Daily, God* grants me fulltime tasks to spend midst pastime bliss
Creating heaven-on-earth moments I will never miss---
Turning chaotic silence caused by doubt-driven trust
Into vibrant faith that smites honest lies along gladness-crust.
Facing attacks of ephemeral forever doom
My heart perseveres against pain of losing wins’ doom
Bouncing back from woes due to living dead stature
Smiting hellish paradise-angst toward green pasture's nurture.
Leaving cheerful pessimist attitude behind
I behold awfully pretty times as greatly designed
Along bittersweet memories with gratitude’s best
…That though sometimes I'm a wise fool, I always feel blest.
*2 Timothy 1:2 Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
September 1, 2026
1st place, "Silent Letters and Oxymorons" Poetry Writing Contest
Sponsored by Natasha L Scragg; judged on 9/2/2026
The silent letters were not happy.
They wanted someone to notice what they did.
The k from knife walked in first,
but his arrival slipped past their eyes.
The w from write brought a pen.
The g from gnome brought tea.
The b from doubt raised his hand and asked - “Does anybody notice me?”
They shared their little troubles,
and joked about being ignored.
They lived inside familiar words,
but stayed quiet all along.
Then an oxymoron walked in
with a strange expression of his own.
“I’m an honest liar,” he said,
“I’ve been this way awhile.”
“I’m a pretty ugly genius
they told me so.
I’m seriously funny,
with my own confusing style.”
The letters shared a silent joke.
The visitor laughed along.
It was a gathering with no noise at all,
where the quiet letters finally got noticed.
Silent Letters and Oxymorons
Contest Judged: 9/2/2026 12:00:00 AM
Sponsored by: Natasha L Scragg
(1st Place)
A Collaboration between Dorothy Gibbons and Natasha L Scragg first half Natasha second half Dorothy
I was lost in the land of Confused .com
When a Pink Power Ranger came to my aid
I told her of my techno trouble
But she admitted. " I'm afraid
We are in this land together
For I am confused as well "
Oh will anyone out there rescue us?
Only time will tell...
Aha ! I remember
Im Pink Power Ranger
Stops to think hmmm ... it's easy !
Techno problems are caused by men
Women are a smarter sex than that ...
Pink Power Ranger to the rescue
Eliminate all men from planet earth
A Collaboration Between Dorothy Gibbons and Natasha L Scragg First half Natasha. Second half Dorothy
I was lost in the land of Confused.com
When a Pink Power Ranger came to my aid.
I told her of my techno trouble
But she admitted, "I'm afraid
We are in this land together
For I am confused as well."
Oh, will anyone out there rescue us?
Only time will tell....
Aha! I remember
I'm the Pink Power Ranger
Stops to think hmmm... it's easy!
Techno problems are caused by men
Women are a smarter sex than that ...
Pink Power Ranger to the rescue
Eliminate all men from planet earth.
Moon's reflection charms,
stars blaze white from pond's surface;
a cool mist rises.
Winner: 2nd Place, Engaging The Senses, Natasha L Scragg (Sponsor) 7/1/26
Written: May 5th, 2026, for contest sponsored by: Natasha L Scragg
1st place contest winner
*****************
1. Cinderella
There once was a Fairy so frazzled,
whose magic was sloppy and dazzled.
She meant to make gowns—
but turned mice into clowns—
Cinderella left early, bedazzled.
2. Little Riding Hood
Red met the big wolf on the trail,
who said, "I'll eat you!"—quite the detail.
But Red, being sweet,
said, "Please—after you eat,"
and the wolf felt too guilty to prevail.
3. Goldilocks
Goldilocks strolled in with a grin,
But the Bears had installed a new PIN.
She tapped and poked and guessed—
Papa Bear was impressed—
And they adopted her in as kin.
4. Jack and the Beanstalk
A Giant cried, "Fee-fi-fo-fum!"
But softly—his courage was numb.
He whispered instead,
"Please don't steal my bread…"
And Jack hugged him and called him "my chum."
5. Snow White
The Queen asked her mirror one day,
"Who's fairest?" in her usual way.
It sighed, "Well… Snow's cute,
but you've got better *suit*—
maybe focus on *fashion*, okay?"
Written: April 30, 2026, for a contest sponsored by: Natasha L Scragg
***********************
If I could change my shape today,
I'd choose a pet that's bright in play.
A fluffy friend with charm to spare,
who’d scamper laughing through my hair.
I might become a fox of gold,
with twinkling paws and a heart so bold.
Who trots to you at break of dawn,
and curls beside you on the lawn.
Or maybe I’d be something new—
a sky-blue cat with eyes of dew.
Who purrs in rhymes and hums in time,
and dances silly pantomime.
Or I could be a bunny sweet,
soft as clouds from head to feet.
Who hops around you in delight,
and makes your whole world feel bright.
But no matter which form I choose,
with paws or claws or floppy shoes,
I’d visit you with joy unplanned—
Your loyal friend at your command.
Angry voices from the kitchen
Trading bitter accusations,
The sound of a palm hitting face,
Endless hateful exclamations.
I held you tight against my chest,
You felt the pain I tried to hide,
My tears that soaked your small brown head
Have left some stains that now have dried.
When there was none to cling on to,
I held on to your stubby hands,
As I--to drown the guilt and shame--
I drifted off to distant lands.
Somehow though I was young and frail,
Afraid, alone, and not so wise
I found some comfort and some strength
When I looked in your button eyes.
In that dark corner long ago
When sun, moon, stars all lost their shine
It was so cold but you gave warmth,
Your knitted body pressed with mine.
Among 2nd Place More Than A Soft Toy Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Natasha L Scragg
More Than A Soft Toy Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Natasha L Scragg
Contest Judged: 9/25/2025 12:40:00 PM
( 2nd Place )
Your fur is worn thin now,
patches where love pressed too hard,
but to me you were never just a toy -
you were the voice of courage
when the dark grew too loud.
I held you like a secret shield,
breathing into your sewed ear
the worries I dared not share with my mother.
You guarded them in silence,
never speaking a word
but somehow - I always slept easier.
In daylight you became a friend
sailing ships across blankets,
chasing clouds across the plaster sky,
celebrating every victory
in make-believe wars you alone could prove
Even now,
you linger on my shelf,
a gentle witness that love
is stitched to last
beyond the years.
for-More Than A Soft Toy Poetry Contest Sponsored by: Natasha L Scragg
there once was a child from Adelaide,
who had a teddy called Marmalade.
taking each other by the hand,
they roamed imaginations land:
there, they never turned scared or afraid.
this world they only had each other,
no mother, father or big brother.
on a tandem they would ride,
or they`d walk side by side;
in this world for two, and no other.
they fought a fire breathing dragon,
and rode in an old cowboys wagon.
played with a stegosaurus,
hand fed a brontosaurus;
then fought another fiery dragon.
they took a rocket ship to mars,
and flew all around shining stars.
met a Martian green,
who was kind, not mean;
so took him, in their big space car.
adventures must finally end,
when the sleep fairy calls you friend.
she will take you by the hand,
to enter into her land;
then you`ll say, a happy amen.
--------------------
#Adelaide is a city in Australia
Good Sense Of Humour Blunts The Sharp Blades Of Reality Poetry
Contest //Sponsored by: Natasha L. Scragg
Contest Judged: 8/30/2025 4:27:00 AM
( 2nd Place )
Written: August 5, 2025
When life threw me a curveball,
I stumbled—then chuckled mid-fall.
Lumped knees, not pride, I wore like bent,
because sneering is something I've seen.
In chemo rooms and vestibules,
I frenzied dry jokes on aseptic walls.
Doctors simpered, nurses would beam—
a punch-line where the fear had been.
When agony thumped hard and sleep grew thin,
I let the silly light writhe in.
A meme, a whirl , a silly song—
made aching days feel less so long.
No, humour incurable or patch,
But it's the ally, not made to part.
It doesn't silence, hurt or truth,
but let me smirk with my aching tooth.
So here's my laugh, though life gushes beneath,
it's how I rise, not how I lament!
Wholesome humour
reverberates freedom mirth
shared in the family of joy-filled home
making us have a taste of heaven on earth...
Daddy’s jokes champion laughter
easing gloom of loss for triumph-birth
sometimes his riddles keep us chuckling
as his cheerful life enigmas we try to unearth...
Mama’s sense of humour is undeniably funny
letting us praise her midst warmth of fellowship hearth
oh, how I miss those exuberant times
along my reflection of gladness-values' worth.
As we rejoice in the Lord* always
good sense of humour is never a dearth
since it "blunts the sharp blades of reality"
while making us thankful to God for our divine jubilant perth.
June 28, 2025
*Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
2nd place, "A Good Sense Of Humour Blunts The Sharp Blades Of Reality" Poetry Writing Contest Sponsored by Natasha L Scragg; judged on /30/2025
Think not that I am just a sock;
I follow you all through your walk.
How reckless you are?
You throw me afar!
With you, I walked many a mile;
You haven’t washed me once in a while.
Your treatment is unfair;
I too need love and care.
Now I am very much worn,
And throughout, I am torn.
I try to stay out of your view,
Vexed greatly by you.
Hey, my dear man,
Find me if you can!
The Odd Sock Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Natasha L Scragg
2nd Place
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want…”*
Such is true to me, His sheep triumphant.
As ewe led to pasture for great nurture
I feast on divine nourishment’s gesture.
Refreshed along fellow lambs with grace
My heart enjoys fellowship’s warm embrace.
Still waters I do seek for thirst's quenching
With contentment midst mercy-beseeching.
I am secured, blest by the Father above
Like a sheep, safe in the keeper’s great love.
*Psalm 23:1 of the King James Bible
March 16, 2024
2nd place, "Ewe Too" Couplet Poetry Writing Contest
Sponsored by Natasha L Scragg; judged on 3/19/2024
Join me in my wondrous tea-sipping spree
Along scent of chamomile, wafting free
To celebrate health of wellness degree.
Let’s have green tea of therapeutic reign
Offering calmness from work-pressures’ strain
While savouring great pleasurable gain.
How about mint tea midst contentment bliss?
Let’s drink to that with fellowship we can’t miss
As we welcome replenishment from Brod and Sis.
There’s herbal tea with refreshing flavour
Its detoxifying might has won our favour
We always seek along exuberant fervour.
Oh, here’s milk tea ready to quench our thirst
We thank God* that in His bounty, we’re nursed
So we can share with gracious zestful burst.
*1Timothy 1:12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry.
February 9, 2023
2nd place, "Tea Time" Poetry Writing Contest
Sponsored by Natasha L Scragg; judged on 2/8/2024.
3rd place, "Stirring my tea" Poetry Writing Contest
Sponsored by Fire Bird; judged on 1/9/2024.
3rd place, "PREMIER CHOICE no 1188" Poetry Writing Premiere Contest Sponsored by Brian Strand; judged on 2/18/2023.
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