One bright couple of dull days I told a stone deaf man
I'd seen a one legged donkey run to drink from a bottomless can
And then the lame donkey ran in a three legged race
It sprinted from the winning line at a snail's pace
His blind friend told me he saw the donkey sprint past
from the starting line but the donkey came last
The donkey raised a gold trophy for his surprising win
Then the teetotal donkey drank lots of pink gin!
I, for one, am not racing to the top!
I arrived there on so many occasions before.
I remember well my high school diploma,
My first day in college,
My first day on my first job,
Walking across the stage to receive my first degree,
My name on the cover of my first book,
Holding my first great-grandchild ~~
And many more things that happened to me
That say so much more than my name at the top
of some crummy list!
I, for one, do not write for any gold trophy
I remember getting one for…uh, I’ve forgotten…
I remember seeing hundreds in trophy cases,
An all-expense-paid trip to the Bahamas
When my first child was born,
My first trip to Africa to teach seminary students
I have enough gold trophies for a lifetime
They mean so much more to me than a gold trophy
beside a poem title!
written April 21, 2022
A few days away, if you need one or a week from here, take one.
I had to slow down, as my eyes were crossing!
It is as refreshing as a scented spring breeze.
To discover there are other things!
I understand, the race to be at the top.
And the desire to have a gold trophy, too.
But, maybe it is time for some good ice cream and a visit to the local zoo.
I can assure you, your true friends will be anxiously awaiting you.
Happy Spring!
4/21/2022
There once was a young girl named Nellie,
Who loved peanut butter and jelly.
She ate till it hurt and extended her girth,
Now they're calling her Nellie the Belly.
There once was a young man named Toby,
Who yearned for a shiny gold trophy,
But he had two left feet and was no athlete,
And his muscles succumbed to atrophy.
Now Nellie and Toby did meet,
And each thought the other was sweet.
They decided to marry and they didn't tarry,
And produced chubby kids with bad feet.
Walking only in warmest sunshine.
Being jubilant to honor, only
His name!
Realizing we were all given different
poetic gifts.
So we are in no way, the same.
Try not to compare yourself to
others.
For you are a miracle unto yourself!
So, you see, whatever you write,
comes as a blessing from the
Man in Heaven.
Seven times seven!
He is the One who deserves the
Gold Trophy!
Joyously accept those that are
human and wonderfully given.
September 18, 2019
In response to the writing prompt, what makes you wonderful?
Creativity, sense of humor, listening techniques, love for pets,
Helpfulness, joy for my friends when good things happen to them,
This is what makes me remarkably in-demand, so possibly wonderful?
Artistic flair, willing to pitch in, being proactive, bending over backwards,
Going the extra mile, not only for friends, but also for strangers, and
People I see on the street, this is what provides my heart with happiness
And a joyful enthusiasm that cannot be squelched easily
All of these things possibly make me a wee tiny bit wonderful.
P.S. I won a gold trophy in this contest.
We chant bubble gum bubble gum
As our jump rope hits the pavement.
Our time has come
Jerome
To join the tournament.
We chant bubble gum Bubble gum
Our session will be done in the gymnasium.
This will be a group accomplishment.
Our time has come.
I know this seems to some like we aren't
Adventuresome,
But think about the people who will register
Astonishment.
We chant bubble gum Bubble gum
We have the fanciest foot dance to bring
About a trophy of gold or platinum.
Believe me our time was well spent.
Our time has come
Whether we win or lose our names will be
Placed in the auditorium and jumping rope
Will be added to the P.E. curriculum.
Thank you one and all for we are the recipient
Of a gold trophy which shows our group was
Magnificent.
We chant bubble gum bubble gum
Our time has come.
Take carnations
tender child
till the hand
hardens
holding thorns
beneath petals
without crying
chasing kites
butterflies
rainbows colors
dazzling
from
dawn splendor
to the scarlet
gold horizon
dreaming castles
treasure islands
pearls and corals
sparkling
juggling stars
with cherubs
smiling
on moon slice
gliding
through
snow lit
Christmas
galaxies
blue and red
shimmering
till clock hands
on rose stop
thorns of time
piercing
time to pay
love with love
with
or no
applause
melting ego
in us ocean
in God's help
trusting
when too heavy
grown for parents
His strong arm
holding you
spreading
charity
lighting path
with God's love
pace and joy
unending
Gold Trophy Winner: Brian Strand-Your Option-2/2/24
Fourth Place Winer: Brian Strand Premiere 1204-3/30/23
First Place Winner: Brian Strand-All Yours-2/4/21
First Place Winner: Brian Strand-All Yours-11/1/20
Fourth Place: Julie Leigh Rodeheaver-Roses And Carnations-10/11/17
Looking for the formal definition, structure, and history of this poetry form? Visit the Poetry Dictionary entry below. Then return to explore how PoetrySoup members bring the form to life through their own poems.