds

Cancer Soul

Soft persistent rain 
quenches fragile seedling’s thirst 
nurtures flowering

Scorpio Soul

Ancient cavern pool 
envelops secret demons 
guards Pandora’s box

Pisces Soul

Still midnight lagoon 
shimmers cosmic buoyancy 
atop deep pure peace.
Categories: unencumbered, imagination, introspection, life, sensual,
Form: Haiku

Premium Member Night Angel

In deep slumber madness, she comforts me
Appearing, unencumbered, from the mist
Subconscious suspension our nightly tryst
Erasing my mind of bad memories
She mends and warms my soul so tenderly
Imbibing my thoughts and heart with her kiss
Lovingly fulfills a long ago wish
Thankfully restoring my sanity
Regularly she visits in silence
Enlightening my dreams with wholesomeness
Wiping my tears of angered betrayal
Exchanging her love for malevolence
I awaken with renewed happiness
Refreshed from the angelic portrayal




   an original poem by the "poemdog" Daniel Turner
Italian Sonnet rhyme scheme abba  abba  cde  cde
  14 lines  10 syllables per  140 syllables  80 words
Categories: unencumbered, angel, dream, forgiveness, happiness,
Form: Italian Sonnet

Striving For Political Correctness

Striving for Political Correctness

By Elton Camp

It would just be the end
If by words we do offend.
There’s the devil to be paid
If we call a spade a spade.

“Vertically challenged” means short.
“Horizontally challenged,” a fat sort.
“Nondiscretionary fragrance” means we stink.
“Living impaired” means your’re dead I think.

“Cerebrally challenged” and you are plain dumb.
“Hispanic” and it is Mexico that you come from.
“Niceness deprived” tells that you are mean.
As “oppressor-to-be” a young boy can be seen.

“Follicularly challenged” guys really are bald.
“Gay” is what males who hump men are called.
The “residentially flexible” will live out on the street.
“Nontraditional success” and a poor man you meet.

“Economically maximized” describes one rich.
“Economically marginalized” do live in a ditch.
“Visually challenged” is the blind guy you see.
“Reality challenged” people are crazy as can be.

“Locationally challenged” folks are those lost.
“Unjust self-esteem reduction” criticism’s cost.
A “maintenance portal” is the name for a manhole.
While “sexually dysfunctional” is a perverted soul.

The garbage collector is a “sanitation engineer.”
“Petroleum transfer specialist” pumps gas I fear.
The “termination specialist” other people does kill.
“Body entrepreneur” describes a prostitute if you will.

“Factually unencumbered” are the ignorant folk.
“Alternative answer” means an error was spoke.
If lazy, then we aren’t “motivationally disposed.”
“Discretionary fragrance” and perfume is nosed.

The “chronologically gifted” are just old.
“Rustically inclined” is redneck I’m told.
“Vertically gifted” people describes those who are tall.
“Client of the correctional system” a prisoner we call.

“Cerebrally gifted” people are those who are smart.
Be “metabolically challenged,” and dead thou art.
“Nonwaged” and it is a job you do lack.
“Amorally gifted” and a crook you track.

“Knowledge conveyor” speaks of the teacher.
“Personality repressor” describes the preacher.
With a “conceptual conflict” you are not sure.
The “under-alert” just some sleep will cure.

Now we are expected to play the “correctness” game.
Which means we call almost nothing by its true name.
In keeping with that, you see,
This poem is correct as can be.
© Elton Camp  Create an image from this poem.
Categories: unencumbered, funnypeople, people,
Form: Rhyme

Premium Member Night Angel - Collaborating Sonnets With Lin Lane

In deep slumber madness, she comforts me
Appearing, unencumbered, from the mist
Subconscious suspension our nightly tryst
Erasing my mind of bad memories
She mends and warms my soul so tenderly
Imbibing my thoughts and heart with her kiss
Lovingly fulfills a long ago wish
Thankfully restoring my sanity
Regularly she visits in silence
Enlightening my dreams with wholesomeness
Wiping my tears of angered betrayal
Exchanging her love for malevolence
I awaken with renewed happiness
Refreshed from the angelic portrayal

                  **********
Rest easy, dear one. Night Angel is here
To ease the worry from your furrowed brow
Kiss to the cheek, I lay upon you now
In your sweetest dream you will feel me near
Memories of your past no longer live
No need for tears to fall from pain or stress
Tender love I offer in my caress
Gift of my thoughts to you this night I give
Wake on the morrow, glad to greet the sun
Knowing night has me coming through the mist
To comfort once more when your cheek is kissed
As Night Angel hovers o're her loved one
Though I must wait till night sends its moonbeams
I shall never leave you lost in your dreams

                 **********
Undeserving am I, for such mercy 
A sinner and tormented vagabond 
Cavorting with strumpets in Babylon 
Rendering my soul hungry and thirsty 
Yet nightly, through the mist you come tersely 
Descending with your kindness from beyond 
Blessed with your kiss my memories abscond 
Overfilling my heart with love firstly 
Night Angel, I have prayed for forgiveness 
From the midst of my dreams, am again whole 
By the magnificence of your meekness 
My conscience is now bending from stiffness 
The morning sun brings new light to my soul 
Now no longer will ever go sleepless




    Original Sonnets by Lin Lane and Daniel Turner "poemdog"
Categories: unencumbered, dream, emotions, feelings,
Form: Italian Sonnet

Premium Member Night Angel: a Collaboration With Daniel Turner

This is presented in a series of three sonnets in a collaboration
between Daniel Turner and Lin Lane. 
They are based on the original sonnet of Daniel's "Night Angel."
Thank you, Danny, for the inspiration and for allowing me to 
give poetic voice to your Night Angel.


In deep slumber madness, she comforts me
Appearing, unencumbered, from the mist
Subconscious suspension our nightly tryst
Erasing my mind of bad memories
She mends and warms my soul so tenderly
Imbibing my thoughts and heart with her kiss
Lovingly fulfills a long ago wish
Thankfully restoring my sanity
Regularly she visits in silence
Enlightening my dreams with wholesomeness
Wiping my tears of angered betrayal
Exchanging her love for malevolence
I awaken with renewed happiness
Refreshed from the angelic portrayal

                  **********
Rest easy, dear one. Night Angel is here
To ease the worry from your furrowed brow
Kiss to the cheek, I lay upon you now
In your sweetest dream you will feel me near
Memories of your past no longer live
No need for tears to fall from pain or stress
Tender love I offer in my caress
Gift of my thoughts to you this night I give
Wake on the morrow, glad to greet the sun
Knowing night has me coming through the mist
To comfort once more when your cheek is kissed
As Night Angel hovers o're her loved one
Though I must wait till night sends its moonbeams
I shall never leave you lost in your dreams

                 **********
Undeserving am I, for such mercy 
A sinner and tormented vagabond 
Cavorting with strumpets in Babylon 
Rendering my soul hungry and thirsty 
Yet nightly, through the mist you come tersely 
Descending with your kindness from beyond 
Blessed with your kiss my memories abscond 
Overfilling my heart with love firstly 
Night Angel, I have prayed for forgiveness 
From the midst of my dreams, am again whole 
By the magnificence of your meekness 
My conscience is now bending from stiffness 
The morning sun brings new light to my soul 
Now no longer will ever go sleepless


* * * * * * * * * * 
February 22, 2016
© Lin Lane  Create an image from this poem.
Categories: unencumbered, angel, hope,
Form: Sonnet

Premium Member To Fly

To fly like a bird, basically unencumbered
     leaving behind the world's joy and pain.
To soar to spaces only birds have been,
     and touch the very edge of a violet sky.

To drift on a cloud as it hides a rainbow,
     and watch an iridescent raindrop begin.
See storms in their infancy, sung to by thunder,
     as flashes of lightning echo brilliant refrain.

To fly low over mountains bathed in lavender;
     watch creeks meander lazily by mossy banks.
To gaze at tall forests of evergreen and quaking aspen;
     see meadows of wildflowers, fields of spun gold.

To watch night's different shades then choose black satin,
     and be awed by dawn's brush of colorful pastels.
To admire many planets and sit among luminous stars.
     To find our blue Earth and see how tiny we are.

June 2, 2022
Free Verse.
© Ann Peck  Create an image from this poem.
Categories: unencumbered, adventure, appreciation, bird, color,
Form: Free verse

Some Are Not Meant For This World

(Dedicated to all those who have died alone.)


They cannot fit, they cannot go along,
and the reasons are wide: pride, fear,
even love never tempered by time,
illness of the  heart or mind, or simply
bad, bad luck: life throws them away
until they throw life away....

She was one of the gentle ones,
the unlucky ones-- a flower child
who missed her time, an era she
might have thrived in, free, alive,
unencumbered by family ties....

If she had come age in the 60's,
she might have lived into her 90's.
But lost and afraid in a cold world
not of her making, with her bird-
like heart breaking, she ate her
last hoarded apple, then lay down
to sleep and sleep and sleep until
she awakened safe in heaven's lap.


--judged NA in 'Will to survive' contest, 10/15/20--


[The poem was based on a true incident whereby a young woman suffering severe depression and paranoia  was released from a psych ward without anyone informing her family; she stayed alone for weeks in an empty, unheated house in winter subsisting only on half-rotten apples she had picked up from the ground in the back yard.]
Categories: unencumbered, abuse, allusion, death, destiny,
Form: Free verse

Sonnet: Elegy In Blank Verse

SONNET : 
ELEGY IN BLANK VERSE

I wish I could find death before I grow
so I could miss life's pain and agony. 
A child can only feel and hear and see 
the universe with love and happiness.

A child does not fathom those cancered ills
that fog a twisted mass of foundered souls
nor understand the horrid self one needs
to govern and succeed in society.

Nor does it care; it only wants and needs
an unencumbered path to happiness,   
a guiltless trail to heavenly frolic;
a road that's lost when grown ones rule the world.

I wish I could find death before I grow
so I could miss life's pain and agony.
Categories: unencumbered, death, happiness, philosophy, universe,
Form: Sonnet

Premium Member Celestial Seas

Celestial Seas

An anointing beam blazes from
     breathtaking cosmos clusters
illuminating indigo skies 
     in the blissful birth of night.

Serenity rules in a captivating 
     vivid view of mountain,
sky and lake with silver stars 
     diamond dotted upon a
mirror mirage of a languid lake.

Musings soar into the heavens
     unencumbered by restraints
of Gaia’s gravitational mass.
     They soar with the speed of 
thought into empyrean’s eternity.

6-22-19

~First Place~
CONTEST no 620 with alliteration style therein,any theme ,any form
Sponsor Brian Strand

~Second Place~
picture #2 
Poetically Me THIS PICTURE WHAT CHA' SEE Poetry Contest 
Sponsored by: James Edward Lee Sr.
Categories: unencumbered, beautiful, birth, earth, silver,
Form: Alliteration
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