From rags to fishes
Fishing for lessons of life
(hint/hit) me with the stick
When the world moves on
and bulldozers crowd the scene
to cleanse the shattered land
with schemes of resort towers.
As the broken stone and steel
is smoothed from our sight
who will search for what is left
all those buried in their homes.
Among rags and concrete dust
rubble tombs above the dead
so small are infant’s bones
easily missed or left behind.
Many workers need the pay
unconcerned by death and war
do they stop and gag to find
a child's hand beneath their tools.
The heavy work will be done
their schedules must be kept
foundations poured, they leave
and another team flies in.
You took this man from rags to riches..When you spent all
Heaven had to spare.' Your Sons blood bought me real redemption..Oh Father how you truly care.'
Now I'll no longer be that beg-gar.' You've made my golden
Dreams come true..' For He took my rags and gave back
Riches, now my destiny is up to you.'
My clothes may still be torn and tattered..Yet in my heart I
Hold the King.' Although my pockets may be empty..
His Love is all... That really matters.' Its ev-ry-thing!
Repeat on this stanza.'
He opened His arms on that cross
though it hurt sore.' He
Offered me treasure of life in great store.' He went through
Grim death
And kicked in hells dark doors' Now I'll hold Him and
Kiss Him.' And keep Him for mine evermore.!!
You took this man from rags to riches, you spent all heaven
Had to spare.' Your Sons Love bought me real redemption
Oh Father how you truly care.'
Now I'm forever not that beg-gar..You've made my golden
Dreams come true.' For He took my rags; and gave back riches, now my destiny is up to You..) End..'
holding on to illusions
trying to make it through
fevered dreams reflect fantasies
scattered threads permeate reality
this state of delusion
a symptom of the confusion
calling from the void
the angels shone with silver
their furs stuffed in a sack
lying upon cloudtops
but ignorant of their rags
seeking to reach the sky
he thought he could fly
but those born soaring
never needed to try
holding on to illusions
trying to make it through
fevered dreams reflect fantasies
scattered threads permeate reality
in silent despair
dragged down to hell
broken by breathless prayer
seeking salvation
the holy creation
unity of man
was there ever a plan?
Barely covered head to toe, he stood shivering in the shadow.
Waiting, looking through empty eyes, families dressed in their Sunday best. Walking in and out of the restaurant across the street, not sparing him a second glance.
But he didn't mind; all he wanted were leftovers from the dustbin, because his hungry little sister, back in their dark, cold, rusty home, the old dusty lorry awaits his return.
Waiting to ease the pangs of hunger and for his skinny arms to keep her nice and warm through the dark, stormy night.
'Twas Christmas when Cinder’s went to the ball
In the most romantic season of all
She looked so pretty
A prince so dishy
Danced each dance with her, till she heard her call.
The call came when the clock struck at midnight
Cinder's ran quickly as she could, in fright
Before her best dress
Became repossessed
As her fairy godmother said it might.
It so happened she lost one glass slipper
That made poor Cinder's heart take a dipper
All know the glory
Of Cinder's story
Prince Charming wed her, it’s out on twitter.
She is declared a mental case
her legs are shackled tight
in the street she snails up and down
naked without food
she freezes in December
near the drain curls up
unnoticed by pavement dwellers
building a bonfire of twigs, papers
cast-off shoes and rags
under the bridge sipping tea
I hear the bell tolling at Rajghat
pilgrims make haste to catch train
--R K Singh
GLAD RAGS--
Putting on them rags
Gladly being glad
Look N good (so good)
Be cookN
Glad rags I put on
Gladly I put on
My glad rags my gay apparel
So comforting and debonair
It’s so clear I am in cline
So fine
Putting on them rags
Gladly being glad
Glad rags I put on
Gladly I put on
My glad rags my gay apparel
So comforting and debonair
It’s so clear I am in cline
Me N my Glad rags
So fine
9/23/24
Written words by James Edward Lee Sr. 2024©
From anthology #1 SHASTA JAZZ Dedicated verse for Shasta Simms
RAGS
You have rags
Of rags
Some bragging rags...
Must be your rag,
Because you have rags
With nothing in them
Except a bifurcate rag;
You have enough rags for life,
For a billion stars in the sky__
If there was a total number of lug rags
You would tote have it
In the rag,
I wonder why you hoard so many rags
When all you ever put in them
Are other dirty rags.
~Tile Tersoo
Worn out rags of clothes
Petrifying on trash can
Harsh to my nostril.
rags
grimy, sodden,
frustrating, frazzling, hording,
tatter, wretchedness, opulences, luxuries,
cha-chinging, amassing, owing,
abundant, affluent,
riches
Date written: 05/28/2023
A pauper begs at the town gate
and sets, each day, a date with fate.
He harbours dreams where riches flow
but morning finds him on skid row.
------------------------------------------
Killing With an Epigram Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Margarita Lillico
Placed 2nd
28th April, 2022
Rags to Joy
Ragged dreams tear apart the dawn
Then invoke light in golden pearls
Weave back fractured fragments of reveries -
Banish moonlit chimera shadows -
In the nectar of sweet joy born of morning
11-4-21
Sponsor: Line Gauthier
Contest: Bite Size Poems No 25
There lived an old man in rags
who spoke words of wisdom in bags
Although he was called mad
He wasn't mad indeed
He was saner r from others by yards
"From rags to riches "
From rages to riches.
I used to be Lazarus, they threw bread crumbs at me like a church mouse, l had no choice but to take what l could....
As l begged for pennies, some would laugh at me, spit at me and ridicule me. Getting satisfaction at the pain and suffering of a struggling soul, but he never lost hope....
One day! Tables turned.
Winds stopped howling.
Dogs stopped barking.
Thy prayers had been answered!
The days of being a begger and punching bag were no more....
Treasures came thy way,
It was time to glow,
Sorrows all forgotten like the nightmare before the dawn of Christmas..
From rags to riches.
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