Best Widespread Poems
In nineteen eighteen there was an outbreak of flu
Caused little concern, only affected a few
But it returned with a vengeance later that year
And the world over it caused widespread fear.
First reported in Spain, and around the world spread
When it was over, fifty million people were dead
Hospitals were stretched and they struggled to cope
For both young and old, there wasn't much hope.
It affected the lungs and caused skin to turn blue
Only comfort was given it was all they could do
In effect it caused people to suffocate
And continued to spread at an alarming rate.
People advised to avoid crowds and to wear masks
They struggled to perform even basic daily tasks
Remote areas in the world were affected too
By this airborne killer virus, the great Spanish flu.
Effort's were made to slow down this disease
But slowly and surely it brought the world to its knees
Shops opening times were staggered all over the lands
People strongly advised not to shake hands.
Undertakers were struggling to cope with demands
Families' buried loved ones with their own hands
Healthy men and women and children too
Were all falling victim to the great Spanish flu.
Because of World War One, doctors were few
And those that were available, many fell sick too
Temporary hospital's set up in schools or church hall
With many brave volunteers answering the call.
They closed many schools, services were hit too
With workers struck down by this merciless flu
Late nineteen nineteen the virus reached its peak
Immunity grew stronger but it still struck the weak.
Sadly mankind had suffered and paid a great cost
To the great Spanish flu with millions of lives lost
The pandemic was now over, survivors started to thrive
But were mournful of the millions who did not survive.
Written 4th April 2018.
( Dedicated to the fifty million people who died
in the Spanish flu pandemic in the years 1918 to 1919. )
My greatest wish is for humanity
Treating each other with civility
Regardless of each one’s ethnicity
All men should be treated with dignity
For when I hear of discrimination
It generates the greatest repulsion
And so as not to create confusion
Every religion deserves inclusion
Judging books by their covers can only bring
More hate, intolerance as hope takes wing
If we could learn to be more accepting
Bells of world peace would surely be chiming
So join me now in prayer for acceptance
And an end to widespread intolerance
Beyond war there will be a transcendence
Through God’s plan we’ll live in benevolence
*Entry for Kristen’s “If I had one wish” contest
By Carolyn Devonshire
(Thanks for reading. No comments needed. Will be away on vacation for the next
week and unable to return the favor. Have a wonderful Memorial Day holiday!)
Earth element of wind, elusive to exploring eyes,
a gaseous, gusty ghost, she gyrates- gallops gallantly.
She bashes, bends, and bobs the branches of each bush and tree,
and chases, circles, curls dry fallen leaves so agilely.
We hear her bellow, bawl, and bluster when she's feeling fierce;
soft sounds of swishing, stirring- sighing when serene and tame.
With solid, staunch, and strapping strength, she soon can shift a house
within a raucous, raging, raving, reckless, hurricane.
She cools, controls, composes in the sultry summer heat,
forms wild and wheeling waves with whitecaps on the widespread sea;
a force that's fearless, frantic, sometimes, feeble- frail, she flies,
impermanent, intangible, she soars invisibly.
This ghastly glimmer of great ghostly gumption rushes by,
a force that is not sculpture, shadow, silhouette, or shape.
We feel and hear her apt and awesome atmospheric breath-
until she plans her fast, flirtatious, feathery escape.
March 18, 2016
~1st Place~
Contest: 2019 Poetry Marathon Qualifier's Final Placement
Sponsor: Mark Toney
Judged: 04/20/2019
~1st Place~
Contest: 2019 Poetry Marathon Mile 22
Sponsor: Mark Toney
Judged: 03/08/2019
~1st Place~
Contest: Elements Part 2: Wind
Sponsor: Brian Davey
Judged: 3/29/2016
*Alliteration, Rhyme, written in Iambic Heptameter,
14 Syllables, 7 feet per line
October, when the leaves intensify -
colored explosions: orange, yellow, red,
breezes to temper summer's heat draw nigh.
There's one last month of days with lightened sky
before our Daylight Saving goes to bed;
October, when the leaves intensify.
A campsite will my kinfolk occupy,
by hot bonfire we'll sing and break the bread,
breezes to temper summer's heat draw nigh.
So many sports events to satisfy
this fan: World Series appetites are fed,
October, when the leaves intensify.
The crisp night air, hot chocolate, pumpkin pie,
warm sweaters, gloves, and scarves become widespread,
Breezes to temper summer's heat draw nigh.
Sweet treats for trick-or-treaters who stop by,
the pirates, princesses, and walking dead.
October, when the leaves intensify;
Breezes to temper summer's heat draw nigh.
Written 12 July 2020
Masha Amini was an Iranian woman who was kept captive in jail for clamoring for Women’s Rights. Later she died in police custody under suspicious circumstances. Her death led to widespread civil unrest and protests. This is in the voice of Masha/ Civil uprising in Iran-Year, 2022
What crime did I do to deserve this?
To be brutally beaten and imprisoned?
When rapists, rogues and robbers roam scot-free
What crime did I do to deserve this persecution?
I am a woman of self-respect and dignity
I believe man and woman have equal rights
I wish to see my sisters walk in dignity
I can’t but rebel against all man-made manacles,
That bind a woman’s hands and legs,
Putting shackles on her mind, and body.
My mind revolts when we can’t walk free.
So offensive it is to cover our heads with hijab
And wrap ourselves in several folds of linen.
I feel it a blatant denial of human rights.
I am sure the unreasonable restrictions imposed,
Will smother and cripple the fair sex.
I am allegedly arrested and am now in prison bars,
For violating and disrespecting Iran’s ‘Modesty code’
The fanatics dream that with my death,
The clamor for freedom will die down.
I am sure it will only blaze fierce in future days,
Thousands will join, holding hands,
Pledging their solidarity for a common cause,
Drawing inspiration from me and women like me.
Again, our shrieks for freedom,
Can never be stifled or silenced.
In cloistered darkness, I wait,
Hoping to witness a bright sunrise.
Rife are grievous echoes lamenting worldwide
From widespread disgust clamoring weary sigh,
Perturbed in lonesomeness, bawling in dark,
Clasped beneath shroud of tenebrous clouds,
Rendering world aghast in grip of distraught.
Battlefield is raging, tearing apart humanity,
Women and children are dying of atrocities
From bombs and missiles fired indiscriminately
Destroying buildings, annihilating normalcy,
As lives scatter, fleeing death and uncertainty.
Fueled by anger, pent-up distress is brewing,
Helplessness is stirring, caught in pandemic,
Lives once dynamic are static, unengaging;
Minds are bewildered, hearts are agitating,
Feelings, once solemn, have now turned eerie.
Oceans are heating, hurricanes are churning,
The Alps are melting, yet the rivers are drying,
Cities are flooding, neighborhoods are drowning,
In uncontrolled infernos forests are burning,
Unfathomable climate is plaguing farm yields.
Gales stirring extremes roil storms of suffering,
Lava churning desperation is boiling, bubbling,
Ready to erupt violently spewing angst volcanic,
Challenging fate openly, tired of venting silently,
Foretelling of warning: a blow-up is simmering.
November 4, 2022
Placed 1st: This or That, Vol 14 Poetry Contest
Sponsor: Edward Ibeh
Tile chosen: Tinderbox
Drumming along on steering wheel
And dashboard, to rhythm and beats
8-track drowning out giddy squeals,
Till butts plopped down in venue seats.
The buzzing crowd was everywhere
All walks of life surely present,
Deluge of Tie-Dye and long Hair,
Smoke wafting thick, the oddest scent.
When all light vanished, cheers ensued
As silhouettes shuffled on stage,
Anticipation…all eyes glued,
Mind numbing sound, coming of age!
They’d rocked our years, and now this night
Fans singing each memorized word,
Dancing, laughter—our teenage rite
Of passage, forever conferred.
Ten thousand flames, begged one more song
Two mega hits offered instead;
Then bows before worshiping throng,
Ended the show, farewells widespread.
A noble Black Oak tree stands tall and tranquil
Wearing brown, old and dried crumpled leaves
Withstanding all autumn and winter storms
Without any distress or any grief
Golden fall is long gone, cold, wet season is also concluding
Spring is poking its head up with colorful bulbs blooming
Some of her allies have Cherry blossoms in flourish
Some show progression of luscious new emerald leaves
Mother earth knows unique behavior of her child
With assurance, she lets her be herself while watching over with smile
Tree wants to hold on to longstanding and withered for a while long
Not ready yet to let go of dear presence of that warmth
April comes along to cheer her up
Tree beams, perks up
Ridding her old dry appearance, starts dressing up
Growing yellowish handsome clusters of dangling male catkins,
Gorgeous reddish female flowers in short striking javelins,
Velvety foliage of sharp zigzag tips in red tinge,
With pointed seven to nine lobes with bristles exquisitely unique
Summer grows them into profound shade of shiny green
Rust colored acorns with top halves enclosed in caps start appearing
Showing her wisdom in her towering strength and stability,
With canopy of branches widespread and mighty,
Tree gets ready once more for visitors of ecosystem to offer plenty…
Horrid hellion hunger that rips apart the soul
Sadly starving siblings where death takes its toll
Crippled children crying a mother lives in hell
While wicked ways of man making money for their sell
Vindictive violent victories, of man vs. man
Kabbalistic killing kids a death wish with a plan
Wrathful widespread Wars with blood over spilling
Betraying battling brothers kiss their cross before the killing
Repeated rancorous raping for only a woman knows
Destructive demeanour dancing the desecration of a rose
Sabotaging silent stealing virginity within the night
Demonic deception dwelling a battle we must fight
Let us pray now for all of this we can abolish
Breathe in strength and give the world its needed polish.
March.21.2016 THE ALPHABET CONTEST - LETTER A- Abolish -By Alfred Vassallo
Born out of incest of father-daughter
Semite god, hunter and a fair offspring
Women’s laments and cries to stir and blur
Festivals on me in autumn and spring
Living six months with Aphrodite unbanned
I’m the most favored man in her portal
Though am loved by many gods and mortals.
Then next six months living with Persephone
The queen of the underworld and the dead
Pomegranate in hand, very bonnie
Who seduced me, the under-aged lad
Know of “The Adonis Complex” widespread
A problem rife faced by men of all classes.
Ye, Mortals! Don’t you have our replicas?
You’ve me, Aphrodite and Persephone
I’m not god like Allah, Krishna or Christ
Pray lead me not to undeserved brawny
Forbid don’t forget, you masters of writes
Please blame me not for polygamous tryst
Bid me farewell I'm leaving earth to truce
You’ve enough Adonises to accuse.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
**The poem was posted on PS on 30-1-14**
Now
August 17, 2014
Form: Rhyme Royal
Contest: Structured Verse by Giorgio V.
========================
The poem was posted on PS on 30-1-14
Date: 30-1-14
Form: Rhyme Royal
Dr. Ram Mehta
sixth place win
Contest: Romanticism In Rhyme Royal by Gautami Phookan.
**There are very many versions of Adonis living with one goddess for six
months or 1/3 of
the year etc. etc.** The Adonis complex of the health issue or issue of love,
incest etc.**
Environmental ramifications
Will far exceed current tabulations
And surely cause widespread consternation
For resentful future populations
No hopes will be pinned on legislation
Look to intergalactic migration
Flight from a world beyond reparation
As the last chance for mankind’s salvation
We can but pray new colonization
Will not be hindered by trepidation
Species continuing procreation
Might see our flaws through magnification
Offering their youth the explanation
That we were the Earth’s worst generation
A beautiful landscape all clustered with trees
Among the bright flowers the buzzing of bees
A babbling brook and warm summer breeze
The frolic of beavers on the cool beach sand
The air that they breathe unscented by man
No human hands have touched this land
Look in the distance, what’s that bright gleam
Sun glinting off new shovels and axes of a ditch digging team
Man is coming to clear; then erect steel beam
Work is done at a feverish pace
The buyers are anxious to move into the place
The work now done has left on the site
A skyscraper shinning like a star in the night
But, the truth of this building is devastation widespread
Can’t find the brook; as it is now a dry bed
Old growth trees are cut down and dead
Birds have nowhere to give birth
Flowers are crushed under earth
Bees are unable to find pollen of worth
The beach is now a slab of concrete
Never again to bear the beavers feet
Violent as the gleaming blade
Of a vicious criminal crazed
Ferocious as the lion’s jaw
Lingering on an innocent calf
This wicked affliction forces
Its teeth into the harmless heart
Bites wildly into vulnerable flesh
With haste to destroy and devastate
End the life that it penetrates
With a hatred that is inhuman – merciless
Ruthless as the worst of the worst
Abolishing hope as it grows and grows
Breaking hearts and wills with its
Lack of empathy and sympathy
Luring dreams into the night, darkening
The promise of a happier day,
Filling minds with dread and depression
Anxiety that lingers even after
The moment has passed and time
Struggles to alleviate the pain
The widespread anguish of knowing
That this big malady holds all of tomorrow
Painting the thoughts in hues of doubt
Disillusionment and discouragement
Feelings clouded with silvery fog
Lingering on the emotions in shimmering
Waves of deathly black sorrow
Breathing fear through the spirit
And whispering in tones of weariness
Regret and mourning come to the heart
Even though some might tell you
There is hope.. a flicker of courage
The possibility of healing, recovering
From this demented beast with its claws
Of deathlike horror playing across
The light that reminds you life will be brighter
Sometime,… after the treatments
The drugs and cures that are meant to repair
First seem to destroy every awareness
That there will be a breath of fresh air
A new dawn – a second thought, the color
Of joy and promise and miracles prayed for
It is only a moment that comes and goes
A flicker of optimism amid the skeptical thoughts
When you realize only God knows the outcome
Of this feared disease, cancer… the ending
The sequel will reveal what only He sees
And I know, it is only God who can spread
Healing where the cancer cells have spread
Death and destruction… doubt that dissuades
Even the inkling of faith that will tell you
God’s love is still alive and well, sending you
Inspiration, hope and faith that can reveal the truth….
Cancer can kill the body but the spirit is still God’s
His love is the best treatment for this disease
The best remedy for any need
With God, all things are possible – just believe!
Cancer Ivy Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Chantelle Anne Cooke
June 1, 2021
The Cycle of Life
I walk this golden path in fall’s cool breeze
as autumn afternoon’s warm setting sun
is shining brightly through the crimson trees,
but growing shadows signal day is done.
A bright array of leaves the autumn paints,
her palette filled with amber, rust and red;
she paints the vivid colors sans constraints
throughout the hills and forests so widespread.
And though the season’s colors bring us cheer,
the falling leaves an omen for us all
that old man winter surely must be near;
upon these barren branches snow will fall.
And thus the cycle of our lives proceeds
and moves ahead till springtime sprouts her seeds.
November 24, 2019
To lose our songbirds would be so tragic,
for their tunes hold a special magic.
And nature’s music unburdens the heart,
providing ebbing souls with a jumpstart.
The robin's chirp heralds the melting snow,
as the goldfinch serenades the meadow.
And in the spring, flocks of chickadees sing,
nesting near houses to rear their offspring.
Blue jays and nuthatches tweet from the trees
as woodpeckers rat-a-tat-tap with ease.
And crimson cardinals tweak overhead,
while tufted titmouse whistles are widespread.
(Rhyme)
2/16/2019