Short Refraining Poems

Sit here!
Recite
with us
story notes,
playing
bellyache
teary sigh laughs;
same told tune 
refraining...

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There's a poet gun-shy 'bout limericks
He sure wants to get over that right quick
  So he's penning these lines
  He's refraining from whines
Hoping that his good intentions will stick...

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positive expansion 
away from negativity
is of essential importance 
to the future outcome 
refraining from allowing 
the mind to wonder down 
negative neural pathways 
is key to mental reconstruction...

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Autumn has sprung; a rebirth of the seasons.
Crunchy, brown leaves falling all around.
Around this hot, ill weathered town.
Cooler temps to ease the pain.
Refraining from the dreadful heat.
In which some were slayed....

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Trump Through Basic Training

Trump could never make it through basic training;
Instead stood under golden shower that is staining;
Cause that losses,
With many excuses;
From being president should have been refraining.

Jim Horn...

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Growing older, one observes
That energy starts waning.
Though it’s not what one deserves,
There’s no use in complaining.

Aging throws us learning curves
To deal with verve that’s draining.
When nothing’s left in the reserves,
It’s time for some refraining....

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Tightrope

Sh-h-h!… the cat leaves feathers of silence
for footprints as she glides,
and refraining from knocking her off-balance,
the wind holds its breath
because it is hypnotized
by the grace and mystical communion
of cat-feet with the tightrope of the moon
along the windowsill of night -
Sh-h-h!… even the silence is mesmerized!…...

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The Forest Pool

The flowing stream paused to rest
Refraining from its urgent quest
To rush ever faster at the Worlds bequest

I too watch the Forest pool
And wonder if the worlds a fool
Is it not just a bigger pool

Where can peace be found more free
Where such beauty do we see
Would not all here long to be
Beside the Forest pool...

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Brittle, uneven nails 
Jabbing her skin
Kept her alert
While forcing a grin

Blank, saddened eyes
Skimming the faces
Sure, to keep moving 
Refraining embraces

A mumbling cycle 
Of indistinct chatter
Diverted attention 
From what was the matter

Leaving the impression 
She had little to say
With no one aware
She had a bad day...

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A demon’s playing
but no one’s listening
Black whirlwind coming
tomorrow hissing

The moment christened
in dark despair
Entrapping vision
beyond repair

A mantra chanting
its rhythm waning
Despoiled virtue
with time refraining

Unmasking Hoder
in blind respite
The god of darkness
—and lost delight

(Dreamsleep: August, 2023)...

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L-ive in love, faith, and hope, 
O-r you'll be left by the Creator; 
R-emain firm and steady
I-n refraining from
E-rror.

P-ractice what you've learned, 
A-s the days are passing by; 
L-et not your life go amiss; 
E-arly morn tenth of July.
N-ever forget to obey, 
C-ome fulfill the worship service; 
I-t must be complied, 
A-s a matter of practice....

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Fondled by the temptation of an autumn sunset
Erect stands a woman in the cradle of such potent winds
Quite dashingly contributing colour to the scene
Her silky, black dress enveloping her ever so tightly
Composing the shape of an inviting taboo
Whilst refraining all comely sounds of vernacular
How her lips whisper things of which previously I knew not
Sign o’ the times...

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Once again, the Eagles fell short of their goal.
This year, there will be no trip to the Super Bowl.
They were done in by the Packers from Green Bay.
All hopes and aspirations have gone away.
There is joy and jubilation for each “cheese head”.
It is the Eagles who are packing instead.
There is a verse all Philly fans are refraining:
“We can’t wait for the Phillies to start spring training.”...

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Bluebells in chime are shadows in training,
beech trees rising in a sheltering sky.
Sunlight peeks through, the merest of raining,
to guide the mauve buds to darkness close by.
Wind in the forest wafts in refraining.
Violet implores the young they must fly.

But until they're ready fledglings must wait
to one day assume their amethyst fate.


1st Place
Early July Standard Contest
Sponsor:  Brian Strand
7/4/17...

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Once I sat upon your throne
to visit a familiar chair
I am the Empress overthrown
I no longer rule or scare
My face is in the picture
since 1968
There is no kind of stricture
I'm sitting at the gate
I stand for birth and promise
of a new dawn seeping in
and of gifts awmous
refraining from any sin
So lay out the cards of ink my friends
and see me sitting there
you need not for to make amends
I'll grant your wishes fair....

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Etching, catching
drawn to sketching~
     ~Charcoal fingers
       dusting lingers
       fine upon your lines

Calling, falling
blackened sprawling~
     ~Pencil staining
       sweet refraining
       humming paper shines

Reaching, teaching
to beseeching~
    ~ Shading pages
       rearranges
       thoughts to scattered form

Reeling, peeling
to the ceiling~
     ~Forms awaken
       not forsaken
       charcoal, evening storm....

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Once bitten, twice shy, 
You are vigilant; 
You become cautious, 
Like a shameful plant.

You are now fearful, 
As you feel the pain; 
You're careful about
Doing it again.

When one rejects you
And hurts you inside; 
You are reluctant
To swallow your pride.

You'll never fall from
Grace a second time; 
Like refraining from
Committing a crime.

When you are injured
Beneath the blue sky; 
You will be on guard, 
Once bitten, twice shy....

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