Short Keeled Poems

If you're harried, befuddled and flustered.
And your life tastes of pepper and mustard.
Don't abandon the field,
and remain even-keeled.
You will soon get a spoonful of custard....

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Angry people are not very nice, so the saying goes
Must be an even keeled individual to stay on your toes
Play it cool like me
Be a more relaxed thee
But it's okay to be angry if you can't find your clothes...

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Angry people aren't nice, makes sense if you have  a big nose
Must be an even-keeled individual to stay on your toes
Play it cool like me
Be a more relaxed thee
But okay to be angry if you can't find your hose I suppose...

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she guards her feelings
represses them so deep
they'll never see the light of day

in a world not even-keeled
she gets by without a care
or so it seems
drama will not phase her

try as they may to reel her in
she nods politely
and carries on
choosing inner balance



AP: Honorable Mention 2024

Posted on August 8, 2024...

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in soddening tempest
and billowing gale
i stand and plead with God
for drought

feet rooted in scuttling sand
wind-swept grains thrash at my face
i stand and plead with God
for typhoons 

one day i wake up
keeled over in shallow puddles
brought to a boil 
by a horizon's line of sun 
a flower sprouts by my open palms 
and i ask God
for seeds 
...

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I knocked tbe door hands were shaking
just come in ... my knees were quaking
keeled over in a huddle
looked up.... I need a cuddle
my dentist asked...teeth are aching

no I replied pain is no more
open wide let me just make sure
quickly he taps the molar
right out of chair i did soar
straight across room and out the door.


penned 12 January 2019...

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Wallace Stevens was the greatest
man I never knew.
Juggled both Hunting Tigers
and hanging nouns.

Wonder about his demeanor
walking about the courtroom
with even heeled shoes,
focusing on the even keeled beat.

A dozen orbits and 
twice that in satellites
quivering to witness twisted truths,
be they that or not.

Phrased.
Articulated. 
Blatently controlling the room,
his stage....

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Before we’re born, some things are set,
Like certain traits that we will get.
Will we take risks? Will we be shy?
Be even-keeled or quickly cry?

Will we excel in sports or art?
Will music bloom within our heart?
Will friends come or will we be prone
To spending lots of time alone?

So much of how we interact
And what we love or hate, in fact,
Is predetermined to be so
Way back when we’re in utero....

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I talked to God last night 
as I keeled beside my bed 
God almighty you're always right 
That is what said 

As I Keeled beside my bed 
God you have shown me the way 
That is what I said 
I am thankful for today 

God you have shown me the way 
I have found my inner peace 
That is what I said 
All this fighting needs to cease 

As I keeled beside my bed 
God almighty you're always right
that is what I said 
I  talked to God last night...

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Somebody’s stolen my hamster
It was there when I went up to bed
My sister is sitting there laughing
And saying my hamster is dead

She thinks that it’s ever so funny
That Hammy keeled over and died 
Then she showed me where Hammy was buried
And I fell to my knees and I cried

The tears only lasted a minute
When a thought entered into my head
If my hamster has gone up to heaven
Can I have a new puppy instead ?

© John W Fenn  16-02-2009...

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Shoulders hunched skittering tiptoe on ice polished tarmac.
Racing down wind in tumble roll effort to rise.
Then rising in stem keeled soar of caught breeze
To sail in free wheeling swirl
Hanging ten on invisible wavering air currents
Laughing at still tied comrades all in fluttering applause 
While below a hundred others huddle
Waiting for a big one in cold November sun
A few scuttle away to hide in comforting bushes
Reliving memories of safer family ties...

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