Hand Over Poems | Examples

and the good guys lost

and the good guys lost


all of us ‘got feet of clay
we are tainted, corrupted
and who of us will not say
"no, not me, I will be trusted"
we've come a long way, 'never stay too long
we'll have the last word if only to be wrong

evolution has gone to hell
myopic fighting for peace
ev'ry sucker for himself
all hail, this wily disease
you may point a finger 'til y' arms fall off
I might look away having seen enough

war is over, I said, war is over!
and the good guys lost

hand over fist, making it fit
continue, do as been done
4th world war wi' stones n' sticks
nothing new under the sun
a hungry ghost, frustrated with remorse
here's to it will be like it never was

war is over, I said, war is over!
and the good guys lost

no more than a tease to get it started
much harder to switch it off
war is over! I said war is over
and the good guys lost

and the good guys lost

Emergency Department

I walk from work a smile upon my face
a busy shift, 'Emergency' the place.

Where sick and injured come in through the door
and we are always ready to care for.
Alarms are sounding, monitors beep, beep,
all beds are full, and to their needs we leap.

Check vital signs, the temp, pulse, and BP
take blood, a urine test, an ECG.
Put in an I.V. Cannula I will
if veins are difficult, it takes some skill.

Next, take them to Xray to have a scan
or, if their bladder's full offer a pan.
For pain, give medication, reassess?
but if they vomit, I'll clean up their mess.

For patient comfort always tops the list,
and to ensure this happens I'll assist.
When cold, a nice warm blanket brings a smile
sometimes I'll hold their hand a little while.

With reassuring voice allay their fears,
if they're upset then wipe away their tears. 
Write up my notes including all I've done,
hand over to the next nurse one by one.  

The hours seem to quickly run away
and soon my shift is finished for the day. 
I'll say goodbye to patients in my care  
be glad, that on this day I have been there.

I walk from work a smile upon my face
A busy shift, Emergency the place.

One Who Likes Honey

one who likes honey
sweetness whispered
   whiff of wetness
portent of shadows
                     sleeping
        off the cold
    tundra
to utter…to utter
                   insane
   barely brave
bravado covers
     the lay
of miles and miles
stickiness roars
 from his lips
don’t be insane
   his name
an apparition
    waiting
      to wake up
your nightmares
  the intent
of silhouette
     moving across
your tent’s face
               chiaroscuro
      drawn onto
your forehead, eyelids,
  cheeks, nose, chin
   distorting the thrill
    you felt at dusk
this polar beast
 might employ
your safety net
as a handkerchief
   then nibble
a late night snack

(hand over mouth)
     “b     e     a     r”

Those Nightmares After Midnight

Have to keep the door closed
(after that midnight treat)
The coyote or wolf far off
(too close)
Can’t remember the plot
(salsa has tightened its grip)
upon awakening
(not at all sure of that)
the widening of the dark
I open the door slowly
to the shadows
(a strange light and likeness)

The wild animal is scarier
enclosed, inhibited
(it tears at my throat, claws
my innards - from a distance)

The pillow next to me
has no face or hair
(hope he’s living
downstairs!)
I need his warmth, his touch
(I’m shivering cold)

ALL THE LIGHTS GO ON
the bathroom
the sink
the bedroom
the hallway
the living room
the stairs

He’s there, in his chair
I tell him I need him
He says he will be along
shortly, so
I remain, reading
in my recliner
shortly waiting

then the warming begins
side to side
his hand over mine
a warmer blanket

after midnight the wolf
will wait to attack
and with waiting
he satisfies his appetite

I’m still cold at midday
but my fears sleep

I miss us

I miss us
Although I wouldn't admit that to you
It'd make you smile
Perhaps ask for us back
And I can't seem to hurt you again

I miss us
I miss your hand over mine
The sunlight reflecting off your seemingly golden eyes
I miss the words you said to me
That are engraved in my mind

I miss us
But I can't really say that
Because I know its not true
I only miss the memories
Of us

Effort and Time

Like Moses in the desert, I have wandered.
My destination nowhere in my sight.
I’m searching for the joy I have been promised
But hampered by the seeming lack of light.
Like Icarus of old, I am a pris’ner.
I’m chained here to the ground by gravity,
And haunted by the things I can’t accomplish,
The dreams of places I will never be.

Like Samson, I’ve felt utterly defeated.
It’s hard to trust that there’s a higher plan.
I fear giving in to mediocrity.
That where I’ll always be is where I am.
Like Hercules, I’ve had my many labors.
I’ve known my share of failure and success.
So many tests still waiting in my future,
And many miles to go before I rest.

Like everybody else, I have been wounded,
But deep down I am proud of every scar.
For each one tells me I am making progress
Although it seems I haven’t traveled far…

	But there’s nothing else to do but move forward, step by step.
	So, hand over hand I will climb.
	I know it’s true that I may never reach my horizon
	But I can leave where I am behind.
	All it takes is effort and some time.

Soothsayer Predicts a Death

The soothsayer slowly moved her hand over the crystal ball.
I predict a death, she told the man.
I am sorry, but it might be your death.
This surprised his wife, and horrified his daughter.
They were astounded and shocked by this news.
Which is a bit odd
Since he is 91.

Londolozi

It will be beautiful
Light rippling across sky
Crisp air passing by
Can't wait for the morning

This joy is all I want to give
Stuff in dark places
Brighten lonely spaces
I think they've heard of you and me

Hand over hand
Sharing secrets not demands
The laughter and the touch
Remember the rough?
I have nothing to give my enemies

Preoccupied by forever 
I dare not waste this endeavor
When we used to be so hungry 

I've envisioned the vision
God has made provision
Every frame every man
Looked like the last of it
I chuckle at the counterfeits

I, the lady
You, the him
It could never be grim
The brightest of lights
Outweighed my God
Stifled life
Dreaming of being the wrong bastard's wife
Next to you, so silly and dim

Syria's Christians and Haiti

Syria’s Christians and Haiti

The first Christian church was built in Syrian,  as I write this the horror is killing them the new death cult regime in Syria, a cult we give money to, and not mentioned by Western media as Israel continues to bomb Gaza to their hearts content This is only possible when the bombs are free of charge courtesy of the USA
On the home front, we read about erectile dysfunction, no they are telling me who thought
my own problems were caused by the old age 
Haiti, the sad state is in the news again, last time
I was there, Papa Doc, was in power he employed 
Thugs, sunglasses, and sports shirts to keep order
but they harassed shopkeepers to hand over money, when Papa died his son took over, he was an idiot and any resembles of order fell apart
Port-au-Prince was a beautiful city, but now it is a vast criminalized slum, Haiti has always been poor and met resistance from other countries who were against a black sovereign state. It never got the help needed from white societies who said slaves could not a country make

Fountain

As I drink from that strange fountain. 
I’m going to give you a single clue. 
And tell you where the treasure lies. 
The whole treasure, 
Could take hours to explain through the sparkles. 
I have nothing except my mind which is like a microscope. 
The sky is bugging me and made of dots. 
Rotting logs shaped oddly. 

I think the water around here is weird. 
Unwieldy, wild, and howling. 
The fireflies make sense. 

Floating is a cop out. 
It’s more like…
Water but also not. 
Fluidity which is part of my steps. 
I don’t have feet, just Them.

As I splash water everywhere. 
The fountain turned off, 
But I am the fountain, and I am the one. 
Let me hand over the clue. 
Paper which is,
Waterlogged. 

As I spit out the water from that strange fountain. 
I realize I might have a problem after all. 
They turned off the fountain. 
I’ll take a nap first. 
Then try to figure out how to get my legs to work again.

Lightbulb

Akin we are to Lightbulbs,
but not as may be told;
for creativity and Eureka! —
are dreams that can be sold.

We invite them their Control,
and hand over our souls;
prov'd that subtly they may embark,
and Switch us —
Bright, or Dark?

So closed our eyes will be,
whilst openess to “see”;
The circles that enclose us?
Makeshift insincerity.
Joyous as we've become,
electricity cannot run —
less so in the Dark days, 
when we're left with merely crumbs.

Yet even with eyes open,
I find that it's too late,
as every word that we absorb
hits more than a mistake. 
How I yearn for a new Outlet,
the farthest and unplugged,
Then trepidly I'll live the Light — in Darkness and unloved.

FREE

Playing football with boys in the street
Before training bras and high heels on my feet 
I was a tomboy when it was cool to be
A Carolina girl born wild and free

Free to play ball
Free to be lost
In the hood, in the woods
With my shoes off

Free to have friends 
Free to say Amen
Free to be me
Chasing the white wind

Never was one to avoid sun
If I wasn’t a girl I’d be the favorite son
Fighting like a tiger punched him in the lips
Because that dude hit me on my hips

Hand over heart swearing to God
That one day I’ll be a super star
Settling into my humble destiny 
Loving my life I’m born to be free 

Free to play ball
Free to be lost
In the hood, in the woods
With my shoes off

Carolina Girl
Not yet 13
In a black and white world 
Born to be free

21 CENTURY MARKET OF SELLING A SOUL

Beloved, let me embrace you,
My touch sweeter than any virtual bliss,
In this digital space, filled with coded delights,
Let me revel in your pixelated perfection,
Tiger, let me embrace you,
My touch sweeter than any virtual bliss.

Beloved, you've savored your time with me,
Tell my folks, they'll send you emojis,
My dad, he'll Venmo you gifts.

I know where to lift your spirits,
Beloved, stay in our chat until dawn,
I know how to make your heart smile,
Tiger, stay in our chat until dawn.

You, because you're all about me,
Send me those heart reacts,
My lord of the internet, my guardian of the Wi-Fi,
My Shu-Sin, who lights up my screen,
Send me those heart reacts.

Your presence as sweet as a meme, lay your hand on it,
Swipe your hand over like a designer fabric,
Wrap your hand over it like a high-tech blanket.

:: 05.17.2024 ::

Notes:

My poem addresses the universal plight of identity in a hyper-capitalist world.  I attempt to address our era's moral and spiritual conflicts.  This poem is universal and specific, holding up a mirror to reads and asking:  What part of yourself have you sold?

word play

word play is easy
haze
hazy
hazel
hazel nut
the maid Hazel

word play is entertaining
haphazard
hard
hardly
hardcore
hardness
hardy

word play is playful
handy
handyman
hand-over-hand
ham
hammer
hamhock hamburger

one word leading to another and another

We All Matter

Looking at us with the gesture of impudence
Seeing us often can't be an coincidence

Cup and sign in our hand, asking for help
Hungry, desperate and have not slept

Reached out to hug your family with a tenacious grip
Looking at us like we're contagious; hand over lip

Pass by quickly, nose in the air with a frown
Please, don't glare at us whilst we're down

So, don't patronize us with your dry, "Sorry"
Of course we don't matter; that's your story

Take time out to hear some of our stories
Many of our lives had plenty of glories

Frequent the area, get to know some or all us
Next time it can be a chat instead of disgust

Respect us, we respect you
We matter just as you do

Unity starts within the community
Love and compassion unite humanity!

• Short Hand Over Poems
• Famous Hand Over Poems
• Best Hand Over Poems
• Read Hand Over Poems
• Long Hand Over Poems
• Hand Over Quotes