Readying Poems

I had big plans today

I had big plans today
so far, I have accomplished none of them.
I hope to do a better job tomorrow.
Going on a six-hour trip interstate to interstate.
driving from Kansas City to Iowa City to see my twin sister.
The ultimate goal is to celebrate our 73rd birthday together.
I am resting up today, readying myself for this horrific car ride.

Readying for a Sandstorm

desert sand kicks up with a mind of her own on occasion
nomads know to wear scarves and layers in which to hide
camels shield them from her wrath, when she turns full blown
ruins in the distance hold a secret scroll, her exact location hidden.

the scroll seeker opens up his map, searching for clues
terrible treacherous sandstorm is approaching from the east
he can tell by the brightness of the sky, she means destruction
wanderer on camel settles down next to the ruin, readying himself

Trying Man

Getting up after the fall,

Standing again and accepting the call.

Giving it the proverbial 'college try'

Burning the midnight oil and remembering his 'why'…

Standing in the batter's box again after strike three

Readying himself for another at-bat, standing in the box confidently…

Picking himself up off the canvas after the big left hook

Shaking the cobwebs and learning from the hit he just took

Getting back into the saddle after the bump and fall

Now, sitting strongly in the stirrup and riding tall___

A trying man can never lose.

Sometimes, and quite possibly many times, he may hear the blues.

A trying man in public is a crying man in private.

He works and tries; he contemplates and cries in quiet.

A trying man is willing to give it another go.

He still stands and smiles after receiving his one thousandth 'NO.'

But lose, he just cannot.

Because he always aims for his best shot

In the end, a trying man can do nothing but win.

In the beginning and throughout, he never looked outside because he always looked within.

My Suitcase - repost

Every morning, when I walk under my cherry trees,
There is soothing breeze which awakens my senses,
The flash back of life events roll before my eyes,
I am sent in soul searching and search for the meaning of life,

Long ago, I came to USA with a suitcase full of clothes,
A few dollars which government allowed, lasted only half a month,
Tearfully I had to take a loan, with lot of hesitation,
Loan office quipped, “If you are not in debt, you are not an American”.

Years passed, took many loans, paid many,
Worked hard, made some money,
Family flourished, till all moved,
Now I am in an empty nest.

Now I get kissed daily by,
The passing breeze of awakening,
What good is life if it does not help anyone,
Needy need food, money to educate, keep them healthy.

When I sponsor few needy students to go thru college,
I am not helping just one, but generations to come,
When hungry get food, they become strong and get ready to work,
When sick gets better, their whole life sees wonderful future.

As for awakening, I am moving away from selfish life,
Wrapping up my earthly belongings,
Readying my one suitcase,
Never know when the call comes to leave the world.

Kansas Wind

The wind is readying himself for meadow and forest war
My trees are touching their roots
Robin nest is on the ground
Squirrels are scrambling

Wrens, sparrows and cardinals issue warning tweets and whistles
Urging us to take shelter before wind explodes with rage
Humans go to basements during tornadoes
Do birds fly off? Hide under moss or violets?

Frantic sounding tweets and whistles now
Tree branches are shaking the leaves faster than paper fans at church
A fast breeze parts my hair and wipes my cheek
The wind’s voice is persistent and clear

If you do not realize a tornado is heading to Kansas
You have never been inside a tornado

Sike

Readying the cannon for war
Barricading the mind for battle
Protecting thy neck from the noose
Flexing my arms to brace for impact

Walking through trial’s gate 
Veering in the distance my eyes drop
Chattering teeth seize and sleep
No one is here to challenge my soul

A sigh of relief and cold calm
For today the battle is postponed
However another day it shall be
A trial for the ages, I shall get my rest

I sit and sit and sit and sit and sit

I sit and sit and sit and sit and sit and sit and sit and sit
When I get bored with sitting, I take a long happy nap
Readying myself for the next ten years
I feel twenty years older than I felt three weeks ago
When I got sick, the illness kept me exhausted for twelve days
Now I do not know if I am tired or depressed
Is it old age or angst over being retired?
I have never been this old before

Dream Management

I dream of reliving my heart’s past fall.
To marry again and bear the long haul.

I long to long.
To sing that song.

One day I will lock in the courage.
One day photos will find the fridge.

For now I must simply yield to stall.
Readying my boat before the waterfall.

I dry-run this until my skin peels off.
I pray I will be ready for takeoff.

The Market Rasen Witch - Lincolnshire Folklore

upon the Rase a troublesome crone
who meddled in the Rasen folk 
for she a witch!
a witch! their slant and well
she laid upon a cow a cursied blight
a cursied spell 
and lo would not this neighbour’s cow
go to the milking parlour so
this neighbour’s daughter fraught and fair
to seek a wise man, she that hour
left in haste to hear of words 
and met with him though quite by chance
for he appeared to her when needed
invited in somewhat expected
and knew did he of her unrest
as heating in the fireplace a red hot poker
readying
and stoked, enflamed the fire roared
and from by the Rase the witch was heard
to scream and cry
you see now in her weakened state 
another troubled Rasener 
took heed upon the lowered crone
and struck her hand with a blade had he
and brought to her all of her eves
that drew the blood of taintedness
and scream once more 
then again made three
no more trouble will she cause
said the wiseman confidently
and the witch skulked away
her powers lost
made free were then the Rasen folk
and the cow went in to give them milk

while ego slept

a notch higher
above the head ovoid
grazing the crown chakra
a moist ethereal implant awakes
signalling embodiment of transcendence 
within the aspect of consciousness immanent

the happenstance pleasantly occurring in the night
animates bliss fixated at the fontanel for an hour
somewhat like the hand of God on our head
wherefrom other nodes too imbibe grace
silently honing the Sahasrara portal
readying us for what’s to come

Meditation

Sipping her apricot tea, she stills herself
Readying her soul for the day to come
Her breath is easy, uninhibited
She expects nothing,
Knowing what will come will come

Meditation keeps her sane
Daily mantra sets the tone
She sits in silence, feeling her chest rise and fall
Cancer-free, listening to her body
Knowing to appreciate whatever happens

Thoughts stop swirling and begin tiptoeing in
On their own turf,
At their own pace,
Thoughts she is wise enough to listen to
An inner knowing, without knowing how she knows

I Refuse

I refuse to run and hide.

When enemies and knaves come to seize

I have a 'no-fear' DNA that dwells inside.

I'm popping out for everyone to see with no desire to please.



I refuse to lie down.

No matter how many times I slip, trip, or fall

Back up without a frown.

I'm readying myself to answer the call.



I refuse to wave the white flag.

Though the battle may be onerous and rough

Through the thickets, I go like the white stag.

Onward and upward is my only aim 'cause my spirit says I'm enough.

Another

   Stockings draped on the counter still.
   Trees slanted to one side,
   Or another.
   Decorations scattered,
   Piled on one another.
   Readying the Christmas Cheer!
   Many unwrapped gifts,
   Waiting to be torn asunder.
   Pick with care,
   For all my loves out there.
   The best is yet to come.
   Shopping for the Food Bank,
   For everyone I don't know.
   Christmas Cheer for ones without,
   The glow.
   The warmth of food will help,
   Make it so.

should we leave the state

there is always a quandary when there is an active volcano
how far will the lava spew?
should we leave our home?
how would we prevent looters?
Should we leave the state?
What would we take?
Will the roads already be filled with unmoving cars?
Readying your family for a disaster is always tricky.

Waken

I had been feeling restless for some time, 
But today, I awoke in the afternoon 
Feeling truly at peace for the first time.
 
A sense of calm enveloped me, 
Along with focus and drive, 
As a myriad of emotions surged within, 
Like a soldier readying for battle, he rides.

The burden had lifted, 
In its place, victory stood firmly, 
Next to the kin that surrounded me.
 
I wondered who this entity was, 
That has taken shape, shining. 
His head held high,
In perfected pridefulness. 
If he was tailored for this purpose? 

Though I felt grounded, 
My victorious battle was the pinnacles!
Pearls of wisdom on this journey. 

Direction seemed to emerge, 
Greeting me with a handshake. 
This profound state, 
An altered consciousness, 
I questioned; am I home?

To: Todd Bradley

• Short Readying Poems
• Famous Readying Poems
• Best Readying Poems
• Read Readying Poems
• Long Readying Poems
• Readying Quotes