Best Water Tank Poems
The water tower stands above the town and can be seen for miles around. It has a
ladder leading up to the base of the tank. This ladder has been climbed by countless
teenagers, for thrills and mischief and young kids answering a dare.
Over the years, many symbols and words have been painted on the tank. From
Highschool mascots, to hearts of love and proposals. Flowers and Holiday wishes
joined in.
It had always been one mans job to keep the water tank painted and to cover up
any impromptu artwork. He always took his time about it though. Making sure that
each message stayed up at least two weeks before he would paint over it.
One day he received a phone call. On the line was a little boy. This little boy asked
the man to please not paint over his message he had written on the tank, as it was
very important.
The man explained to the boy that it was his job to keep the tank painted and
clean. But, that he would leave his message up there, untouched, for two weeks. The
little boy, with tears in his voice said "Thank you, I hope it will be long enough".
The next day, as the man was driving past the water tank, he looked up. He saw no
message or pictures of any kind on that tank. He shrugged and assumed that the boy
had just been to scared to make the climb all the way to the top.
Three weeks later, the mans phone rings again. It was that same little boy. Very
excited, he proclaimed "Mister, I just wanted to thank you for not painting over my
message...It really worked!"
Intrigued, the man went to the tank with his paint and supplies. He climbed to the
top, set down his paint and brush. He walked around that tank several times and still
did not see a message. But, as he bent to pick up the paint can, there it was.
Towards the bottom of the tank, in crayon with a young child scroll was written:
"Dear God, pleeze let my daddy come home frum war I miss him
Your frend Mike"
The years passed. Many drawings and words were painted over by one man and then
the other, as they took the job over. But never, the one small patch, with that heart
felt prayer.
For the contest: Story Time
Hostess: Carol Brown
Placement: 2nd
It was once the pride of a prairie farmer not too many years ago.
Now, long abandoned it stands forlorn on a wind-blown plateau.
Its rusting blades slowly turn at the whim of every passing breeze.
It has weathered the storms of summer and the bitter winter's freeze!
It leans a bit askew and a couple of blades are missing from the shaft,
And it squeals a lot as it laboriously turns with each passing draught.
The rusty weather vane dangles lifelessly having served its vital role.
No life-sustaining water doth it draw for this once busy watering hole!
A couple of stately cedar trees grow nearby as if standing guard,
Over the old windmill's enfeebled frame so twisted and so marred.
The water tank that once over-flowed with cool waters from the well,
Now lies in a corroding heap where not a living thing doth dwell!
A once sturdy barn leans in upon itself nearby in a terrible shambles,
Nearly hidden by ancient oaks and creeping blackberry brambles.
What was once a prosperous farm, alas, is now torn asunder.
Who once dwelt in that archaic homestead, I am left to wonder!
The once beckoning oasis sated the thirst of a multitude of creatures.
A well-worn path is seen leading there - 'tis one of its lasting features.
The verdant prairies for many years with working windmills were replete.
Graceful windmills that graced the landscape are, alas, nearly obsolete!
Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired
© All Rights Reserved
Hopkins snakes
Old Hopkins had a rope ladder,
To keep snakes out of the house,
Snake killing sticks under the rain water tank,
In the shower, where a snake ate the mouse,
The fowls all lived up in the trees,
Brownies were sucking eggs down, (deadly mulga snakes, dozens)
The bantams were sitting on eggs in bird nests,
Till the chickens were walking around,
Half wacked Jack, demented, said some,
Went to see a drover come through,
On a grey brumby horse, naked of course,
An was strip bollicky too, (horse riding naked)
Hopkins he said “me two best friends,
Are me shovel an hurricane light,”
He’d be punching holes ,
With crowbar alone ,
And fencing on into the night,
So if ya go near StGeorge ,
where the snakeys do gorge,
dodge death, climb up the rope ladder,
if the brownies don’t get ya,
death adders aint better,
just go to the pub it’s your shout!
Don Johnson 10-sep-11
I like this one because it is true story
Destroyer A Poet ~
Contest Name Your (OWN) favorite poem......
The Hill Country is dry and you can forget about California
Filled with dying live oak and mesquite
There’s a seven-year drought upon us
And momma says it’s going to get worse
Red ants on the tire trails
They don’t seem to mind the heat
The Southern Pacific blows out of the west
Heading east with a pack of coyotes behind her
Suckling pups yapping at the Estacado winds
They know a meal ticket when they see one
Sooner or later that cattle is going to need to be fed
And that pack of half-baked desperados will be waiting
They are on the trail because hunger drives all creatures
And the heat curling up from the caliche
Will wilt the best of the arid crops
Leaving nothing but jack-rabbits and mice
They look up and growl when my boots hit the ground
The dust clouds up and the scorpions scatter like quail
I walk out toward the old water tank to see if she’s still pumping
Tepid water and nightmares of creatures that couldn’t escape
They float rotting and ghoulish in the foul water
I fish them out and throw them off into a cedar break
Rules of the desert: leave the dead and the wounded behind
The flies begin to gather and the buzzards are on the wing
Nature is taking its course.
It must eat.
I see the coyote’s skitting through the low brush
I drop a bead on one with my old 30/30
But I got no reason to kill him
I haven’t raised cattle here since 92.
He stops and turns his head toward me
And for a moment we both understand
It ain’t me against him or him against me
It’s just us trying to get through this life
A life carved out in many ways
About learning to live, die, sing, and dance to the rhythm of life
Ever find yourself getting
up on the wrong side of
the bed, knowing your
going to have one of those
days!! Guess what!
everything went wrong,
first, the letters slipped
out of the mailbox when
I went to mail
them.
The cat ate the dog food
the dog ate the cat food
The fish tanks pump
went dead, with the fish,
swimming on there sides.
I left the house, tripping
gracefully over the stepping
block, got my neck caught
on a rose thorn trying to get
the morning paper the boy
threw in the thorny rose bushes.
The dog next door came
in the yard, took a big dump
on my new planted grass, the
city gave me a ticket, for planting
flowers to close to the fire
hydrant..
I went to work, found someone
parked in my parking space, my
computer decided to stop working
and the coffee tasted like tar.
Went to the store, on my way
home, checked everything out
at the counter, realized I had
left both my wallet and charge
card in my other hand bag.
I was about to scream, when my
son came home from school wearing
a black eye, which his girlfriend gave
him for something stupid he had
said to make her upset.
Now was time for bed, and decided
to take a nice soothing bath to relax
my shattered nerves, when I realized
their was no hot water, because the
hot water tank had broken.
I just had it, got into bed, thanking
God for giving me a wonderful day to
tackle, with patience and gratitude.
I figured if thanking God for a wonderful day
my day tomorrow may be just great which I
needed so badly to be, after the stress of
today's craziness.
Should I tell you what happened on my
wonderful day, I thought would be great?
I really better say nothing about it.
(Please don't expect to always have beautiful day)
By Derena
© 2018 Derena (All rights reserved)
Chateau Pl
A sleep walk guided by reflections
Although somethings were real
Not the front entry way
Or the stair case
Or the garage for that matter
Scrubbed and alcohol swabbed shoes
Eating off those would've been though
Pee sitting down!
And cologne must not be detectable
From more than an arms length away!
Nobody wore it
I think
The closet could've clothed a small town
And housed an elderly couple with a Pomeranian
A parked Steinway on sleek marble
Or maybe it was a Bentley, whichever,
The keys were misplaced
Handshakes are forbidden!
You may speak, however.
A stolli over ice seemed to be the only thing
Not surreal
Unless you would fancy triple dipping
Beluga caviar with a vacuum in your hand surreal
Or, perhaps, being seduced by homemade egg noodles
Can you describe that atrocius smell?
A Land's End catalog doused in kerosene
Ties & cufflinks & Jackets on fire sale
A whiff of ozone
Darkness
A hazy stare assisted by chirping birds
and a gurgling salt water tank
In an upstairs, 2 bdr. duplex
A peon awakens a prince
He complained that he had no hot water in his home because the water tank was broken.
She told him that her water came from a slough, which was five miles from her home.
He complained that his car had broken down and he had to take the bus to work.
She told him that she had to walk ten miles every day to market, where she sold a dozen eggs for fifty cents.
He complained that he had to buy his clothes from a second-hand store.
She picked her rags out of a garbage dump.
He complained that he ate leftovers twice a week.
She was lucky if she ate twice a week.
He complained that his bed was starting to sag in the middle.
She slept on a dirt floor.
He complained that his family was a burden and prevented him from enjoying life.
She had no family.
He complained that fear of losing what he had, was causing him stress and anxiety.
She had nothing.
He complained.
She survived.
Remember when
summer days were long
roller skating was cool
collecting the sticker from your 5 cent gum
while learning how to walk the dog with your coke a cola yo yo
remember when happy days was on & you sat & watched with your Fonzie t- shirt on
remember when flicking the channel by hand because there were no remote's
remember singing into your hair-brush wishing you were sandy from grease
or Anna from Abba
remember when swimming in the water tank or dam with your friends
riding your b.m.x & making billy carts
I remember when
back when life was simply simple & a friend was a friend
memories forever memories i will always treasure
when i remember when..
All men have born desires
garland of the prettiest arm.
Want to meet in the loveliest Place
Where no hurdle no harm.
She was waiting to Mr right
Spider webs to trap just right.
The sea of sand was all over
But emotions not mood to over.
Mirage born ownself in hot summer
Desert to quench herself
From the blood of the craziest
Creatures , mad behind the mates.
The thirsty traveller no mood
To give up so easily.
Move forward in the Thar desert
With wised steps gradually.
She was standing in isolated land
The desert at not present water tank.
To hug her crazy moth which
Will add a more number in her hunt.
Mirage produces in sunny noon
In sand to catch unknown fellow.
My friend was almost mad behind Angel
Don't recognise the upcoming fellow.
The body and the soul were thirsty
Very strong these were both.
No one ready to move back
So he travelled to quench both.
Now the real world and the real goal
Feet scored miles and miles to go.
Which goal post he wanted to goal
Still, didn't have a hole to goal.
His breath was leaving without any alarm
My feet were freezing without cold.
Dearest few steps your can make me alive
If you want to save ,without delay hold.
Come on, come on my kind princess
Come on my sweetheart
I have left the world far behind
Come on and hug me , if don't mind.
Break hurdle from surroundings
Break chains of illusion own self
Stretch hands to welcome me
Come out from the fairy tale thyself.
Don't become very shirty
I am not behaved as dirty
Please, quench body and soul's thirsts
No one can do this except you buddy.
I am dying without water
Millions yards I covered for you
Looks insufficient to meet you
But remaining must cover you.
But regret she was unmoved
And so friend was lying unmoved.
He was always in and out of work
It wasn't that he liked to shirk,
he didn't keep a job for long
because his attitude was wrong.
Then one day early in the spring
he started doing conjuring,
until he had a chance to go
to a top magicians show.
He quickly took in what he saw
and seized his chance to take the floor,
a straight-jacket lay on the ground
the challenge offered all around.
His reputation quickly grew
and all the people round him knew,
that in his field he would be king
he could escape from anything.
They locked him in a police cell
but he escaped from that as well,
they dropped him in the icy sea
bound in chains but he broke free.
For many years he reigned supreme
he was the greatest ever seen,
but then one day while racked with pain
set out to play his deadly game.
When lowered in a water tank
chained hand and foot he quickly sank,
though filled with pain, he showed no strife
but this stunt was his last in life.
The day Harry Houdini died
many many people cried,
he said he would come back one day
but so far hasn't found a way.
The beauty
Of
Namatjira
White haired
Bark painter's
Of fish
Wandjina
Feathered man
Full sunset
Corroboree
Pintubi
Dancers
In watercourse
Colours
Of hills
And rangers
Near Henbury
Or was it
Kings canyon
South
Alice springs
Dome like peaks
Of Olga's
Stark landscape
Barren
Barkly
Near Soudan
Where
Dust storms
A common hazard
The faces
Of William Richetts
In the Maelstrom
Those colours
Of time
And day
House Wife's
Bushman
Children of the
Banka, Banka
Old hats
Tin shacks
The Southern Cross
Spinning
Creaking
Just there
In the sky
A Rhyme
To its own time
Wonky
Old water tank
Those proud
Spearman
From
Emily Gap
A shared history
Not us
Them
Just the
Layers of life
Turned sideways
Like
Krichauff Rangers
Somewhere
Out west
Where Echidna
Thorny Devil
( my favourite )
Freshwater tortoises
Swimming
Crocs
Beauty
In birds
Of flowers
Palms
In valleys
Secrets
Of bushman
Ringers
Dreams
Of its people
And fading
Its
Fading
Memories
The tale of the high kicking raspberries in two hundred lines of silt and steamed porridge oats.
Keynotes noted kissing keystones keep keystrokes kingly. But kingly is often not associated with kindness, kinship, or kept keepers keeping keys. It is the weeping of a solitary blade of grass that catches the attention of a wild anarchical lawnmower who's wild swooping on grass is a heavyweight chomp on many a bud spawned. One day as the blade grabbed a tissue carelessly discarded by a human hand it was considered to be a white flag. Waving. To say peace peace peace. To the bulldozers, mowers, and high stepping line dancing rakes. Pylons pulled piling pins profusely. How rather pious! And the building of a rat craft can really only be radically achieved under the main arch of a microspore whose antics with a slide causes great entertainment for microscopes who clap clap clap and roar approval in their bemused fashion. And so back to the upset blade of grass. It stood now shrouded by the tissue and frightened to leave the confines in case a heavy foot went by. Stomp. But no this was not the ending. Instead the beat of wings arrived with a squawk a Mohawk and a peck peck peck. Confused birdie thought he had found a piece of bread. Due to the tears the tissue had stuck to the blade of grass and so up it went with the border collie coloured birdie into the air and away. That was an ending found from under a stone. Perhaps a cone might signal the felling of the scraping scraps of sheet metal. Product placed peanuts. And the prowess of a Dutch infused marble cocktail is equivalent to a little vaporised milk carton. Moooooo then. A single scroll is a single scribe and a single scrolling scribe is setting sail on a magnificent lake with high towering mountainous vista scenes with ten scones. Z disambiguation. Z at three marshmallows singing to a tune of pan to twelve monkfish rotating in a septic water tank in a half pint cup. Quedos. *** z
He don tey
Ma guy he don tey
Wey monkey dey work
And baboon dey talk
Chai! No be today.
Make I tanda
Gidigba like Balogun Thunder
Drop some verse like vaseline
Put ugwu meta
And land ponmo like four
Untop dis mata.
No be today
He don tey
Wey money dey fly
From we country purse
Man pikin dey hungry
Man pikin dey angry.
Dem say money
Don turn bird
Our leaders dey sleep untop water bed
While we dey yawn untop pako bed.
Yesterday na inside soakaway
Today na inside water tank
Dem keep all dem money.
I tire for dis kontri
Agbero boys no dey gree,
Even dem omo onile own get degree.
And even danfo drivers dey sing song of lamentation
Inside police station.
Na which kain palava be this?
Dem say skool no be for all of us
Say make we try ignorance
But school self na one chance.
Professor na gramma
Even dem first class na crammer
To pass na big wahala.
I beg who be that
Wey talk say stealing no be corruption?
I beg who be that
Wey just commot kirikiri
Talk say him be joseph of our time?
I beg who be that
Wey kidnap so tey
we hear say him wan sue govament?
I beg who be that
Wey dey dance
Untop say him get thirdclass?
Dem don chop national cake
So tey dem no even wan remain beancake
I tire for this nation
I hope say dem go leave our ration.
Muyideen Ayinla ©2017
Dear Mr. Stomach
I am writing to let you know you give me headache.
I have fed you in bulk,
But you never get full you are like 1 million water tank.
The ancestors craved and never satisfied theirs,
They went, still fighting for others,
Hoping more will fill you Mr Chunners,
In vein, it all came back to zeroes.
You are now disturbing me,
Hoping that I will comply to thee,
struggle and toil like a honey bee,
For bread and butter for you sweetie.
I am writing to let you know,
That you need to adhere to economic situations,
Mr. Money is on high demand
So you need to cut the budget too.
I hope you will reply sooner,
As the time is quite shorter.
Or else you will be forced to get smaller
In order to meet other financial endeavors.
Yrs Edson
© Mwebesa Edson
Little adobe house on 160 acres
She grows flowers. I grow corn
Tomatoes, watermelon, etc.
Peace, love, hope, and joy
Grow themselves
Porch faces orange blazes
Draped over the rugged Mules
And a barn owl hoovers over
An old water tank with a bunny
In her talons for her
So-ugly-they're-cute hatchlings
Ladder leaned on it
to climb up and see 'em
Brothers and sisters drive from town
For Bible Study
Every Friday night...
After the Word there's coffee and treats
And men load up the truck
Armed rabbit assassins
Patrol Charlie's alfalfa fields
While back at the house
Women laugh and
Children play
Extra rooms
For friends who want to
Spend the night
Saturday mornings
Coffee and bacon waffles
In Charlie's pond across the road
Bass to catch
Beautiful, glorious days
Last night I dreamed
That in this economy
Where shelter's scarce
I was back at the ranch
With a hundred millenials
All of whom, knew me
The adobe house was remodeled
Terracotta with green and red
Lots of black wrought iron
Railings, fences, and gates
Rooms added onto
Big as a mansion
Dirk came to weld more iron
With his crew
And I was trying to make everyone leave
Then I went out towards the pond
And got lost in a huge coal field
A stranger appeared and I asked
How to go back to the road
And a sheriff stopped me with his gun
We, (well it felt like you)
Took his gun from him
But you wouldn't let me shoot him
And I didn't
I woke up... missing all that we had
Your home-made bread
Love by the fire
After kids went to bed
It was incredible
What we did
What we made
What we grew
Our little boys in their cowboy hats
Playing under the giant cottonwood
Our big sprawling porch every evening
Watching the orange purple fire
Spread itself over the valley
And fade into embers
Sparkling the big black night
Like those sunsets, we raged and died
Time after time after time after time
Until we didn't
My dear, sweet,
Warm, loving,
Beautiful
Ex-
You're still so good to me after all
Praying for your family
In that little old church
Where I lost my faith so long ago
Quit being the man you used to know
Something I still believe in though
And always will