Donald John Trump, meet Percy Bysshe Shelley
You might have missed him since he's not there on your telly
He shows up in one of those things you held up in your hand
They're better read right side up than at Lafayette's last stand
Now Percy's man no longer stands 'cept in imagination
But what he stood up strong and tall befitting of his station
Is left in its inscription that you might do well to study
Like the writing on the wall where feet of clay turned muddy
Mistaking feats that magnify for feet that fate can't glorify
Leaves features that ironically will serve naught but to horrify
Historians and poets, even patronizing patriots
Even zealots, fans, and delegates won't help you dignify
A man was born to dignify
Deserving every piece of respect
For the fantabulous of intelligences
For the bright shine of mindsets
Of the pure and sharp eyesight
And of the facile and sturdy hands
Finely handles with delicacies
While the decency of the manners
Bestowed its glamourous graces
Of these evidence for the grades
Of its freedom and dominance
To be owned by a respectable man
No third parties could obstructing
Nor the contrived defer his shining
Of its presence as a master of men
With rights legitimated by nature
Rather, by artificially made with power
Into a headless minion of followers
Harvesting the man-made bumptious
Though, may success for glossing face
But deemed meaningless in a man's eyes
Author Dana Redricks
July 22, 2023
Jesus, You are the source of my joy, filling my life with completeness, an endless supply, never far from reach, You are always by my side, You showed me how to love, how love can dignify.
No one can compare, no earthly figure can match, the love that emanates from Your heart divine, You are faithful, a constant presence, never detached, in Your presence, my soul finds peace so divine.
Without you, my strength would falter and fade, Your guidance, a beacon in times of despair, with every step, Your love is my aid, I know with You, I can conquer every snare.
You are the Rock upon which I stand, the foundation that steadies my trembling soul, in Your arms, I find solace and understand, that through you, my brokenness becomes whole.
Your love sustains, a wellspring all-encompassing, reviving my spirit with grace’s gentle touch, in your embrace, my heart finds belonging, for you are the epitome of love, faithful and much.
So, Jesus, I praise and lift up your name, with gratitude, I bow before your throne, in your love, I find refuge and proclaim, You are the source of joy that I’ve always known.
Something about a tree that welcomes me
and pulls me in with its majestic charms,
as graceful limbs reach out in joy- so free
to lure me close with gentle, giant arms
that sign with every breeze- I welcome thee.
Something about a tree that stands so tall
as branches rise above toward the sky,
that makes me feel its humbleness enthrall
as artful twists and curves so dignify
a stage for verdant, dancing leaves to sprawl.
Something about a tree that lifts my soul
while its enduring strength engulfs my heart.
Beside a tree, I feel God's safe control-
viewed in the mastery of nature's art.
Something about a tree that makes me whole.
October 30, 2022
~NA~
Contest: A Brian Strand Premiere Choice
Judged: 11/03/2022
Contest: Writing Challenge - X'd Poems Second Chance
Sponsor: Constance La France
Of all the flowers God has made,
there are those cast in purple shade;
some small with petals, hug the ground
and others, bristled- slim, but sound.
But- grandest is a taller one
that stands up straight beneath the sun.
Upon its top, a purple crown
of loops and swirls so soft, like down.
It stately stands with fronds of green
that gently curve to grace the scene,
uplifting them toward the sky;
God's work of art to dignify.
Alone, or marching four abreast,
along a wall or pathway blessed,
the Iris stands so proud and tall;
this lovely flower does enthrall.
June 6, 2022
Contest: Purple Flowers
Contest: Nayda Ivette Negron Flores
I’m wonderstruck to know that death
Precedes eternity
That every soul is like a spark
That lights a flame in me
That joy is more than happiness
By how it grows each day
And loving fills an empty soul
By what we give away
I’m wonderstruck to know that God
Is mindful of our worth
And that He needs a beggar’s heart
To crown a King on Earth
That how we prosper day to day
Is not a twist of fate
But what we do to dignify
A straight and narrow gate
I’m wonderstruck to learn that truth
Is spoken openly
By children with a tender heart
Who place their trust in me
The wonders of the universe
Are complex to our eyes
I’m wonderstruck humility
Is prone to make us wise.
Written and submitted to the "Wonderstruck" poetry contest
on November 20, 2021
Meandering digression as you ran to your man cave.
Full of contempt, with no one to save.
Learning to differentiate your burdensome emotional baggage.
While I sit by the stove top cooking some cabbage.
A tattered room full of mold and mildew.
No perfume, to dignify your smell.
Of bellowing hate while your false dignitary acted like a tall tale.
As, I stood all alone opening the mail.
Development detachment of devoid
While I played my loud music to drown out the noise.
On the day that you were born
The angels gathered by
To sing for you the melody
Of heaven’s lullaby
The memories of life before
You left your home above
Are diamonds in a crystal pool
Of pure and perfect love
Softly now, softly now
Life is but a dream
Memories of angel cake
Strawberries and creme
Colors of the rainbow splash
On flowers of the day
Creatures flock to hear the word
And silently obey
Starry skies and fireflies
Are flashing tiny lights
Helping you to win the path
Of heavenly delights
Little boats on ice-cream floats
Are bobbing merrily
Dolphins ride the magic tide
Of peace and harmony
Children of a righteous king
Are riding lava streams
Ocean mist is heaven kissed
For nourishing their dreams
Everywhere that people care
They dignify His birth
And magnify the Savior’s life
With love and peace on earth.
A Poetess's Sunset Song
Help me, God!
Am I really, honestly good enough?
Tell me , please if I am?
To use magnificent words and eloquence.
To dignify the greatness of...
The glowing goodness of my fellow man?
Let angelic phrases like rivers forever flow.
Through my humble poetry, never for show!
July 28, 2020
7:30 pm PST
Without teeth, he gums his peach pie
Savoring the deep satisfaction of the taste
Taste of yesterday, aroma of sweet boyhood youth
His crooked glasses still dignify his weather face
Not much to say when enjoying a slice of peach pie
Enjoy peach pie
He eats his secret treat I sneak to him
Not proper for his diet
He is eighty-three with Alzheimer
One slice of pie won't be the reason
For his demise
In the corner of this massive Veterans Home
He smiles as he swallows the last gulp of his sweet treat
As I gently wipe the mush from his face
I feel the presence of another hand over mine
In within a wink of an eye, I see the pale image
Of my deceased mother shimmering in the shadows
Of an otherwise empty wing chair
Smiling
(11/01/2007)
Time passes so slowly,
laughter seeks solitude-
Breaking hearts of the holy,
devoid of sinister gratitude.
Reservation of feeling love again has expired,
seeking not what leads to joy leaves me tired.
I fear only what lies ahead as the years pass,
internal fire led me down a path of crimson glass.
I walk amongst the fields that hope does surpass.
Refraining from all things that bestow relief,
where heartache without faith is my belief.
Yearning to let go and feel the pain no more,
for it has always been eagerness to heal I do adore.
I fight with all my might at the ten-thousandth war.
The magic that holds up the sky has withered,
where stars stay silent and pain was delivered.
I’ll continue to hold on until panic says goodbye
wondering if I will ever be able to dignify a dirty lie.
I stay in this stone castle where dread I can’t deny.
Time needs more hours,
hours need more days-
nourishing sorrow’s showers...
where my letting go betrays
I chose: "Holding Back the Years"
Musical Inspiration Contest
Joseph May
May 29, 2019
Oh Lord I hear the words inside my brain.
The pounding, pounding, pounding won’t abstain,
this favor that you granted unto me
in meter, rhyme and endless poetry.
I can not comprehend why you chose me
to publicize your truth in poetry,
but still I’ll try to make your wishes known
in words and lines that I shall call my own.
Oh Lord I pray my work will dignify
your name, and Lord I promise I will try
to never underestimate my skill,
for Lord I understand that it’s your will.
May everything that I shall ever write
be worthy of your love, and bring delight.
I’ve been here before
Knowing what to expect
Or so I had thought
This time, I’m perplexed
Similar exterior
I gave little thought
But the inside is backwards
I, surly, am lost
This was not the first time
I assure you, I’ve felt
That I’m losing my mind
Losing touch with myself
The crowds were blurred
My feet were planted
They knew, where they were
And took it for granted
Becoming a child
I felt so afraid
I prayed for a grown up
To lead the right way
Desperation, like heat
As it moved through my veins
Searching my pockets
In hopes to find change
Nothing came free
I already knew
But I’ve lost everything
A panic, would stew
Flush cheeks, sweaty palms
I’ve developed a stutter
Don’t slow down for me
Move on to another
Strangers, annoyed
I’m just in the way
Anything that I do
Turns out, a mistake
Yet another feature
Starring ADHD
Make me a teacher
Dignify me
Espy it
Eye it
Identify it
Buy it
Untie it
Liquify it
Fry it
Dry it
Fortify
Glorify it
Dignify it
Purify It
Certify it
C'mon -- try it!
Can't -- On a diet...
Fields, shields and yields of love heal
Upheavals hearts harassed and heckled in circumstances
Maintained, retained and sustained on a hill
Disown and drown doubts in cocoons that ingratiate impertinence instances.
Fields, shields and yields of love lubricate
Gears and gaskets gleaned from garages of gregariousness
Feted and elevated to sainthood to subjugate
Spirits and writs to wean wads of wickedness.
Fields, shields and yields of love amplify
Overt and covert conduits carried over
From ashes and slashes of creativity to mollify
Hearts that vowed never again to dignify a patriarchal palaver.
Fields, shields and yields of love cure
Hearts on fire with ire to hire an empire
Driven and given to glorifying the lure
They claim names romance recidivists to fire, retire or inspire.
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