they have stood their ground
in need of some tlc
never ask for much
Two houses sit side by side on a quiet residential street.
In one, lives a man with an unlatched gate,
always ready to pause his lawnmower
to ask how your mother is doing,
offering a spare hand when it appears one is needed,
or leaving a basket of fresh tomatoes and cucumbers on the porch step
just because the harvest was good.
In the other lives a shade-peeker, a shadow behind pulled blinds,
who measures his property line down to the inch,
grumbling heavily under his breath when an autumn leaf crosses the boundary,
starting his car engine, revving with an intentional roar,
building a higher fence
out of a quiet, lingering spite.
For years, the coldness attempts to stake its claim,
trying to choke out the light with petty grievances
and silent, harsh glances.
Yet bitterness only locks a person inside their own small fortress,
leaving them alone with the echoes of their own noise,
and barring the door from the inside.
When the real storms roll through,
it isn't the tall fence or the sharp words that hold fast.
The stubborn, simple kindness wins out every time,
outlasting the cold
and leaving a light on in the dark.
Isn’t our life a clever game of chess,
Where chance and actions equally pay
We can’t approach life like a naïve amateur
Each move be cautious for success to pave way
Some ties, though broken need to be mended
When a crack forms, it can be fixed with cement
Every dissension or hurt do not deserve goodbye
With a little effort, some bonds, we can easily mend
When ego masquerades as dignity or self- respect
One is hesitant for a compromise or reconciliation
A humble word or a kind gesture can heal a hurt
They can easily pave way for instant reparation.
Some relationships are extremely toxic,
Where one longs for a permanent liberation.
There, the bridge is to be burnt down,
Without any qualms or the slightest hesitation.
Life is all a question of sound selection.
If one makes choices that are dependable
One can effortlessly chart one’s way to success
Mend fences worthy and burn bridges ignoble.
Margarita Lillico, Sponsor
Contest, Mending Fences
********************************
Since the fall of Adam and Eve,
We mortals have been on a downward trend.
Sometimes we fall apart in the mildest of winds.
In navigating our journeys,
Some wires of our lives will only take dust.
And often for reasons unknown to us,
Some wire screws of our lives will loosen.
Like medal, so much about us is subject to rust.
There are fences; weakened, weathered, and worn
That must be fixed, mended, and repaired.
A close friendship turned bitter, distant, twisted.
Even if at first resisted, let's find a way to fix it.
Even if this mending should cause fears and tears;
Or even though it has been many moons and years,
There's no better time for mending than today.
For years, time after time, I have heard people say;
"Where there's a will, there's a way".
I have no desire to mend the fences,
life is now lived in past tenses:
heartbreaker
joy taker
misery maker
I was told don’t burn those bridges,
trouble only comes in smidges:
pitches
switches
stitches
The stars are not arranged for comfort,
but to sparkle, shine and extort:
take chance
moon dance
romance!
Carry on my wayward son
there’ll be peace when you are done*
life gives
love lives
forgives.
*Kerry Livgren
Mend the fences they will say,
give forgiveness as you pray.
Is there a smile in the suns bright ray?
Maybe I do not want a pretty flower bouquet.
I think you should be on your way,
fly out of my life like a blue jay.
I do not want to mend this fence today,
you bring me clouds of gray.
I want only a happy day,
make it fast with no delay
Mend white fences until you see
Harm in lies neglect denim deceit
As one crying wolf in dark night surprise
Is beast in sheep clothing evil disguise
I tend to lend empathetic emerald ear
Until there’s a reason for caution fear
Narcissistic people cause much pain
Drop them they’re toxic as acid rain
Then burn those bridges fire red
Don’t forget they get in your head
With twisted hearts and black greed
Don’t be a victim instead break free
Barbed wire sketches its argument
against the sky.
Metal insists on boundaries.
Gravel insists on order.
Schedules insist on obedience.
But silver spills
where it wants.
The moon pours over the fence line
without tearing its robe,
without presenting credentials.
It touches every rooftop equally—
guardhouse, dormitory,
empty road.
Freedom, it seems,
does not shout.
It simply refuses
to be stopped.
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.
Hey! Batter! Hey, hey batter!
Hey! Batter, swing!
There is the wind up. Here comes the pitch.
Fastball, slider, curve, but which is which?
Bases are loaded, it’s up to you…
Swing for the fences! Do what you do!
No one to help you. The ump is blind.
There’s so much pressure. Two runs behind.
You stand alone on the precipice.
Give it your best shot! A swing… a miss…
Hey! Batter! Hey, hey batter!
Hey! Batter, swing!
So many hecklers… the catcher laughs.
It’s just his job to try to distract.
You are all warmed up, ready to go…
Swing for the fences! Do what you know!
The fans are yelling, calling you names.
It’s life or death now, not just a game.
Millions are counting on your strong wrist.
Eye on the ball but… another miss…
Hey! Batter! Hey, hey batter!
Hey! Batter, swing!
Lean in closer, maybe you’ll get hit.
Just some pain from an errant pitch.
Forget that! Focus! Let’s make the news.
Swing for the fences! What will you lose?
You lured the pitcher into your trap.
One more second everyone will clap.
You’re in the zone now, there’s no defense.
Over the plate… Now Over the fence!
Hey! Batter! Hey, hey batter!
Hey! Batter, swing!
There's a reason they were put up in the first place
The hourglass reminds us time like sand
Slides into the past never to come again
This makes us think wonder and plan
If we are wise and want to make amends
In life for those we honestly wronged
With our actions or lack of just as strong
Can not have that feeling of black retracted
Can saying you’re sorry really heal the impacted
We can repent and not repeat offenses
We can offer friendship build new bridges
Put on big boy gloves and work the trenches
Let the lord’s love protect us like fences
Abandoned fence
once protector of my yard
now wood for campfire
They're all talking walls and fences,
words meant to force us apart,
the world has lost all it's senses,
where did this craziness start?
I'm walking up here on the ridge,
already making a start,
building a shiny new bridge,
this flyover straight to your heart.
Wood fences are better neighbors they keep the outside world out when metal fences let you see what you don't want to see
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