Soft raindrop music lulled all to quiet
with dreams of fairies, strawberry Delight
Stars sent lovelights that winked off and then on
wind whispered “shh,” very soon will come dawn
Quickly, rain grew restless, began to pound
sent enormous waves to hide the soft ground
Two rivers merged, creating a large sea
Higher, stronger grew sea's intensity
It thrashed and spun and at last over ran
the hopes and dreams of youth's happy clan
Tiny wonders with life's days still to know
embraced by angels and lifted from flow
Dawn arose to a promise that was swept
nothing remained, but tears that were wept
Garden paradise that once sheltered green
torn, spilled over imagination's dream
Can there again be songs mingling with air
Can memories help those who lost, repair
Somewhere above, among soft, lilac clouds
are Mystic camp songs sung, offkey but loud
And, in a rainbow with a lovely face
are watercolors for those left to trace
moments of joy, each to gently unfold
Then find tomorrows you can, again, hold
64, Many More for Wren
We belatedly sing,
Uncork a bottle of wine,
For Jen “Teetotaling”,
We imbibe Jen Joy sunshine!
Annapolis is gaining as less “NYing”,
Jen Wren for out loud “Whinin’”,
Rick & you go out dining,
Listen to music that’s fine,
On the Bay, enjoy sailing,
To Darby, Rickie & Sean be benign,
Worse than a NY storm is taxi hailing,
Dress to the 9’s, with Rick align,
Parachuting, Mountain scaling,
64 is only the beginnin’,
Know when tight roping,
C# or B Flat endnin’,
Light a candle, Offkey singing,
Barbara & I Luv Yah without margin!
For my outstanding printer, an ode to you
(for days, you've spoken not a word.
No heaves, or thuds, or reluctant clues
you sit silently, and I'm feeling awkward)
to my faithful friend,
this honor long overdue.
Each time I called, you answered cheerfully.
Spent hours together, I'd feed, you'd shrug,
(but now I gaze on your silence fearfully:
I'm terribly afraid you have captured a bug.
Please open your eyes,
sing offkey again.)
I want the world to know, and of course you,
I honor you as an exceptional MOST!
When things were bad and coming askew
you helped me through. Without you, I'm toast!
(Please wake up soon,
I'm begging you.)
February 27, 2023
For Jeff Keyser's "Write an Ode Poetry Contest"
Shooting stars gliding across their stage, the sky
silver sparks against a midnight blue
a boat carrying us across the gentle ripples of the lake
little sprays of water showering us
the air adding to our conversations
the soft whistle of its coolness
enveloping our bodies in an embrace
a lone candle contrasting the pools of moonlight
casting shadows of gold on our faces
lit up by jokes and laughter
An orchestra of frogs and birds
singing offkey in unison
and water lilies with their
blooms open listening to our conversations
Both of us sitting face to face
our hands holding symbolizing a tryst
and finally a beautiful symphony playing
out of a small music box
oh, our odd ones once
open objective order~
occupy offkey
6/30/2022
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.