Best Varsity Poems
Little Man Grown
8/18/2023
Thirteen years ago, he picked up a bat!
In love, he knew where his future was at.
In Major League Baseball, you get it?
Six-feet, tall now, he can really, hit it!
But this Grandma, misses her little tyke,
Who rode a tricycle and flew a silver kite.
He’ s a player on junior varsity these days.
And in other states, baseball with joy, plays!
Categories:
varsity, baseball, boy, grandmother, grandson,
Form:
Rhyme
Why the long face, son? Did someone die?
Aw, Dad. I flunked my math exam
Did you do your level best, son?
I did, Dad. I studied so hard for the test
You know that's all I ask of you, son
And everything is always for the best. Right, Dad?...
What's up, son? Are those tears streaming down your cheeks?
Aw, Dad. I didn't make the varsity basketball team
Did you try your level best, son?
You know I did, Dad. I trained so hard last summer
That's all I can ask of you, my son
And everything is always for the best, Dad...
Is everything ok, son? You look like you saw a ghost
I did lousy on the law boards, Dad
Did you do your level best, son?
I don't know, Dad. I thought I did. But--
--But everything is always for the best, son. You know that by now.
You're right, Dad. Everything is always for the best...
Dad, you're not here with me on this Earth anymore
But your words live on inside me, and
They are of great comfort to me now, Dad
And you were right. Everything is always for the best--
I flunked the math exam because I was not meant
to be a statistician or a computer programmer
I didn't make the varsity team because I was not
cut out to be a great basketball player
I did lousy on the law boards because I never
really wanted to be a lawyer, not in my heart...
I'm a part-time poet now, Dad. That's right
My wonderful poetic friends and I are busy, busy
We create tempting, tasty dishes of Poetry Soup
~ And hereby serve up today's soup de jour, Dad
Everything really and truly is always for the best
February 11, 2019
Entry in "Repetition" Poetry Contest
Sponsor: Cecelia Hopkins-Drewer
Categories:
varsity, father son, inspirational, relationship,
Form:
Free verse
My Grandson's Toys;Christmas Memories
Dear Edward:
You grew from Little League to be Varsity
star!
Sadly, we rarely see much of one another
anymore.
So Grandma, finds happiness in your once
beloved, boyhood toys.
It's like being with you, even though you are
now driving a sleek car and havingfun with other
teenage boys.
Your first shiny, hot wheels, are still all here.
Even your wood blocks, that I still hold dear!
Do you remember your very first phone?
Toys that were never ruined by crazed
technology?
All that automaticity, requiring no
imagination at all, just pure, expensive
folly!
The humungous stuffed doggie you once
loved so much, his eyes so sad, he
wants your touch.
Your toy soldiers stand at alert~just
Waiting for you.
I tell them, be patient, he is coming
back for you..
Alas, I cannot tell those attentive eyes,
that this is totally untrue!
I keep our New Years horns in the hutch.
I want to see them daily, they sparkle
just like you!
And on New Years Eve, we always had
had our fun annual date.
You, my grandson, I admired your piano
playing, and still being on the honor roll,too.
But this house is so heartless and empty now
without you.
And next year, off to university you will go.
I wish you love and success in the glory of
those swirling, Midwestern, Christmas snows!
Love, success and good wishes!
Grandma xoxo
12/18/2024
Categories:
varsity, christmas, grandmother, grandson, high
Form:
Free verse
Sometimes you may feel like you're stuck on the benches of life
Not knowing if you'll ever get in the game causing you anquish and strife
Dismissed and unused never getting a chance to play
Just praying for an opportunity to hopefully shine one day
Yet the longer you sit idle your confidence dwindles to the ground
Feelings of despair that life has somehow let you down
You need to hold on to your confidence by trusting in the Lord God
Knowing your ability, knowing your capabilities with self assurance in your heart
Just don't be arrogant which an exaggeration of what you think you know
Remember God is in control and its He who runs the show
Just wait to use the gifts that God has given to you
Just wait for your season it will be coming true
Understand that your mission is godly ordained
Understand that your calling is godly arranged
You might be overlooked and passed over for the task
Just hold on to your confidence your time will come at last
My son loved basketball and he always had a dream
That he would make it onto his junior high school team
And lo and behold his dream came to be
He became a member of the varsity
Yet he sat on the bench game after game
And I could see his confidence start to wain
And when the coach finally put him in
My son overcompensated trying to win
Mistake after mistake my child endured
His confidence in his ability had fallen through the floor
And following that game we prayed so that my son could see
That if you trust in the talents God's. given you there will be victory
And the next time my son played for his team
He scored 31 points thus fulfilling his dream
Jesus sees you and He knows your potential
Jesus sees you and to Him you are essential
Yes God shows up at the benches in life
And He will put you in the game when the time is right
So hold on to your confidence and keep pushing ahead
You will be called to your mission and by the Holy Spirit be lead
Categories:
varsity, basketball, confidence, eve, faith,
Form:
Dramatic Monologue
Coors Lite, Food Fight,
My bros dirt bike, and kisses good night,
Orangutan Sex, "I give it a ten"
Billy Bob and Bacon, his little pig friend.
In the dark playin' basketball,
Don't forget about Niagra Falls.
What kind of hips do you want?
It seems we can't agree,
Candy Shop, PDA, A BIG mouthful of me.
Varsity Blues, The "I Love You's"
Makin' Cookies that look like pancakes,
But all of these things just lead to a heartbreak.
This poem is for Terry Bell!
He was my first "true love".
We aren't together now,
But I still Love him.
Let's face it...
I ALWAYS will!
Categories:
varsity, funny, life, lost love,
Form:
One of my grandsons, name of Benjamin
He likes eating toast made with cinnamon
But uses his wits
To not eat his grits
Then excuses himself like a gentleman
Charlie thrives on competition
Out smarting you is his mission
Bear hugs
Tiny bugs,
And “stick to it” repitition
William’s impish smile is contagious
The attention he wants is outrageous
That slobbery kiss
He can’t let you miss
Borders on being sanctimonious
The little princess is Laura Nance
She wears frilly, girlish underpants
She loves a warm lap
Cartoons and a nap
Getting attention with a coy glance
Joseph loves learning karate
He seldom is rude or naughty
A steady grind
Kicking behind
Finding wisdom beats the haughty
There is much to say of Caroline
She is definitely DNA of mine
Quietly aggressive
Lovingly possessive
She calculates when to toe the line
Jackson just started to first grade
I’m sure he has more game plans made
Like the rest
Mom knows best
His lunch is PBJ and marmalade
Colin just finished his S.A.T.
I’m sure he did better than me
Sharp as a tack
Knows how to rack
The pool balls to break wimpily.
Derek made the junior varsity
The “main man” he would seem to be.
Fit to be tied,
Praise not denied,
He’s still that six foot little boy to me.
Ryan—such a smart young man
I teach him a card trick when I can
He learned how to play
Challenged me one day
Skunked me then got up and ran
Three dogs, alpaca and a kit
Where in my family do they fit
My pseudo grands
By a daughter’s hands
Who admires them more than a bit
© 02 Dec 2010 Charles Henderson
Categories:
varsity, familyme,
Form:
Limerick
PLAYIN' CATCH
Mom and Dad would have the car packed the night before we left,
the station wagon filled with all the essentials we'd need for our
extended camping trips. Dad always made sure I had my ball glove
ready for rest stop breaks. This was my favorite anticipated time of
the trip!... when we would stop, Dad would tell me to grab my glove,
but I was already out the door, lookin' for a clear stretch of grass to
throw with him. Dad had the same glove all through the years, an
old, beat up version that didn't have much padding. I used whatever
glove I was currently using for the team I was playing on, either
a present from him, or a gift, sometimes from a coach. Dad wanted
me to start throwin' easy, as his eyesight wasn't all that sharp, and
he needed to limber-up first, and focus on the 'heat!' I was tossin'.
I remember he would always encourage and compliment me on my
improvement since the last time we threw!. Our trip out west, "Custer's
Last Stand"...Yellowstone National Park".... our trips to "Itasca State Park"
and "Tettegouche State Park" always settin' aside time to "play-catch".
In time, Dad couldn't follow the thrown ball very good, and I remember
when he told me he couldn't "play-catch" any more; by then I was
playin' varsity ball in high school, and Dad would come watch me play.
I always still brought his old glove and favorite 'rubber-coated' baseball
along on outings, so he wouldn't think I didn't remember he was
still my hero, whether he could throw or not. I treasure those moments
now, and always try to 'play-catch' with the little cousins of mine,
encourage and compliment them on their improvement,
.......since the last time we 'played-catch'
l
Categories:
varsity, dad, me, time,
Form:
Narrative
Oh, those carefree days of youth
where did they go, where did they go?
He sits quietly in his recliner watching the TV drone on and on...
Handsome in his youth, now his body is gaunt and frail
his thinning gray hair is brushed carefully over his mottled scalp.
Those blue eyes, once bright and vital, now appear
faded and dim under heavy glasses.
A wind up clock faintly ticks by the minutes, and his eyelids
get heavy. He is tired, always tired...then he dreams.
Dreams of distant memories come back to him
he feels so alive, living in those glory days of long ago.
Now a young man, full of vigor, running along the beach
swimming in the ocean, muscled, tan and strong.
He then sees himself on his high school campus
proudly wearing his letter man jacket for his varsity
basketball team, joking around with his friends
going on dates, going to dances, going to parties.
A sudden noise blasting from the television jolts
him awake, bringing him out of his long ago reverie.
He glances down at his frail frame, and reality
comes screaming down upon him again.
Then a few small, salty tears trickle down
from my dad's weather worn face...
Oh, those carefree days of youth
where did they go, where did they go?
Written on 6/8/2016
Categories:
varsity, age, loss, memory,
Form:
Free verse
Sometimes things don’t work out as planned
not that Nate planned it, such is basketball love
and strong are the threads of the basketball net.
He hooped all summer, sweating on outdoor court
before moving to school gym through fall and winter
knowing he was good but must work to be better.
Moving up to High School, things getting better
Varsity as a freshman, thing’s going as planned
four years of hard practice through each fall and winter
at High School graduation, all he got was love.
Conference player of the year, full press court
college at Becknell’s - next year nothing but net.
Summer’s prep but his three pointer nowhere near net
a shoulder injury redshirts him; takes months to get better.
But a career year as a senior, he was king of the court
two years in March Madness, all going as planned
with college graduation, a brief cheerleader love
hope springs eternal with passing of winter.
Transfer to Kentucky and Wildcats, but with winter
a broken wrist and covid darken his net.
March Madness was cancelled, pandemic's tough love
yet nothing that going pro couldn’t make better.
But draft passed without call, nothing going as planned
it’s tough to stay centred on basketball’s court.
An anxious summer, tryouts on NBA courts
but covid loomed large, sport locked down in winter.
Would this end those hoop dreams he'd planned?
Then Christmas came early; a ten-day contract with the Nets
led to a place in the G League where he could get better
such is the trial of basketball love.
Then Nate moved to Europe following basketball love
but Ukraine and Russia offers covid cancelled with nyet.
A contract with Israeli Basketball’s Premier League was better
and he starred with Hapoel Holon, League champion that winter
on this stage, he was again king of the court
even though things didn’t always go as planned.
So ends this tale of basketball love, but with end of winter
will Nate be more than a jester caught in basketball’s net?
Sometimes things work out, but not always as planned
_____________________________________________
link to Nate's wiki entry
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nate_Sestina
Categories:
varsity, basketball, dream, life,
Form:
Sestina
High school sweet heart
Oh my darling,
I remember like it was yesterday,
Our first year in high school,
It was love at first sight, and that was so cool.
We shared a desk together,
Do you still remember my darling?
I did not know the bible like you did
But learning about it from you was a good deed.
I remember you volunteering to read the bible for me,
You opened Song of Songs and it read
“Your lips cover me with kisses,
Your love is better than wine”
Even though you did not say the “L” word,
I knew you were mine.
I don’t know how, but you made my dark days bright
You had a way of making everything seem alright.
Though sometimes we used to fight,
No one realised it, because they said our couple was tight.
At that time we were not even a couple,
But we used to do things in double.
What I had you had to have,
It was either double or nothing,
And for us my love, we always had double of everything.
Even though we dated at a late stage,
We were still young in age,
And there was nothing sweeter than our teenage love.
Trouble came when we went to varsity,
We forgot who we were,
We got lost in the new lifestyle
We got our freedom, misused it and lost each other.
Two years later my love, you went to Zimbabwe,
I thought I had lost you forever my love,
But though we had long broke up,
Though we were miles apart
We would talk for a short while on the phone at night,
After our small chat, i would sleep with a huge smile on my face
Your name translates to “Hope” in English,
I always had hope that someday I would have you again,
I tried getting you back, but to no avail.
It’s been five years now without you, yet still,
My love for you never dies
I have been in many relationships, but they were all lies.
My one true love is my high school sweet heart,
And that is how it will always be.
My love, I have walked away from us,
I am in other country now,
Somehow I will always look back,
I will always wonder what could have happened if we had tried again.
Oh high school sweet heart,
How do I get rid of this feeling in my heart?
I miss you so bad high school sweet heart.
Your lips did really cover me with kisses,
And that is what I miss the most,
But who knows, maybe I will find someone like you sweet heart.
Categories:
varsity, boyfriend, break up,
Form:
Rhyme
Saw it online-
Chicago headline, it read...
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"FBI says bank robber called the cops to give confession and rolling location."
Apparently a 25 year old disabled man decided to hold up a teller and flee with $850...
Now for the kicker: The crime was committed in a bank inside the RANHURTS Shopping Center and the wheelchair convict was sentenced two and a half years and actually is from WHEELING, Illinois a suburb of the "Windy 2nd City."
Ok, either the guy failed to hear the call of a little girl in the parking lot yelling "Run Forrest Run!"
Or he flat out forgot his hometown's varsity team cheer "Go WHEELING, Let's Go!"
Because oddly enough, the criminal called 911 on HIMSELF moments after the stickup. He was found by police at the nearest payphone, in his wheelchair, holding the loaded wallet.
Quality convicts come in all shapes and sizes.
~You can't make this stuff up. Google it. (November 2003)
Things that make ya' go HMMMMMMM?
Categories:
varsity, adventure, internet, society,
Form:
Prose
EAGLES ENCOUNTER
Mi was doing my nite rounds..
then was a student at a local varsity
when i had an encounter with them eagles
they offer me peace...salaams..
but they were really trying
to appear nonthreatening
one of them asked mi a weird question
...how did you do it..
i perceived they were alluding
to the gift of sight..
dilly dallying around but they are..
all ears..i mention the fall..
suddenly there by my side scaring mi
or is it intimidating..
...what do you know of it...
only what you tell me..i replied
impatient eagles.. hard stances taken..
run to the USA even there floods
overtake thee..
and operative cleantone caps you..
The eagles aren't that bad
and they blend well with mortals..
This is Africa and immortals
walkin around aiint no big deal
we roll our eyes.. turn a blind eye..
We aint like them Americans
who have an obsession for the..
weird.. weird stuff of life..
miracles so rare in their land
they have to invent superheros
down here weird is the norm
and every one is given rite of passage
for this is tanateru.. this is gods acre..
and immortals have a rite of way
its the mortals who live down here..
you should watch out for...
the eagles land and leave
at times they snatch
the chicks from the hen..
and hubby rooster..
they don't bother us much
even kids don't fear them..
for they like to fly high..
and if i was an angel
wouldn't i protect them day and nite...
and if i were a bomb... i would never
explode..for the eagles landed-
and none was too wise...
Lewis k Nyaga,
KIRINYAGA FREE STATE..
Categories:
varsity, africa, angel, metaphor, satire,
Form:
Dramatic Verse
Watching the Debaters
Addendum 2 – The Varsity
By Franklin Price
8/7/2015
This round a media fiasco
For me to write in verse
Presentation of the top ten
Was much different than the first
As always the moderators
Slanted the show their way
Immediately quite evident
That they had come to play
The stating of the questions
And to whom they were addressed
A water boarding process
But only few confessed
Candidates mostly held their own
Whether liking it or not
I think they showed us who they were
And what it is they've got
If they got together
Yes that's all the seventeen
Without the help of media
To see which way to lean
And honestly discussed
What this country really needs
Without all of the TV talk
And the hyber spacing feeds
Would find it's not about them
Mirrored fairest in the land
It's about this country's people
The real players in the band
So this is my opinion
There was not a victor's fist to pump
Only one who looked quite foolish
And that was Mister Trump
Categories:
varsity, political,
Form:
Rhyme
obama Waits
© Ben Burton 9-3-2014
Another severed head
Two U.S. writers dead
obama's junior varsity
Keeps scoring more atrocities
But they'll get theirs one Arab day
For now, obama lies and waits
After all, they're only isis
Misguided lads, but not a crisis
Perhaps a thousand tragedies
Will lead bo to a strategy
He's only had about a year
And still thinks we don't need to fear
These phony Laker wannabes
Who really aren't our enemies
They need more understanding
America is too demanding
We'll bring them all to court one day
Meanwhile, obama lies and waits
And hits the links and raises funds
A New Age fiddler as we burn
Appeasing those within his base
Who'll change the world with an embrace
With every vic'try isis grows
With every severed head they gloat
Until that eerie, silent night
No journalists are left to write
And isis members celebrate
While obama lies and waits
Bush started it, opened the gates
obama lies and lies and waits
Categories:
varsity, political,
Form:
Rhyme
Slinger
Waiting on the day
for the Swallow to transmute the air
between this ether and yours
patterned after an annual bedsheet
and full of a chest
swelling with blood
and a face
as forgotten as chests
buried beneath sea tides,
legendary rainbows wide
over forgetfulness -- subtle forgetfulness --
collecting material for a nest; a grave, sour
maw of disappearing Now
reappearing in your eyes
next to anti-eyes
'ere smilin' hell at this faster incompletion.
Tiptoe.
Mirror
Select. Load? Holster. Stalk? Draw.
"Do you have a moment, Miss Seer? Look what I've drawn."
Bourbon. Ex-mark. Tattoos. Born. Into
This.
Surreal. It Does. Only
Roulette. Hocus Poker. Reaching A Final Frontier
Divvy:
Brown Eyes
Coal Eyes
Wall Sockets
L.
Fire Tides
Genocides
Suit Pockets
Knell.
Slinger
You perceive a safety I count on
as we all fear we will lose
something
crucial? What is ever crucial if already
revenants bustle chameleon beneath city lights perfectly
regarding lights in wonder with other --
revenants.
I will appear before you
suddenly in the park
"Eden!"
you will laugh as though subtle darkness is a magic trick
and those anti-eyes will hide true feelings behind laughter
and I will shudder -- I once wore them, too --
and I will perceive these two sets of eyes before me,
Yours and Not Yours,
who cannot tell that this varsity jacket will soon hide more than
Sin. On your face. Syntax; Synonym; Smiling -- Antonym.
Drawn. Holes. Your face -- too memorable -- too
unforgetful, they dream
Forever Now. Beyond Sleepy Hollows.
Dying by first light,
living beneath your iron sunsets?
Your red roses kissed blooming
out of your neck?
Forever; Us; Chasms,
Angel.
Mirror
Silence. Darkness.
Each Day. Random.
Today? No.
Where
is
He?
Categories:
varsity, dark, heart, image, light,
Form:
Free verse