Dearest winning poets of my former contest
Hopefully you all got books I confess
The tariffs and challenges didn’t stop most
From getting their complimentary copy so
If you have NOT gotten it by now email me
I’ve got a few books saved just in case you see
What Makes Me Smile is the book
If you’re curious to have a look
Or obtain a copy for a sick friend
Soupmail me to see how we can
Overcome fees and challenging times
To deliver wonderful works encouraging minds
Lent
Lent can be a time to give up:
chocolate
alcohol
cell phones
television
computers
cursing
smoking
While they are all good
What if we did:
pray more
serve at a homeless shelter
spend more time with family
go to church
read the Bible
call a sick friend
help a single mother
Lent is more than giving up something.
It is about loving and serving God
and loving and serving others
as Jesus did for us.
Innocent email arrived today
From a friend in constant pain
The content read, then read again
Just saying hello and how are you
Exchanges between friends over backyard fence
She spoke of issues as friends can
Words used as blows to the head
Death and gloom are her companions
Deep breath taken preparing myself
A visit was made to a sick friend
Two hours of listening to horror stories
A time given, a sentence to be served
Time and pain her constant companions
I sat and slowly sank into surrounding darkness
Clearing possessions, her only action
Clear her belongings, peace for the soul
Tears had flowed until none were left
Able to talk of death and its intent
In a daze we said our farewells
Left her standing on the edge of a precipice
A distant figure waving farewell
My mind unable to comprehend
I now sit at my desk so confused
Attempting to say what is best
This is the line where I must stop.
Today, I forget yesterday
Like switching off the smart TV
Meeting my poor neighbor
And say "I care about you";
Today, I want something new ,
Like listening to my heart
Visiting my sick friend
And say "I love you";
Tonight, I do something new,
Like watching the stars
Counting my blessings
And say"God thank you".
A perfect cup of coffee
launches the perfect day,
but coffee must be ground to bits
completely
smithereened and thoroughly crushed
no trace of completeness,
to release the aroma
that permeates my senses
my maligned sensibilities
distorting both.
I am grateful for these distortions
distractions
As an old perception attached to them
brings hope, that perfection might bring tranquility
or that perfection brings peace
space
lebensraum
Aroma's that can dull
the internal microscope len
that i'm under this morning
and every morning
my sick friend and perpetual free will
gets granted clemency today
a slight reprieve,
momentarly granted insight
on how to let go,
get sloppy
live a life worth living
Another day comes to be
like a a warm summer breeze
but my heart aches.
Why do I suffer with aches
in this body?
As I walk I feel faint
my knees are weak
my tummy like a creek.
Doctors every week
but yet so weak.
Some day to dance
and go place
to place
free of aches.
I want to fly
like an eagle
on the warm breeze.
Yet I feel like a tree
in the wind swaying
side to side.
Written for a sick friend by Michael Byte
11/15/13
Joyce
Joyce is an adventurer.
One of her favorite pastimes is exploring nature.
Yet she still finds time to do some crafting, too.
Cooking is another of her joys.
Every Friday she helps a sick friend with her store.
© Dane Ann Smith-Johnsen
January 30, 2010
Poetic form: Name
Poet on a Pony,
Traveling up these perilous
winding paths,
To deliver her precious wares
To a sick friend...
Who so anxiously enjoys
her talent and wisdom
Hey, the Pony Express LIves!!!
A famous preacher said that when we pray, we should thank God in advance.
That way the chances of our prayers being answered will be enhanced.
Thank God if you're praying for a sick friend to heal.
If you thank him for going to answer your prayer, he most likely will.
After you thank him, have faith that he will answer your prayers.
God loves all of us and no matter what the circumstances, he'll always be there.
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.