On Your Guard Poems | Examples

List of Member Poems

Bridge over Styx

Just like that —
Bridges fall hard 
Like a pile of sticks 
In your backyard 
Against deceit,
Be on your guard
And of betrayal, be wary 

A bond that lasted 
Twenty years 
One day, wake up —
Disappears 
A shroud of darkness,
Anger and tears 
Like a coal mine eating a canary 

So don’t look down — 
When you’re crossin’ that mighty Styx
And your friends line up for the gauntlet
As they try to get in their licks 

A friend in need?
Who needs that?
Inconvenience 
Is like old hat 
And we won’t sit where 
Poor dupes have set 
On the idiot stools of loyalty 

Yeah, selfishness
Is a better bet 
Bet the coins on your eyes
What you can get 
From the shore of memory, 
The sun will set 
And each of us will feel like royalty

So don’t look down 

Tryin’ to make a safe passage
Into later life 
But holdin’ onto old relationships 
Is like standin’ on a sharpened knife 

No don’t look down — 
You’re crossin’ that River Styx
Where your friends line up for the gauntlet
Tryin’ to get in last licks

Generational Curse

It will be there in the morning
It will be there at night
Pull on your boxing gloves
And swing with all your might

You hit hard
Though it’s never enough
Be on your guard 
Things are about to get rough

A never ending battle
With that unseen enemy
In your head words rattle 
Words like addiction, abuse, poverty

You will attempt to run and hide
Yet there is no escape
Across country or worldwide
Do not underestimate 

The power of this curse
Ease up for just a second
The situation might get worse
Nevertheless my strength is unreckoned 

This malediction ends here
It ends with mine
I no longer will fear
This curse has died this time

Generational Curse

It will be there in the morning
It will be there at night
Don your boxing gloves
And swing with all your might

You hit hard
Though it’s never enough
Be on your guard 
Things are about to get rough

A never ending battle
With that unseen enemy
In your head words rattle 
Words like addiction, abuse, poverty

You will attempt to run and hide
Yet there is no escape
Across country or worldwide
Do not underestimate 

The power of this curse
Ease up for just a second
The situation might get worse
Nevertheless my strength is unreckoned 

This malediction ends here
It ends with mine
I no longer will fear
This curse has died with time


Premium Member Culture Wars

They’re coming for your little ones now.
You think they won’t? They have the know-how.
They’ll slip right in, not raise an eyebrow.
Stay on your guard and never kowtow.
It’s not that we are trying to scare you, dear.
Just be prepared, ‘cuz we warned you, ciao!

----------

A Hir a Thoddaid: Six lines where all are 9 syllables except the 5th, which is 10 syllables, and all are a-rhymes except the 5th, with a b-crossrhyme between lines 5 and 6.

https://www.writersdigest.com/write-better-poetry/hir-thoddaid-poetic-form

Protect the Children

Lord bless the little children
Each and every one
Protect them from corruption
And all the bad things done.

Let them keep their innocence
Let them keep their love
Let them keep anything
That comes from up above

May they live life happy
May they live life free
May they live life being
Just what they want to be

In a world full of hatred
Let them be the one
That shines like a beacon
Just like the sun

And once they have made it
Please take care
That no-one can turn their lives
Into a nightmare

For predators and weapons
Are around us all
So be aware of it
And try not to fall.

It's a very sad fact
That your 'friends' may not be
Worthy of your trust
If you're clever like me

It took me 50 years
To see the game plan
So be on your guard
Each and every man.

There is no equality
There is no law
No human rights
Of that I'm sure

It's just a game
So don't become
Prey like me
Now I've no-one.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Especially for all the beautiful children I see
from my window while my own identity is being
stolen.  May they always have someone to turn to.

Premium Member God's Warning About Idolatry - 1 John 5: 21

God hates every kind of sin
but idolatry He detests most of all
this especially among His children
whom He loves, wishes them not to fall

The Lord throughout scripture has said
that concerning idols be on your guard
never to give them any kind of foothold
for if you do heavens road may be barred

But you may ask what's an idol?
well anything or one that takes God's place
God demands your full attention always
He must be the Lord ever at your place

You may think, hey God's not fair
what looks good to you, maybe not
you've got to trust God for real
for He's been here longer so very rare

In conclusion, be very sure
your only idol is God alone
for only, He is worth your time
it was for your sins He did atone

("Children, be on your guard against idols." 1 John 5:21)


The War Within

I’ll turn you inside out and upside down
Twist your insides around and around
I whisper quietly with shouts and screams
Always nestled down deep invading your dreams
I play many games, hide and seek, truth or dare
But be on your guard as I never play fair 
I’m a secret assassin ready to kill your good vibe 
I will torture your thoughts, cause problems with your tribe
I wage war on you daily invading from inside
But no one can see this battle you hide

Premium Member The Wind

The wind dances across the land
with a sweep of gods blessed hand, 
as mother nature breathes in deep
and the trees and plants no longer sleep.
The forest’s majestic harmony
dances with the wind effortlessly, 
as autumn leaves do swirl around
to the melody of a swishing sound. 
Seas are raised to align their beat
to the winds pulse they’re compelled to meet.
This natural force magically appears
thankfully not to augment our fears.
Yet beware and be on your guard
should god decide to blow too hard, 
for the wind can muster and truly wreck;
it’s a sacred reminder to keep us in check.

Premium Member Praying Seriously and Being Watchful -1 Peter 4:7

This is a day of real deep declension
the clouds look to be drawing near
Jesus warned us of such an evil day
when mankind will have much to fear

This world has consistently rejected God
more and more as the years have gone by
they're without excuse as judgement comes
then the great judge will declare you must die

Peter warned of this in his first epistle
telling all that the end was in sight
exhorting believers to be much in prayer
making sure our pleadings go into flight

Be praying with a real seriousness
making sure to be contacting every day
with your saviour and Lord who hears you
He will listen carefully when you pray

Learn to be ever watchful all around
be on your guard as Satan seeks to attack
on your knees looking up for God's provision
then the Lord's armour won't ever crack!

('But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.')
1 Peter 4: 7 (NKJV)

Premium Member I Belong To No One Else

I steal into people’s subconscious,
leaving my ideas, 
encouraging them
to think they are their own ideas.

Silliness on their part.
They are not that clever.
Only children possibly?
Thinking they are all that?

But wait, can I generalize?
No, for not all children are
treated the same, only or not.

I am coming for you tonight,
in your REM sleep, giving you the
best of yourself; teaching you new ways.

I am your dream, and belong to
no one else.
Not even to you sometimes.
When I prefer to retain my
identity.

Please be not on your guard,
let me in, and relax.
I will be kind and loving.
If I am treated right. 
If not, watch out, I can
turn into a nightmare on a whim.


And I will blemish and alarm your
sensitivity  like the wrath of the
most vicious dragon slayer.

Premium Member Guarding Oneself Against Covetousness

Life brings us many temptations
but God has His remedy warning take care
listen well to His counsel so clear
to ignore them shows a mind so bare

The Lord God Himself loves us so much
showing His care saying be on your guard
against all covetousness that threatens our life
invading our heart seeking to be starred

Our life does not satisfy in things
for possessions are fleeting and vain
the Lord God Himself is forever real
being the rock from the rain

Satisfaction comes only from our living bread
feeding in Christ the satisfier of our soul
He's the one that gives true nourishment
having atoned for our sins made us whole

This is life abundant spiritually renewed
being separated from all that's earthly
living unto the Lord Jesus as our king
for Jesus, we worship for He is worthy

(And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”) 
Luke 12: 15 (ESV)

The End

girls will scream
boys will cry
day will become
as dark as night
the sun will fall 
the moon will bleed
an awful sight
for all to see
the seas will rise
a crimson tide
some in their fright
will pray to die
cry out too late
for God to save
lost opportunities
along the way
the unfortunate
all left behind
only to begin
to do their time
hell says hello 
to planet earth
to take you all 
for all you're worth
a warning made 
so very clear
be on your guard
the end is near
when all that's good
has disappeared
your worldly wisdom
has left you here
you did not heed
you did not care
it's history
the end is here

The Wolf Is Here

It is anything but true,
Lurking around you.
Silent under the perfect white,
It does not lose you of sight.

It will lead the family to destruction,
It wants the blood of the children.
It is patiently waiting to attack,
Hiding behind the fathers' back.

It is your friend, your brother, your sister.
It is thirsty for power.
It will take all and leave none.
It has already poisoned our sons.

Trust nobody, hide your tongues.
For your words are going around like a song.
Be on your guard, stretch your ears,
The wolf under the skin of a sheep is here.

Mindful

You catch them hanging out
Pretty much on the edge 
Of the cranium
Where they like to lay their eggs

They keep you remembering
All that you should know
If you need to have a name
They go by the mindful

Once the eggs have hatched
You're mindful of this and that
Keeping you on your guard
Of what should be done and said

Into your brain they will burn
All in life we need to learn
Keeping an eye on those around
Is mostly the mindful's concern

They take it to task amongst themselves
To be mindful of everyone else
For after all isn't that 
What a mindful life is all about

So don't be scared, don't be afraid
When you feel an itching of the brain
It's just the mindful laying ground
Soon enough to be paved

Making sure the road ahead's
Not too bumpy or too rough
As you're on your way to what
You should be mindful of

T,M

The Moaner.

Too many cooks in the kitchen they're bound to spoil the broth.
Too much soap in the bath tub it's over-run with froth.
Not enough coal on the fire it needs stoking to keep you from the cold.
Why is it you don't listen, why not do as you are told?
I do my best to help you, with things that you should do.
Do you listen? No you don't, what shall I do with you?
You're lazy and bone idle, you'll just have to go.
You never get a move on, your movements much too slow.
So if you hear me moaning just be on your guard
if you don't change your ways my lad you'll work out in the yard.
So get out of my kitchen and clean the bath from froth.
Make sure the coal is on the fire and not embers in the hearth.
Show me you can do it lad pull up your socks and pace.
Put an end to my moaning and a smile back on my face.

Sub Categories

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.

Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace