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Life is a journey
with many possibilities along the way
– each chapter brings unexpected turns,
ups and downs at every step.
*Carpe diem* is a Latin phrase
meaning "seize the day"
– a quote you often used.
The day your heart ceased to beat in rhythm
with nature’s own pulse.
A sigh that became your last.
"Do not stand at my grave and weep"
I cannot...
it is a sorrow
that no tears can lighten.
Dewdrops of silence speak a language of their own
– Rest in Peace
lace, lace, lace, you must pick up the pace!
this was yelled out the bus window by my cousin Jayce
Jayce is a bit touched, none of us could see what he saw
Give yourself a bit of grace, he yelled, with a hee and a haw
A student named Mace asked me what was wrong with my cousin
I could have actually come up with lists by the dozen
But I never liked this guy, so I pretended to trace a face in my book.
Jayce yelled out another weird thing; I could tell Mace was full shook
Initially, there was a THOUGHT.
Then, there came an EXECUTION.
After that, a CALCULACE of means.
PROCUMMENT of resources came next,
Which led to a joyful CELEBRATION,
Because it was a very good THOUGHT.
ELATION and SATISFACTION became
The result of that initial THOUGHT.
those Connecticut crocks think they are too good for us
They look down their noses at me especially said Gus
They are snooty and snotty, their shoes are designer
I cannot stand to be around them; their son is a whiner
I was thinking the only whiner here was my cousin Gus.
But I did not say it, because I did not want a relative fuss.
Grandma invited the Connecticut crocks to Thanksgiving that year.
I actually found them to be delightful, insightful and pretty much dear.
oh the helpless field
breathing those sad summer seeds~
I beg the sun…..sleep
We grow our family exponentially.
Siblings Uncles Aunts Cousins and little ones.
Take care of our own.
Worku: 5-7-5 words
AP: Honorable Mention 2026
She breathes the air better than most
creates her own mist, yet does not boast
she is a witch who knows her own soul
being true to herself is the ultimate goal
She does not put on airs, though she is fine
Does not follow rules or walk other’s line
She is confident in herself, wears her hat with pride
Her movements are effortless, she moves at a glide
The rest of us want to be her when we grow up
She does not have any cat or nary a pup
But she has a murder of crows who keep her safe
We stay a distance from our cousin Grace
YES VERNON KING PIMP TERRORISTS THREATS VIOLENT GANG MEMBERS ARRIVED TO MY HOME IN FORT MYERS ACTUALLY TAKING PHOTOS FROM MY TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY CLAIM IN ORDER TO DEFRAUD MORGAN COLLINS AND GILBERT HE'S A PIMP DOMESTIC BATTERER OF RAMSEY COUNTY MINNESOTO TERRORIST THREATS GANGSTER DISCIPLE MEMBER NOT SURPRISED CORRUPT ALLEN KING WOULD GATHER GANG MEMBERS TO HARM ME MY PHOTOS WERE TAKEN BY VILES AND ELLIS LAW FIRM PROGRESSIVE AND ALLSTATE HE TOOK THEM TO CREATE A CON TO DEFRAUD MORGAN LAW GROUP BACH OFF ALLEN CODE WORD YOUR SLEEPER AGENTS HAS BEEN ACTIVATED YOU ARE SCUM YOU WILL NEVER PERPUTRTATE FRAUD AGAINST MY GRANDFATHER CPL. ROOSEVELT KING WW11 ROME SAINT SEBASTIAN CHURCH 1944 NOR MY FATHER OR MYSELF YOU ARE SAD SEE YOU LATER ALLIGATOR
I gaze into frosted panes.
Rose petals are tumbling
borne of hidden dimensions
where time is closed.
In scarlet gold murmurations
the starry air beams
with an iridescent delight
and choreographs holy felicitations
beyond a silver gate
of cedar pearl.
He used to shine, the life of every room,
Sports car gleaming, he'd chase away the gloom.
Took us to places we never could dream,
Laughter and joy, we were part of the scene.
We'd race down the road, music up loud,
Living our best lives, feeling so proud.
He’d teach us the ropes, we’d laugh and we’d play,
But something’s changed, that was yesterday.
Now, I see him tired, with no smile in sight,
Chasing his days from morning to night.
His car’s parked now, dust on the hood,
He’s lost in the errands, doing what he could.
No longer the cousin who’d light up our world,
Now just a shadow, his joy unfurled.
Marriage is a chain that holds him tight,
No more fun, no more carefree nights.
He runs around, a slave to her need,
Chasing her dreams, planting the seed.
The man I knew is fading away,
Lost in the grind, day by day.
Where’s the man who once knew how to live?
Now he’s just tired, with nothing to give.
Marriage changed him, and it’s hard to see,
The man he was, is no longer free
my identical twin and I surprised our cousin this weekend
We have not laughed this hard in years
She was totally astounded
We had not seen her since she was sixty-five
She turned seventy-two the day we surprised her
We turned into twelve-year-old girls when we saw her
She turned into an eleven-year-old
she is a year younger than we are
We reminisced and laughed and loved being together.
It was astoundingly wonderful.
My twin and I had both sent her presents early.
She had no idea, which made it more special.
I had a blast painting a cartoon for her.
I am a cartoonist who paints in acrylics.
It was a cartoon of my twin and I holding her up high in the air.
My twin said she could not stop laughing every time she looked at it.
She said “you made Lou look like a boy!”
Lou aka Louise is our cousin, who always looks like a boy.
Best time ever!
Dusk shone lavender toned skies upon the mountain field
where scattered trees with wizened limbs were steeled to ground.
High grass tickled their small legs while they giggled and ran.
Intoxicated by freedom from rules and the summon of fireflies,
they were four cousins with jars on a lark never known before.
All under nine but two would wake the morn to lifelong heartache.
On meow buses
no cat fusses.
Sweet little kitties
meow rodent ditties;
deck out bunting
time for hunting.
With pounding paws
furries prime claws.
Amid glad rasping
there is no fasting.
He was my cousin and friend and his death was a damn shame.
But he decided to do drugs and he only had himself to blame.
78 months ago today, he drew his final breath.
He loved to party and he died because of Meth.
People tried to convince him to stop doing drugs but we were bound to fail.
He died six and a half years ago today and if you do Meth, you'll die as well.
[Dedicated to John W. Brown (1970-2019) who died on June 3, 2019]
Like a lamp that never wane low,
She burns brightly where weary hearts find refuge;
Her flame gild the tears that overflow,
And turn to gold what pain would infuse.
Her laughter as light as summer rain,
Awakening spirits where shadows have long lain;
Her kindness like the first dawn ray,
Pursue the night and embrace the day.
Oh the gentle light, and blazing flame,
In thee, the warmth of Heaven’s heart is found;
Thy glow proclaims your glorious name,
A lamp of love where grace abounds.
In thee, God’s whisper finds place,
A still small song the angels hear;
Thou walk in love's eternal grace,
And spread joy afar and near.
Dedicated to my loving cousin, Alabi Sarah Shade
Cousin Categories
Definition | What is Cousin in Poetry?
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