Tears of the Dragon Poetry
Contest //Sponsored by: Robert James Liguori
( 6th Place )
Written: August 18, 2025
I stood on the crag where the sea breathed fire,
its winds tearing at the very shape of my name.
The sky was a shattered mirror
each splinter a memory I had tried to leave high and dry,
but still they cut as they fell through me.
In the distance, the dragon turned its head.
Its eyes held storms I had feared all my life.
Its wings-- the weight of every road I never dared to walk.
I thought I’d come here, to vanquish it
But the revelation was, it had come to set me free.
Its roar did not strike me down.
It shredded the silence that had been my prison.
Tears flowed hot and unyielding
spilling the ashes of years into the waiting tide.
The wind rose, not to push me back,
but to carry me forward.
And when the dragon soared away.
Its shadow left no darkness behind.
Only a sky wide enough
for the first flight of my own wings.
Am I on an island launching bottles out to sea
beached at the waterline will someone rescue me
I'm drowning not waving as the boats go by
abandoned at high tide does anyone hear my cry
here am I sad to say writing messages in the sand
marooned a lonely castaway will somebody lend a hand
if I'm on an island will my ship come in
or has it run aground did it go down
with only thoughts of you to keep me alive
when will my ship ever arrive
here on an island sending signals from the shore
stranded high and dry will no one hear my call
found my freedom a big mistake I made
there's not another living soul around
loneliness the price I paid
and my tears are the only sound
if only my time I could rewind
but am I really on a deserted island
or is it only in my mind
Have you ever had an ‘I’ve wasted my whole life’ moment
If you have, or if you can close your eyes and imagine one…
You don’t necessarily have to be 'that old,’ though
you may sob harder at the age of dwindling returns
… The pain is soul-searing: you’ve poured your heart
into a child, a close relative, a relationship, a marriage
and now you’ve been left irretrievably high and dry,
so you have failed… miserably...
There’s no one can ‘coach you’ through waves of despair
stomach-churning nausea, ready to devour you
No ‘pep talk magic’ to revive your spirits, to restore your equilibrium
‘Pep talks’ are for performers; you are not acting, your pain is real
But there is this: It's All Good. For you.
~ Consider the Source.
Play me a song, but not just any tune.
I'm not here to dance, or sing along in June.
I don't need rhythms that make my heart leap high,
Just give me notes that echo, and a melody that sighs.
Play me not a hopeful melody.
Hope is a promise dressed in disguise.
It soothes for a moment, then slips away,
Hurting more than it ever helps.
A whisper that fades, leaving you high and dry.
Sing me no song of fleeting joy.
Joy dances in, then fades just as quick.
A blissful moment meant to make us forget,
Then leave us with tears it failed to predict.
Do give me a song, but not for love.
Love is a myth wrapped in pain.
When it fades, only sorrow remains.
Happy memories now slipping away.
A wound that hums and sings along,
Trying to soothe where love went wrong.
I need a song that speaks to my soul,
A melancholy tune that makes me whole.
A song that paints my nostalgia, and brings back the past,
A reminder of what's lost, and what will forever last.
Play me a sad song, one that knows my name,
A song that understands the depths of my pain.
Not for hope, or joy, or love's sweet lie,
But to help me face the ever lasting truth.
I'm on an island
marooned
a lonely castaway
beached at the waterline
launching bottles out to sea
abandoned
high and dry
my boat went down
it ran aground
but wait
what's that I see
can it be
a footprint in the sand
someone to lend a hand
my ship's come in
it's at the quay
no more sending signals
from the shore
the weekend's here
to rescue me
Diamond boy on a late night ride with temptation cheering to good days. Like him you only see the good in people amongst all the stars. Like it prove it cause if it's up to me I'd give you all the dreams in retrograde. So, cry baby cry baby cry. I'm gonna cheer you on just so I can turn you on even with half of me to get the whole me with this spiritual love affair. I want to be with you within the heavenly stars and only you never to leave you hanging high and dry. You're a heart of gold boy. Discovering every part of you and my alter ego it's like being in the lime light while the garden drip tantalizes the blind sights of many for every eye to be set upon you and the other side of who I am. we will be iconic stars stars stars iconic stars burning hot like the heat of monochrome film.
Bringing your troubles; like I was your dumping ground
Walked away with my life without as much as an amen
No words spoken, until my happiness drowned
Shadows diminishing, never to be seen again
But I am now seeing through your corrupted soul
As you now dance and skip along with my life
It was your master plan, your only goal
Leaving me with your ill gained strife
So funny, you turning a blind eye when told
Giving your lame excuses as to the why
But I was never left blind to your bold
Your laughter as you left me high and dry
You are forgiven, but never are you as forgot
As I’m now made to live your sorry sad life
I wish you well with my life that you have now got
Except all of my curses, and along with it all of my strife
Because for you in my life there is no coming back
So, go out, and enjoy my life whilst you can
As I now cope with everything that you so lacked
Wasting my time on everything you could not understand
Hurricane
You crash ashore like a savage one-eyed lion attacking its prey. Hunger gnaws at your belly, the trip from Africa has been long. Wind like claws slashing and ripping, roofs torn from their moorings and flung aside like paper. Concrete and steel buildings assaulted and torn apart like Lincoln logs. Your voice roaring, torrents of rain fall like spittle from your massive jaws. Storm surges form from your massive size are kicked inland by your mighty paws. Your clear calm single eye gazes down in triumph.
you pause suddenly
it is only a short rest
more rage yet to come
With a frenzy you resume the attack. Broken gas mains shoot jets of flame. Partial buildings with broken windows like toothless old hags. Vehicles tossed about like matchbook toys after a child’s tantrum. Boats found far inland high and dry. Your appetite sated for the moment you move on in search of other prey.
after the raging storm
destruction is everywhere
we will rebuild
When do you know when life has passed you by?
When the stars dim and the sun loses shine?
When the windy breeze leaves you high and dry?
Is that when you’ve reached the end of the line?
How can you tell when a life has been lived?
When your heart begins to shiver and freeze?
When fellowship begins to fall adrift?
Is my existence worth more than a tree’s?
What is meaning in a life of despair?
When overthinking shadows my being?
When death is imminent in my affairs?
Is life meant to be lived through unseeing?
As I lay to rest under setting sun
I hope I live for once before it's done.
Like a bowl of dry fruits
There’s a motley of words-filled books
On the writing table,
And like an empty plate
On it appears blank paper,
As if penknife, the pen
In hand, the poet waits,
In search of the first line to start
And of inspiration
That has long deserted
Him. Alas Muse is a free bird,
So be the dodging word,
They elude all like luck,
You wait and left are high and dry,
Wait not, the birds come nigh.
___________________
Musings |06.01.2025| Tercet, words, poet
Sir Michael DeVil
Sir Michael DeVil
My soon to be ex
Is a jerk and a pill.
I cannot wait to try to break his will
For being
Deceiving
I’ll take his abode and make him fulfill
His alimony obligations, what a thrill!
Sir Michael at first glance seems like a great guy
But once you see behind his suave veneer
The man will cheat and lie
Then leave you high and dry
And only when he needs you reappear.
This dangerous viper
This liar and creep
Should be shot by a sniper
Or be put to sleep
My life was such a peaceful one until
Sir Michael, Sir Michael DeVil.
She gave me all
Made me stood tall
Like an iroko tree
She stood by me
I could remember her smiles
As we walk under the gentle moon for miles
She dried my tears
And helped me fought my rugged fears
I was all she had
A young naive and an unsure lad
She helped me built my path
And gave my sorrow soul faith
Days went by......
As words were not send to say "Hi"
She was in dire need for my presence
But all I could send her was my sickly silence
I left her high and dry
She send words, oh so many a try
I became her sickness
Even when her silence was never her weakness
How would I tell her?
That my courage failed me
And if I should see her
Would she accept my plea?
For months we haven't spoken
Maybe the bond was meant to be broken
Maybe I should just turn a new leaf and forget the past
But wouldn't I be breaking a heart?
Would i say its love fault or the in-balance of life?
Please don't ever whine and yelp
Like a dog when I need help
I am always there for you
So if I'm asking you to do
One simple task what would it hurt
I'd never try and desert
You in any time of need
Love and friendship is a seed
Water and sun it will need
To nourish and thrive together
In all kinds of stormy weather
I have been your sun on days
You messed up in many ways
So do not leave me high and dry
The only water in my eyes
From crying--don't let me wilt
Our friendship needs to be rebuilt
On honesty trust and care
Right now I need you to be here
By my side hand in hand
Catch me cause I can not stand
From the blow wrecking my life
Taking out the brutal knife
That was shoved into my back
I did not see this attack
Now my world is crumbling
It is very humbling
How fast my reality
Disappeared so please help me
Find a way back from this
With a friendly gentle kiss
On a cheek so red and flushed
I could use a caring touch
From a friend just like you
Together we can make it through
And get past this solid wall
We created--it can fall
She never tried
To make it work.
She left me high and dry,
Going berserk.
I still dream and call out
her name.
Everything's different,
Nothings the same.
I am broken and
All alone.
She destroyed my heart,
and my home.
She did it with evil,
In her eyes.
You could say,
It took me by surprise.
It was hard to accept,
she delivered the blow.
She kicked dirt on it,
Covered the hole.
With intention she laid
Down the tracks.
She walked out and never
looked back.
No words were
Spoken.
She left me alone
And broken.
Turbo1904 ?
When I wonder why
no longer was high and dry
rain fell from the sky
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