(G)etting taller, larger, or smarter
(R)eady to change things up
(O)pening up to new and different ideals
(W)anting to have more personal control
(I)nterested in deeper understanding
(N)oticing people in need
(G)iving without expecting something in return
(U)ndertaking more personal responsibilities
(P)articipating in activities with purpose
Juniper,* you are a blessed tree, endowed by God for all to see
Umbrella you were to Prophet Elijah when from distress he did flee...
Never denying your sheltering role, helping ecosystem to be whole
Indeed fulfilling goal, as haven for birds, even for tired soul...
Performing best, providing habitat for wildlife with protective zest
Evergreen that smites longevity's pest and stands firm midst test
Ready to grant rest under your foliage toward victory's crest.
*1 Kings 19:4 But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.
June 18, 2025
3rd place, "High Fives for June" Acrostic Poetry Writing Contest
Sponsored by Andrea Dietrich; judged on 6/24/2025
Poetry Soup Premiere Contest winner
MOTHER'S DAY poetry contest sponsored by Benjamin Bartley, April 2025
Morning starts early, before it gets light
Opening cupboards, to see what’s in store
Teachable moments, with wrong versus right
Hope grabs the car keys, then heads through the door
Early bird children, are making their way
Ready to take on, another school week
So many hurdles, to climb day-by-day
Destiny journeys, down these terraced streets
Another story, of work’s imbalance
Young hungry children, get so tall, so fast
Confidence takes it's fences and chances
Armed with new shoes but, how long will they last?
Roses or chocolates, say life can be hard
Demanding much more, than words on a card.
America's bulwark, strong and true,
Resolved to defend, the red, white, and blue.
Mighty warriors, brave and bold,
Years of service, stories paroled.
Since '75, a nation's might,
On fields of battle, day and night.
Loyalty and honor, their guiding star,
Defending freedom, near and far.
In every conflict, they stand tall,
Embracing duty, answering freedom's call.
Ready to fight, for liberty's flame,
Sacrifice and courage, their noble name.
All through history, their valor known,
Rising to challenges, never alone.
Modern heroes, with hearts of steel,
Yearning to shield, the public's zeal.
Onward they march, with purpose and pride,
Fighting for justice, on every tide.
The Army's strength, a powerful force,
Heroes among us, taking their course.
Every soldier, a testament to might,
Unity and valor, shining bright.
Serving with honor, a legacy grand,
All across the land, a helping hand.
PRAYER
P ositive energy, love to sustain
R eady and willing, humility’s gain
A lways available, never alone
Y esterday’s troubles, today are unknown
E veryone welcome, all forms are good
R esonates peace, I wish everyone would
Silhouette of golden sun rays
Embraced by melodic moon
Pulling off this dance by day
Till seducing nights like groom
Elegant draft spilling colorful leaf
Mahogany trees bend in wind
Bathing in daily blue breeze
Eve chills that seem not to end
Ready for your pumpkin spice
Fast from summer’s abuse
Alluring amber hearts that fly
Love is a hot call for a truce
Lullaby of leaves falls from trees
September sings soft to me
Tomorrow is simply a taunt
of questions asked long ago,
maybe the anwers bring tempest
or maybe an extravaganza
ready to be played with great zeal;
relax in the shade of the chiquichiqui*
our anwers will come as they must,
with patience we'll greet the new day!
*a type of palm tree
Alert the authorities
Everybody properly dresses
Dependents are priorities
Pilot light distinguishes
Ready pets safe
Chemical fire extinguishes
Clear out exits
Examine any irregularities
Everybody out safe
Chairs together at a table,
High adrenaline for few days.
Ready for sharing a moment,
Ideal to be with the family.
Sadness is well disguised
Tactfully served with turkey.
Memories are shared to talk
About nothing in particular.
Surprise me with the presents.
Superbly agile and acrobatic creatures.
Quirky zigzag moves and mannerisms.
Unique techniques for stealing seeds and nuts.
Incredibly strong front incisors that keep growing.
Really smart, mischievous and very entertaining.
Ready to rob and tackle any bird feeder, even squirrel proof.
Extremely resilient during harsh winters.
Loud chirping and chattering when near by.
Sometimes they are white, but mostly grey, red or brown.
Heady sounds that make one curl inwards like a snail within its shell
Achy grating noises like a fingernail scratching across a chalk board
Every velvet ear deserves sounds of the ocean and water falls
Retire to your room, let the music ooze and fill your stratosphere
I for one never enjoyed the cacophony of a thunderous world at large
Naked ears can be trained to listen to so many Nature resounding peals. So,
Give thanks for your ears and all that they do, take care of them.
Signs of strength for having survived
Courage shown on which we have thrived
Aways reminding that human we are
Ready for life having made it this far
Scars are the beautiful hallmarks of life
Immersing into delightful dish trip
Craving tongue for ice cream lick, I can’t skip
Engrossed to savour strawberries of fresh whip.
Creamy strawberries, cold delicacy so sweet
Ready now to vanquish afternoon heat
Enthralling me for grand leisure seat
Awesome dessert as lunch it does complete
My heart offers for thanksgiving* treat.
Tasty strawberry ice cream bite
Renders menu with relaxing sprite
Enriching feast of mouth-watering sight
Appeasing appetite midst indulgence-plight…
Take time to share with love’s delight.
*Philippians 4:6 - Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Acrostic in Rhyme Form
July 5, 2022
Arriving for my first visit, not knowing what to expect
Instantly awestruck at the plethora of trampolines
Ready to jump feet first into a new adventure.
Bouncing up, down, in, out, to and fro
Over and over again. I spot the soft foam pit,
Racing towards it, I take a leap of faith
Naturally full of enthusiasm and a youthful
Energy that knows no bounds at the moment.
Eagerly looking around the massive building wanting
X-tras like dodgeball, slam dunk, and the high-flying
Trapeze—where I swing through the air and land safely
Right in the middle of the blue and red squares of foam. I
Enter the battle beams where I was defeated by an older
Male. Nearly two hours later, and all good things must come to an
End. My first experience at a trampoline park was a success.
August 1, 2019
(An Acrostic Poem)
**Side note: I wrote this poem from the point of view of my 12 year old son. This was his first experience at a trampoline park called Airborne Extreme. He had a great time and has enjoyed the amusement center a few times since.
Winter can be a wonderland of beauty and cold
Ienjoy making the snow into an angel mold
North winds blow
The crows say, please no more snow
Every night another log on the fire
Ready for tea and to hear the singing choir
The sun running across the ice is a sight to behold
It looks like beautiful white gold
Maybe winter will not last
Enough of the wonderland it now will melt fast
Date Written: 12/10/2020
Acrostic Rhyme
https://www.rhymezone.com
Winter Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Emile Pinet
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