Quick As Lightning Poems | Examples


List of Member Poems

Mixing Paints

Paint a smile on my face, until mid-poem
a grimace arises and the acrylic peels.

What are these dark angels that cast such shadows
over my cheer,
force my hand to sketch
the grim roots of charcoaled teeth?

The sun is struggling to rise over a pastured valley
while ravens pluck at my eyebrows.
Dark wings and meadow daisies mix and blend.

Death Head moths now emerge,
a word-canvas is once more lacquered over
by a dark and deep-throated coloring.

As quick as lightning, a clownish grin
flashes forth from singed paper,
such comic relief begets a portrait
of my surprised
and beamish laughter.

WORLD BURNING

World was burning with information; it was moving quick as lightning making all of us learn with amazing speed Like a storm was coming, it caused many to form as one. 
One in belief, one in spirit, others just took in the information, but had no inclination. 
World was burning with information, growing into a huge massive organization. Learning at the speed of lightning was making the world more productive. 
Reminds me of the warning of God, that when we can communicate, he will return. Words are like swords, they have power and move us in directions, causing actions. 
Lifting prayer to God, today and always. May we walk in prayer through this life and home to God.

Premium Member The Paradox of Time

Its elasticity is in fact a mystery ~
while time is free to flee as quick as lightning
sometimes it drags on for lengths of eternity.

And for all our hankering and longing
that time would move according to our wishes,
it's never anything but a fool's machination.

While youth is just a memory away ~
the magician waves his wand, and
without a trace into thin air, poof!

the decades swiftly vanish.



AP: 1st place 2025


Mixing Paints

Paint a smile on my face, until mid-poem
a grimace arises and an acrylic peels.

What are these dark angels that cast such shadows
over my cheer,
force my hand to sketch
the grim roots of charcoaled teeth?

The sun is struggling to rise over a pastured valley,
while ravens pluck at my eyebrows.
Dark wings and meadow daisies mix and blend.

Death Head moths now emerge,
a word-canvas is once more lacquered over
by a dark and deep-throated coloring.

As quick as lightning, a clownish grin
flashes forth from singed paper,
such comic relief begets a portrait
of my surprised
and beamish laughter.

Winter's Snowflakes

WINTER'S SNOWFLAKES 
Snow is made of snowflakes
So small to naked eye
Found in beauteous light
When under magnify
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Shaped like perfect flowers
with multiplied bright hues
Which disappear in heat
As quick as lightning cues
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
But as they fall together
To land on winter ground
The lovely sight reveals
A perfect pure white sound
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The silence of their falling
The coolness on a tongue
Let us know for certain
That winter has begun
 Copyright, Kathryn Search

World Beater

The earth quakes with fear.
It sweats brooks.

My face is made of stone.
One look and you turn to stone.
The fire in my eyes burns forests down.

My kicks are quick as lightning.
I punch like rain; you can't avoid me.
My fists are made of iron.
I don't wait until they get hot to strike.

I break new ground as if it were a nose.
It crunches against my knuckles.

I uppercut deep. Lava gushes on impact.
The earth revolves around me before lying in mire.

It was me against the world.
Now I'm a world beater.


As Quick As Lightning

out walking the dog
unexpected thunderstorm  ~  
a bolt from the blue

01.06.19

Love and Other Gambles

Love And Other Gambles

There is no gambling hall to fill that hole
That giant vacant vacuum you call your soul
There are no lotto tickets or tricks to mend your heart
Cold blood and venom make you what you are
Luck follows you in the dark
Where you call Jesus your best friend and then
Quick as lightning to step on Him
Crush His face while praying
And tell me to my face that Jesus is your savior
But behavior shows not the holy girl portrayed 
Sin is your real favor and flavor of the day
I hope your luck holds out, with pretty face  
And social graces in the lost and found
Where hooks and lures and smells of rotted fish and flesh abound 
It is not nice or right or kind to use Christ as your favorite bait
I pray you find another fishing hole
Another gambling place to hang around
One that fills you up when you burn out
Perhaps a soul lurks there somewhere about

The Fox

Away, away, away  he bounds

through the hedges all around

Quick as lightning he flashes by

No-one can see him with the human eye

His coat is auburn

His chest is white

As he runs for away

In the deep moonlight.

Aussie Roulette

Aussie Roulette

50 years ago we had a sport
Of the deadly dangerous sort
Fight a Tiger snake just one
Quick as lightning in the sun

Used just once a post hole shovel
6 foot long was the handle
Running barefoot with the Tiger
Banded black n brown, a gamble?

Adrenaline ignites, terrifys!!!
Up the handle 5 foot tries
3 strikes each the 5 foot bugger 
Deadly battle, won another

Fang marks on the handle sit
Near my hand where he had bit
Don’t fight old Tiger he may win
Stupidity it is a sin!

Don Johnson

Hindsight says don't play with snakes.
My Tiger was launching 5 foot all his body at me, incredible because he was 
racing  alongside me  at the time.

Tragedy of Myself

the tragedy of myself
it's like i set myself up for the fall
the punishment and all
a september call
a portrait plaster to your wall
the tragedy of myself

misery was given to me
i accepted 
without a single plea
now as i roam 
these county roads alone
seems to be
no place for me
i'm saddened but in a battle
reaching for a glass of cognac
But only the mirror knows my shadow
I grow weary
Thoughts fatigued in absence
Glory days futher than past tense
Story says i've been mis-licensed
stressing over ulcers and lisen
If you're not going to win
there's no since in fighting then
on my toes 
moving quick as lightning when
the lights fade and the candles dim
order ammends
Next to the storys of men
untouchable until i'm felt
due to a lack of hunger 
I belch
striving for unity
and future days of wealth
At a time when only templates 
concern my health
flattered, bruised and battered
What is it exactly that your after
The silence or the laughter
In the depth of this night
It doesn't really matter

A Rabbit's Habit

If you should come upon a rabbit,
And you think you'd like to grab it,
Then, you'd better move with utmost care, because,
If the rabbit finds you frightening,
It will take off, quick as lightning,
And you'll find there's nothing, where the rabbit was.

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.

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