Written: August 28, 2025, for contest Sponsored by: Joseph May
***********
building celestial diamond — eolith fog glamor
yet not every flame is meant to last
there were no sacred vows, oaths, or clamor
just the gentle whisper of a love we outgrew
amber breezes carry dancing embers
not every farewell requires a curtain drawn
ruby leaves drift slowly, tracing days' tempers
while breeze sings dulcet songs on the worn trees
kindling leaves mumbled nostalgia’s orchestral pulse
akin to the gentle blinking of newborn stars
the harvest moon glows with ancestral impulse
casting shadows shaped such as memories
fallen gold blends with ivory joy
where owls sing hymns in a minor key
hope flickers in the silence of every decoy
as roots hold secrets only the night can view
"It's RUBY TUESDAY night" declared Charlie.
Why do yer call it that when it's ruby murray for curry?" retorts Steve.
"It's coz we 'ave it on Tuesdays that's why mate" replies Charlie.
Steve shakes his head "But Charlie, we do 'ave it on Saturday nights too."
Charlie laughs."Last one your ANGIE cooked, my guts felt like WILD HORSES were stampeding inside and lets say it wasn't quiet the TUMBLIN' DICE coming out the other end either."
"Too much info there Charlie boy and if she hears yer say that you'll get more than a clip round the ear, bunch of fives more like. You still helping me decorate Jades bedroom this weekend? She wants us to PAINT IT BLACK" asks Steve.
"Black? ain't that gonna be dark and make it feel smaller?" Charlie asks.
Steve sighs "Yeah, probably, it's her space so she can have it. Not my choice but YOU CAN'T ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU WANT even in yer own house when yer surrounded by HONKY TONK WOMEN. Anyway, gotta get this splinter out that's UNDER MY THUMB from sanding down the skirting. Sort that, grab a beer and play THE ROLLING STONES cd the Mrs got for me birthday. See ya later mate".
Ballad for Ruby and the Dice"
Angie, she whispered through cigarette haze,
The ghost of a name from my wilder days.
Under my thumb, I thought hearts would stay,
But wild winds never learn how to obey.
Paint it black, I told the sky that night,
When Ruby Tuesday danced out of sight.
She wore her sorrow like lipstick red,
And left my dreams tangled in the bed.
You can't always get what you want, they said,
So I drank to the dice and rolled love instead.
Tumblin’ dice down an old jukebox floor,
Each roll a prayer, or a closing door.
Wild horses couldn’t drag me back
To the innocence lost on that lonesome track.
Where honky tonk women sway and spin,
And hearts are traded like whiskey and sin.
Now I hum their names in the barroom light,
Angie, Ruby, and every midnight.
Chasing echoes in the songs they sung—
Still under my thumb, but forever young.
Let me know if you'd like it turned into a song or set to a blues rhythm!
Down here on Ruby Lane
Sitting looking at the rain
Looking at my glass of red
Thinking what I haven’t said
If through negligence some changes
Shuffle here with rearrangements
Nothing’s changed its all the same
Changes die on Ruby Lane
From the dullest land of mad
I have come to get some bread
And some wine I need to take
Just to have a little break
Cause I can afford it now
No one’s here to disallow
They don’t care neither do I
Could it be I’ve come to die
In this place that’s fine by me
Where I laughingly can see
Sunny spots through drops of rain
Down here on Ruby Lane.
Embrace the silence, listen within
Respecting others means learning to listen
Experience being heard is healing
Listen with your whole self, not just your ears
Silence is the sleep that nourishes wisdom
The words of the inner voice
are the source of our hidden genius
The truth of the subconscious
Let silence grow and blossom
The senses must be sharpened
Silence is a powerful force, but don't fear it
How often do you give yourself quiet time?
Interrupt the hustle and bustle and focus on your well-being
- the sound of water gurgling in the stream
The deep red of power and courage
The bright red of knowledge and wisdom
The fiery red of energy and vitality
The pleasing red of health and wealth
The lustrous red of Love and passion
After withstanding the high temperature, I emerge as a fine gem.
After going through high pressures, I shine as an exquisite jewel.
After an intense process, I become Priceless.
I sparkle of purity and honor
I reflect the essence of confidence and leadership
I behold nobility and loyalty
I am rare and refined
I am precious and priceless
I am valuable and irreplaceable
ruby cowboy boots
the bedazzled wild west meets
the wizard of oz
• A ring in my car
• With a big red ruby
• Surely the owner can't be far
Written: December 02, 2024
____________________________
At dawn cradle,
Dew blankets the earth,
whispered secrets swirl among stately elms,
a chorus of cheerful waxwings
sings beneath the blush of lavender skies.
Willows sway, swirls of grace,
twilight traces with ruby tones.
The iris dances,
emerging from lush shadows,
each petal a whisper of dreams.
Aureolin moments linger,
gold glistening in the mist,
as rustles paint the air,
the viol of night lilts softly,
celestial orbs clad cosmic clashes.
We walk through opal pathways,
where the heart shares its stories,
and neon memories cling,
as lilacs in a gentle breeze—
O, the beauty in being lost.
Dorothy hated her ruby slippers
And hid them under the munchkin's knickers
He soon got up to go pee
But tripped and fell on his knee
Her ruby slippers are now wet trippers
The scarecrow found Dorothy's wet red shoes
He didn't know why, but he was not amused
Gave them to the witch
who said she wouldn't snitch
After what he just did, he's now confused
Winged words of milk chocolate melody
Her gift of soul of ruby song rang
Inside me like charismatic cherry cobbler-a blackberry bell
That pure poetic power
Never will another fuchsia flower
Envelope our hearts with Whitney's divine uniqueness
You are healed, perfected diva, by The Potter Who made you
Ruby Red, toboggan on her head,
Loved every creature God would send.
The first came, with a little wing lame,
For Ruby Red to nurse and tend.
This little white dove did Ruby love
And soon his wing did mend!
He'd fly right above Ruby's head, this dove,
And they became the best of friends.
Then one day it was time to fly away,
The dove knew cold comes with the winter winds.
But before he went, to Ruby he sent
A feather to say, “I'll be back again!”
pomegranate color
ruby seven love flowers
pretty so pretty
I am at a loss
For the sake of my words
For the sake of my disguise
You tend to me with an imploring stare
I’ve searched for you yet you were always there
Perpetually unaware of my own solitude, I cry with champagne
Or anything withering
Or anything meaningful for the time being
I lost count of all your shades
The Sun rises and sets with you
I’ve wallowed till my despair created you
I am here, because you are here
I am at a loss
For the sake of my impeding freedom
For the sake of my dancing lies
You have me bestowed on a silver platter
Waiting for you to dig in
And as you get deeper you will continue to find me
Perpetually unaware of my own solitude
Are you the one who will find me?
You must be the one to find me
Be the one who will find me
Why must you be the one to find me?
Her lips were ruby.
The twilight played tricks with me
and sent me reeling.
One more day…I swore!
Would that allow enough time
to feel her caress?
To breathe her beauty?
To ask for eternal love?
I felt hope inside.
She turned searching eyes
toward my troubled features.
Could she read my mind?
I gambled a chance
and tugged her within my arms.
"Will you marry me?"
She withdrew from me,
breaking my short reverie.
"Are you serious?
We just met today!
Are you some kind of crazy?
Get away, you creep!"
Her ruby lips spat at me.
Related Poems