A gift from God, using what's discarded is unshared.
Belém monks kept their ancient tart recipe secret.
Spun from eggs yolks that they once discarded.
Their heavenly baked tarts were so truly unique.
That the monks became rich, when their formula was sold.
Bakers down-under, now sell their own baked tartlets.
Made with a process they too will never reveal.
Curling yellow curds; they make their fame and fortune.
With a unique secret process only the family knows,
Passed down from father to son, in the old ways.
I Shall Not Want
A polluted world.
Fame and fortune.
To be idolized.
The car of my dreams.
To live outside my means.
I shall not want.
Be humble at heart.
Not to be arrogant.
I’m content where I stand.
Have guidance through the emerald garden.
Don’t worry about tomorrow.
Just a few encouraging words.
Sense of peace through gratitude.
Psalm 23:1
Chemicals in my veins
I don’t even know what it contains
We're all living in fear
in this crazy year
Chains are holding us down
At help we frown
Can't live life alone
But can’t figure that out
Don't know what’ll come next
People are perplexed
Politicians speak their lies
Don't care who dies
Long as they get their fame and fortune
Long as they get double their portion
They'll sell you anything just to make some money
They'll sell you anything and say you gotta put it in your body
But I don’t want that junk inside my system
And though I may be young-
You say I'm naive
I got a mind
I got a say
Not going to pay their price tag
I'm going to live life my own way
I only got one
One soul
One body
One mind
And I don’t mind if you mind
But this ain’t your body
That you would be killing
This ain’t your mind that you would be filling (with lies)
So until the night or day I die
I will live life
I will be me
I will be free from the ways you wish to poison me
Come one, come all, to the grand affair!
The emperor sells his finest robes bare!
After a child called out: "He has no clothes"
What would the crowd bid for those?
The emperor beamed, modelling his finest gown.
Woven in gold thread, with jewels all around.
Silks and satins, woven with skill in fancy seams,
To be auctioned off, as the suit of his dreams.
The crowd cheered, adoring his gall and pride,
While hiding their giggles and snickers aside.
“Such courage!” they cried with a mischievous grin,
To auction off his birthday suit he was born in!
The auctioneer cried: "Now come on what is bid"
For the world finest, in invisible clothes hid.
For these Emperor clothes are fit for a King!
Who knows what fame and fortune they will bring?
The room ignited, the bidding went wild,
As emperor posed, smiled; he was so beguiled!
"Sold!" cried the auctioneer, banging his hammer,
To the nudist, wearing his pride with such glamour.
I have a confession…which to this poem I shall now bring…
when I think that no one’s listening or watching…I have a tendency to sing.
When I wake up, having a playlist which contains my favorite songs,
I go into the room where I write my poems, turn it on, and sing along.
In my car with the radio blasting…sometimes I fall into a trance
I forget that people might might be watching…as I sing…and often I dance.
When I’m in the shower…or, for that matter, in the rain under an umbrella…
with no musical accompaniment…I sing acapella.
I never had dreams to be a famous singer…
with all the fame and fortune that would bring
all I know is there are times…when I just have to sing.
I know, for me, there is no better way for my day to start
than with a song upon my lips and music in my heart.
I use to wonder since this clandestine signing is my thing…
if I sing because it makes me happy…
or
am I happy…and that is why I sing…
Looking back over the years however
this is the conclusion I have reached…
It isn’t one or the other…
it’s a little bit of each.
There's many different forms of love
love of wealth fame and fortune
love of material things
and human cravings
which all diminish with the passing of time.
The truest love is a spiritual love
that resides in each and everyone.
It's a love without conditions
it's imbedded the day we are born.
It's the love that gives life its meaning
It's a love that can do no wrong.
A love that brings us more closer to God
A precious love that unites us as one.
Chartreuse with envy
In your shadow I walk
You're the toast of the town
The whole world will talk
Fame and fortune bound
And well on your way
Your star will shine on
While I waste away
That old gullible Gulliver Gold
Would believe anything he was told
It would turn to champagne
Catching drops in the rain
But all he caught was a nasty cold
Then we told him to try it again
Said this time it would turn into gin
In a steady downpour
His throat got really sore
And grew incredibly pale and thin
When he got well we thought we would say
Fame and fortune was coming his way
They would crown him the King
If he drank gasoline
So now they'll lay him to rest today
I'm not in competition with anyone
I have no wish to play the game
I am just trying to be better
Than the person I was yesterday
If I can accomplish that goal
My life has been a great success
Fame and fortune are fleeting
What's important when your time is up
Is the kind of person your were
Not the amount in your bank account
But how many lives you affected
In a positive manner
How many people you made smile
With those silly bits of nonsense
Those moments are worth
All the wealth one can garner
In a whole entire lifetime
When that final day arrives
You'll be remembered for your humility
Your kindness and your positive nature
In a world that needs it oh so badly
No one is beyond reproach
But I sincerely hope I'll be remembered
As a caring loving person
Who enjoyed my life to the fullest
Bigger not better
fame and fortune never end
a power struggle
Casting Off The Bow Line
Goodbye
my unwed darling
I’m married
to this dream
Freedom
calling out to me
betrothal thus
redeemed
Bachelorhood
a Siren’s calling
Feted tween
the sails
Truant winds
to act upon
Legends
tell the tale
Setting off
this final time
Rudder
in my hand
Truth when hoisted
up the mast
Liberty
— commands
(Dreamsleep: February, 2024)
So Imbued
Crime without sanction
honor among thieves
Tomatoes tomattos
prudish obscene
Rules as their written
intention entwined
Good becomes bad
sight becomes blind
Credence engendered
by those so imbued
A prince or a pauper
depends on your view
The world in a tailspin
no two think the same
the baby the bathwater
— praising the blame
(The New Room: February, 2024)
Time Awaits
Not connected to
the dollar
Courted
never wed
Engaged to no one
but himself
Making
his own bed
All fame and fortune
lost to fate
Constancy
of mind
Whose future readers
time awaits
His legacy
— to find
(The New Room: February, 2024)
Throwing Shade is aimed at one's aspirations,
dreams, and optimism, Throwing Shade.
Including confidential matters once shared one's
thought might be kept privileged,
information at one point handed out is now
disclosed, Throwing Shade.
Unrestrained talk spreads like wildfire, Throwing
Shade.
The company you keep amongst others you're
aptly aware that one does not mingle with,
Throwing Shade.
Feeling like if one is in contempt of court, hold
one's tongue for anything mentioned will be
used against one, Throwing Shade.
For what purposes? was it something that was
said? One playing both sides for tittle-tattle
en route for gain? Which one is fame and fortune,
Throwing Shade.
When you know one doesn't engage in fictitious
shenanigans, Throwing Shade spreadable like drawings.
A life well lived, a story to tell,
Full of memories, both good and swell,
Where love and laughter linger on,
And joy and happiness are never gone.
A life well-lived, with purpose and meaning,
Where hard work and perseverance are beaming,
Where dreams are chased and goals are met,
And every challenge is never a threat.
A life well-lived, with family and friends,
Where every relationship never ends,
With moments shared and bonds so strong,
And every journey taken with a song.
A life well-lived is not about wealth,
Nor fame and fortune, or material health,
But it's all about the love we give,
And the legacy we leave, as long as we live.
So let's live a life that's worth remembering,
With deeds that inspire, and hearts that are tendering,
And when we're gone, let words be said,
"He lived a life well, and he's finally been laid to bed."
by Max Burchett
Fame and fortune I sought,
And I found, but at high cost.
Then I found it was not all that I thought.
Then in your love I found the most.
Whispered words that fan love’s fire, inspire burning desire,
In three whispered words spoken to the heart.
To have your love is my greatest desire,
Forever entwined, never to part.
JUST A DREAM
When I was young and still had dreams,
I dreamt of fame and fortune.
With all the recklessness of youth
I had no doubts.
I knew
I knew I’d be a household name one day.
Perhaps a second Beckham
Or like Botham in his awesome prime.
Or, failing that, an actor
A mega-star of screen and stage
With Oscars on my mantelpiece.
No, hang on,
Yes, a politician
Ending up in number ten
But now I’ve reached maturity,
All that has passed me by.
No public recognition,
Just a childhood dream.
My ‘phone’s not been tapped illegally
My e-mails remain un-hacked.
Nobody follows my wife around
In case she meets a lover.
And, outside my door,
The paparazzi are conspicuous
By their absence.
I wait in vain to be approached
By the Leverson Enquiry.
So now I have to face the facts.
My childhood dreams are gone.
And when I die, I’ll literally
Go down in history.
5th June 2023
Dreaming poetry contest
Sponsor - Regina McIntosh
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