[Poet’s Notes : Geckos are flexible, able to thrive in most situations. They symbolise transformation & resilience due to their ability to detach, then regrow their tails. Losing their tail is a metaphor for shedding old habits, fears, or burdens that no longer serve. As omen, they represent good luck, adaptability, a reminder to shed the past, rebuild, moving forward after setbacks. In many cultures, geckos are signs of positive protection.]
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“With renewal comes guardianship ~ an inner strength to both hold the past whilst not being defined by it.” ~ Poet
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Gecko appeared on white wall
tail shadow flickering fall
amber leaves crack autumn’s cue
shows transmutation is due ~
Regeneration is name
my chosen professed good game
power healings signal luck
old scales peel burning in muck
_________________________
Placed 5th : Standard Contest
March 26 : Sponsor: Charles Messina
You know what? Too much of ship been going on.
As I sit back I realize, I been dealing with a lot of ship. I really been in some ship and through some ship in my life.
But enough about me, what about you? What kind of ship have you been in or experienced?
Let’s evaluate some of this ship.
relationship, censorship, battleship
sportsmanship, leadership, kinship
discipleship, cruise ship, sponsorship
championship, guardianship, worship
membership, scholarship, dealership
spaceship, citizenship, fellowship
friendship, partisanship, dictatorship
partnership, workmanship, starship
apprenticeship, companionship
stewardship, penmanship…
Alright that’s enough, I’m so over this ship.
See how frozen rice brings gaiety
from the weight of a half-starved life ,
palms etching the barbs of terrorism;
Already the villainous hours smell of puss,
ripe lesions , and unbearable heat :
dried bones snapping from gun-barrels
of greedy, power- laden pillagers --
the hissing growl of wars
rake bloody sky from its quiet days .
So chidren , listen well...build
A new earth blessed with peaceful hearth
and fresh broth,
clutch all neighborly moments endeared,
whispering prayers for safe glide
soothing night's guardianship ... and as
You lay on pure lights from angels' wings,
live each hour with grace of integrity
to hold not a chaos brimming with envy;
as Spirit renews a world lulled by love,
When nightfall dips in palest of gold
I feel a sense of indignity,
As owl's melody loses its eloquence
Through the absence of a safe abode;
Where quietude calls for avian coos
The kind which never seeks to intrude…
And its orbed eyes larger than neons, freeze
In need of natue's hued, aerial parade---
Startled, bird's forest trail is washed out
By mourning dew of poison
Denying the barren woods of nourishment
while allowing thieves to skin owl feathers,
mangled talons like so, wasted ---
Wise keeper of secrets, hushing the noise.
Life marvels at your nocturnal guardianship
yet, this world shares not your moonlit toots
lithography of hills no longer owns
your delicate interludes of silence...
Man ravages bird navel, flesh , and plumes
For trading quests, for self- interest ---
Can this earthly slaughter cease
sucking nectar soil of birds dry?
Somehow, I still hail the dwindling number
of hooting owls
Which believes that the next generations
will wander on an environ,
Soaring their wings... joyously free at last.
Flowers for you, my sweet Mom and great Dad
Thanks for your love that makes family glad…
I greet you with blest anniversary
By God’s grace, granting our home victory!
Flowers for you, my teachers so dearest
Thanks for your mentoring with all your best…
I salute your leading might to truth's light
While commending your guardianship so bright.
Flowers for you, my friends on your birthday
Thanks for your care and kindness all the way…
I pray that you’ll always enjoy life’s gift
Bestowed by the Lord with divine uplift.
Flowers for you, buddies, brother and sis
Thanks for your accomplishments full of bliss...
I rejoice seeing your fulfillment glow
while good success* you delightfully show.
*Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
August 5, 2024
3rd place, "Nursery Rhymes Only" Poetry Writing Contest
Sponsored by Eve Roper; judged on 8/15/2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jA6QGi7izEg
Upon the wide expanse of a beautiful day
lullabies of birds and seagulls
Far above where there is love
a faint sound of wings arrives at the threshold
of your peaceful thoughts....
Golden fields majestically emblazoned
a forest of green and emerald
whispering promises of health and prosperity
Acres of water and land, land and water
a rivulet of dreams gliding
through channels of guardianship and joy
A bumble lands on a purple flower
she is there for the hour
while the sun showers golden tears of strength
the sky kisses you with celestial blues and hues
of every blessed shade
Upon the wide expanse of a beautiful evening
whispers and promises of golden tomorrows
be brave, be strong, believe in the magic of
and sleep well this evening, soul Angels.
Sam guarded the pumpkin patch with a friendly face.
Someone crushing produce, Sam would put in their place.
Gardeners stepped carefully when they chose their jack.
Sam’s guardianship had a certain crack of a knack.
Where is Sam? Asked a black cat who did not know.
Sam is the largest pumpkin, next to farmer’s hoe.
Just try to step on a gourd or pumpkin, and you will see.
Suggested a devious witch whose name was Fiddle Dee Dee.
They commune with God
And tell us the Truths,
They reach up to heaven
Leading us to our home,
They carry our dreams
Up their branches to the stars.
They shield us from harm
They are our great healers,
They are the home to many,
They are a safe harbor.
These great trees now
Seek out our help,
Seek out our guardianship.
Aquatic colossus breaches with elation,
crystalline baubles spray towards
periwinkle skies as casting flukes sway.
In expanse of brine play the descendants
of millennia old warriors; their songs
eco among the macrophyte gardens.
They know the secrets of ancient sailors,
these Balaenoptera musculus in their clan-pods
carry the wisdom of unknown worlds within Gaia’s
womb. A harmonic constitutional for these
hearts of compassion, the annual migration
will glean offspring to carry on the tradition
and guardianship of esoterica; this star
has come far and whispered her secrets
only to the wise ones.
4-22-2021
ALL YOURS (Apr 23) Poetry Contest
Brian Strand
tutelary
adjective TOO-tuh-lair-ee
1 : having the guardianship of a person or a thing
2 : of or relating to a guardian
I wandered down an old country lane
A shadowy stroll into the past
An old cemetery laid still in the shade
A resting place at last
Here, long ago, and old church had stood
But some time past, had burned to the ground
Yielding it's guardianship to the wood
That had grown up fast all around
Men, women and children interred within this hallowed ground
Have long since turned to dust
But the grey grave stones and white crosses are still found
They bear their memories a tribute just
Beloved husband, beloved son
Beloved daughter, beloved wife
On these stones and crosses as one
Written the last page of life...
Mere Mosquito landed delicately on brisk water.
She felt protected in this forest Shang-ra-la.
Spied teensy minnows swirling a bit below.
Singing Brook was mosquito’s favorite resting spot.
Round pebbles at the bottom sang happy melody.
Myrnia, a fine water faerie took care of this place.
Myrnia had been given her choice of guardianship areas.
She had known instantly when reviewing Singing Brook it was hers.
She adored the shallowness of her waters, drowning no one.
A mother deer came to drink with her fawn.
She began to dip her face, but stopped.
Move over, Myrnia whispered to Mere. You are scaring her.
She took role of Guardian of Singing Brook to new heights.
A walled in pond with trees draped with oakmoss
Brighten by a warm predawn glow across
Earthy-wet forest floor scent of nature.
Playing shadows bend, rouse the wild creatures.
Two sisters sit on a small stone clearing.
Nippiness breath near ripple spring brimming
With verdant ferns, guardianship of trust
Closely guarded innocence does entrust.
A gleam of awe on their lovely faces.
An open gold filigree chest graces;
They hold a string of lustrous pearls once worn
By gramma they loved, ever since did mourn.
A bond between two sisters dearly share
That can by no means be lost, but most rare.
4/7/2020
Leader of the home with virtuous height
Bracing up family with grand posture
Governing prudently by great faith’s might
He’s our Daddy in his godly gesture.
Daddy dearest is our human fortress.
He loves us as he trusts the Lord* Who’s great.
Assertively pointing truths he does stress
Guiding with values of excellent rate.
His humor’s sense speaks of prudence-fervour
While wholesome jokes call for analyses
His boyish looks, before, earned Mom’s favour
With wise perspective in facing crises.
A champion in his home-roles’ fulfillment
Dad exemplifies “genuine provider"
Propelled by his faithfulness’ commitment
A paragon of steadfast life-builder.
Showing verily servant-leadership
Our father’s a hero in word and deed
How we thank his marvelous guardianship
We praise God for Dad’s legacy indeed.
*Psalm 103:13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
February 15, 2020
2nd place, "Ode to a President or Leader Past or Present" Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Sheri Fresonke Harper; judged on 3/2/2020.
Here, where the sky is so close,
the deep shadows of the hill have
taken away our great uncle
A family love,
conciliator,
firm of authority,
Shield of wisdom.
We weep to usher gladness of comfort
Thereafter, we will pray:
Perpetual dew
through the Mercy of God,
that Impeccable care,
Tranquility, glory from Grace,
Love and affection, guardianship
unto our faithful ancestry
Blessedness of Eternal repose
Alav ha-shalom
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