Long In a trice Poems

Long In a trice Poems. Below are the most popular long In a trice by PoetrySoup Members. You can search for long In a trice poems by poem length and keyword.


Ablaze - Part Three

[Continued from Part Two]


The elder took no notice of risking life and limb.
Hither, thither ran the children, glancing up at him,
while indulging mindlessly in each impulsive whim,
with no apprehension of the future looking grim.
Their chances for salvation seemed increasingly slim…
That aged man’s deep compassion filled him to the brim.

The father knew the children liked any strange device,
exotic playthings, trinkets, whatever would entice.
He needed now to improvise a mode, in a trice,
that could capture their attention— something to suffice
to hold their young imaginations— to be precise,
a mechanism marvelous, no matter the price.

He had stores of immeasurable wealth, beyond doubt,
and his warmhearted love was impartially devout.
Just then the elder had the thought that not in the least
would his limitless riches and reserves be decreased,
even if to a kingdom vast he were to dispense
his overflowing fortune… so why shouldn’t he hence
give out his wealth directly to his progeny all,
before the children’s catastrophic deaths should befall?

The aged man reflected on what tactic to pick—
an expedient means that was sure to do the trick.
He told the children of exquisite toys he possessed
along with lots of precious carts of the very best
craftsmanship and quality, that all had been designed
expressly with the youngsters’ own enjoyment in mind.

The elder next, in order to persuade them, stated
that right outside the house at the entrance awaited,
to suit the young ones’ fancies skillfully created
goat, sheep, deer, and ox carts, ornately decorated.

He said that they must rush to leave the mansion, in haste,
and he’d give them everything— there was no time to waste.
Then the children finally fulfilled his desire
and scurried in a race safely out of the fire.

The father beamed with bliss that the urgency had passed.
They had securely left the burning building at last!

When they’d exited and scampered out, they all sat down
on the dewy earth and asked their father, with a frown,
where the toys and carts were that the elder had portrayed
for their own special likings to have been tailor-made.
The youngsters had escaped and the elder’s heart was eased.
But now each one of their capricious wants must be pleased.


[Continued in Part Four]


~ Harley White
Form: Narrative


Premium Member Pilchard the Penguin Does Blue Planet

Penguin the pilchard leapt onto the ice
He flipped and he flopped and arrived in a trice
He took a deep breath and he held it and then
He bellowed with all of his might… “MEN!”

Pilchard the penguin said, “Where have you been?”
And then asked his friend, “What on Earth have you seen?”
Penguin the pilchard said, “I’m telling you,
A big boat has come with a whole TV crew.”

With all of the penguins now gathered around
Pilchard’s mum, Herring, prepared Pilchard’s ground,
“Remember the plan, we’ve done it before
For when men with cameras visit our shore.”

Pilchard the penguin said, “When they arrive,
We show them the struggle we have to survive.
Let’s huddle together then we can deliver
The image they want so let’s practice our shiver.”

A rumble, some heaving and ice cracks appeared
And up popped an orca… who nobody feared
“Okay,” he said, “so who do I chase,
and who is the stand in, you know… just in case?”

Pilchard the penguin said, “No ‘just in case’,
Nobody’s getting consumed in this place
It will be I that you shall assail
And I won’t be eaten by no killer whale.”

Seagull, the polar bear, said, “Holy cow…
Does this mean I can let my wind go now?’
Pilchard the penguin said, “Don’t let it go,
Until you’ve scraped ice up to make flakes of snow.”

The film crew arrived and they took up positions
They struggled to film the Antarctic conditions
It came as a shock that the blizzards that blew 
Came with a stench that was rather like poo…

The penguins all shivered while stood in one place
While foul smelling snow pelted everyone’s face
The crew filmed the penguin as orca gave chase
And shed tears of joy when the whale lost the race

Penguin the pilchard said, “Give them some smiles,
And leap from the sea like Polaris missiles.
And then do that thing that all humans find sweet
Where young penguins stand on their mum’s and dad’s feet.”

Pilchard the penguin said, “It’s for the tele,
Won’t it look good if we slide on our belly.
You see that ice gulley, why don’t we slide through it?”
And Penguin the pilchard said, “That ought to do it.”

The crew packed their gear and they made for the shore
Where they boarded their boat and weren’t seen anymore
While back with the penguins where men were now gone
Pilchard the penguin said, “Get the fire on.”
Form: Rhyme

Running

Have you ever wondered why everything happens so fast?

It astounds me 
- How we run to places we do not know
- How we run to beat time even before we know how to read the hands of the clock
- How we run after things that never leave their spots
Like the way the world runs after the sun which scientists say is stationary
& yet we always find it lingering ahead

It does leave me jaw dropped
- Why our shadows run into us when light falls on them
(How did light become a thing of fear?)
- Why love comes in drops but leaves running
- Why our hearts begin to run when we meet someone we have crush on
(Isn't love suppose to be solace?)
- Why the night runs only the moment we fall asleep

A boy dreamt of those nights he would become stars
He began to drown in the illusions until he slowly 
Realised the drops of dawn had grown into an ocean
He would never be soaked by the rain of yesteryears 
So he sprang off bed, got set for school and ran into the streets
He crossed the road running in haste and a truck driver ran over him
We watched as he curled around his own stuff
We watched as women carried their hands on their head which seemed too heavy as they bent at intervals
We watched as his blood and ghost wandered around the road running and bending aound every corner
Unsure about how they became homeless in a trice 
We watched how his mother ran to the scene too
How words came running from her mouth that we hardly heard her
We watched how the moment faded away and the world returned to it's race

Now you may want to read this poem again convinced that nothing is chasing you because you'd earlier read
Running down the lines.

November Tuesdays

The narrowing of choice, opaque or black?
Unconfident die castes vote ballot blank,
How has our circus bread become this bland?
What a diverse homogeneous blend,
All stitched to sleeves but less with blood to bleed,
Philosophy’s deep silenced sonar bleep,
Who knew the watch dogs had been put to sleep,
Medici summoned now with suits so sleek,
For their next trick Baal’s prophets call down sleet,
Then cloak us in their mortuary sheet,
Cold commissar eyes never lose death’s sheen,
A czar’s measure is taken in fleeced sheep,
How many million buys innocents’ cheep?
“mere statistics”, our comrade says, “what cheek!”,
Their power balances upon a check,
Rewritten history toward useful spring chick,
For fellow travelers and bovine chuck,
Reach into chest for the last missing chunk,
Doublethink starts with a skull cracking thunk,
Are indulged proxies all we have to thank?
By any other name the modern thane,
Sign here and soon all you see shall be thine,
The thirst for gods is legion, but none trine,
All dissention is dismissed in a trice,
Indentured mankind’s earmarked wholesale price,
Vaccine for thoughtcrime just the smallest prick,
The focus groupthink directs prompter’s prink,
Omerta code tells us what will reach print,
The emperor’s new crypt may need more paint,
Astute to take the questions not the pains,
Hedge bets on war and peace for greater gains,
The deadly chasm yawns less than it grins,
When all is dust, then will they cease to grind,
Triumvirate writes finale most grand,
The so called rulers occupy by grant,
Go test the spirits joined in graceless graft
© Luke Hobbs  Create an image from this poem.

The Flying Dutchman

The wind through the rigging howled
As we were tossed about
Waves so high you could be buried at sea
To the bottom sunk in a trice

Fools we were to be out here
To think, outrun the weather
Caught we were in the storm of storms
These waves as high as mountains

But on we sailed, now too late
Our only hope was prayer
Myself I lashed to the wheel
To steer us out of trouble

My wife and child before my eyes
Gave reason for this battle
The crew they too had families
For them all I was trying

My eyes sore from all the spray
Was this some sort of imagination
What other ship would be fool enough
On a day like this to out venture

Yet there she was, all fully rigged
Sailing against the weather
It seemed there were no souls aboard
The ship ghostly in appearance

As she drew close to me
I could see the crew aboard her
Twas skeletons dressed in rags
With the Captain giving orders

On passing I could hear the wails
Begging and pleading for mercy
The stench that came from the passing ship
A smell so rotten and putrid

I prayed to all the gods I knew
That we would not be just like her
There are some things worse than death
And one had just passed me

How we managed to survive the night
I have no understanding
Came break of day the weather changed
The rest was fair weather sailing

We entered port and went our way
Not one word of this was told
Survived we had, our luck held
Would break if of this was spoken

And to this day I still recall
As I smoke my pipe by fire
Chills still run up and down my spine
The ghostly ship with the deathly crew


Reflections On Life

When I was young, life was hard, money scarce,
	three meals a day, a luxury.
Although some days, my folks went without,
	 never once did my sister or me!
We lived, we loved, we laughed and forgot,
	the heartaches that went before.
We cried, we smiled, and donned a brave face:
	never once thought we were poor!

We skipped, we jumped, we sang our songs,
	to words only children know.
Parents had no concern, no worries nor angst,
	to wheresoever we’d go!
From playing and daily chores, slowly we grew wise,
	learning new skills every day.
Naively we’d ask what, where and why,
	to determine what others would say.

With innocent eyes, we looked on the world,
	as our privately owned paradise.
We were honest and fair, to everyone met,
	and made new friends in a trice!
We trusted those friends, and forged close bonds,
	then swore we’d forever be true.
But all too soon, our innocence would end,
	 as our need for survival grew. 

It’s often said, success comes only to those,
	who never give way to fears.
To rise from the pack, one has to be bold,
	let others shed the tears.
But if goals were to be reached,
	concern for others was essential.
Rapport is a must, if ever we’d reap
	the pleasures of our potential.

Today I sing or whistle a tune, and forget
	all ill advice that was given.
So I never garnered the riches I once sought,
	nor for what I’ve striven.
Still I will dance, and occasionally skip
	duty and chores for the day:
Yes, my life has been full, never thought dull;
	thanks to living life this way!

Rhymer.  September 15th, 2016.
Form:

Everyone Knows

EVERYONE KNOWS

Everybody knew that the earth was flat
There were lots of bumps so not flat as all that
Though ships seemed to sink out of sight in the distance
They would come back with reassuring persistence
But everyone agreed from the peasant to The Crown
Clearly up was up and down was down

They all knew that the earth was the Centre, the middle
Sun and stars all around, it couldn’t play second fiddle
Galileo demurred; didn’t fit his equations
But revised his opinion on powerful persuasions
So reality continued to veer from the actual
‘Till they could not deny all the evidence factual

The theories of Galen from centuries ago  
Said blood moved in the body by ebb and by flow
Then Harvey discovered the blood’s circulation
Requiring that science give reconsideration
Though facts showed that Galen’s old theory was failin’
Some proclaimed that they would rather err with old Galen

Now everyone knows climate’s in bad transformation
Based mainly on computer model simulation
CO2 is now villain and viewed as a bane
Yet the plants and the trees relish more of the same
We are told it is true, scientists agree far and wide
Like when Earth was flat, and blood moved with the tide

But science is dominant, and considered unmalleable
Except that the scientists are human and fallible
Just like all human race they have weakness, will amend a
Set of data not fitting their venal agenda
Use your eyes, beware those things everyone knows
In a trice could be gone like the yesteryear snows
Form: Rhyme

Premium Member Robocalls and Other Obnoxious Calls

I just received my umpteenth robocall today!
I rather enjoy fencing with those dudes and the nonsense they relay!
I let them babble on, most of which I don't understand,
Since the caller wrestles with the English language from a foreign land.
One insisted I needed an extended maintenance warranty on my car.
She explained the advantages of the plan and said it would carry me far.
When asked the mileage on the car I told her, "675OOO miles or so",
She said, "Oh", and slamming down the phone I told her where to go!
Another feller called offering zero interest on my credit card.
I listened offering a few "unhuhs" now and then, ever on my guard!
I told him I thought his scheme was just a sugar-coated flimsy-flam!
He lost 'interest' in me when I told him I had no 'interest' in his scam!
A roofing guy called to state due to a recent hail storm in town,
Surely, I must have suffered damage to my house and he would be down,
For a free estimate to replace the roof, gutters and any other calamity.
I told him no thanks, no damage, and he hung up with a dearth of amity!
A chap from Timbuktu called to say that my computer was on the fritz.
Now, I've had experience with his type and I savor matching wits!
For only 400 bucks he'd repair my 'puter and have it humming in a trice!
My 'puter is purring fine and told him to find someone else to entice!
I consider my day a loss if I don't receive the dreaded robocall;
I suppose, though, if it were not for them I wouldn't receive any calls at all!
Form: Rhyme

Premium Member Chopstick Chatter

A Chinese lad was at table dawdling with his pork and rice.
This upset his mama-san who reprimanded him in a trice!
"Clean your plate!  Children in America are starving, son!"
And she continued to berate him - her tirade had only begun!

"Your papa-san has a great job while dads in America are on the dole.
Our economy is booming while that of America is lagging, on the whole!
Papa makes good money to provide Americans with the things they need.
You should be very thankful for the jobs they send here, yes indeed!"

"Kids in America can't get a job even with a college education,
But, son, America will provide you with a job in any old vocation!
This is the land of opportunity, my boy, thanks to American capitalists!
You must appreciate all they have done for us Chinese communists!"

"Not so long ago your father and I didn't have a yuan to our name.
Now we have a house and brand new car - life will never be the same!
So I don't want to hear any of your sass or fiddling with your food.
Thanks to the generous Americans, they have lifted our nation's mood!"

"I want you to clean your plate and grow strong to follow in your dad's shoes.
Uncle Sam needs you to make TVs and shirts or anything else they choose.
No more lip!  Clean your plate! I want to see those chopsticks flying!
Think about the kids in America who'll got to bed tonight hungry and crying!"

Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired
© All Rights Reserved
Form: Rhyme

Premium Member I Simply Held the Light For My Hero

My Dad was a very practical man, so adept at many things.
Why, he could fix my bike and replace a watch's springs!
Many times I stayed by his side as he worked late into the night.
I learned so many things from him as I simply held the light!

He could tear an engine down and put it together again!
He could hang a garage door or replace a broken window pane!
He showed me how to tie a fishing fly and how to make a kite!
I learned so many things from Dad by simply holding the light!

Growing up during The Great Depression things were really tough.
He even had to repair our shoes with heels and soles, sure enough!
He was a talented carpenter who made sure things fit snug and tight.
So many things I learned from Dad by simply holding the light!

If the old John Deere tractor wouldn't start he knew exactly what to do.
He knew how to doctor his horses, hogs, cows and little puppies too!
He could butcher a hog in a trice and cure its hams and bacons right.
I learned so many things from Dad as I stood and simply held the light!

He could repair an inner tube, repair a harrow and shoe a horse!
He mastered the use of a dowsing rod and could trace water to its source!
Dad was and is my hero and taught me always to do things right.
So many, many things I learned from Dad as I simply held the light!

Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired
Form: Rhyme

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