Father, I have left school as the smartest.
Are you proud of me?
I have conquered the known world.
Father, are you proud of me?
I have created kingdoms and religions where all bow to your surname.
I ask, Father, are you proud of me?
Mother says she is proud of the person I have become.
Yet I look to the stars: Father, are you proud of me?
I have sacrificed so many days and nights, now they are just memories I forget.
Father, are you proud of me?
There’s poetry
in everything
the essence
and the form
As words set free
what time deceives
and hides within
the norm
A verse unsaid
awaits intent
to fill
the idle hours
Where hope endows
the moment proud
to dance
— among the flowers
(The New Room: September, 2026)
Held down, as firmly
As unforgettable
No amount of wind or rain
Has erased - ever!
By that, antlered. Stag's.
That, curly horned. Sheep's.
Knolled, or a rock ledge upon.
If raised speech - farther!
I am a proud American,
Nothing more, nothing less,
No tags to wear,
No labels to confess.
I am not blind to history,
Nor unaware of our mistakes.
Like nations older than our own,
We've known the risks that failure makes.
Yet through the trials of our past,
We learned, endured, and found a way.
To rise above our broken roads
And build a stronger path each day.
History is not a chain to drag,
Nor a script we must obey.
It is a compass in our hands,
To guide us forward on our way.
I know what this country means to me,
A truth no one can redefine.
Not by titles, not by degrees,
Nor by a different view than mine.
So let me stand where I believe,
Without demands that I conform.
Leave me be, and walk in peace,
No anger, only calm and warmth.
For I am a proud American,
Nothing more, nothing less;
A citizen of hope and freedom,
Without a need for anything else.
I’m just an American, and proud to be!
By James C. Chapman
Mother's love is always running Nonparallel
Surely Normal Natural Human Instinct.
No Controversy at all, Quite Distinct.
Continuous Fluent Flow ! Unidirectional !
The greatest bliss of my life to glitter and shine
is children, while raising up and caring them.
My Family tree to grow , Me being Stem.
The siblings are just branches in between.
In their childhood, I was the light to show way.
Being grown up they turned my success after all.
Siblings prosper and to impress each and all.
The strong branches are cheerful, joyous, to sway.
War over, the dust settled.
They thought they annihilated all the beauty.
Lone rose stood its ground.
Wordku: 5-7-5 words
AP: 2nd place 2026
I agree it’s a flaw, to lack respect
For the usual silly proud words that match
Some symbolic achievement where I didn’t act
Didn’t bother to start “my way” from scratch
Wasn’t able to worry about learning curve
Didn’t listen to those dour faces drag
Took them maybe easier than they deserve
Never waved any bright or a bleached rag
I don’t have the required reserves of hypocrisy
Wouldn’t initiate any commences
Neither I stand for empire nor democracy
With folly defense at my own expenses
Call me a psycho gripped by indifference
Call me whatever you like but don’t kill
Deceased, I won’t add any sensual coherence
To the mess you alter thinking it’s your will.
HORMUZ NOW, RED SEA
GAS PRICE SURGE WE WILL SOON SEE
A TRUMP TRAVESTY
Noble and proud, aboriginal heritage celebrates universal powers within us.
AP: 1st place 2026
Kindergarten mastering fun and games.
Time to focus on drawing pretty pictures.
Mom and Dad are proud.
Wordku: 5-7-5 words
AP: 2nd place 2026
She doesn't say "I love you"
She says " I am proud of you''
My Granddaughter sprinkles tinsel,
all around the dullest of days.
They lie as they walk, lie as they talk, lie as they wreathe , lie as they breathe!
I am almost sure you knew whom I write about, clear to all of us!!
Everybody’s field is lush except mine.
Wherever I look, I see all sorts of trees nicely grown in line.
In some corners, climbers round trees entwine.
While lovely roses bloom in a pretty design.
Sun flowers in their turn merrily shine.
Who won’t cherish these sights that beautifully combine?
They fill my heart with joy I can’t define.
One day my field will be fertile, too.
The barren ground will turn rich all through.
The hedges will stand proud of what they’ll have got to.
The fruitful trees will greatly contribute to the memorable view.
Everywhere will look colourful and the dream will become true
With an attractive sight my eyes will unconsciously pursue.
Who will possibly miss to notice my new field? Only very few.
Caustic systems are breaking down
My son has much to learn
Wavy chips and a bag of scarlet grapes
With Lillie's on white as snow we no more are clowns
Cosmic graves are dug above
Faded rays of luminous hot white suns
Steady dripped and venomous stitched banes of hidden stakes
With ambassadors decked to the nine we bawling
My son we dance now laugh and sing
Learning the systems were not meant to last
Honey cakes and scented roses lament a dance we yet will convene
I walk head held proud
my heart beaming with true love
and stars in my eyes
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.