Up here Inside there at the Center
My Voices quickly Come slap again
They Point it out and Run it down harsh
It Smarts
Voices Voices I got it I Hear you
Voices Voices I know it I’m Listening
Over another Off to the Left
My Voices funny Voices clever Chatting
They Smile at me and Nod yeah yeah
It's Good
Voices Voices I got it I Hear you
Voices Voices I know it I’m Listening
Backwards Sideways Rolling along
My Voices Remember Odd defiant now
They Mix it up and Flesh it out nice
It Kicks
Voices Voices I got it I Hear you
Voices Voices I know it I’m Listening
Front toward Right under All the way
My Voices harden Voices strong Pushing
They Grab on and Hold tight Straight up
It’s Solid
Voices Voices I got it I Hear you
Voices Voices I know it I’m Listening
The dog received her incentive check ten days ago.
The cat has been gloating because hers was in the noon mail.
I think I saw a squirrel waving his around in the yard.
I think it’s for an incentive to shelter in place a strange voice said.
I turned and saw it was a raccoon wearing a top hat and red vest.
And just when I thought I had heard and seen everything….
An Incentive To Be Inventive
What we really need is an incentive,
We be creative while also inventive;
In each action,
With satisfaction,
Preparing new plan being preventive.
Jim Horn
Those who love what they do are not in need of an incentive!
© Demetrios Trifiatis
03 February 2020
An Incentive to Excel
Written: by Tom Wright
6/24/2018
Employee compensation should be based on merit,
But the slackers among us never want to hear it.
For each has a skill set that we bring to the table,
With an ability to do things that others aren’t able.
All would earn the same if slackers had their druthers,
These slackers at heart ride the coattails of others.
Some do mediocre work while seeking other’s praise,
Like minded grab signs seeking an undeserved raise;
Higher taxes and legalization is the solution of choice,
By caving legislators, whom we’ve entrusted with our voice;
As slackers look around, many troubling things they see,
But think it’s OK, if it doesn’t unfavorably affect me.
Most budgets aren’t infinite and are limited by scope,
An incentive to excel was what gave this employee hope.
My belief is,
Money doesn’t change habits or motivate one to do a good job!
If slackers got the same raise as others, they’d remain slackers, just higher paid.
Never settle for being less than the top guy.
Tom
The forecast says, not a cloud in the sky,
Great prospects for spousal action today.
Since my sweetie likes a clean-shaven guy,
Better find my razor without delay!
The girl doesn’t like my scruffy kisser
When it scrapes her face it makes her cranky.
Elsewise, no razor. I wouldn’t miss it.
Don’t give a hoot if it’s a bit manky.
Don't fear, Chewbacca, it's not gonna hurt.
Mow the front lawn; it’s a big tangled fray.
Come on, Sasquatch, make a little effort.
No, it wouldn’t kill you to look okay.
Ah! Smooth, clean face makes hers a happy face.
Now shall we adjourn to our happy place?
3/22/16
Gerry was always the bloke that was goin' to,
With household chores he never seemed to follow through,
But when he married for life
A young body-building wife
He deemed it safer to finish chores and be happy to.
Incentive and Initiative
Cat was both purring and up had been curled
While watching our flag which was now unfurled
Blowing in breeze and by nothing being bothered
Like great, friendly new idea in being fathered.
God, new poem to me again, He has granted
Which into my mind was so safely planted
With meaningful purpose which was to give
You effort to write poems with added incentive.
Instead of just sitting there while you will stare
Write many poems like mine all beyond compare
And in everyone's soil which is always native
Will grow more poems when you take the initiative.
Jame Thomas Horn
Retired Veteran
I go down to be the first in a race I could not win
No inducement.
To run for the fun of running is where others find
Enticement.
To have no prize to spur the effort, for encouragement
No reason.
To break my back and strain my heart to find winning
Out of season.
But to sit and watch, as the slow run withers all fiber of
My compassion.
Pity shrivels my heart and does not reverb, for it is
Off fashion.
And still I must run.
Come in! Your eyes can’t conceal the joy,
They smile waiting for an invitation.
Don’t stand at the door. Don’t be so coy
And get rid of the needless tension…
I’ll put your cold hands against my heart
To let them feel the pulsating glow.
I’ll warm your heart before you depart,
You won’t be lonely, depressed and low…
So don’t waste your time and draw near,
I’m waiting for you impatiently.
But… to be frank and make things clear,
I’m also fearful terribly…
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.