Helpings Poems | Examples

Pie-Faced

I've oft been offered but not tempted by
large helpings of pie in the sky
from too many crooks
who indeed the broth did spoil
and so as not to be sullied
by such greasy oil
I stay out of their kitchen
not because I can't stand the heat
but what's on their menu
ain't my cup of meat
apple or cherry by the slice 
with a tasty pastry crust
is not a must but very nice
my absolute fave fit for a King
with taters on top of thee I sing
made with lamb
not beef that's cottage
and personal wish
as the name does imply
is a dainty dish
of homemade shepherd's pie

What Your Voice Promised

You folded a shirt until the seam sealed a sentence.
Each crease was a stamp pressed shut — fold, press, set aside.
You stacked them: unmailed pages, tidy and unread.

In the kitchen you didn’t ask for sugar; your finger traced
our small circle for second helpings —
a gesture still carrying its own grammar.

Silence opened a bureau in the hall: drawers labeled
with answers I had kept for you — thin slips of paper
I never dared to send.

I remembered your hum before breakfast:
the soft tuck of paper into an envelope,
a sound that promised delivery.

Last night, on an envelope, you wrote:

I am learning to listen
to what silence keeps.

This morning you spoke one word: Here.
It lay on the table like a stamp no one noticed until now —
already stuck, already sent.
A shirt slipped from the stack into my lap;
I held it, not knowing if I’d been given a gift
or a reminder.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Me Across the Pond

I had to change 
email addresses. 
I couldn't keep up
with the alt accounts— 
ten helpings 
of the same subject.

you know they're automatic?
after you sign up 
you have to go to settings,
unenroll—
seems like too much.

I'd miss 
dopamine's dinner bell—
notifications.
Only to remember:
I was the commenter.

It's a rush
worth the risk— 
a chance, 
to re-visit myself,
dressed
in your jumper.

Lime Bread And Butter

Gluttonous screen helpings of
‘A long time ago in a galaxy far far away..’

Lime boombox with Madonna singing,
‘Only when I’m dancin’ can I feel this free.’

Bread and butter of a pig tail soul;
My base bricks, these memories built me;

Grew up drawn to creativity,
carved my yearbook space unequivocally;

Walked with sweet n’ sour hooligans 
who chose to live life differently;

Relentless teen of the DMV,
I learned the ropes on the trains of the city;

A poet with a head full of dreams,
and some of them I have made come true;

Ever changing but my roots are strong,
adaptable but loyal I forever stay;

Illuminating that smile I wore as a kid
are all the core memories that built me.

Manila Vanilla

Oh the milkshakes in Manila are a wonderful treat
A pretty Filipina is a party complete
The strawberry, blackberry, and blueberry cream
Are second to vanilla in a dewberry dream

Now the seashore in Manila is a beautiful place
The lingering vanilla is a dab on your face
You order second helpings for a lovable flirt
Because she loves vanilla when you offer dessert

Oh the milkshakes in Manila hit a wonderful spot
I always like vanilla when the climate is hot
The girlfriends are friendly when you offer a cone
But don’t you mind the trouble when they get you alone

Now the sailors in Manila are a snaggletooth sort
They favor their vanilla in a haggle-free port
They like to catch the ladies in a lovable swoon
Or marry some vanilla to a strawberry spoon

Oh the milkshakes in Manila are a creamy delight
I like to drink a couple when the weather is right
The tidal waves are winking by the soles of my feet
To drink the star’s vanilla in a milky way teat.

Secret Ingredient

The secret for great flavor
in a baked cherry pie
Add a little almond extract
for the taste that will happily surprise

For dull tasteless vegetables
like cabbage and green beans
Add a little bacon grease
watch the kids lick their plate clean

For tender succulent beef
every Chinese chef knows
Mix the beef with baking soda
become a stir fry hero

Sauces to bland slow down
simmer that sauce for a taste profound
Slow and easy a little sugar will do
cook extra for second helpings too

Need some flavor oomph
in meats gravies and stews
A good shake of Worcestershire sauce
your taste buds will woo

Add the old stand by for any plan dishes
pour on the ketchup make it delicious
But the true secret ingredient every cook knows
a little love adds the flavor that makes your kitchen glow.

Searching For the Facts

Researching generally finds the truth
Not accepting the common belief
Or buying into those conspiracy theories
Knowing the facts brings much relief.
The queen did not die in Detroit, my friend,
Despite the reports on the internet,
She succumbed in Scotland at Balmoral
A fact the world should never forget.
I am amazed at the wild speculations
What gets passed around on social media
More so the number who feed on trash
Let’s give a hand to good ol’ Wikipedia.
It constantly serves up helpings of fact
Also, it invites efforts to make it correct
So, when it comes to determining what's right
Be careful with what “facts” you select.

Written September 10, 2022

Pleasuredoma

Lava stiletto lips
drips Medusa kisses
transmitting stone corpse aperitifs
she slithetrs hither on 
out of night sways of
narcoleptic nuptial napkins
snake strand locks of love
conceal couquettic tenderizing
fetish fantasies of climactic 
carnivorous copulations. 
Leviathan legs of boa bondage
clench my every clandestine thrunch.
Gonad groundswells of deep droning
desires-immersive of Eden's ego, forgo
an all atoned, permissable persuasions,
passions primitive, albeit death defying
defamations. I thus conclude a deciduous
daunting demise driven by perennial postulates
and hormonal harassed hecticals capturing
coital consequences, feverently focused, 
freely formed frailties, neatly nestled, 
innately interred, individually invested
by human happenstance helpings of
hepatic herbs of mythological memories
measured in manmade miniature statuettes
cold carved into rejuvenating relics
of our own Rock of Ages intent.

New Year's Charm

haiku

good luck waiting
great granny's hoppin’ john
New Year's silver dime

12/17/2011 
Sponsor	Tania Kitchin
Contest Name	Fall or Winter Holiday Haiku 

revised as haibun

good luck waiting
great granny's hoppin’ john
New Year's silver dime

Nothing quite so tasty as bacon, black-eyed peas, rice and the cook's
"whatever else" ingredients including something special. No one eats
until the silver dime is found in generous helpings.  Nutrition awaits 
the celebrated finding of a novelty. 

November 14, 2021

Church Pledge Information

We will be continuing our pledge of $50 monthly and dedicate
time for choir practice and 2d Helpings. Choir Practice was
normally from 1730 to 1930 or there about. We also dedicated
2 Hours from 0900 to 1100 AM approximately. We picked up
chicken at Hardy's at 211 and 17 which is convenient being
that we live 2 miles from pickup point.

James and Jill Horn
173 Shadowood Court SE
Bolivia, NC 28422

425-736-3623 and 425-246-6133

$50 Monthly and $600 annually.

Thank you for virtual compline service and Sunday service.
Will be glad when choir starts over again and wonder if by
1 January 2021 church will start again. God help us.

Jim and Jill Horn

You are welcome to use this email address.

jthorn5656@atmc.net

jthorn5656@gmail.com

James Horn

jilloh2@atmc.net?

Time Being

Ev'ryone wakens, ev'ryone slumbers,
We stand to reason as we stand to rhyme,
Everyone is adding up the numbers.
As we sow the seasons, we rise in time,
We all spread our digits with all due care,
Precision movement, measure for measure,
We grasp our heated moments, our share,
With what we're making, we make pleasure.
We all turn beautiful faces to watch
The meeting of the minutes, making hours,
Seconds are the helpings by which we notch
The belt 'round which Life, our own Self, towers.
  Taking up such Space by both outstretched arms,
  At the Time Being, the time being charms.

Ruling the World

If I ruled the world
I would make sure that
All seniors would have a
Great life and not want for anything
Just the joy of making them happy
If I ruled the world
I would make sure that
A child is never abuse or hurt
They would be able to enjoy
Their childhood and not have
To worry about anything 
Just be happy
I would make sure that
No one goes hungry
there would be enough food
For second maybe third helpings
I would make sure that
The ozone layer is repaired
It protects the earth
From the sun's rays and extreme heat
So, that the earth won't catch fire
If I ruled the world these are
Some of the things I would do



AUGUST 13, 2020

Christmas In July

Sun's sparks settling seaward, sultry-slow
   Sleek silver stallions shaping the snow
Hooves hurling healthy helpings of Holiday Cheer
   'Tis Christmas in July, sing Kris Kringle's reindeer

Christmas Spirit

Christmas.
Holly, ivy,
Fur tree and candy canes.
Lashings of gravy, turkey crown,
Baked sticky pudding, helpings of mince pies.
Crackers, charades, family fun,
Candlelit mass, carols.
Joyful smiles this…
Christmas.

Contest: A Red-Letter Day Rictameter Contest
Sponsor: William Kekaula
Date: 23/12/2019

Minor Brutality In a 4 Star Jail

///The judge said 7 days in the city jail
(for being young and wreckless).
I made the best of it, met some lost but good people.
The food wasn't bad (you could have second helpings if you wanted to).
Had an easy job detail, mopping the "reception" center floor.
It was a respite from my outside job. 
(moving furniture in the Houston Texas humidity). 

I put on three pounds in jail. courtesy of the working class.
And it's true what they say, silence is golden.
Especially true when you're behind bars.
Despite some minor brutality from the deputies. 
I'll still give my stay 4 stars///

• Short Helpings Poems
• Famous Helpings Poems
• Best Helpings Poems
• Read Helpings Poems
• Long Helpings Poems
• Helpings Quotes