Silver and rust flash
clash, crash
in the steam-drenched air
Muskets fire, reload, re-fire
deadly pea-shooters
drowned out by cannons’ roar
Blood-stained, smudged tatters of uniforms
soak up a blazing sun
in shimmering mists of collision
Trumpets' blare swallowed in air
fiery tempers, outsized nostrils flare
'bravery's' spelled F-O-O-L-I-S-H out there
Orders barked, flail, fall
flat upon sagging shoulders
of men, like dogs, tongues panting
Still the silver, yet the rust
high above the fray
where 600,000 dead men lay
_______________________________________
Various sources cite total soldiers'
deaths as low as 400,000-something
and as high as 800,000-something.
The most common estimate seems
to be about 620,000 deaths.
Transition
There is a small window of time
when September’s sun-fired air
must welcome and share
the apple-crisp breath
of imminent October
we soak up the last of
a summer-season palette
and invite the autumn blend
skin delights under a shawl of
warm, then cool, warm, cool
flirty swimsuits sag sadly
heading back to their winter stations
bright sweaters emerge
flailing their arms in jubilation
perennials get a fresh winter cut
annuals hold on to life as long as possible
the yellow spider spins her web
proudly attaching herself to
everything on the deck.
one can only smile when waking up
to an outrageously gorgeous morning.
Think about your entire life in four different stages,
Like the seasons animals endure out in the wild.
With the SPRING, comes learning how to turn the pages.
Curiosity is overwhelming as a child.
The SUMMER of life is full of fun and innocence for us all,
As we soak up the sun’s hot rays and frolic on the beach.
When we become an adult, we listen to our heart’s call
And we find that none of our desires are out of reach.
Throughout the AUTUMN of our life, we daydream a lot.
We live to work and work to live, knowing there’s more out there.
Find that one, special person out there and give it a shot.
What makes the journey worth the wait is knowing that they care.
When the WINTER of our life comes knocking at our door,
We will be ready and waiting with open arms and love.
With a partner, it’s just another season to explore,
While those who have gone on before us watch from up above.
A coat of light brown and a heart of thread,
Waiting for me on the edge of the bed.
So soft and squishy, a pillowy prize,
With quiet patience and brown button eyes.
With a black little nose and a bright red tongue,
To your comforting spirit, I’ve always clung.
I hold you close when the world feels loud,
Or wrap you in blankets like a terry cloud.
I hug you tight till the worries depart,
And feel your stuffing against my heart.
Sometimes I’m angry and toss you aside,
But Cushy, you never once leave or hide.
I smile at your face when the morning is new,
Finding a comfort that’s honest and true.
I share every secret, my thoughts and my fears,
While you soak up the laughter and dry all my tears.
From your fuzzy ears to your small scrubby tail,
A friendship with you will never pale.
When the day is finally done and it’s right,
I tuck you in with me for the night.
Under the covers, a snug little team,
Floating together through every dream.
Keep us cozy, warm till sun’s light,
My best friend Cushy throughout the night.
It’s sunny and breezy and lovely, but cold
And I’m days away from another year old.
I’m holding my hat so the wind doesn’t steal it,
Pretending the sun’s warmth means that I don’t feel it.
The seagulls are swooping, the branches are blowing;
I sit by the river with no way of knowing
How many more birthdays will grant me a candle
And whether what waits I’ll be able to handle.
Perhaps if I focus on merely today
And forget about what may be coming my way,
I’ll be able to soak up the sunshine instead
Of more worries than simply the hat on my head.
Toxic positivity
A blessing and a curse
Is it a possibility
That I can be sad first?
I cant always fake a smile
But other times I can
sometimes life will stab you though
and ruin all your plans
Living in the moonlight
With darkness all around
Stumbling and falling
With no light to be found
But I wanna soak up the sun
Wanna tell everyone to lighten up
But right now I am vampire
And I don’t give a
Let the sunshine in
I want to soak up that energy
I'm feeling alive and full of vitality
Life is more beautiful than ever
I feel like I could conquer the world
AP: Honorable Mention 2026
Youth has fled, memories remain
Soak up remnants of what used to be
Nothing but nothing is the same
Into the past visions I see.
I couldn’t help myself, peeking through the trees
at the white, glowing moon. It seemed so close,
so far away, meant for a gothic grace - the swish
of an antique gown, nearly floating in the midst.
Two trees held the moon between them; squeezed it
exquisitely, beautifully, tenderly. I’m caught in the light
of the luminous lanterns seeking respite, surrendered
to waning twilight. A twinkle in my steadfast soul.
Must I lose; I might linger, with my iPhone to control
the soulful image - what I will make of it. My backyard,
the trees thrill me, move me into the presence of God.
A scintillation of Eden, dumbed-down for dust-to-dust.
What spectacle of glory will we one day see; our lens
in eternity? Will we soak up color choices that stretch
forth one after the other? We can only imagine;
we can’t even imagine! I turn the moon off; step inside.
Today might be a stressful day
tomorrow could be swell
next week might be a challenge
next month you’ll conquer hell
Next year could be different
to where you are today
the point of this being
don’t throw your life away
Why do you question things
why worry every day
everyone has a story
don’t let it cause delay
emerge from your cocoon
let your wings dry
see life in a new light
spread your wings and fly
When one cycle ends
another one begins
when one day you lose
another there could be wins
if todays a struggle
tomorrow could be great
So just take a breath
time to recalibrate
Take a walk in nature
feel the healing vibes
frequencies will gravitate
to your soulful tribes
Be grateful for the life
the magic that is there
soak up all the wisdom
and know the spirit’s care
I hold the blade In my hand
I’m better than this
I’ll follow the plan
The cool metal against my fingers
I shouldn’t do this
Yet the temptation lingers
But how else does the aching go away?
I have to do this
I know ill pay
I pick a place for a new scar
I want to do this
I didn’t get far
A deep red river flows from my thigh
I’m doing this
I try not to cry
I soak up the blood with a shuddering breath
I did this
The next step is death
I grew up in a rural, seaside spot.
Where winters were cold, and summers were hot.
Spent sunny days on the riverbank fishing all day.
Until the bailiff came and chased us away.
We’d play games on the beach and soak up the sun.
Until strangers arrived and ended our fun.
They took over the beach and shooed us away.
And told us to find somewhere else to play.
More and more strangers arrived every year.
The farms were all built on as jobs disappeared.
The strangers kept coming and were happy to pay.
When our landlords sold out, we could no longer stay.
The place is now heaving on hot summer days.
The remaining few busy on minimum wage.
Priced out of the village where we had all grown.
A winter a ghost town, we once called home.
Our magical haven of tranquillity
Is now full of holiday homes and Airbnb’s.
The farm hands and fishermen no longer belong.
The strangers now own it and the locals have gone.
Fuchsia gives light to the cobalt blue sky
As the doves sing a lullaby
One tree frog croak while cricket chirps
And woodpecker's cymbals add their touch
Close your eyes and feel the cool
Open your heart, let the damp morn in
Enjoy the touch and feel that's so real
Be in the moment, a chance to relish, feel
Negative emotions that are inside let them release
Open your soul to all nature's peace
As doves rear their squab
Soon fly away in the bevy
Ignore the survival in the wild
Sit, soak up the atmospheric pleasure awhile
Rest and let life pass by
Just a moment or two, give it your best
Time to revel in beauty, grace, quiet and stillness
Just a few minutes prepares one for the day
Nature invites take time to pray
For her it was a quiet act of rebellion
To the world it was just a girl dancing
The smile on her face magnetic
The way she swung her hips mesmerising
Her rhythm hypnotising
She was proud of herself for letting go
Of choosing her freedom
Instead of being trapped in a room full of her own demons
Instead of wallowing in her sadness
She danced in joy
Celebrating a part of herself She had hidden
She celebrated her blackness
She was the epitome of beauty
Not just her looks but her beauty within
To anyone who'd ever be so lucky
To witness her glory
Would be enchanted by her smile
The type that reaches her eyes
They way the sun danced on her skin
Sprinkling a glow so golden
Like a sunflower In the garden
This intimate act of self care
Was a moment so special
It will forever be embedded
In her head
The day she decided
This joy She would never forget
And as she danced away
She promised to not let regret
Keep her hostage in the past
But to soak up every moment if happiness
And to live in the present
Of all the types of dance there are
Across a world-wide map,
My very favorite one, by far,
Is any type of tap.
There’s something ‘bout those quick short moves
With that staccato sound
That gets me into happy grooves
When tap shoes are around.
Today we saw the final show
Of a two week tap dance run.
The joy on stage produced a glow
Which covered everyone.
I wore a ninety-minute grin
And didn’t have my fill.
I couldn’t keep my feelings in;
My feet would not stay still.
It was a privilege being there,
My husband by my side,
To soak up such delight (so rare!)
That tap dance can provide.
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.