A district in the south
On the coastline it has graced
Is a well established charter
Ancient roots from which it’s based
The symbol of the city
Placed on the Corporation seal
That Latin script around the edge
Enshrines the common weal
A pair of towers at the Port
Consolidate the fort
Allowing commerce to flow forth
For there’s more tea to import
The glowing harbour waves
Drift in from the sea
They travel under bridges
Along the River Lee
Few today remember well
It was on a sunny June day
When this city seal was embraced
By the martyred JFK
Least we not forget
The motto that is his
Invoked now, forever more
‘Statio Bene Fida Carinis’
Written June 5, 2025, for contest: Etheree Of Your Heart - Sponsor: Ink Empress
Syllable count verified: www.howmanysyllables.com
*****************
Breeze
broadcasts
charming pace
beats of the breeze
girls with clumsy legs
scrutinize for snail beads —
to the seamless sapphire sky
amid the swarm of silky clouds,
sculpt morphs into cobalt-hued visor
spume tails hover from peaks with cyclic bliss
winsome enthusiasm in our core swathes —
storm hooves herald the dawn of high tide
enshrines recall of past paths roved
rings rhythm of earned respite care
in sound and unspoilt place —
weaving whimsy waves
soothes my spirit.
drawn gold sky,
soul glint
stream
Divinity
Nature of the heart and the mind of the supreme,
His essence, the nucleus, the imminent cream;
Angelic, pure, immaculate, and undefiled,
Naturally supernatural soul compiled...!
Like the flowerness of a flower, this enshrines,
Like the fruitiness of fruit within forms designs;
The Waterliness of water is its pure core,
Unseen other fore of the ocean is its shore...!
Brhman, Atman, Antaryami immenant, perfect,
Prudence, patience, temperance, and diligence decked;
Saintliness, blessedness, piousness, holiness,
All incorporated its marvelous fullness...!
In the fragments of the father son and spirit,
Its dignity possesses the highest merit;
Creating creatures in its own very image,
This dwells within each being like an unseen sage...!
09 February 2023
Writing Challenge - D Words - Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Constance La France
The crimson sunset in the blushing bay,
a lone bird spreads wings on serene sky
to reach the clumps of cloud not so high
on color burst horizon of the drowning day.
The sailing soul finds bliss in anchorage divine
while the cadence of rippling water enshrines
the crimson sunset in the blushing bay.
October 8, 2019
Contest : Make it seven
Sponsor : Joseph May
Image chosen : #2
Away from the boom of urban jungles
I rest on the soft hammock of night
unruffled…centered
Just inhaling the tranquility which binds me
To an inner refuge where chakras align--
As the noise from life’s thud shuts down.
This fire-light within rises in violet spirals;
A holy interval transcending time and motion
That the nearness of grace eases my breath,
my womb circling
mantra ascending--
While the altar of my soul enshrines
A hiatus which makes me invisible,
Redeemed from earth’s tongues of Babel.
8/31/2019
Silence Poetry Contest: For Silent One
"Our sweetest songs are those that tell of saddest thought"
- P.B. Shelley
In the backdrop of the painting of my life of despair
the evanescing patina of the drowning sunset I see,
in the lost day’s sinking grace of melancholy I immerse
as joy of twilight time the last gleam of sky enshrines.
When the silver spangles of shrouded moon disappears
sprouting stars shine the brightest in the darkest of nights.
Tear drops sparkle on my eyelash like drying dew at dawn,
the rustle of dry leaves whispers the music of the sad fall.
The wind of grief blows the shards of my broken heart,
find a solacing niche in recess of your embracing thicket,
its emerald canopy flooded by ecstasy of sunburst sky,
my dismal eyes see beauty of sadness in sunbeam dance.
July 21, 2019
Writing Challenge 2, July 2019-Melancholy
Sponsor : Dear Heart
March 28, 2020
Contest : Strand Choice S, Any Form, Any Theme
Sponsor : Brian Strand
King
The Lion, as the King of Beasts, is known:
yet, not the strongest species on his own,
and not the largest beast to stand alone;
but still, he sits upon his self-made throne.
For sure, his stately attitude enshrines
the full respect that leadership designs.
With cocky gait, full mane, he fast assigns...
each creature, large or small, conforms...resigns.
Sandra M. Haight
~2nd Place~
Contest: Free Verse or Rhyme - 8 Lines Max
Sponsor: Eve Roper
Judged: 05/04/2019
If keen a goldfinch knits, loops and entwines
through hawthorn, urgent instinct loosens free.
It's bright with flash that crimson blaze enshrines;
as summer scorches red, it could be me
when lying prone on beach or under tree,
in pensive mood when I gaze out to sea.
If darkened lakes with troubled waves reflect
a dying forest's lonely leafless tree;
when time is stretched with endless hours' neglect,
as late November breaks, it could be me
among the rushes singing sweet my plea
against the final sun and moons' decree.
If gathered swallows ghost in autumn's shade
and scissor night with scarlet skies that flee;
then darkling eves almost the stars invade.
Where shadows slowly dance, it might be me
that heads like ships to seek a sheltered quay
or sheep that search a fold across sharp scree.
if spring is warm, Earth breaks the winter’s fast,
exploding green reveals my heart at last.
"Urban sonnet" contest 20 April 2019
On this first month, elation greets
The vibrant thrill of hearth’s delight
Where lips chant for answered blessings;
Upon an evening, frosty white :
A hug, a cuddle through hallways
Enshrines this new round its pleasure,
That gifts from one’s soul would inspire
Sweet Jubilee beyond vessels of time!
Contest 543: Brian Strand
Have the strength and courage
It is all within the heart
In order to succeed
You have to make that start
Never lose hope
Take things one step at a time
Go forward and conquer
Be the one who enshrines
Life
Miracle of birth enshrines an ethereal event
Whether in poverty or affluent wealth.
While some are blessed with enviable health,
Some get saddened by persistent illness.
Life distressed by destitute and hunger
Submersed under depths of gruesome sorrow,
Eminently thrives to awaken from slumber
To reach a dawn of brighter tomorrow.
Every action of goodwill inspires someone
To equal reaction of similar intentions,
Every joy of receiving swiftly reciprocates
Into act of giving that admirably reverberates.
Abundance of wealth often returns to charity,
Hope inevitably rises from ashes of poverty,
Happiness visits but never stays forever,
Every winner someday faces a losing endeavor.
Stepping outside onto avenues of strife
Life is overwhelmed by grief that magnifies,
As meager existence of restless feelings
Questions the virtues of opulent dwellings.
Money and power may satisfy for a while
But upon introspection they don't suffice.
Life worthwhile thrives with family and friends
For material things don't matter in the end.
December 2, 2017
Placed 2nd: Strand select X contest by Brian Strand
Rhythmic pose arcs lifting elegant ambience
Graceful dance enshrines artful renascence
Visceral posture invites emotional response
Festive celebration of aesthetic renaissance.
Attired in red and blue of simple elegance
Glorious style augments swirling excellence
Left arm risen high points gracious eminence
Finger tips lift vivid attire in quiet eloquence.
Golden bangles adorn wrists flirting in stare
A lone yellow flower crowns her silky hair
Folded right arm obstructs in a defiant dare
Index finger hides grief, eyes closed in prayer.
Head turned right, arched with sculpted flair
Tense neck muscles manifest muted despair
Open fingers gesture a stealth grievous flare
Air of intellectual grandeur opulently glares.
Ponder why the painter didn't show her eyes
Discover invisible pain vibrant colors disguise
Beneath the splendor lies a hidden surprise
Cultural dance-music echoes her silent cries.
September 22, 2017
Placed 1st:Poems that paint a picture
Painter: Anna Razumovskaya
Sponsor: Silent One
HM: Strand choice U contest by Brian Strand
Let science captivate you
Just nourish your mind
Whether if it is physics or chemistry
Be the one who enshrines
The elements of the periodic table
Along with the electrostatic force
Will assist you a great deal
Just stay on course
Always be willing
To exercise your mind
Do not settle for mediocrity
Be the one who enshrines
You have the ability
Go forward and conquer
Believe that you can do it
Be the one who prospers
Of many things which I would once proclaim
I cannot now assert that I am fond,
Although there still remains a pleasant name
To which I am in everlasting bond.
The skittish rose announcing summer’s eve
Is but the first of—Ah!—so many more,
And yet I cannot, true to conscience, leave
A jewel I have never seen before.
Before too long, the field of love is full
With many flowers prouder than the first,
But such am I: I find all treasures dull
If time enshrines a passion I have nursed.
No matter when my heart might crave repose,
I can’t forget the name of that first rose.
Find my poems and published poetry volumes at www.eton-langford.com
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