Short Duffy Poems

In the Greatest Game
We rise and fall like a wave 
But swim on we must

#575
(C) Copyright John Duffy...

Read More

From work to love.
From family and friends 

Have you encountered this Senryu?

Being betrayed
Is insidiously mean
By those you trusted

(575)

(C)
Copyright John Duffy...

Read More

Sometimes, moving on is all that you can do.

Grief

After a year of silence 
I'll walk into 2025

With the hope to find someone new
To replace you

(C)
Copyright John Duffy...

Read More

ancient bubble's gift
amber trapped mosquito's head
breathes scent of wild rose

Long Tooth
June 20, 2016

Poet's Notes:
Inspired by Mike Duffy on FB's Japanese Poetry Garden Path!...

Read More

Sometimes in life

If you're really lucky, 
You meet people you truly love 

Without all the complications of physical or spiritual crucifixions

Special ones
You can never grow tired of

(C)
Copyright John Duffy
 
...

Read More

This is a link to a noir short story I wrote, featuring a friend's cat. Administrators can delete if you wish, but I thought some might like a story.  I tried to be poetic. 

http://sylvannovelust.blogspot.com/2013/12/adventures-of-duffy-dean-unified-story.html...

Read More

I still visit you
Somewhere deep inside 
You know

For our old memories together 

Carry me still
Everywhere I go

(C)
Copyright John Duffy 

Foundation.

In brief moments of reflection, do you still remember those you still love through introspection?...

Read More

Poetry Tip 101

(A lone voice whispers)

For a dash of exquisite fun

Try to have such a mesmerising style of creativity—when stimulating, visual imagery. 

So all those within your prose's proximity:

Can enjoy its delicious delivery 

(C) Copyright John Duffy 
...

Read More

I once knew and loved you 
And we stuck like glue

Until the Leviathan appeared smiling

Right up from its lair
In the deep green and blue

(C)
Copyright John Duffy 

Christian theologians identified Leviathan with the demon of the deadly sin envy. 

Source.
Google.

...

Read More

Beyond these dark days of ever-growing political dystopia

Social and claustrophobic phobia's 

Find something or someone to love and try to absorb that feeling like 
illicit opium 

Why

It could be the way to survive this life cycle's current pandemonium

(C) Copyright John Duffy...

Read More

Foundation.

If you've gone through separation, did sleep come easy or not?

Title 
Sleepless in Paradise 

I once knew Love and stayed briefly within its shadowy keeps

Sated

But now separated
And unmated

I can no longer enter 
For I no longer sleep

(C) Copyright John Duffy 

...

Read More

(A weary voice whispers)

Like a slave to love
I once looked for true completeness 

But like Beatrice and Dante, 
There was always a great barrier 

Between us

(C)
Copyright John Duffy 

Foundation.

Does society, peer pressure, family or religion, hinder many when searching for love?...

Read More

(A lone voice whispers)

l still miss that sweet voice
Whose noise used to make my heart rejoice 

But choices made need to be paid without delay

So the Big Old Church Book says

(C)
Copyright John Duffy 

Foundation of the piece.

The person who thought the grass was greener on the other side....

Read More

Pause and look around 
When the rain never seems to stop 

When your fake smile hides the deep pain in your eyes 

Look for those who can feel the vibration and quiver in your voice

For it's them, who'll understand the chronic suffering hiding in each and every teardrop 

(C) Copyright John Duffy...

Read More

The Showdown 

(A lone voice whispers)

I once knew Love
But like a bullet fired from
Wyatt Earp's Colt 45

It struck me down in the only showdown of my life

Now I walk around like a reborn sick Doc Holliday

Wondering 
How alone

I'll finish my play and stay alive 

(C) Copyright John Duffy

...

Read More

(A lone voice whispers)

Will my eyes see deep
Will they see 

Where your soul sleeps

It's views
And reviews

All the intriguing intricate things
Which makes you 
Be you

When you welcome me
Into your keep 

(C)
Copyright John Duffy 

Need some love advice?

To truly love someone, do you need to know them, inside out?...

Read More

Is this one of the sins of the twenty-first century, increased tenfold by social media affecting relationships?

Have you been uncouth or met one of the uncouth?

(Adjective: lacking in good manners, refinement, or grace.) 
:

Infidelity

Well, I guess I'm uncouth
I lied 

And didn't tell them 
The truth 

(C)
Copyright John Duffy...

Read More

The Vine

The first day love climbed
Like an invisible green vine 
Into me 

From Aphrodite's crimson tree

My life changed
Haunted forever by
My old history 

(C)
Copyright John Duffy 

Foundation of the piece.

Can you remember when you first fell in love, and did that moment signify a significant change in your emotional mindset?...

Read More

(A female lawyer whispers)

Some of my narcissistic plaintiffs write for greatness 
But the most divine I serve 

Write simply for self-expression

To embrace their sacrifices
Personal experiences and inner freedoms

So my question is

Are you 

A.

A freedom plaintiff 

Or

B.

A narcissistic native?

(C)
Copyright John Duffy...

Read More

(A lone voice whispers at 3 am)

There was always something so controversial and medieval 

About exploring semi-clothed in the dark shadows
All the deeply hidden essences of you

But I guess it's just one of the many unspoken reasons 
Why I stepped into your view

Just unconsciously attracted when you appeared 
Right out of the blue


(C)
Copyright John Duffy

...

Read More

Let all the war hawks
And war hungry
World leaders

Be conscripted 
To stand on the front lines

To satisfy their souls
Thirst for war

In straight 
Regimental lines

As the world
Hears their whines

(C)
Copyright John Duffy 

Foundation of the piece.

Would the thirst for war have a different narrative, if those advocating for it, served on the front lines?

....

Read More

Esuries (L)

(A lone voice whispers)

Has love's incandescent crimson light bulb
Illuminated your lonely soul yet

To help you forget 
Those quiet years

When you walked upon fragile parapets alone 

You'd rather now paint
Using poetry as your only form of catharsis

Before you are called home

(C)
Copyright John Duffy 

Esuries translated:
Hunger

Image shared under fair usage policy 
...

Read More

God where were you on a Sunday afternoon,
When your clouds were oh so fluffy,
 Were you waiting for the right opportune.
Saying everything was just duffy.
 Does a child praying for help count,
Why God did you ingnore me.
 You allowed him to mount.
Could you not see.
 Did you say oh she does not count.
Come here he said to me.
 Do you know how babies are made.
No Daddy. 
 God why did you not come to my aid....

Read More

Do you sometimes make promises to yourself to keep going



Regardless of what everyone else is doing



A promise to take all things as they come 



For in the long run

Worrying about what could be



What could happen 

Will simply stifle dreams 



So as they say in Latin



Carpe Diem 

Seize the day



Be that vision of success

For all to see



(C)

Copyright John Duffy...

Read More

At night I close my eyes
Though they are full of tears
I see your gorgeous face
Which helps to calm my fears.

I try to understand
Why this is how things are
But deep inside I’m scared
Afraid it will go too far.

I fear you won’t come home
Home means back here to me
With me is where you belong
You know we are meant to be.

I need your reassurance
As often as can be
That you will be home soon
With little Duffy and me....

Read More