Simple pleasures
Like all the rest
Will come and go
But without stress
Since they simply
Fade in due course
Without grasping
Can hold no force
To keep us bound
In habits strong
With mind confused
By right or wrong
For what has been
Or soon may be
Just falling leaves
From every tree
Since easy come
And easy go
This easy wind
Our troubles blow
To bring us here
And leave us now
This sacred space
Of nameless Tao
(11/14/25)
I used to care about my looks
Never bothered reading books
I used to chase that money tree
Surely then I could be free
I cared too much what people thought
About the many things I bought
I cared too much that I had to be right
Never bothering to be polite
I chased the notion of importance
Whereby I could make a stance
I chased acceptance from richer fools
Thinking it might make me cool
But now I’m older and with a wry smile
I contemplate that flawed lifestyle
Now I’m older it’s crystal clear
We are promised nothing each year
I crave the simple pleasures life serves
There are no special privileges I deserve
I crave nature and all it beholds
I take my time awaiting how life unfolds
The simple things surely matter the most
Those trappings I shall no longer boast
When we are no longer here what shall we miss?
It will be nature, family, friends and a loving kiss.
For those for whom life is a waste
simple pleasures lose their taste
Dreams and butterflies never chased
their Rubicon crossed in criminal haste
In a busy world I don't take for granted simple pleasures
like snuggling with a loved one on a chilly winter's night
Saving keepsakes of the things I collect and call treasures.
Finding myself in the dark until someone turns on a light.
I'm pleased that my children still come to me for advice
Happy with the blooms, from bulbs I planted last year.
It's wonderful when a dear friend does something nice...
like seeing me crying, then gently wipes away my tear.
Sugary kisses from my grandchild placed on my cheek
as sweet as the bite of a warm cinnamon bun with icing
Soft rain like mist is a gift from Mother Nature that I seek
and hoping to fall in love makes romance sound enticing.
Before rising in the morning I enjoy a long languid stretch
Being the giver instead of the one who takes in greed
Liking the end results of charcoal portraits that I sketch
Having a stranger return my smile is a pleasure, indeed.
Being gifted with a bouquet of flowers for no reason at all
Having a thirteenth doughnut thrown in for good measure
Being able to stand and walk after taking an emotional fall
Building faith in God overflows my heart with pure pleasure.
Its the simple pleasures in life
That excite me the most
Like the smell of coffee in the morning
Or Vegemite on toast
A beautiful day around nature
Laughter , cuddles galore
Lattes and cuppa’s
Being with the humans l adore
Watching a good crime series
Being comfy and cosy at home
Eating lots of chocolate
Writing poems, doing Wordle on my phone
Being warm and snug in my bed
Listening to music or the rain
Its these and so many more simple pleasures
That bring my life contentment again and again!
There are simple pleasures in country things,
Hayrides and harvesting in the epoch of fall.
In the season when leaves fly with golden wings.
Porches where folks strum on guitar strings,
sharing iced tea and fond memories enthrall.
There are simple pleasures in country things.
Upon a fence, a tendrilled morning glory clings,
Purple blooms climbing on a white-washed wall.
In the season when leaves fly with golden wings
Feeling northerly winds this time of year brings.
Watching flocks fly south in answer to time's call.
There are simple pleasures in country things.
Swaying on hammocks or old wooden swings,
dancing a two-step and voices speaking in drawl.
In the season when leaves fly with golden wings.
Living a good life much richer than great kings,
and waiting for snow that nature cannot forestall.
There are simple pleasures in country things,
in the season when leaves fly with golden wings.
11/03/2022 ~ Third Person Villanelle Contest
Sponsored by L Milton Hankins
I am so glad I live in America
My freedoms I treasure living here,
That I have peace, no living in fear
For my great love of trivia!
My friends are very special to me
For my family, especially my son,
When I look out I can see the sun
That my health relatively stable be.
So happy for the summertime
I have musical talent, a blessing I enjoy
The gift of writing which I employ
Especially writing poetry with rhyme.
That I know how to relax and meditate
Grateful for a sound mind at my age
Also, that I learned how to turn a page
Make good decisions, do not hesitate.
Happy that I found faith early in life
Living peacefully with neighbors
That I have retired from my labors
So far, I am free of fret and strife!
BRONZE MEDAL WINNER
Written June 28, 2022
"Drop and Give Me 20" Poetry Contest
All Poetry
July 1, 2022
Hidden flashlights
And hushed voices
Open windows
Scared of small noises
Sitting on rooftops
Not to leave but to stay
Grounding myself
So my mind isn’t in the way
My body shaking
Ridden with cold
Refusing to go in
The feeling never gets old
Finally returning
To a warm waiting place
It seems so different
From my cold safe space
Huddled under blankets
Hidden in extreme measures
But they can never take away
My small simple pleasures
I am so delighted
by simple pleasures
that cost nothing
--butterflies flitting
--sparrows chirping
--squirrels chattering
I love
--a parade
--funny costumes
--unexpected bonuses
I wish you
--hugs and kisses
--better days ahead
--freedom from want
May we always
--sing happy songs
--pursue justice
--live in peace
FIRST PLACE WINNER
Brian Strand's Poetry Soup Contest
July 15, 2021
I had simple pleasures when I was child
Not considered raucous and certainly not wild
Ten pence put into a space invader machine
Was hardly offensive and not obscene
Kicking a football along a crowded street
Sucking a gobstopper the best kind of sweet
Played board games if the weather was bad
Simple pleasures for a most simple lad
I look around at the younger generation today
So much change and difference I have to say
Their simple pleasures are not clear to me
Everything is available as far as I can see
When summer's in the meadow
and the bluebird's on the wing,
I love the simple pleasures
that a country morn can bring.
Then all the world's a cane pole
with a bobber and a line,
the catfish are a jumpin'
and all I have is time.
My back against a willow tree
the clouds float softly by,
the wind is gentle on the pond
as it mirrors the summer sky.
With bated breath and baited hook
I love the joy it brings
when summer's in the meadow
and the bluebird's on the wing.
It's early 'fifties- a group meets
in field of grass, though barren, bare-
a break away from city streets
to share some wholesome country air.
The cars behind are parked to wait
as couples sit, while others stand;
they're here to hear, appreciate
a roving five-piece country band.
No matter that the grass is tall,
this place can offer them some time
away from weekday city-sprawl-
enjoying nature's peaceful clime.
The live performance soon will fill
the air with rhythm, loud and strong;
programs in hand- await the thrill
of each uplifting country song.
March 3, 2020
For Contest, Back When
Sponsored by Line Gauthier
Cotton candy clouds at sunset
Star lit skies at darkest night
Yellow moons in the heaven
My hand in yours held tight .
Small verdant hands that say hello
To creatures great and small
God’s gentle breath stirring them
Until their time to fall .
Ladybugs and lightening bugs
Inch worms here and there
Wooly bears and wondrous things
Our time to watch, so rare.
And in the blue, birds call and coo
Looking for their mate
They soar, they spy, they swoop, then say
Fly home, the day is late.
But not for us we say with joy
Our time has just begun
We walk, we dream, we speak of life
And all the things we’ve done.
While in the quiet of the night
The rabbits romp and play
For a moment silent and still
Our love to last, I pray.
Behold the wonders near and far
Keep them in your heart
The simple pleasures we have shared
From these we shall not part.
The aroma of fresh-baked bread,
The scent of a book yet unread,
Hints of spring in the air,
When the coldest winter’s fled.
An old song like a forgotten friend,
Over the din of a bar heard again.
A sunset’s liquid gold,
Splashed across sky, sea and sand.
The rustle of a fresh white quilt,
The fall of a lover’s hair like silk,
The queries of a little girl,
Made softly with a quivering lilt.
The mist from a sprinkler’s spray,
On a lawn and a hot summer day.
The notes of a saxophone solo
Weaving into the heart to stay.
Every moment carries a treasure,
To gladden the soul beyond measure.
Blessed are those who find
Contentment in each simple pleasure.
After a long and tiring working day
A lavender bath soaks my cares away
Hearing my husband’s car purr onto the drive
Knowing he’s home safely, oh it's good to be alive!
Seeing a beautiful rainbow high up in the sky
An upside down smile from heaven, always catches my eye
Moonlight walk along the silver sand
Walking with my husband, hand in hand
Curling up on the sofa with a cup of tea
Composing lots and lots of my poetry
Simple Pleasures Contest
Sponsor Kim Merryman
22nd January 2016
Sub Categories
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