Breath in, breath out
the tide ebbs in, and surges out,
flows and pauses.
Swings and seesaws rock, bounce and rebound,
up and down, in tick-tock metronome time.
Memories tug, get hugged,
then unclasp, withdraw and let go to fade.
Dreams materialize, then dissolve.
Laughter spits, splits, spills, gushes out,
echoes then wanes to abstain in a chuckle.
Hope flits and flickers like a candle flame
blown to quiver by a shaky breath expelled
while trying to blow
the flame of a birthday candle out.
For the cadence of existence
is a hymn tuned by a conductor's baton
a metric dance, set in a tango two-time step,
a soft-shoe tap rap
in between yesterday and tomorrow,
in between blinks, breath holds.
Nestled momentarily on-hold to pause,
in between the tugs and shoves
of feelings, emotions,
hopes, inspiration
faith and desire.
Hold your breath,
for a brief moment.
Take time to take in
all the ins and outs,
and the roundabout twirls,
that surround you,
while you go
with the flow.
VERILY I PRAY TO JESUS YAHWEH INCLUDING ALLAH ITS BEEN TWO YEARS NOW WHEN BIDEN AND ALL THE HORRORS SEVERE THREATS DURING COVID OUR LIVES IN SHAMBLES AN YET DOMESTIC TERRORISTS RIPPED OUR FLAGS MORBIDLY BREAKING INTO OUR HOME WE HAVE SPENT OVER 3000 IN NEW LOCKS LOCK SMITHS SECURITY CAMS THE JAN 6TH NEIGHBORS BUST THEM OUT IN THE DEAD OF THE NIGHT THEY CRAWL OVER FENCES PUT KEYSNIN THE DOORSBTO MAKE QUICKSET KEYS TO ENTER OUR HOME CIRCLINGBOUT APPOINTMENTS ON OUR CALENDAR SO THEY KNOW WHEN TO STROKE TAMPERING WITH MY VIETNAM VETERANS MEDALS OUR MORTAGE BANK INFORMANTION MEDICAL INFORMATION I SUFFER I SUFFER MENTAL ILLNESS PTSD TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY MY HUSBAND AS WELL REACHING FIR MY BIBLE IT'S NOT RIPPED OR FOLDED THESE TERRORISTS ARE BOLDLY MERGING WITH THE SAME DOMESTIC TERRORISTS BITTER OVER MY AMERICAN POETRY MY GOD ITS DEVASTATING THESE ARE INSURGENTS BULLIES COMMITING HOME INVASION EXTORTING OUR PEACE HERE IN AMERICA GOD BLESS AMERICA
There is no appointment necessary,
you are free to saunter right in;
Just be sure to read the sign on the door,
mind the subterfuge of fine print;
Results are built out of high maintenance,
don’t mistake turnkey for easy;
It takes alot of effort to stay clean,
our clients reap the benefits;
Be mentally prepared to do the work,
you will cross the finish line first;
Effort needs to remain invisible,
pay your dues with repetition;
Sign on the dotted line the fun begins,
do not be shy we take walk-ins.
This fashion is in, that one is out
narrow waists with baggy knees
Wide lapels and razor-thin ties
Who knows what will be
Slicked-back ducktails
top off muscle t-shirts
hoping to attract
coy smiles from a skirt
My friend and I dress real dumb
bowling shirts plugging Bazooka-Joe gum
The girls see us, giggle, and flee
Who knows what will be
This is what life’s all about:
We barrel in and totter out.
Along the way, we smile or pout
And try our best to conquer doubt.
We may be rebels or devout,
Remain unnoticed or have clout,
Yet we survive, in flood or drought,
Our whispers rising to a shout
As we fight in our final bout;
Then, like a candle, fizzle out.
four vignettes on silence
I
Muteness broadcasted
hush-hush flaunted
just like a coverall,
silence is a blanket
on human telepathy and intent.
II
It's simple, actions speak as loudly as words.
Silent treatment can be an
autumn breeze,
granting space
cooling tempers.
III
Sulkiness can be likened to
green gall, blatant brooding
and withdrawal characterized as
yellow cowardice,
Passive aggressive behavior exposed.
IV
Cats, life-long friends, co-workers all employ
loving acts, yet silence...
licking, ankle rubs
eye winks, hugs
waves and smiles.
July 29, 2019
will I be recalled to Detroit
by angry consumers
for defective steering
the headlights er highlights
of my performance to date
resemble nothing so much as a lapse
in the routine of tire chasing dogs
paused to scratch
my brain is dented
the wiring shorted
and caught fire
ear drums got a puncture
and went flat
endocrines are on empty
the lungs sputter
the hoses leak
one headlight hangs out
dangling and blinking
on & off
a beacon for victims of
lost bearings
and poor fog visibility
the leading cause
of that far away look
I exercise my automobile
heel the wheel into turns
like it was fun
and it got stronger healthier
more vibrant
90 mph on two wheels
doors open
skidding through the ruts
rain and shine and holidays
it used to be a wreck
you should see it now
I finally got all the sleep I needed
gonna last forever
I hope you got
the actual message
I have an important message
for man's best friend
humming like rolling wheels at 90
incandescent like a hubcap overhead
listen to this you highway palm readers
the pressure in this tire
is anatomically incorrect
and at four atmospheres
ALERT! ALERT!
all radar units report your locI and foci
on the plan-it planet,
space never got named
by causes and their waiting effects
the secret of death
is to pay no attention to it
I go with the info dear recipient
info in outfo out
if we never meet
tell them I ain't invisible
it may not be much
but it won't be enough either
wheels for legs radio screaming
entertaining beyond abomination
we Febrilacs from planet Nu-Oc
speak our own language,
if monotony generates subtlety
it must be high resolution
because others have done so
is not enough
in zero plastic space
the big molecule
a million moving parts
sonic on the inside freezing out
do we try to figure it out in
here's the secret
amnesia is the root of all comedy
blame it on the invisible
beans from outer space
and their gift
the list of blisters
where were we
**** I forget
oh yeah, the spiral
don't laugh we're taping
and thanks to the forensic miracle
of instant replay
we are able to to what Ed
say again, Johnny
what Ed
again
what
laugh track
let's dial the operator
he/she might know
number please
that's OK operator
I'm numb enough already
laugh track same one
we made it to the 21st cent.
two TV's under every roof
one for the right eye
one for the other one
what is next is next
coming at you in 3-D
unleashed and incontinent
pain being generally unidirectional
no brakes no reverse,
I know a big problem
OK you inky extrapolators
two implies many
hold on this gets slippery
one can live more profoundly
with improper syntax
you'll need a TV for each retina
he says retina a lot
sometimes you just have to put up with
a happy ending
From "Engine of Didactic Beauty" available on Amazon
http://tinyurl.com/nhfk6dr
happy birthday to you
I'll never do that again
what will I deduce about being here
there is enough.
no there isn't
yes there is
let me cite as an example
ants crawled across the ceiling
spelling out for a good time call 911
reaching for some of her mouth
his flame-shaped heart over and over
if you were the ocean
I'd be your man overboard
being here
is an inescapable fact of modern existence
and can lead one to certain conclusions
facial-mental alliance
the smile of a dog
with feathers stuck to his lips
pulling off the graceful caper
an eye full for an eye full
try to make it better it gets worse
try to make it worse it gets worse
hit the gas hit the brakes
the oil of anointment in my crankcase
skid 'till it's over
smoke them tires
what's that smell
Dr. Leerious leans into my visual field
what is it you feel Mr. Field
I can't seem to move any any anything doc
hahahaha goes Leerious
see how ironic it all is
must have been in his oath
and then they show you
the inadequate prize
From "Engine of Didactic Beauty" available on Amazon
http://tinyurl.com/nhfk6dr
Oh the demise in my condensing absolute abyss
There is no sunrise for the corridors are barely lit...
It is an explosion a debacle of hell,
That I truly dwell in the shadows with demons...
If only my guts could be spewed,
And thus slowly viewed by the many that wander...
A chaotic rage that has surly passed
The decaying stage of collapse...
Emotions that have little or no,
Motions to surface again...
I have the smile of the clown a jester
Who will stand upside down for laughter,
Only to show a frown of neglect...
Oh such sweet sorrows...
If not for the borrows-- I would be vanquished.
A parade of colourful beauty within
The colossal charade of lasting love...
The rivers vividly flow--
And the sun does show its rays of light
The flowers flourish and blossom,
With air so awesome-- aromas that linger
Angels that fly from east to west—
For they are not shy to show their best...
Such divine expressions—and
Devout confessions of the soul...
I am the court jester—
A laughing and loving protester for love.
March.31.2016
For Contest...Who ARE you?
By Catie Lindsey
I question myself everyday
afraid of what people might say
afraid of the price that I might have to pay
I'm afraid to look you in the eye
insecurity is the reason why
im afraid to take of my jacket
and exspose scarred skin
our for people to ask were ive been
FILL-INS
An invitation for
the reader to use
imagination
Who? What?
two fine ladies rest
neath a bamboo
umbrella
they talk of a
third?
Fishermen
small boat at anchor
two men mend her
tattered sail
weather or old
age?
Pretty Song
on the dogwood
branches
scarlet tanager and
mate
what song do they
sing?
New York blizzard
snowy avenue
many people
like black streaks
to or from
their work?
Interesting
like Jackson Pollack
this mishmash of
dots and streaks
is there a message?
On the hike
a meadow a
stream
with scattered pines
wild flowers
let’s have a picnic
Baby Bear
so easy to love
he’s a shaggy, gray
kitty
always in the way
.
When folly leads; to wisdom…
By the way of endless dreams
'Pon a backdrop psycadellic where,
There's nothing all it seems’
I have struggled with good reason
made forays to shore-less isles
Lived a lifetime in the instant
Rode the shine of unforced smiles
Finding ever more to disconcert me
Through crowds of motley folk
Senses were overshadowed
Seams burst at senseless jokes
So on without an Inkling,
To a place I can't discern
Where tomorrow or forever
All I know is..' more I'll learn..
© Joe Maverick 23-9-2013
July fireworks bring together families and friends
for a much needed vacation from worries and work.
Picnics at and on the lake just for memorie's fond taking.
I remember the days of old when watching a movie
outside amongs't the stars and moon.
Playground equipment of a slide and swing
nestled right next to an entraptment framed
sandbox.Oh to be youthful and exuberent again.
Lightening bugs flickering into the night.
Today's movies consist of many smaller theatres
jam-crammed tighter together than a can of
sardines. An alignment of multifleck'd multiplex
light beamed shows across the screens.
Remember when Fizzies were the rage-Just
dropp them in a glass of water and sniff the
boquet of different fruit flavored bubbles would
tickle the nose. Ah yes, different flavors of instant
soda pop in a colored aluminum or plastic glass.
Just like Alka-Seltzer-only better tasting.
Can you remember back wearing shorts and
igniting sparklers and black pills of instant snakes
arising from the sidewalks or street.
Yes those times were just real amazin', and real, real neat.
Sub Categories
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.