See how frozen rice brings gaiety
from the weight of a half-starved life ,
palms etching the barbs of terrorism;
Already the villainous hours smell of puss,
ripe lesions , and unbearable heat :
dried bones snapping from gun-barrels
of greedy, power- laden pillagers --
the hissing growl of wars
rake bloody sky from its quiet days .
So chidren , listen well...build
A new earth blessed with peaceful hearth
and fresh broth,
clutch all neighborly moments endeared,
whispering prayers for safe glide
soothing night's guardianship ... and as
You lay on pure lights from angels' wings,
live each hour with grace of integrity
to hold not a chaos brimming with envy;
as Spirit renews a world lulled by love,
Today I’m once again thankful for children…
And how with innocence and purity they’ve been kissed
giving them the ability to see and feel things
we adults oftentimes have missed.
Which is why we need to make an effort
as within us more and more years and information are compiled
to try to find that innocence and purity in ourselves…
and if we can’t…
to rediscover it in a child.
The leaves begin to change their hue and fall,
The tree's look like skeletons all spindly and tall.
We run through the piled leaves, kicking them up like a cloud,
The chidren all excited yelling out so loud.
The ancient gnarly oak looks as if it only has one leaf left,
All solitary and lonely looking all bereft.
Then the softest gust of breeze finally brings it fluttering down,
The tree is finally naked without it's green leafy gown.
What tales your leaves must whisper
of youths tall in your strong arms.
Pretending to be pirates
in a terrible, fierce storm.
Or lovers in your shadows
making vows they sometimes kept;
dreamer's secret hideaway,
underneath leaves, young boys slept.
Many years honed your boldness,
growing taller, stronger, blest.
You were proud to play sentry
standing guard so birds could nest.
You were the featured player
in those years of grandeur past.
Years have now turned against you
and have burdened you at last.
Growing older with seasons,
branches balding, and falling.
You stand proud as you listen
to echoes and their calling.
My good friend, grand old oak tree
I will sit with you at last
We'll tell each other stories
of those days that have long passed.
April, 2020
for Wisdom from Trees Poetry Contest
by Anoucheka Gangabissoon
Children did not ask to be born
Parents brought them in the world
They did not ask for war
But war devoured their loved ones
They roam the streets
Empty of life
Empty of future
All alone
But life marches on
Without feeling
Without tears
You offered me your herbs and wine
that you never did before
you raised and nutured them
as if they were chidren
lest they grow wild
or bitter on the vine
But this is a special time for you
you see things in a different light
you're releasing restraints
that you held tight
you created an extention
from yours to mine
when you offered me your herbs and wine
For my Campari , Tony Siligato
September 6, 2002
©Ralph Sergi
Natures presence everywhere embracing, strolling in the park.
Rowboats glide on mirrored waters, picturesquely passing by.
Perfume lingers from sweet blossoms, floating on the summer air.
Noisy wildfowl busy feeding, begging scraps of food from tables.
Gentle breezes drowsing senses, leaving feelings so sublime.
Faces skywards rising upwards, gaze as chidren fly their kites.
Now close your eyes and listen to the sound, it's nature calling,
Sunlights loving warm caresses, to bless this earthly paradise.
George Seal 9/ 1/ 2015.
Once upon a time
there was only
You and I.
Sitting under this tree
that was surely about
to die.
We talked about our lives
and what we were going to see.
Even wished for the chidren
that God would hopefully bring.
Days passed by,
Years did too,
Nothing could seperate us,
We werent what they knew.
Our World couldn't handle
it when we would kiss.
So we went into this tree,
That we would come to know
as bliss.
BELLS A RINGING EVERYWHERE.
PROCLAIMING EACH FAITH OF PEACE
LIVING WITHOUT FEAR.
CHILDREN LEANING ONE WAY TO
LOOK AT LIFE OR LIVE,CHIDREN SINGING
PEACE WITHOUT FEAR.CHILDREN PLAYING
THE WORD FEAR ANOTHER CHILD GONE
FAMILY'S FILLED WITH TEARS NOT
KNOWING IF THEIR CHILD IS NEXT.
CHILDREN SEEING KILLING.
LOOKING AROUND THROUGH THE BLOODLY
WINDOWS CANDLES ALL A GLOW
FOR THE HOPE WHEN BELLS PLAYING,
CHILDREN SINGING NOT THE ONLY PCTURE
ANOTHER CHILD GONE ONLY TO SPEAK,
CHANGE IS JUST NOT A WORD
IT IS A DIFFENCE FOR ALL
TWO SEE HEARING THE SIGN'S
STANDING UP WHICH
ONE WILL IT BE?
I love you more then this sweet breath of life.
I love you for you being you inspite of the storms you've
survive. I love you, because you see my heart and not my mind.
I love you, because your heart was woven from the fabric of kindness
and wrap in the streams of forgiveness and strength. I love you, L. for
wisdom, knowledge, and understanding, and your love for God and His
other chidren. Yes, L., I love you for the possibilities of the future, you once
wrote.
Mother of no children yet mother to care
Children of the earth is responsibility of all
Soul yearns a child but un-mothered mother blossoms
A heart as an ear to their whispers
Children of the earth is responsibility of all
Attention seeking, neglected or abandoned in fear
Heart as an ear to their whispers
Happiness glistens and child as child should be
Attention seeking, neglected or abandoned in fear
Soul yearns a child but un-mothered mother blossoms
Happiness glistens and child as child should be
Mother of no chidren yet mother to care
Hanukkah is a time for presents, potatoes and dreidels,
Everyone has fun, even babies in cradles,
They can watch the dreidel spin, and spin and spin,
until they view stars in everything,
Little presents make days and nights happier,
with potato latkes adorning the tables,
The chidren spin the dreidels while
participating in all their activities
getting a rouse out of all their relatives,
The dreidel spins from the past,
the future and the present,
creating a joyous environment,
and a glimpse into the future,
Watching themselves spinning,
and spinning the dreidel until
they are very mature.
PROMISES MADE ARE PROMISES BROKEN
THOSE ARE THE WORDS THAT ARENT SPOKEN
EVERYONE SAYS THERE NOT USING
INJECTING STEROIDS IS A FORM OF ABUSING
COACINE MARIJUANA CRYSTAL METH AND DOPE
HOW ARE PARENTS SUSPOSED TO COPE
OUR WORLD HAS BECOME A BIG FAT DRUG
NO LONGER ONLY SOLD BY THUGS
YOUR NEIGHBOR TEACHER AND LOCAL PREACHER
ALL HAVE SKELATONS HIDDEN AWAY
ARE YOU REALLY SURPRISED HALF THE NATIONS GAY
WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY
SO MANY LOVE IT AND FEEN FOR MORE
NEXT THING YOU KNOW THEY BOUGHT A WHORE
CHEATING ON THEIR SPOUSE IS HALF THE BATTLE
LITTLE DO THEY KNOW THEIR CHIDREN DID TATTLE
YOU SAY YOUR NOT THE TYPE TO GET CAUGHT IN THE GAME
SO WHY ARE YOU DISGUISING YOUR FACE IN SHAME
I LIVE BY THE CODE BE REAL OR WALK ON
THATS WHY IM STILL HERE AND YOU ARE GONE!!!
The Red Barn
The red barn stands, silhouetted against the sky.
The oak tree wraps its tired limbs about her
As if to protect her from time and age.
Her roof is sagging, color faded ,
An errant plume of color along her frame.
Yet, proud she stands, remembrance of a happy time.
Shelter from the rain, chidren
Playing in her hair, lovers hiding in her shadows.
Beauty I see now, not bright, not boastful.
With dignity and respect she bows to age.
Chidren sitting by the fireplace for my
Boys Are Still Young
Watching them, then from a distance I hear the
Noise Of Real Guns
We have a
Choice To Still Run-
but we find more closure trying to hide to
Avoid The Teal Sun
The front door is opening i yell
Loydd And Will Run
My direction is where they
Point The Steel Ton-
I gallop through the room trying to
Join The Children
When all and all the
Point Just Feels Dumb-
I awake in a dark chamber with
Poison Filled Lungs
Closer to death i think where did they get the
Joy In Kill From
Poison seeping deeper turning
Joints To Chilled Numb
I slowly fade away untuil my
Voice Of Will's Done
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