Miserably Poems

The Old Foot-In-The-Mouth Syndrome

People say the oddest things
not realizing their faux pas

Given the chance to self correct
they usually fail miserably

Is it malice or stupidity
~ unlikely we'll ever know



AP: 3rd place 2025

Charming Psychopath

They live like we do and look like we do.
Inside their sometimes quintessential houses
they reside oftentimes with a wife, maybe children.

They work in jobs where we might work.
Some may even be the preacher at a church.
They could be a government official.
What harm could there be in someone with great charm?

Behind the doors of their houses,
(perhaps with those proverbial white picket fences)
they probably show at least the random signs
of who they really are.
It’s likely that someone sees something 
that isn’t just quite right,
yet they are adept at manipulation,
and easily, so easily, are people fooled by them.
Meanwhile, they harbor the darkest of fantasies,
and some of them will act
these fantasies out.

Somewhere in this world right now -
somewhere in a big city nearby you,
it’s very likely that a child or young woman
was lured by some sweet words
or perhaps simply and suddenly abducted.
If not beneath the ground,
they might be miserably languishing
in a dingy basement locked up
or even kept inside a box -
fodder for the whims of
the charming psychopath.

The Aesthete

The human body may be a marvel,
yet the aesthete prefers his were marble
or gold or some other precious metal
with a life approaching to eternal!

For flesh and blood fail miserably
as a hope suitable for longevity,
requiring daily sustenance
for hopeful future permanence.

Then, too. human flesh isn’t practical,
it offers life that’s neither long nor natural;
and who wants a life abbreviated
when there’s much to be appreciated?

While others rely on pharmaceuticals
for medications made of mostly chemicals?
None of which a body made of marble
needs unless fools ignore a warning label!

While others take up a livelihood
that benefits others care for their good,
bringing them a measure of fame and wealth
yet cannot guarantee their own sound health.

Accept therefore what aesthetes recommend
accept life just as it has always been.
For neither diligence nor luck nor miracle
has yet forestalled the inevitable.

A Confession

To soften his adolescent growing pains
he was encouraged (can’t recall by whom)
to take up painting – to make a name 
for himself, they said. When that failed, 
and miserably, he took up drinking
which he likened not to a godsend, 
rather to a bodily need and calling. 
And so it was, for in little time 
he became proficient with the bottle 
and was soon dubbed master of alcohol. 
His first exhibitions were private, 
of course; he was, after all, a novice. 
Only years later, with no small courage 
or lack of inhibition, did he feel 
competent enough to go public. 
To his disappointment, however, 
and a severe blow to his pride as well, 
his public exposure (though widely known) 
was not well attended except by 
the usual “patrons” – mostly police, 
psychiatrists, and condemning clergy.
Happily, however, his name often
made headlines on gossipy tabloids – 
the only recognition he consistently 
garnered during a long career which has 
kept his name burning in the public’s 
ears and eyes for decades now, and is 
certain to be his legacy long after 
he has passed out and away for good.

An 'I've Wasted my Whole Life' Moment

     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.

My letter for love

Love,
Why do you make it so hard?
All I've seen of you on screen
Is romantic and two sided

I thought it'd be like in the movies
And you've deceived me again

You gave him more of you
And for him, it was for someone else than me

Yet still, I wait for you
To offer a piece of yourself
For someone who isn't him.

What do you want from me?
To make myself a fool for someone
Not meant for me? 

Or are you really trying to make me happy?
But failing miserably

What do you really want?
What do I really want?

Strength of a Friendship

Sometimes we just need a friend to hold us up, 
like a vine on a garden wall, not to speak 
but to listen and catch us if we fall.   ~ by poet


Whenever trouble follows my every move
and tongues wag at me as if to disapprove
all of the things I have done or didn't do,
you are the one person who sees me through.

You are like a sturdy vine growing on a wall,
the reason why I never crumble and fall,
the staunch ally whose arms keep me standing
when tragedy's mandates are too demanding.

A smile from you when you hold my hand
makes it clear that you really do understand
that what I need most then is for you to listen
when tears flowing from my eyes begin to glisten.

You are the friend who always keeps me strong
when hardships in my life go miserably wrong.
We support each other so neither of us will fall.
You are the flowering vine on my garden wall.

Deprived Of Your Love

Life doesn’t feel the same, My Darling,
Deprived of your passionate love,
Each and every day aimlessly drags on,
Each and every day feels dreary and treacherous!

Days were joyfully enchanting, nights were supremely blissful,
Never realized parting was so acutely hard!
But came a time there was turbulence in
The relationship, a dark cloud covered our horizon!

My heart sank, tears uncontrollably filled my eyes,
But decision, right for both of us, needed to be taken,
although my heart shattered like a broken-winged bird's,
I stood still - not letting grief drown me miserably!

Deprived of your love - is that fully true!
Pure Love is a gift we rarely receive in a lifetime, 
We still love each other…I believe, Love does not end,
Cruel fate decides the eventual direction of our path!

one dog loves a car ride

We tried to entice both of our dogs to go on a car ride
Buddy was all for it; he had the shotgun seat.
I had to sit in the back.
Beau refused to go; laid down in the driveway.

Howled like we were taking Buddy to a firing squad.
I had to take him back in the house, so he would not chase the car.
Buddy rode around with us for an hour, with his head out the window.
Beau was still howling miserably upon our return.

Drifting Aimlessly

Drifting aimlessly, mine aspirations are illusionary.
Drifting aimlessly, mine spirit becoming less and less lively.
Drifting aimlessly, mine life is miserably empty.

It's Too Much Lovesickness To Endure

It's too much love sickness to endure,
I lost all resistance to miserable pain,
every attempt has been so in vain;
I've healed before: where's the cure? 

I no longer wish on stars, or wait for anyone
to hug me, joy was taken from me too quickly;
I have no affection, no love for anybody;
Only one adored and loved me, only one!

Who can say openly and honestly, 
" It's too much lovesickness to endure? "
Who's more courageous and mature
to admit I've failed so miserably?
Will this hand hold another hand?
Oh, will happiness be mine again?
No shattered dream can suddenly return,
unless four lips can make that flame burn!

An exclamation mark comes after a question,
a rejection can cause anger and frustration;
look beyond them and skip any possible doubt:
don't allow too much love sickness spoil delight!

Idle musings

Observe mindfully oscillation of mood,
signalling ego is as yet manifest,
holding potent power, we need to denude,
else soul will miserably fail in life’s test.
Our resistance to embrace offered surprise,
is the cause why negative thoughts forms arise,
so if we choose to accept life as it is,
quiescent heart will radiate a bliss fizz.

Resilience

I’m so proud to be happy 
because I never waited 
for life’s thunderstorms 
to pass 

I have smiled 
beneath torrential rains 
sharp flashes of lightning 
with skies miserably overcast 

I did not wait 
upon a friendly summer evening
where every cloud had travelled past my view 
to rejoice or to rest 

I have learned to seek solace 
without a single star in the sky 
in cruel cold and exhausting heat 
my breath does not quicken 

I am content because sorrow is familiar 
like the house which I’ve slept my whole life inside 
my fragmented spirit was never mended 
with a show of sunshine

queen of my cellphone

If I were queen I would banish my enemies I said
But you are the queen of yourself, right? Asked Fred.
He might be my brother but his point was well-taken.
I should take care of my royalty, if I am not mistaken.

So I began banishing those who lied to my face.
I tossed them out of my life, with no explanation or grace
Fred made me angry, and I tried to banish him too.
But I am your brother he whined, please reconsider, Sue!

I now regularly update my friends and banish the others.
I have gotten rid of some annoying fathers and mothers.
Being the queen of my cellphone has helped considerably.
I block those who whine or annoy me any way miserably.

The Adversary

I am miserably in love with life 
despite the tragedy it seems
I can't be bitter or be broken
Even through my tears I still hold on to my dreams
All I have is who I am
Pain took my pride, and shoved my heart down my throat
But this is me, this is mine
Nothing can break my soul
I wake up every day knowing the war is far from over despite the battles that I've won
I won't cower , I won't crawl
I'll smile in the face of the morning sun
Thankful for the new day

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