Snoopy, kewpie, Barbie, Ken,
Chicken-licken, Hen-len,
Can’t compete with Adrienne.
Andrew Jackson, William Penn?
“Bolero”, “Arthur”, “Tarzan”, “Ten”?
Not a patch on Adrienne.
My Adrienne’s a honey:
She’s witty, pretty, funny:
looks great in silks and satins
and mixes mean Manhattans.
Tagus, Tiber, Severn, Seine,
zloty, sous, sestertii, yen -
I prefer my Adrienne.
Armstrong, Aldrin, Colonel Glenn?
Zoroaster? Zion? Zen?
Think I’ll stick with Adrienne!
Categories:
manhattans, song,
Form: Lyric
Those we love don’t go away.
They walk beside us every day.
I don’t see this as consolation,
for I’d rather they enter the pearly gate.
Nevertheless, do they follow us,
the sorrowing cheek, somehow caress?
Some picture my mom and twin with
manhattans, a cheer of cherry juice.
At first, my nose held floral scents,
a couple whisps in dream accents.
I’d wake up speedily, as Grandma
was surely at the head of my bed.
I believe, when they go, they’re near.
They leave us with comfort, not fear.
Still they must click their heels
on fine streets of gold and meet God.
So, I’m not sold on my dear one,
being near, but rather having fun.
Can you imagine all the beautiful places
and soul after soul to celebrate with?
Yes, I believe they stay long enough to
say goodbye, to dry our tears, to few.
I long to walk beside them every day,
On the brighter side, they won’t go away.
Categories:
manhattans, hope,
Form: Rhyme
My dreams are bright
feather light
at night
conditions right
Carefree
Mind free
Life's challenges
to be won
Feeling warmth
from noonday sun
I dream of water
floating
boating
with Dad
Sparkle Lake
water ripples
Lost Dad
Double nickels
Still sad
Memory trickles
I dream of sky
Fly
High
Cropduster
Single prop
Big John
Name drop
Macho swagger
Li’l Baby
Taildragger
I dream in hues
greens, blues
Love so true
dancing with you
Faces aglow
manhattans flow
Bummer—
Need a drummer
Low-rent venues
party continues
I dream less bright
feather light
at night
conditions right
Carefree
Mind free
As when I
was young
Colder now
in the setting sun
Categories:
manhattans, age, death, life, loss,
Form: Free verse
Stan Laurel
thinks he can sing in reality he warbles
His best buddy Hardy slaps him quiet
Before he can start another riot.
Oliver Hardy
Is usually farty so he abstains from drink
Gormless Laurel slurps Manhattans all night
Warbling and singing without stage fright.
Clerihew 2
Poetry Contest
Enter Contest
Sponsored
by
Joseph May
30/09/2021
Categories:
manhattans, funny, humor,
Form: Clerihew
Mama knows
we’ll be celebrating
a sadness—
weeping.
she needs flowers—
carnations, her favorite.
her birthday this week.
(dad’s birthday comes first)
shall we place long stems
alongside the purple urn?
i’m crying—
that’s all that’s left.
ashes, we shan’t peek.
we must believe
they are contained;
we must believe
mom’s home
in heaven.
i hope her heart beats
so loud
we don’t miss
the kisses she throws
as we cheer
with her favorite
Manhattans.
three cheers
with cherries—
clinking, a sigh.
won’t be a dry
eye. I
still see her last sleep.
I tug at her cross.
O what a loss.
Mama we miss you.
9/10/2021
Categories:
manhattans, birthday, mom,
Form: Free verse
DEATH DEVOURS LOVELY THINGS
The fallow ground was thirsty for her —
“I’m in trouble” stung like a nightingale’s knife.
The moon and stars in vertiginous blur
stilled her mothering heart — her life.
Music of the twilight and cherry bobs
in the twins’ manhattans. Celebratory smiles
and cheers ferment to grieving sobs —
a blossoming bosom of lamentations and trials.
O melancholy separation from the womb.
Twins battle to connect in the hopeless rain.
Death devours lovely things - rose perfume.
Fallen petals in funeral march forge their pain.
A beautiful ballerina buried in a music box —
the missing florid centerpiece at the family’s table.
Her presence rushing to heaven’s gate shocks
the cosmic atmosphere — contingently a fable.
5/15/2018
A Poem About Death Poetry Contest
Sponsor: Broken Wings
Theme: Death devours lovely things
Word List: melancholy, beautiful, thirsty, music
Categories:
manhattans, death,
Form: Rhyme