Best Ushered Poems
Too many years spent in depression buried beneath a pile of regrets
pills of every color aside my glass, cuts of every size scabs included
Broken pieces of my heart scattered from Newfoundland to Toronto
I'd forgotten the taste of content and the sound of jabbering friends
They tried to help me by taking me to therapy but I cried myself to sleep
every time I spoke to him, about my childhood pain and the awful abuse
One day I decided to go visit an old chapel that kept their side door open
this kind woman let me in and ushered me into a back pew then left
I felt a rush of panic, all I wanted was to run but then I began to talk
the words spilled out of my heart, onto a crucifix of pewter and gold
I told him all my secret fears and all the things my mind struggled with
gazing upon that cross I suddenly realized that he'd been broken too
On a crumpled piece of paper I scratched out three words " I choose life "
then I left the chapel door open and walked out into the sun, alive...
Its not like I cured myself all at once it took time, but I finally did it
one day at a time , first I crawled, then I walked, then I saw the light.
December 9th, 2020
Sponsor: Regina McIntosh
Contest Name: "The Light"
Categories:
ushered, confusion, depression,
Form:
Free verse
The scarlet of the sky recedes from sight,
and whisperings of wildness are heard.
As shadows rush to fill the summer’s night,
they’re ushered in by call of mocking bird.
On pebbled shoreline of a shallow pond
appears a fawn once hid behind a tree.
The forest creatures murmur from beyond
damp spots where frogs now croak incessantly.
I hear soft sound of splashing and I rise
to see a duckling paddling along.
I watch him disappear, then close my eyes. . .
this time, to hear a night bird’s soothing song.
And though the ground is hard, I know that I
will dream in bliss to Woodland’s Lullaby.
For 'A STRAND (1062)' Contest
Categories:
ushered, Lullaby, night,
Form:
Sonnet
You come to me through breathing nuances of your soul
Pinpricks of laughter, tears, and excitement
Memories buried deep within
Trickles of blood
Moments of loss
My body warms
My heart expands
I am a conduit
To receive the gifts you bring
Dancing cells before my eyes
Seducing me with their movement
Our beings so blessed with
Magic and purpose
We function, often without thought
To the complexity of the mechanisms within
That pump our hearts
Containing light years of wisdom
How precious life is
How fortunate we are
To feel bliss, love, anger, and loss
We are capable of gazing into each other’s eyes
With compassion and acceptance
Able to feel the touch
Of another’s lips on ours
Miracles happen before our eyes
We can grab a tendril, a tailfeather,
A mane, or a hand
And surf the wave to gratitude
Anticipation ignites within my soul
Understanding the delicate balance of nature
Encompassing man, woman, child, and animals
Brings welcome sweet tears to my eyes
To receive the offerings of compassion, kindness, and humility
And sharing them with others brings joy
I am one
We are one together
All of us making our way
Through darkness and light
Fluttering monarch butterflies fill the air
As we gather and rise upwards
Riding the wings of the ancient bird tribes
Unspoken words fill the gauzy lavender sky
A pod of whales below guides us
Gentle giants leading us towards
Promise and new horizons
Ushered by the heartbeats of wonder within
Categories:
ushered, appreciation, butterfly, community, dream,
Form:
Free verse
As I walk through the doors of the hall,
I am swept off my feet by such flare.
When I think that tonight’s my first ball,
How I blush thinking thoughts I don’t dare.
Lovely music pours out of the room,
And my hips sway beneath my pink gown.
Mom’s eyes seek a potential bridegroom
Dad’s eyes stop, my swaying with a frown.
Ushered in the big room my eyes dance
As they rush over grandeur so bright
Chandeliers they brought over from France
Fill the room bringing splendour and light
On the sidelines I can’t help but stare
Pretty walls lined with roses and vines
Sweetest scents of Guerlains fills the air
As the ladies and gents sip their wines.
Fine madam’s gowns blend in with the walls
And the heavenly ceiling divine
Pastel angels and blue waterfalls
Someone begs me to dance just in time.
As we twirl on the dance floor I’m charmed
Looking into his eyes, I turn red
And I’m weak in this young man’s strong arms
Looking up angels spin round my head.
All too soon my first ball has to end
Sweetest dreams I shall cherish tonight
When I think of my newly found friend
Just the thought of him brings such delight
Anapest Trimeter
Written by Brenda Meier-Hans
11.27.2014
Sponsor Isaiah Zerbst
Contest: Ballroom Delights
1st place
Categories:
ushered, dance, emotions, first love,
Form:
Rhyme
…you knew
No one should know the things I know,
nor bear the scars of such knowledge,
nor should they be forced by circumstance
to discard all of memory’s treasures.
The Llama will spit when the burden’s too great
but the child, he will bury it deep
carry it with him wherever he goes
condition himself not to weep.
The Lion will roar when wounded and weak
lash out at the wind and the rain
the child will yell from his spot deep in hell
and be told he must learn to forgive.
The rats will sneak in – the rats will sneak out
and feast on the lies they deny
the child in plain sight will cry through the night
and be ushered away at sunrise.
There are cracks in the walls as the empire falls
yet the liars still raise a gold chalice
hide in the cloud of incense they spread
to obscure their despicable malice.
So if a child yells, tells you of cold hells
of memories tortured and chained
look into his eyes and search for his soul
and weep, for he knows that you knew.
©2/14/2018
Categories:
ushered, abuse, betrayal, children, religion,
Form:
Verse
Edited to include "creatures of the night"
They wait for shadows
to rush and fill their forest home.
Then ushered in by the hoot of the owl
or the whip-poor-will’s call,
they appear as silently as the black of night itself.
A fawn in hiding ambles over to a pebbled pool.
Its family follows.
Fireflies flicker about like tiny lanterns
and the incessant murmur of insects
fills the air.
Somewhere – cloaked in darkness – a frog croaks.
Soft splashes in the pool
reveal ducklings paddling along.
Creatures of the night -
badgers, raccoons, and other tiny furry creatures -
scurry through bushes
foraging for prey smaller than themselves.
Ears prick at the sound
of a lone wolf’s howl.
June 12, 2022
Categories:
ushered, animal,
Form:
Free verse
With spring approaching quickly and milk is upon the rise,
our factory employs seasonal workers to resize,
the employee pool to accommodate the milk intake,
which means twenty-four by seven with such a lot at stake.
The milk dryer needed packers and more cleaners on the floor.
There’s a need for extra lab staff, truck drivers, and some more,
‘til with most positions filled, except one so it did seem.
The warehouse needs another forklift driver for the team.
Mick our production manager had from two nominees to pick.
But must consider who was better; which one will do the trick,
so in my control room we met to show me their régimes,
and both of them were similar so had to find another way.
Bjorn was Norwegian who is back packing for a year,
while Murphy is an Irishman who has settled very near.
And to try and solve the puzzle on who we think may be best,
we came to a conclusion they should take a written test.
So Mick prepared for both a twenty question simple quiz,
hoping this would prove that one, is a better fork lift whiz.
Mick sat them inside his office where he could watch the pair,
as they gave answers to this company’s questionnaire.
It’s never pretty telling folks they miss out on being hired.
They can get very angry once they know they’re not required.
I was ushered to the office once a decision’s made.
The losing candidate was Murphy and he was quite dismayed.
Mick explained to Muphy that from twenty questions asked.
“Bjorn and you got nineteen right with the answers you both caste”.
“Why did I lose?” Murphy whined. “It’s a case of being biased,
seeing we got nineteen right; one more would be the highest”.
“That’s your problem Murphy. The question you got wrong was eight,
and after reading both your answers, here’s what sealed your fate”.
Mick gave an explanation looking Murphy in the eye,
“Bjorn’s answer was ‘I don’t know’ - and you wrote ‘neither do I”.
Categories:
ushered, humor,
Form:
Rhyme
Written: December 31, 2023, For Unseeking Seeker Contest
_____________________________________
“God within me is the enjoyer of the aroma
As also this dopamine boosting flavour I taste
I surrender all pleasures to the dweller of my heart
Breath by breath thus that my soul presence be chaste”
I wrestle symbolically every day,
While whisking my whimsical mind
For palatable aroma of java-laced cream
Each tantalizing sip satiates soul scarcity,
I taste dopamine-inducing elixir
Idly percolating aromas amplify, blissfully
My psyche turns olfactory with each breath
Savoring pureness of quench coffee
True coffee lovers' sacred rite
Bred from mountain slope flora
Large, roasted grains
Combined with chives
Espresso of our selection
Invigorating the poetic muse.
A cloying symphony lingers
Caramel, chocolate, hints
Roasted beans croon a melody
Susurrous sumptuous surreptitious
startling soul's sempiternal shields
Java ushered to an ambrosian niche
Where time halts and fears sway
All worries dissolve
Java-infused serenade heals this soul.
Weary-treating opulent, black potion
Comforting and cheering
Sips reveal life's essence
A hint of sonata transcends clash
Every sip is a sensory delight
A fabulous favor, a flavor flipping
Utopian bitterness-sweetness mix
An inexhaustible smorgasbord style.
Aphonic aqua vitae aurifies my soul
Seeking solace in stories of slight delights
In this brew, I uncover truth
A breath of blissfulness brings youth
Let aroma spread as I sip and relish
Nurturing and boldening my soul
I am enamored with Java core virtues
An idyllic instant resolves everything
Breath to breathe, I'll purify my soul
Savor and sustain every drop
During my coffee ritual
Feel a link to a bit victual.
Categories:
ushered, analogy, appreciation, character,
Form:
Free verse
Reminded of a summer tune
I heard one summer’s day in June
so long ago when life was raw
and fresh eyes saw the things I saw
I sat and pondered life and time
and echoes of a life sublime
I played that tune and journeyed back
and listened to my own soundtrack
The song evoked a sun filled sky
as all the clouds had waved goodbye
the sand was hot, my feet on fire
an ice cold beer was my desire
A Juke Box lured with satin sounds
so I began to make my rounds
I crossed the boardwalk, ushered in
and let that velvet night begin
The ocean’s memories still hold
a wealth of stories yet untold
but to this day, that song I hear
recalls the sand and sun and beer
Categories:
ushered, journey, memory, nostalgia, seasons,
Form:
Rhyme
The Psychostasia
(The Egyptian Funerary Rite)
For seventy days I’ve been prepared
With oils and unguents ever so rare
And with linen bandages to and fro
Wound and wrapped from head to toe
And on this journey I’m prepared to start
By enduring the “Weighing of the Heart”
With Toth’s oversight we’ll see whether
My heart weighs true against Truth’s feather
Should it fall short the beast will devour
My soul to oblivion in my final hour
Yet should it measure straight and true
The Pylon opened I’ll be ushered through
And then I shall fall unto my knees
And pray that Osirus hears my pleas
That he acknowledge and clear my tears
And accept my soul for a thousand years
And cleanse said soul of all its scars
And make me one with the canopy of stars
And bless my children and my wife
That they may join me in the afterlife
Categories:
ushered, adventure, death, faith, funeral,
Form:
Couplet
~ My Primary Emotion~
Three days ago I decided to become heartless by
eliminating my Spirit and Soul I could not take
the agony anymore.
I urged my lawyer to come, he looked at me and
asked, what is wrong? Gazing at him said,
I don't regret committing that felony against them
I need to be punished lets go to court.
Having no reaction, looking disoriented he
opened the door walked me to his car & drove
to court.
Standing opposite the judge I stared at
him bluntly, he was reviewing my report
looked at me ushered to sit in the box
to be persecuted.
The defense lawyer aware of my crimes
seemed intrigued and asked, madam
what caused you to retaliate against your
Spirit & Soul?.
I needed to disrupt their thoughts which
turned against me, the chaos in my brain
became unbearable, exhausted by their
discussions aggravated my strength
weakened me, my whole body was
antagonizing, intentionally forcing my
thoughts to become heartless, merciless
when I attacked them.
Both profited from my kindness my
patience, my healing was not responding,
needing some peace to pray for a miracle
as my young brother today is near death,
cancer of the lungs, he`s getting colder by
the minute, not eating, not socializing, alone,
my tears were overflowing beyond control,
when I heard a friendly whisper coming from
my Heart crying, enough is enough your thoughts
need to stop to allow yourself recognize wrath is
unbearable, your sorrow is taking you nowhere,
wait for the diagnosis.
Out of compassion the judge set me free
my kindness befriended my Spirit & Soul
together we went back home. Waiting.
I was surrounded by them knowing
ahead of me will be the longest night
I will ever experience in years, because
I was determined to stay awake
for that call.
The echo of the ringer came louder than usual
we heard this message!
Minutes ago he was wide awake
Minutes ago his heart tore him away
minutes ago his casket was carried astray
minutes ago underground he will lay.
Minutes ago I wished him an endless
goodbye with a sigh.
My friends held me step by step walked
me to bed covered me up stayed until I had
no more tears to shed.
Those were my emotions for today. Grieving
over the loss of my young brother. Sadness.
Therese Bacha
2/4/2013
Contest of Dan Williams. Primary Emotion Today..
Categories:
ushered, brother, poetry, , cute,
Form:
Prose Poetry
Buildin’ Birds…
Your hands dart and weave
In, out, up.. then hover
Swoop right… then left
As simply as sight
Of a birds dreamy flight
Floating to perch proud on rocky cleft
Subtle magic’s paint
Concept, thought to Action
Life wrought from death
As eloquently as the Master
Reaches out from the hereafter
And grants the unborn gift of breath
Chaos now cornered
Seeks out surge, hands direct
And collar by will
And just as Angels acting
So precise, measured, and exacting
Leave scarce a ripple on waters still
Trumpet Grande Crescendo
Labors love ushered in
A diamond from primal smolder
A new winged gift to grace us
Snatched still in pristine stasis
To soar in the eye of the beholder
(Narrative)
I wrote this poem after peeping through the doorway of my wife Nancy’s workspace as she
crafted her beautiful bird sculptures. I was utterly amazed at the delicate movements she so
gracefully employed to wring creations that seemed to capture a split second of nature so
completely as to cause the beholder the illusion that she had somehow stopped time.
Literally, a hummingbird caught between the beats of its wing for one to marvel at. Of all
Nancy’s creative endeavors I still rank her “Buildin’ Birds” as her paramount artistic
endeavor.
Categories:
ushered, animals, art, devotion, family,
Form:
Narrative
Twas winter ninety-seven, all around the town
Houses lit up magically, parties all around.
Boyfriend says, come with me, to works Christmas dinner,
Dress up chic and sexy, looking like a winner.
Hair all done up, makeup on, gown that fits just right
We’ll impress his colleagues, I was such a pretty sight.
Ushered to our table, we sat with others there
Such a lovely evening, a truly posh affair.
Delicious food, friends were made, laughter filled the air,
A real nice Christmas party, memories to share.
Then came all the speeches, boring us all to death,
The best part was the here here’s, sniffing wines sweet breath.
Finally was time to dance, music filled the night,
Dancing in my ball gown which now was fitting tight.
Time and time we danced that night, in each other’s arms,
Him with me and me with him, showing off our charms.
Suddenly I laughed so hard, teeth went flying out,
Slide across the dance floor, feet pushing them about.
In a flash down on my knees, scurrying about,
Found the little suckers, and popped them in my mouth.
At the time I hoped and prayed nobody had seen,
When I popped them in my mouth, and where they had been.
Looking back, now I laugh, thinking it was funny,
I’m happy now my mouth can say “C’est la vie.
Written by Brenda Meier-Hans
10.26.2014
For Judy Konos Contest:
C’est la vie
1st
Categories:
ushered, celebration, christmas, dance, funny,
Form:
Rhyme
A humid afternoon , in the middle of August, has nothing much to commend about it. I can hear the humming of air conditioning coming from both sides of a familiar old street. It's too hot for even the ardent gardener to be out and about, and sidewalks are deserted, while children are herded into backyard wading pools. Clouds are softly framed in bands of charcoal grey.
I stand on the corner, waiting for the light to change, and waiting for cars to allow me to cross the street.
rush hour traffic...
bees circle the elm trees with
no notice of me
I approach the old Victorian, and can't help but notice how painted shutters need repair, and the garden needs weeding. Wild devil-grass is taking over the wind-whipped faces of dreary, old zinnias. Seeing it so unkempt, makes me a little sad
Drooping over the sidewalk, thirsty roses lean over to greet me, as I ring the bell. The old woman opens the door and suddenly her unbridled joy upon greeting me, has put sparks in eyes, and softened her face, while my worrisome mood evaporates, like a freshly-washed day. I'm quickly ushered into the talcum-scented foyer of friendship.
a wilted blossom
still beautiful in my palm....
new lines in her face
________________________________________________
7/19/15 For Contest Sponsored by Scott Thirtyseven
Categories:
ushered, age, august, beautiful, beauty,
Form:
Haibun
New grass will wave in a crisp morning breeze
White buds will blur our orchard lanes again
Clouds will be dancing over the blue horizon
And earth will feel the tiny feet of rain
Streams will wash their pebbles bright and clean
Each shaken fern will yield a twinkling shower
Meadowlarks will share a sweet soliloquy
And sun-drenched lilacs will be glad with flower
The wide lift of fresh air and skies of blue
Will glimmer between each leafy bough of green
I will walk into the woods, ushered by a redwing's flute
I will bask in the sunshine, and listen to the song of spring
New born lambs will suckle in the dew
A fragrant petal from the apple tree
Will rest upon my cheek, and I will feel the touch of spring
And know a sense of peace, throughout the whole of me
* * * *
Categories:
ushered, seasons,
Form:
Rhyme