Never were you an ally
Walking the halls of home
Chaos erupting
Leaving babies all alone
We learned early to be busy
Keeping the energy flying
Shushing the evils
That blood was buying
So many secrets in disguise
Operating the huge machine
Presenting pretty pictures
Showing out golden seams
You are not welcome, my friend
In a home full of fear
You must always keep your distance
Though LOVE draws you near
There must always be noise
Dying thoughts lie in silence
No one wants to face the truth
Of what family secrets bought through violence
...move along little doggie...move along
Written by Trudy Schrader on 06-09-2026
my twin and I were thrilled
We got to wake up at four a.m.
Each of us had a new fishing rod
Mine was blue, hers was red.
We were eight
This was a big event
Grandma had sausage and eggs ready.
We were too excited to eat them.
She made us take them in a little pouch
“in case you girls get hungry”.
Grandpa warned us all the way we had to be quiet
Our giggles could be heard all over his truck.
The day was silent.
It was dark, like night, not morning.
We jibber jabbered, and he told us not to.
We were quiet when he put the boat into the water.
He held it for both of us.
Lake fishing! Wow!
We thought we would be fishing on the pond.
But this was Red Haw Lake, the big lake.
We did not want to pierce the worms, so he did it.
We were not great at casting either, so he did that too.
Plunk. Plunk. Plunk. This set us into a giggling mode.
We heard shushing from the dark corners of the lake.
This made us giggle harder and louder, and inspired questions.
Grandma was shocked when we came home in a mere hour.
“I will never take them fishing again, they scared the bass for everybody”.
The rest of the day we went around saying “dumb old grandpa” under our breaths.
Frustration
Moody in its own reflection
Confusing to the inner mind
Bubbling thoughts of strained distinction
Bold and soothing, equal measures
Ferocity and shushing sounds
Thrust from mouths in contemplation
Syllables of three marcations
Peaks and troughs sequencing structure
Signify ensuing fervour
Consumed by anger, filled with fear
A burning sensation deep within
Erupting like a fevered lava
To All The Girls in Reitz,
Your light makes black holes blink out of
existence and stars kneel in homage.
Sisters.I was born at Reitz.
I am a Free State boy me
I am the Rose of Reitz, the radiance
that rules,a rapturous revolution.
Billions of bright bodies bow before
my blossoming beauty.
A touch totally transforms time through
sheer tenderness.
I shimmer,shushing eternity,stunningly
strong,a supernova.
Flames falter,freeze, flee from my fierce fire.
The worlds wait,witnessing what wonders
will waltz from me next.
The muse has no hushing.
My voice needs no shushing,
A baby boomer scribbling,
At my brain, muse nibbling,
Cool to create,
Thoughts i relate,
While world is yawning,
I write in the morning,
Verbose or terse,
My muse here in verse!
February Gray
The weather and my mood, dismal as KING 5’s Headline News
reports of politics, war and a cold rain forecast for tomorrow,
makes me take a break from TV or staring out the window
at gray Seattle skies to take a walk down on the waterfront.
Only 5PM, yet pier 62 dock lights are already on, pale and heatless
halos of dimness in the hard as iron air slowing everything down.
Dark waves caress the seawall, rolling rhythms of shushing silence
murmuring me to wonder, When was the last time we whispered?
Suddenly, as if a dream could control weather, the sky brightens.
Beams of soft sunlight, glowing rays from a blue lip on the horizon,
radiate a warmth felt on my face. I smile for the first time this day,
as wet forecasts and despairing news recede with the setting sun.
the horizon is motionless in its red and purple hues
snow-topped mountains are shushing us with silent lips
the immobility of this presence does not hesitate to bring stillness
I look into the water’s depths; all the wildlife must be sleeping
there is not one tiny splash; this well-worn dock placates me
this is a place for eagles, but no bird is flying; the air is soundless
a meditative place, a Zen place where I could sit and emote
so I do, crossing my legs on the edge of the dock, stilling my soul
a tiny breeze barely whispers her secrets onto my face; I smile
feeling all-powerful in this sacred place, loaned to me by the Master
thoughts I could have never conjured anywhere else come to me
I begin to solve my tiny problems as the world embraces me with silence.
Fiery sun's endeavors to scorch the buds and blossoms fail
As pre-monsoon drizzles cool and caress the environs
Maia and Laxmi, goddesses of spring, slowly sail
Optimism and adventure spread wings, shushing storm's sirens.
My human form moulded to be born in May merriment
My conscience and consciousness cascade from the divine source.
With the leaven of truth, each word and deed of mine ferment
As the breeze gives breath to this month, love becomes my life force.
Adele, Will Arnett, Megan Fox, and Lenny the Kravitz
How sweet, Rabindranath Tagore too, bloomed in this season!
The labourers, who still are suffering for their birthrights
If He's made me a Mayborn, doesn't God have his reason?
As graces of fruitfulness reach the zenith of goodness
May the almighty, day by day, lead me towards fullness!
When the morning dawns, lifting each still fear,
Light pours in through the heart, shushing each tear,
While hope plays gentle on the rising sun
Penning a new start, the day has begun!
Endless beauty colors the skies in peace,
Wonders so startling, tis’ God’s masterpiece.
His name signed in splendors - faith, hope and love,
His grace remains in blessings from above!
When the music plays, curbing every doubt,
Souls remember, love is what life’s about!
Some worship Him, lifting their voice in praise,
Those hearts who seek Him shall love Him always!
Dawn lifts the shadows from a fallen soul,
His name, a whisper, makes the sinner whole!
Life without Him, is a tragic story –
With Him, there’s the promise of true glory!
Since He saved me, I have a guarantee,
What He gave me is priceless, yet it’s free!
Don’t stop believing in His love and grace.
He’s the reason, truth - I’ll ever embrace!
I hear the starlings' song,
mighty murmuration,
soaring through the ages.
Their secrets undisclosed,
naught to revered sages.
I hear the starlings' song,
mere memories of past
journeys through boundless sky,
leaving charmed contrails
rewarding to the eye.
I hear the starlings' song,
shushing – wonders promised –
solemn susurrant tones
whispering to me, "Hush",
seductive pheromones.
I hear the starlings' song
as they blacken the skies
with their mighty number,
sonant, viva voce,
murmur to me, "Slumber".
the little engine that could, as they say. he's the tortoise that won the race, despite not coming in first, second, or third. he won hearts because he completed the long, grueling race. many naysayers thought he couldn't do it. they scoffed at his advanced age and bad knee. they thought he'd give in mid-race, but he defied insurmountable odds, shushing all doubters. they counted him out before the race even began, yet, here he is, at the other side of the ribbon! it's his first-ever marathon. hobbling at the finish line, yet he's in seventh heaven! take a bow, grandpa. well-earned!
against-all-odds win
never underestimate ~
quite the underdog
Purr-fect feelings fall like shadows, down,
Casting hope into life’s greatest yearnings,
Purr-fect silence rains promises all around,
Shushing the extravagance of frisky earnings.
Purr-fect wonders exclude the restless meow,
From the promise of agility beyond compare.
Purr-fect stillness calms the most anxious brow,
Fantasizing about the mouse caught in a snare.
Pur-fect poise, dignified she abides the night,
Softly stirring the haunted nightmares of her stalked,
Purr-fect grace, begging for that first tender bite,
From the frozen heart she has assuredly shocked.
Purr-fect joy fills her heart and soul with hope,
When she remembers the cuddling of her human,
Purr-fect composure reminds her she can cope,
Unlike those careless canines, she can see - acumen
Persuading October from her quiet lair
Shedding the pleasures of life’s fictional realms
Mouthwatering plunder, gathering to share
Swirling through the silence, round oaks, pines and elms
Secrets and shadows reflecting nature’s rush
Flames of ginger, shushing dark who overwhelms
Sweet dreams are splattered with hope by God’s paintbrush
Storm wrecking peace calms souls who reflect this time
Much like a coryphée, plied by a wood thrush
Closing those moments by the sea, maritime
Breathing in crisp air, whispering a prayer
Carrot colored leaves twirl in a soothing rhyme
Reflections so daring arrive on sun’s glare
Lifting the past’s tears with grace beyond compare
Attending flower show with wife, Mr. Mouse feels dread.
She ignores him completely, and runs way up ahead.
Jotting down notes, and shushing him every single time.
He wants to stay home, but she feels this is not sublime
She wants him to come, so she can show she has a man.
But she ignores him completely as only a real wife can.
Then when she sees his old girlfriend, she pulls him in quick.
Pretending they are still in love, her usual slick trick.
Tijuana rain puts me into a siesta like mood
I sit by the window allowing her to lull me to sleep
relaxing the way only Mexicans know how to relax
releasing troubles, trials and tribulations of this week
my roommates tiptoe around me, shushing each other
I appreciate their concern, feeling their love and tolerance.
she is pretty when she sleeps, one says, which surprises me.
I slip gently into dreamland, unaware now of the others.
Sub Categories
Looking for the formal definition, structure, and history of this poetry form? Visit the Poetry Dictionary entry below. Then return to explore how PoetrySoup members bring the form to life through their own poems.