The old widow exercised
strict control over her daughter-in-law,
although she had no income,
being dependant on her son for survival.
Her son knew the rules she imposed
on his wife were tight,unfair,and excessive,
but could not stop his mother from doing so,
fearing it was a sin to oppose her
and keep her unhappy.
Such was the outlook of many people then.
His wife,her daughter-in-law,
on the other hand,
had cherished hope that
when her son married,
she would control her daughter-in-law.
But atmosphere changed-
when her son married, her mother- in- law expired
her daughter-in-law controlled her.
Swimming was my favorite exercise as a child
Loved the freezing cold water even if air was mild
In the late seventies, racquetball became the rage
I drove my new baby to daycare and loved this age
Running was never my favorite thing to do
Maybe I had never found the right jogging shoe
In my mid fifties I exercised at Curves and got into shape
Svelte and jock-like, I could have worn Wonder Woman’s cape
I tore my meniscus while doing yoga at work one day
My new exercise included a bicycle like pedal thing now put away.
When I was fifty-five I lost weight and got into shape
Exercised to the point of near ridiculous, and looked great
My daughter said “Mom! You are buff!”
I had never been buff before
It felt terrific.
Some days I wish I was fifty-five again
I was never sick, I was super healthy
I felt great, and I was eating right
No cookies, donuts or other empty calorie foods
Not sure what happened but I have gone to pot
I think it was the cravings for chocolate and peanut butter.
I can hardly look at lettuce or celery now
Not as healthy, but comfy in my sweatpants and recliner
As I approached the political poll,
a fellow countryman spoke a word
of wisdom to my soul. He told me that
I should consider 'voting' as a task that never
grows old. He related this short story to me:
"For 55 years, I have exercised this right to have my say.
Sometimes in tears, I have cast my ballot on very cloudy days
in many of those years. There were times when I could not clearly
see my way. Every step seemed to unveil the colors of grey.
There were times that I did not know who to vote for and just like you,
I didn't know what to do. But I learned early on that 'doing nothing'
was not an option.
As I look back over time
and space, I notice a pattern imprinted in the sands of time on the
human race. I see people of many opinions and persuasions coming
and going, but what appears most clearly and revealing is not 'great
people' but rather 'great and eternal principles."
After he departed, I was left with such a pleasing reality staring at me.
I was determined to be embraced with a mindset that casts a ballot
so much bigger than one enameled with a personality, but rather
with one rooted with great and enduring principles.
Killing women and children
Is absolutely unacceptable
Executing sick and old men
Is obviously low and despicable.
You can make countless speeches
You can invent endless excuses
Slaughtering so many is genocidal
Hurting so many can never be justifiable.
The world is now less peaceful and civilized
A cease fire is long overdue and warranted
This is barbaric; too many leaders are demented.
When will decency and humility be exercised?
Lies won’t fly, because they have no visible wings
This is horrific; too many have blood on their hands.
Copyright © July 2024, Hebert Logerie, All rights reserved
Hébert Logerie is the author of several books of poetry.
At a history museum
By the hearth there was a spit
With a slatted-wood contraption
By a rope attached to it.
When we read the explanation
We were totally surprised.
The contraption was a cage
In which a small dog exercised.
Like a hamster wheel, the dog would run
In circles so the meat
In the spit would turn, which helped
To make the cooking more complete.
With this mean but slick solution,
What was roasting would not burn,
But I hope at least the dog would get
A taste of what he’d earn.
Assertive altruism always devoid of arrogance
Benefits, bountiful to share with blessed elegance…
Caring disposition midst compassionate heart forever
Devoted, dedicated commitment, wavering never…
Earnest faith smiting every challenge toward victory
Fervent trust conquering all trials against misery…
Goals that can prosper mankind against greediness
Hope hoisting prisoners to soar midst freedom-graciousness…
Influential force liberating the captives from ignorance
Justice of impactful truth guiding against deceit’s appearance…
Kindness so much to practice beyond functional limit
Love verily overflowing, being exercised every minute…
My reason is to write about divine virtues while reality prevails
Now, I testify that my poetry is inspired by God* Who never fails…
Oh, the Lord I ask for miracles in my muse along His might
Praying that my poems please HIM with my grateful delight.
*Deuteronomy 32:3 Because I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God.
March 23, 2024
10th place, "Why did I become a poet" Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Jay Narain; judged on 5/26/2024
I've got a lot for us to discuss,
Now that life is steadily on course.
We could have shared ideas and opinions
But Allah had exercised His majestic dominions;
Like shingles falling upon the roof,
Of'times that sounds like the horse's hoof,
My heart beats to talk to you Atanda,
For you're my sage- My own warrior of wakanda;
Listen sir, we could've talked about life's bitterness
And taken cues from you on how to fight its wickedness.
You should've sojourned longer darling father,
But I see you each time I see your grandkid- Papa;
You'll always remain priceless and irreplaceable,
Baami who puts food on everyone's table;
If you could look back, I know you would smile,
Your boy's doing good in a land away thousand miles.
Still be missing you and even though your sun had set,
You're still a gem I'll never forget.
Love you Dad!
#GaliDaPoet!
My hearts been exercised a lot
From the beating that won't stop
Getting faster when I see
Loving eyes staring at me
Or breaking each time you go
And I hit an all time low
Until you are back again
Not liking where you have been
But there's nothing I can do
Because our red, white and blue
Will stay safe as you defend
Our country until the end
Of each war that makes me cry
Praying that you will not die
And come back to me so safe
I want to see your loving face
Step off that plane with the others
Who decided to be soldiers
And protect the U.S.A.
Prayers are sent they'll be O.K.
Returning from another war
Walking through their families door
Construction has been going on
Right by my river walk,
Where workers dig and man machines
As seagulls swoop and squawk.
This morning, though, I came upon
An unexpected sight,
Unusual enough to fill me
With a strange delight.
For, clad in hard hats and in vests
Of safety neon-green,
Construction workers exercised,
A gym-class-like routine.
There must have been two dozen men,
The foreman in the lead,
All striking poses, looking
Pretty good, I must concede.
I watched them for a minute,
Then they broke to start their day,
Their early morning workout
Like a macho man ballet.
I used to diet.
Wrote down every crumb I put into my mouth.
Drank twelve glasses of water a day.
Wrote them down too.
Exercised an hour a day at Curves.
Got buff.
Found muscles I did not know I had.
Looked like a coach in my legs.
Barely remember any of that now.
As I reach for my chips and dip
after sucking down three Hershey bars
and drinking two liters of cream soda.
Happier now
fluffier too
Of this principle, we should be CONVINCED.
If I said it to you in CONFIDENCE,
Would it lie in RESIDENCE, nevermore
to surface, even by ACCIDENT?
Would it never be exercised as EVIDENCE;
not even to come to one's DEFENCE?
Would it never ascend from the cave pits,
nor used in any way as VENGEANCE?
Let the uttered words confided in a trusted
one remain in CAPTIVITY, chained at the heart;
there to reside for ETERNITY, and only brought
into judgment by the ALMIGHTY God.
051223PSCtest. Brian Strand.
A BRIAN STRAND PREMIERE no 1216
ODE TO CRUTCHES
I had a knee replacement so I needed help
I could not walk safely by myself
So, I was given two sturdy crutches
And once I got them in my clutches
I walked here and there and everywhere
With more confidence but a bit of care
With physio my knee grew stronger
Two crutches I needed no longer
So, I progressed to just using one
My recovery had begun
I exercised at home and did physio at Westmead
I was very keen to succeed
To cut a very long story short
I am very happy to report
They helped me a lot but now that I’m stronger
I do not need crutches any longer
I have a long way to go
It won’t be easy, that I know
Thank you to all the people that help me every day
With their support and encouragement I know I will be okay.
FRAGMENTS
preserve
the moment
of
jagged
shadows
revealing
signature
conceive
the memory
of
the esoteric
exercised
existence
involving
chance
pleasing
&
resonant
melting down
explicit
imaginative
manoeuvres
transform
the moment
arbitary
random
encaustic
microisms
complicate
the
presence
&
emotionally
NOTE:THIS IS AN OPEN(organic) FORM VERSE using spaces&breaks without grammatical symbols ,the ' open' relies upon 'the one breath limitation' & so inherently requires the 'reader' (reciter) to input and responds thus making this enigmatic form a two way interplay & interpretatIon unique to the moment& changing according to mood is inherently variable.
Copyright © Brian Strand
Often meandering,
With forks full of potholes;
The highway of life.
It's not the yellow brick road...
With Dorothy
Prancing along.
Caution must be exercised;
Gentle on the gas pedal...
At all times on our travels.
We eventually reach
Our destination
We aren't in a nascar race;
Patience is
Of paramount importance!
Life's serpentine freeway
Couldn't be more treacherous
We either obey
The speed limit
Or risk recklessly
Careening off.
"M" Contest - New Poem Only - Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Constance La France
Theme chosen: Meandering
Date written: 09/17/2021
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