We looked up to you---
When during lessons you helped us look within.
Without, it'd be a confusion.
Expectations, a riot of colorful thrill.
You'd observe, steady and silent.
Then encourage us to go ahead.
Fond rememberances.
Your suggestions for books hit.
Like one patient, enchanted-
We'd wait for you to come.
Poetry and thought twined,
And you turned 'Wasteland' our home.
It lifts up the downtrodden
Delivers hope to the forgotten
Inspires the youth of generations on end
even helps the disabled mend
Words that soar on celestial winds
Imagination crystalline
Images of pristine delight
brew enchantment throughout the night
A poem’s a treasure, my dear friend
To turn to over and over again
A refuge from the gathering storm
~ where noble art meets human form
Whispers of an enchanted deer wafted through the oaks and the lilies
The exquisite forest came alive with new fantastical creatures
Roses are always doubters, so they disagreed with their thorns
But most of the flowers were open to the rumor, eager to see the deer
A gentle breeze preceded the deer into the thicket of florals
The deer was lovely, with scrolls, and beautiful nearly pastel colors
I love her, the daisies said/
A testament to the truth; daisies love everything.
The deer looked around approvingly, she enjoyed new places.
This forest was exquisitely beautiful; she could be happy here.
A brown stag with fourteen points looked her over pronouncing her queen.
She shyly told him she expected to earn her place like the other creatures.
The weeds were thrilled; a deer with integrity; this was a welcome relief.
Whimsical witch has a wonderful wardrobe, said Wee.
Wee was a warlock with a wavering eye for winsome finery
We noticed her gown was enchanted with elm leaves and such
That flowed around as she walked, she had such a magical touch.
She was followed by moths and butterflies adding to her gown.
Whimsical witch as a designer, was the loveliest creator in town.
Isn't it strange...
How someone you didn't even know existed,
One day, out of nowhere,
Becomes the person your world quietly starts revolving around?
Someone who used to be a complete stranger...
Whose name, whose face, you never knew,
Suddenly becomes so important?
Their words sound like the lessons meant only for you.
Their favorite songs end up on your playlist.
Their laugh becomes your favorite sound.
Their jokes become the funniest thing in the world.
And then, you find yourself
Trying to remember the tiniest details of every moment with them;
The way they looked at you secretly when you were not looking,
What they wore that day,
The exact words they used,
Including the pauses between sentences.
Because those small things feel like the most precious things.
That's really strange
How a stranger becomes
The part of you that feels home.
Isn't it?
enchanted night
exudes exotic perfumes
~ love in the air
AP: Honorable Mention 2025
the stars linger amidst candlelight
saxophone serenades melting inhibitions
charming entrancing hypnotizing
beyond human breaking point
exploiting weakness in a haze of madness
bewitched possessed
until there is no return
AP: Honorable Mention 2025
Spooky vibes in twilight,
Purple rays dance through shadows,
Gazing eyes hold secrets,
Lady S on her throne glows,
Fireball milkshake, minty sip.
I spotted her in the enchanted forest, where the trees whisper tales,
She stood there smiling, like an ephemeral and mysterious star,
Exuding an ethereal elegance, in a white veil that swayed gently,
Tassels like little bells adorned her chic and graceful dress.
Her beauty was an old sweet song that penetrated the soul,
Her aura was a living canvas, a painting that drew curious gazes,
In a moment, a flash eternalized the moment, a gentle touch,
But she responded with a sting, leaving a painful mark on the skin.
I search for the story of this Lily of the Valley in the vast cyberspace,
Ah, what a sublime name and what a captivating presence she hides,
But a deeper look reveals the truth hidden beneath the surface,
Sweet poison under the surface's shine, a play of illusions.
A careful look unveils the secrets beneath the delicate petals,
Like an influencer hiding poison in the pink pearls of her necklace,
The first impression is not always the one that lasts forever,
She is the mistress of illusion, a mix of beauty and hidden danger.
“When leaves fall from the trees, do not despair,
there’s beauty in a tree that’s stripped bare.”
Once I encountered trees looking divine
Sun had just set and the trees were sublime
A scene that was a magnificent find
The image will stay forever in mind.
Silhouette trees enchanted by twilight
Stately they stood adorning the skylight
On the cusp between winter and autumn
The trees were bare, as their leaves had fallen.
I’ll never forget that elegant scene
In my mind the picture is safely screened
If I never see such a vision again
In my heart it lives, in a golden frame.
Alike a setting in a fairytale
For me the beauty soared off the scale
‘Twas nature displayed at her very best
A moment that was truly heaven blessed.
Enchanted meadow
With a sunflower glow,
It's a dragonfly's delight.
He's so pleased to meet
A princess sweet,
There on the florets, before her flight
Mirror
Mirror hung on the kitchen wall
Lit by the daylight’s shifting dance,
Alluring watcher over all
Mirror hung on the kitchen wall.
Enchanted by its enticing call,
Reflections caught by passing glance,
Mirror hung on the kitchen wall
Lit by the daylight’s shifting dance.
Barry Stebbings
Nov. 2024
Met you then
Saw you now
Then You were just one of them
Now I search for you in the crowd
Then there were no butterflies to be found
Now I feel there’s a crowd
fluttering inside
Your beautiful dark eyes
Your charming smile
And the way you say
my name every time
Can’t help but dream about you at night
Wherever you go
There’s magic in the air
You must have cast a spell
I keep falling for you again and again
In the realm where my story takes flight,
Lies an enchanted garden, bathed in soft light.
A place of magic, where dreams come to play,
Come my little children, I'll take you away.
Through gates of ivy, where whispers reside,
To a world beyond, where you can hide.
The air is sweet, like a lullaby's song,
As petals of roses, dance all day long.
Crystal clear streams, like silver threads weave,
Through emerald carpets, where shadows recede.
In the heart of this haven, secrets are told,
Of love, hope and dreams, in their purest form, gold.
Through twisted tree trunks, with faces so wise,
The sun's warm embrace kisses the skies.
Hear laughter and stories, from hidden nooks,
Where ancient tree roots, make earthy books.
This is a place, where your heart finds its wings,
Where every joy and sorrow, that life brings.
Is painted with colors, bold and bright,
In this enchanted garden, forever in sight.
So come my little children, let's wander and play,
In this realm of wonder, where dreams hold sway.
With open arms, I welcome you all today,
To my enchanted garden, where hearts find their way.
from the moonlight wave
ascend in sculpted beauty -
soft touch of silver
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