I give the former partnered portrayals
to the educated minds as their guess.
I take the latter severed betrayals
then divide and conquer as I play chess.
Astrology boards, travel promises,
a Queen amidst Knight's saber sword fighting,
Space Ghost, Klatu, Spock, Vader, Robinsons,
Hollywood's castling Stars, Sci-Fi sighting.
Theology teaches God is divined,
one man, one woman, one watery end.
Prophets, Disciples, Savior of humankind,
Second Coming, Afterlife, we'd Transcend.
Imagine our lives, checkmate--game over,
The Word of God, stalemate--live forever.
Covered by the dark demise of runaway laughter,
I find myself lost in a chaotic chapter.
How cloyed it is to be consumed by rage,
As emotions swirl and violently engage.
Most savage-such than our gentle origins,
Anger grips me tight, its grip tightens.
I crave solace, for a moment of peace.
But in this storm, my anger does not cease.
I am wanting to live in my remote portrayals,
Where laughter embrace is an adytum that never fails.
In this realm, I am free from the chains of fury.
Where joy and mirth replace all that is dreary.
Oh, how I long to be lost in laughter warm hold.
To escape the darkness that has taken its toll.
To find solace in the sounds of contagious mirth,
And let laughter guide me back to my own worth.
Reflections in the mirror of life ~~
portrayals of self at its best.
FIRST PLACE WINNER
May 13, 2022
submitted to "The Mirror of Life" poetry contest
sponsored by Anoucheka Gangabissoon
If our Moon could be judged as a sex
Female, male- some of both, it's complex
Since its phases do change
And its shapes rearrange
Its true gender could be multiplex.
Glowing round on a clear starry night
Poets think it's a she when they write
Perfect curves and a smile
Moon is set to beguile
smitten lovers to swoon at her sight.
But less feminine- Moon takes a turn
Looking gray amid storm clouds that churn
Like a sailor at sea
The Moon then seems to be
Manning tides as his only concern.
So, for sure, when we think of the Moon
As a gender, find out very soon
It's the setting that shows
In the way that it glows
How we feel its portrayals commune.
blank canvas, upon which we stare
poised in silence, simply aware
stirrings within our heart then rise
play of delight, that does surprise
poetic portrayals we share
wherefrom comes the exalted thought
that inspirations with it brought
benedictions divine sublime
as we hark to hearts loving chime
transcendence beyond narrow slots
hidden secrets, we alone know
pathways where soma nectar flows
impossible is translation
higher mind feels resonation
garnered in tranquil stillness slow
voices from space, offer to chat
we would, if we could, give you that
all we ask, is cease to resist
being to become, a bliss mist
at Bodhi tree, where Buddha sat
04-August-2021
The Writer In Me, Wants You To Know Poetry Contest
Sponsor: Mystic Rose Rose
Reading the book rather than the cover,
Checking up on a friend to recover,
Painting a picture from all portrayals,
Penning a hymn shutting all betrayals,
Forgetting race, age, weight, form, and gender,
Being a friend, not a mad defender,
Sculpting other lives like the diamond,
No man’s an island, say no to Simon.
Heal the world from Dunning-Kruger effects,
Wish for a world where no bad soul rejects
Are these wishes something for one to cope,
Or are they great outcomes of forlorn hope?
Date: 9/5/2021
Title chosen: "Forlorn Hope"
Contest: This or That Vol 2 Poetry Contest
Sponsor: Edward Ibeh
Came looking for a verse to transcribe
Couldn’t think of anything to inscribe
Mind wasn’t directing any orderly lyrics
Composedly accepting everything as is
No ripples of thoughts, no dilemmas,
No judgements, no opinions,
No portrayals of any sorts
“Why does anything need description?” was its question
“Just be” was its proposition
Decided to ruminate on that
A feeling of freedom came just like that.
Smita Kulkarni
02/11/2021
So at the nook of the broadway alley
Stood there was an old defaced stall
With an outdated dark outworn wall
Coverd with the fetching portrayals of Scotland valley
At the upfront shelf was a young lady
Bearing a sweet grin on her baby face
Having the semblance full of grace
Working at that space that seems to be shady
Conferring her was not that hard
As she had a heart open for all
Engaging in talks that were small
Was the best segmet in her regard
Rushing every now and then to her
And savouring the sun down nattering
But all those moments paused in a fling
As those vivid dreams happened to blur
Our hours of gossip ceased to occur
As she moved to a place beyond our grasp
Unhanding herself from the mankind's clasp
On a divine evening as she would prefer
As another year close in on me
Once again I was at the nook of the alley
Gazing at the shop and those depicts of valley
Reminding of the person who was now free
Pushing backward the awful negatives
My faith ascends along God’s directives
Gladly sharing His love, moving upward
The awful negatives, pushing backward.
Praying midst Holy Spirit’s revival
Trusting heaven’s grace for fruits’ arrival
I work well while slothfulness defying
Midst Holy Spirit’s revival, praying.
Propelled by mercy against selfish gain
And reaching-out to those who are in pain
I seek Christ Who helps with strength’s fervency
Against selfish gain, propelled by mercy.
Persistent to build lives despite trials
With compassionate caring portrayals
I thank God Who’s graciously consistent
Despite trials, to build* lives, persistent.
*Acts 20:32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
June 18, 2020
Swap Quatrain
God’s goodness verily abounding
Prevailed with thankful praise-resounding.
Blessings* encompassed my last year’s nest
Overtaking woes by blissful zest.
Increased trust toward faith altitude
Propelled earnest service fortitude.
Works of sacrificial endeavour
Wafted heavenly as sweet savour.
Afflictions midst challenging trials
Maximized divine love’s portrayals.
Our special child’s milestones … triumphant
Great grants from last year, indeed vibrant.
*Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.
November 26, 2019
Honorable Mention, "STRAND SPECIAL 5..." Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Brian Strand; judged on 12/19/2019.
Facing various challenges along life’s race
My faith* in Christ strengthens my spirituality upon salvation-brace.
Battling against many facets of unrighteousness
My faith in the Saviour arms my sanctification-holiness.
Conquering several stages of difficulties
My faith in the Lord heals my soul-infirmities.
Fleeing from different angles of temptations
My faith in the Master upholds my standard-convictions.
Subduing pride of towering arrogance
My faith in the Creator corrects my human-ignorance.
Striving to win over tough and rigorous trials
My faith in God anchors my service-triumphs by His miracle-portrayals.
Pursuing for good success in sharing the Gospel story
My faith in the Messiah powers my labour-victory.
*1John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
September 2, 2019
Tall and tan, velvet skin aglow
His smile, a film star's photo
Sure of himself, he walked with a swagger
A lady's man, his smooth tongue a dagger
Talented too, a budding young artist
Painting portraits, positively the tartest
Portrayals of la forma femme you ever did see
A lady's man, footloose and carefree
He'd ply them with wine, lure them with words
inviting them to his studio with clichés so absurd
But they fell for him hard, he played the game well
as he dragged them to bed for a night of lovemaking in Hell...
They awakened the next morning to an empty bed
Their fast-talking artist had conned them and fled
A lady's man to the end, footloose and carefree
His life ever-lonelier, an empty sex-spree
A costume lets you be transformed
Into a different being.
Your insides feel as unfamiliar
As the parts you’re seeing.
Just a wig or make-up
Or some clothes you’d rarely wear
Can construct a new persona
With few aspects that you share.
Thus, a costume also liberates,
Allowing you to try
Behaviors, looks and accents
Which in life you’d not apply.
An actor understands this
When preparing for a part,
For the costume gives a hint to where
Portrayals might just start.
I need God* and His might
To correct my foolishness and ignorance
While subduing my pride of towering arrogance
Along ambitions of carnal extravagance…
Here am I, staying humble under His great deliverance.
I need God and His power
To prove my self-denials
As I pass through tough and rigorous trials
In hurdling grievous betrayals…
Onward I go, reaching service-triumph’s peak thru His miracle-portrayals.
I need God and His strength
To enable my pursuit toward stewardship victory
In exalting His name of great glory
While proclaiming the Gospel story…
Indeed, I thank Him for fruits of missions against hell’s fury.
Hebrews 10:36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
December 7, 2018
BUT SERIOUSLY
“The Unprecedented President”
Mirror mirror on the wall
Who’s the greatest President of them all?
“I am the voice beyond-beyond...
A truthful answer I must respond.”
Yes, it is the truth I quizzically quest
I ask again, who is the beauteous best?
“You are”, the mirror said with fingers crossed
The mirror knowingly well a lie was tentatively tossed.
In the mirrors, we see rewarding reflections
Layered lie's of life’s derailed defections
Illicit illusions with abundant attractions
Pompous portrayals of diplomatic distractions.
Jan.22.2017
BUT SERIOUSLY - Contest
Sponsored by: John lawless
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