She turned the conversation to doctors
I told her I was about to sock her
Speak of something more pleasant
Like plagues killing off peasants
Left my last visit, wondering ~ ‘What for?’
The serpent spoke sweetly
When persuading Eve
To pick the apple.
He intended from his first word
Her doom and an end to Eden.
How nice and how kind,
How sincere in his concern
He appeared and he sounded.
How full he was of hate
And a loathing unbounded.
How sensitive his tone,
How reasonable his speech.
His logic brought the fruit
Just within her reach.
In Pleasant Grove
I sometimes rove
when time is free.
The trees I see
have such beauty
in each season.
That’s the reason
that I squeeze in
time to wander.
On hills yonder
I can ponder
them in spring time.
They inspire rhyme,
and in their prime,
their leaves turn bright.
A winter sight -
when covered white -
they still delight.
The Puritans were persecuted for expressing their belief
These Dissenters in the New World worshiped, such divinely blessed relief
For the largesse of Native Peoples, on pheasant, squash, corn and beans they dined
As we fondly recall the first Thanksgiving, warmth and generosity come to mind
Yet these Pilgrims allowed no religious dissent
voice disagreement and poof! off you went
They erected their churches with iconic white steeples
As they turned on their new friends as savage peoples
But I shall file this unsavory history away
And thank my lucky stars for this most pleasant day
I am also thankful for kind folks I’ve known, both passed and living
As I wish all of you a genuinely happy Thanksgiving
If the UK is as PC
as some would have us perceive
(tho' Britons never never never shall be slaves
Boadicea's turning in her grave)
it's incorrect on two counts
would you believe
and the US we should see
as between '52 and '22
it was a Queendom
not a Kingdom
and either way
that's sexist so
to speak more accurately
accordingly it should be
the United Sovereignty
Ego, the thought we are this body-mind,
delusion, since we’re in truth living light,
so good is that which leaves desires behind,
all transient pleasures that opaque clear sight.
To reclaim our light that banishes night,
thought cessation is the optimal way,
joyful heart like a child, given to play.
Employing our free will, God-search the quest,
body-mind then is like a car we drive,
whilst we, the driver, presence by God blest,
discern between darkness and light to thrive
and eternal bliss in our heart revive.
Moment to moment, all moments entwined,
we remain at all times with love aligned.
Wholesome humour
reverberates freedom mirth
shared in the family of joy-filled home
making us have a taste of heaven on earth...
Daddy’s jokes champion laughter
easing gloom of loss for triumph-birth
sometimes his riddles keep us chuckling
as his cheerful life enigmas we try to unearth...
Mama’s sense of humour is undeniably funny
letting us praise her midst warmth of fellowship hearth
oh, how I miss those exuberant times
along my reflection of gladness-values' worth.
As we rejoice in the Lord* always
good sense of humour is never a dearth
since it "blunts the sharp blades of reality"
while making us thankful to God for our divine jubilant perth.
June 28, 2025
*Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
2nd place, "A Good Sense Of Humour Blunts The Sharp Blades Of Reality" Poetry Writing Contest Sponsored by Natasha L Scragg; judged on /30/2025
On a recent trip I was gone
but not for long
to Eastern Oregon
where I saw my first chukar
(a partridge-like bird pronounced 'chucker')
which in time
compelled me to analyse
and revise
an old and pleasant pheasant rhyme
give it the feathery touch
and in the end
regale my Oregonian friends
with a resounding recital
of...
'I'm not a chukar plucker
I'm a chukar plucker's son
and I'm only plucking chukars
'til the chukar plucker comes'
fine pOwder
O
what a pleasant
mOrning
intake
cOffee
eee…ew
keep the dOOr
clOsed
bathe
the steps & car
thOse
hazardous
areas
the mat
underfOOt
handle
that can drive
yOur nOse
craz…eee
O
what blOOming
daffOdils
willOws
wisteria
bradfOrd pears
O
my
eyes
see
flOaters
flOtsam
pOllen I thOught
swiping at my hair
nOt gnats drats
strangers with wings
O
Spring
we sing
sOngs of thee
hutchOO
and
eee…ew
sO
beautiful
tOOdOOlOO
tO the cOld
sOlidly sOld
On glOrifying cOlOrs
hutchOO eee…ew
O
my
Spring’s
dreadfully beautiful
I thought I’d have to leave my favored spot
and go inside this warm and humid day.
My pleas for respite must have been perceived,
for Nature sent a lilting, soothing breeze,
enabling me to have more time outdoors.
The moon peeked between two branches above me
The wind said goodbye, everything was quiet
This is where dreams and wishes met
I could feel it inside, in the sky I could see
Closure for some things, hanging high
Creative endeavors within reach
Time always holds lessons to teach
I captured it all with relief and a sigh
Heidi Sands
3/9/25
(C)opyright
fall color gem stone
hematite inclusion quartz
pleasant red neat light
Huts of havoc built…tranquility constructed…
Then, destroyed…
Tents of tension rebuilt…calmness abducted
Then, I’m unemployed…
Let’s dwell in God’s tabernacles, my beauty dear
Have no sudden fear
Have so much cheer
Let’s spell out Christ on our tablets of hopes that appear
Let’s praise God today!
I pray you’ll save me
I’ll be more than okay
Please set me free
Entering a rustic, glass-domed greenhouse,
I stepped into a timeless seclusion.
Silence muted the scuttle of a mouse,
living in this synthetic illusion.
Within a succulent juggle of green,
sweet scents emanate from every blossom.
One of the prettiest places I've been:
sensual, and visually awesome.
I explored that tropical paradise;
enthralled by the plants and exotic theme.
I knew a one-time visit wouldn't suffice:
my senses were swirling, like in a dream.
This green getaway from strife and trouble:
was a pleasant respite from life's regrets.
My fantasy garden in a bubble:
as far from reality as it gets.
Until Winter leaves, Spring can't show Her face:
of the permanence of Spring; there's no trace.
We will be in June before you know it:
Spring is teasing, not willing to commit.
Another miserable afternoon:
before you know it, we will be in June.
friendly birds chirping
hungry kittens muffled meow
the sound of silence
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