Fifty Six Poems | Examples

Apollo 11

I was a student of logic
when the world stopped breathing—
July 20, 1969,
a footprint pressed into silver dust.
Neil Armstrong’s voice crackled,
“one small step…”
and yet, my mind whispered—
was it the Moon,
or a Hollywood stage?

Fifty–six years have burned away,
half a century of miracles and machines.
We send probes beyond Pluto,
yet have not returned
to that pale frontier
just 384,400 kilometers away.

We dive to the edge of oceans,
but never to their blackest trench.
We speak of radiation belts,
Van Allen’s invisible fire—
how did fragile bodies
slip through alive,
wrapped only in cloth and hope?

Pride is America’s anthem.
If the flag had truly bitten lunar soil,
would it not have marched again—
and again—
until a fortress crowned the Moon?

They say budgets broke the dream.
But tell me—
what nation spares the stars
while spilling trillions on war?

The camera rolls.
The world applauds.
The truth drifts somewhere
between silence and space.

she inherited millions

she inherited millions
her parents’ house, furniture, clothes, knickknacks, jewelry, daddy’s watch
never spent a penny on a couch, never chose a painting or a necklace
satisfied with mommy and daddy’s things, wore mommy’s clothes
a spinster, who spent her money frugally on groceries and utilities
turned her thermostat down to fifty-six in the winter, to save money
satisfied with her parents’ furniture, never chose a comfortable couch
left a million dollars in the bank when she died
no one to give it to

The Late Michael Alldredge

He guest-starred on "The Jeffersons" and "Serpico".
He also guest-starred on "The Bob Newhart Show".
He starred in "The Sting II", "Iron Eagle" and other flicks.
This very talented man died at the young age of fifty-six.
He guest-starred on "The Dukes Of Hazzard" and "Archie Bunker's Place".
Lung cancer ended his life too soon and he was a credit to the Human Race.


[Dedicated to Michael Alldredge (1941-1997) who died on December 19, 1997]

Phone Sonnet

I see a phone as mostly an annoyance,
I get ten or so calls as each day goes by.
My comfort zone is the bottom of a rut,
and most calls want a slice of our pie.

My first two lines I was interrupted twice,
both times my wife calling from the store.
At mealtime it appears hooked to my fork,
The phone is a device that I certainly abhor.

I retired at fifty-six, my phone retired too,
 pages and calls helped me make that choice.
Seldom does it ring for just a friendly visit,
and I won’t text as long as I have a voice.

Teens use a smart phone as a high tech plaything,
During conversation one will often begin texting.

First encounters

First encounters in the past two decades.
18.1.2009, A helped me to move in my quarter. 
A decade of caring friendship and neighbors.
He taught and loved me unconditionally.
Fifteen years and six days later,
24.1.2024, B agreed to give up, 
His seat on our first meeting.
Six months and six days of a simple, fun and supportive friendship.
It ended without saying any proper farewell.
Three hundred and fifty six days later,
16.1 2025, I joined the Poetry world, 
Introduced by "Mr. Author", who has also strangely,
No longer interacting with me.
A fortnight later,
30.1.2025, pianist J, subtlety enhanced
My knowledge of music,
These encounters' experiences,
Shall stay forever with me.
For the last leg of my life.
Goodbye A, 
Bye-bye BB.
Keep on writing and posting my poems. 
Good luck to Pianist J.
Friend(s) comes and goes as always.

My Diploma Reads School Of Hard Knocks

My Diploma Reads
“School Of Hard Knocks”
Miracle Man
1/6/2025

Your time and your talent I once heard said,
was all a young person needed to get ahead.

So I’d rise up early and lace up my shoes,
I spent a few years just paying my dues.

The life goal I had was to retire some past fifty,
but this wouldn’t happen without being thrifty.

I posted my goals where I’d review every day,
along came promotions and raises in pay.

I invested in the market and had a 401-K,
investing paved the road that I travel today.

In the “school of hard knocks” I learned tricks,
and I was able to retire at the age of fifty-six.

Twas thirty years ago, since ending my quest,
I have no regrets, because God has truly blessed.

united in happy thoughts

Fifty- six years of togetherness; some think it is strange.
For Ida and Frank it is normal
They have been best friends since their teenage years
They cuddle on their swing looking over their lake

Reflecting on the successes of their business and children
Two snoring dogs lie contentedly next to them
The orange and pink sunset looks gorgeous tonight
They sit in comfortable silence, united in their happy thoughts.

two thousand dollar insurance perk

My husband has a perk with his insurance
They provide two thousand dollars worth of free stuff a year
We think vitamins are included, they are not
We think Kleenex are included.
We are also wrong.
My husband discovers they have their own store.
Everything in this store is fair game to be free.
I sit at a computer for a couple of hours spending it all.
Fifty-six boxes of goods arrives in the next week.
Where to store it?
I will have to figure it out.
This is our last year for this perk.
This insurance company is dropping Kansas residents next year.

Space To Process

To call you a pansy insults the flower.
It seems you cried for nearly an hour;
your mother called to say she’d lost.
So ‘space to process’ at a cost
of fifty six thousand for the year
to cancel class and sip craft beer…
‘Buck up’ is what my mum would say,
but then of course she’d never pay
so I could breakfast with the dean
and wring my hands about well-being.
I guess I’m old; my youth is gone.
I’d likely say, Get off my lawn!
But hun, you life is going to hurt
when you discover things like dirt
and sweat and toil and grit and grime.
I hope that in some future time,
you’ll look back on Trump’s second win,
say, Man, I was a pansy then.

Cream Rises, Work Smarter

Cream Rises, Work Smarter 
Miracle Man
8/28/2024

When doing any job, work smart, don’t stop
My mothers advice, “Cream rises to the top”
Her advice seemed sound,
and to it I became bound,
And at fifty-six I retired early chop chop.

Spring Sonata

Springtime, you always arrive so gently,
as high school proms bring tears of friends
who know they must soon part.
I will try not to weep of fifty-six years ago,
as I see the vision of my siblings,
and I leap through sprinklers bright
with rainbows,
I promise, Spring,
I won't cry.

Spring sonata of the bird's songs,
as I recall the natural wall of hydrangea
blossoms of mint and powder blue in
our backyard.
Royal young roses so blushed on
the white trellis.
The Good Humor truck jingled down
the street.
Neighbor's children waved large wands
with giant iridescent bubbles floating
aloft to the envy of the cumulus clouds.

Oh, springtide, you're our lively maiden
with a honeysuckle crown.
The presence of your rising moon monarch
in the eve casting her silver cherish on
weeping willows.
You sail through the ages,
but remain a debutante emerging from
the gray of winter's waning.
I promised springtime, I wouldn't cry,
but my tears are healing.

I dreamily walk by the modest little
home on the sidewalk,
the beloved place,
the streets of my youth,
spring sonata of my heart's song.
I'm in no need of my walker-
as I'm a child again. ~

Heatwave

frantic leaves blowing 
heated sun beats down on me 
fifty six- heatwave

I Could Get Hit By a Truck

I could get hit by a truck tomorrow
It might drag me a hundred and fifty-six feet
My head could get crushed
I would want to die.
My husband says nothing. He is a wise man.

I might live, I tell him.
But I would be a vegetable.
Unable to lift my arms or legs.
You would have to put me on and off the toilet.
I would not be able to feed or wipe myself.

I want him to react, but he is too intelligent. 
After a long pause he says
“You could die today. You might become strangled in your bed.
That would make it easier for both of us.”
I sleep with one eye open.

Gumball Machine Is Full of Fun

The red gumball machine was full of fun
A machine that knew she was number one
Other contraptions thought they were a contender
They were certainly not said my cousin, Sam Lender.

I have had this machine since nineteen-fifty-two.
I know that’s a lie, but Sam is often a liar too.
You were not even born until fifty-six, I say.
He and the gumball machine begin to play.

Walter Cronkite

Walter Cronkite,
Waxed erudite.
For fifty-six years he reported the news,
Trusted and revered for his truthful views.

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