MINDING MISPLAYED WAYS
1.
Hate wanted his way;
Love refused to have it so;
Peace joining with her:
It’s like having it your way,
Rather than God’s chosen way:-
2.
Hate came out to play,
Rolled into a hole of peace;
Melted into love:-
3.
Always slap Satan in the face,
Continuing in God’s life-race:-
4.
God’s way is always the right way.
MISPLAYED
Hate came out to play.
Falling into a peace hole,
It soon became love:-
Where there is peace, there is love:
Where love is, hate can not be:-
Little Red-Cap, I can see
no wolf would ever bother thee.
You'd not buy the masquerade
of his best laid plans, misplayed.
As I'm not the lupine brand,
would you gently take my hand?
We are what we do;
we are what we say
As day becomes night,
and night becomes day
We are twice begotten;
we are twice betrayed
Forgiveness in hiding
—redemption misplayed
(West Philadelphia: February, 2020)
Tall tale conveyed
A little like a charade
Was about a mermaid
Partook in a parade
Long golden hair in braid
Eyes brilliant of gems inlaid
Seated on a throne of jade
Draped in seaworthy brocade
She was beautifully portrayed
While her graceful horses neighed
They passed by a colourful arcade
Enchanted was she by a serenade
Suddenly craved a wild exotic escapade
Ran off with an attractive mate in mascarade
Thought he’d treasure her heart soft as suede
But quickly the wondrous fantasy decayed
Realizing she’d been misplayed
Heartbroken and betrayed
She’d been remiss and overstayed
With much reason to be afraid
Perilously parched if further delayed
She urgently made her way through the glade
To the closest waterfall cascade
Moral of the story aptly made
When you’re a mermaid
Guest in a parade
Whether paid or unpaid
Do not cross the barricade
AP: 2nd place 2025
Submitted on October 3, 2020 for contest SECOND CHANCES NA POEMS of 2020 sponsored by CHANTELLE ANNE COOKE - RANKED 6TH
Betrayed
by lies.
Dismayed
she cries.
Misplayed
she tries
to apologize.
Unmade
he sighs.
Unswayed
his eyes
display
no surprise,
only
good-byes.
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