Conquer and divide
Truth is put aside
Freedoms continually denied
Propaganda is how they've always lied
A world through armies forever homicide
The time has now come to stem this evil tide
Spread the word of love that comes from deep inside
Heal the wounds of separation of a gulf that's far and wide
Each individual come together a loving collective we must urgently decide
Greatness
spawn’s reincarnation
like the dawn
rebirths the sun
Alexander
Patton, and Churchill sleep
but woken
rebecome
When destiny calls
the greatest rise
to battle
zero sum
And stem the tide
before the flood
on shores of victory
— won
(Dreamsleep: December, 2025)
Fifteen people on a tour
Of Scotland on a bus.
Thirteen strangers, plus the guide
And driver rode with us.
Like a dance, we do-si-doed
And joined or pulled apart,
While learning ‘bout each other;
Group dynamics got to start.
Our leader was the one in charge,
Deciding times and routes,
His local knowledge vast and true;
Of that we had no doubts.
But certain discontentments grew
Against our Scottish guide,
Whose rogue decisions made things worse
And couldn’t stem the tide.
Complaints were made; the plug was pulled,
The mutiny complete,
Our trusty driver leading now
From in the driver’s seat.
The group was jelled - well, more or less,
And all are much less stressed
Since our bounty of discomfort
Laid the awkwardness to rest.
If I could travel through space and time.
And leave this place so far behind.
Go to a place, so far not near.
A place that I could disappear.
Go to a place that makes me smile.
A place you know that takes a while.
A place you know, that knows not what.
A place you know that time forgot.
And if such a place was to exist.
This place I know I'd surely miss.
A world I know I can confide.
A place inside my tiny mind.
A place I know that I'd escape.
A place that I could mould and shape.
And should I ever find this place?
You'll see a smile upon my face.
A place you know that I'd think clear.
A place I know that brings me cheer.
So if I travel through space and time.
And leave this place so far behind.
There's just one thing, can I make clear?
This place I'll go devoid of fear.
No fear of leaving things behind.
Whilst new beginnings stem the tide.
A place so bright, where troubles cease.
A sanctuary, a sweet release.
This place I'll go has no taboo.
A place for me and not for you.
But I think its time to just embrace.
We'll never find this time in space.
When people said that Ruth should go,
I argued they were wrong.
Today, of course, we sadly know
She stuck around too long.
Unfortunately, now it seems
We’re destined to repeat
Mistakes to ruin all our dreams
And knock us off our feet.
Dear Jill, your husband’s done his best
To bring this country back,
But nothing seems to have suppressed
Each worrying attack.
No matter if he has the strength
And gumption to go on,
Opponents will seek any length
To guarantee he’s gone.
Perception’s power overrules
Reality, and so,
Before democracy unspools,
Let’s save the status quo.
Your influence is needed now
For Joe must step aside
And such a move might just allow
The cause to stem the tide.
Cat got your tongue? Hey what’s the matter?
Why ain’t you sayin’ what’s there inside?
If I were somebody who didn’t know better,
I’d say you been simplified
Simplified, simplified
There’s forces all around you, son
And they’re tryin’ to stem the tide
Simplified – you been simplified
White versus black, Right versus Left
You must choose one – take only one side
If your own grey matter is a trifle bereft,
I’ll bet you been simplified
Simplified, simplified
There’s forces all around you son
That’re tryin’ to stem the tide
Simplified – you been simplified
Now you been lyin’ down with Nazis and Sheiks
‘cause it sweeps up your guilt and massages your pride
In Bizarro-Land, the reasoned man is the freak
‘cause he won’t be simplified
Simplified, simplified
There’s forces all around you, son
And they’re tryin’ to stem the tide
Simplified – you been simplified
So I don’t turn on the news or go to church no more –
I won’t take that paranoid ride
There’s more to holy wars than virgins and whores –
Don’t let your story be simplified
Don’t let your story be simplified
Don’t let your story be simplified
Emotions get the best of me
at times. I’ve felt betrayal’s bite;
the pain runs circles in my mind
and owns me. I’m too weak to fight.
When into this unhealthy mix
comes anger, I try mightily
to stem the tide. I say, “Enough!
Now of this torture, I’ll break free!”
Then long-past sins that God forgave
come taunting, robbing me of peace.
It will not come when, on my own,
I foolishly bid hauntings cease.
Attempts are ineffectual.
I can’t accomplish mind control.
The more I try, the worse I get.
I can’t fulfill the Father’s role!
True peace is found in Him alone,*
the kind that lasts. He’ll give me rest
and peaceful sleep if I but ask,
believing I’ll be truly blessed.
*Psalm 4:8 “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety.”
January 31, 2023
entered in the Finding Peace Poetry Contest placed 10th
Sponsor: Regina McIntosh
April 14, 2023
entered in the Brian Strand Premiere Contest 1208
For my friend who is struggling right now. Take care and stay safe. Faith over fear, together.
Dark vortex
By Michelle Morris
19/01/2023
Don't go to that dark place
It will grab hold of your soul
It is a dark abyss
That will devour you whole
These aching moments
These teardrops that you still
Fighting to escape from
The bitter taste of ashes from hell
If you go into that dark vortex
You may not return again
But if you must proceed therein
Please take me with you as your friend
I will hold your hand, dear
I will stem the tide of fear
I will keep close to you
I will be there 'til the end
I accept I cannot rescue you
I accept that I'm no superhero
But everyone needs someone strong
Who can help them with their sorrow
Don't go into that dark place
But if you go, don't go alone
Let's light up the darkness together
Let's work to find a safe way home
© Michelle Morris, 2023
The Lord is on our side; once again He’ll stem the tide.
Enemy onslaught will subside. The Lord is on our side.
Our God is here; we’ll survive. Are you swallowed up alive?
Have you foes who stalk? connive? Our God is here; we’ll survive.
God saved Noah on the ark. He healed the Hebrews in the dark.
God led Jonah to the shore. He guided Peter to the door.
God kept Daniel in the den. He rescued Paul from angry men.
God spared David in the fray. He taught disciples how to pray.
At all God’s vict’ries, stand in awe; on ev’ry front, our God, voila.
Watch Him thwart Satan’s coup d’etat, And praise Him, Jehovah Shammah.
January 17, 2022
I marched the roads of the Western Front
To stem the tide of the Germans brunt
And stayed in the mud and blood churned ground
Of No Man’s Land and won to our victory bound
Australia lost 60,000 daughters and sons
Until the Armistice was signed and done
On battlefields there is silence now
And I Rest In Peace unbowed.
© Paul Warren Poetry
175,000 Corona Ghosts
The corona ghosts get together
The 175, 000 band together
And vow to haunt the living
As the voice of the dead
Need to be heard
In the halls of power
They march to the WH
Surrounding the people’s house
And the Senate and the Capitol
Chanting
We are the voices
of the dead
The Corona ghosts
And our voices
Will not be silenced
We will be heard
And we will overcome
If you don’t need our warning
You too will join us
In Corona hell
The ghosts camp out everywhere
Thousands of them
Fill every corner of the city
Silently starting
The faces and voices
Of the dead
Shaming the leaders
Who still refuse
To do anything
To stem the tide
As General Corona
Continues his rampage
When will this all end
This death
This preventable death
Of the corona damned
What is the point?
What is the point of smoking a joint?
Just to anoint the jester inside?
Or pester the hide of others whose noses
Get out of joint? Perhaps it imposes
An alternate order
Or wrinkles the border
Between high and low
Where elephants go
(Who's to know?)
Just for the ride.
What is the urge for taking a hit?
To fit the surge of wild animation?
Sensation a child might smother while growing
Up bit by bit? Perhaps it is knowing
Another mother
Pushed from the brains
Where fantasy reigns
(Do you hear trains?)
Deep down inside.
What is the use of smacking the juice?
Just to abuse the mind and the matter?
Scatter the demons fleeing the being
You used to have? Perhaps it is feeling
While you are reeling
Something is wrong.
Maybe a song
(There all along)
Can stem the tide.
Where is the peace that comes when you cease?
Will it decrease all the the pain and the terror?
Narrow the gap between feeling and healing
Then go away? Would it be better
To shatter the fetter
And set you free
(Don't take a knee)
It's time you tried.
When times make me wary, where do I seek strength to carry
me through? I pray the chaos, loss, and grief won’t tarry
till all are bereft, with nothing of our “normal” left.
God of Grace, please let not our rock of hope be cleft.
When typical closeness isn’t safe, I know loud verboseness
against restrictions won’t banish the moroseness
or ease the burden many experience worldwide.
God’s Word says “PRAY.” I do, each day, that He’ll stem the tide.
When life becomes surreal, what, besides prayer, helps me feel
peaceful—when the world is not on an even keel?
loved--when I can’t be with friends and family?
free—when my tiny corner of the world is all I see?
wind chime music, stately trees, a southerly breeze;
frequent newsy phone chats and drive-by waves that appease;
knowing He’ll “never leave me,”* though pestilence may rage.
assurance that someday His healing hand will turn this page
Deuteronomy 31:8 The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you;
he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."
Date posted: April 23, 2020
Grace and Solitude Poetry Contest placed 4th
Sponsor: John Hamilton
If You are Having Any Doubt
By Franklin Price
01/23/2020
I have been thinking for awhile,
Few on the hill, reach 'cross the aisle.
If we are having any doubt,
Then we should vote their asses out.
Don't vote along the party line,
Always, not good, and not so fine.
Vote those who listen, side to side,
Will bring back balance, stem the tide
We should not vote one party in.
They will not listen to begin.
Will only do as they think best.
To hell with us and all the rest.
We the people, are the sheep.
We've put us here, we're in so deep.
It's up to us, to dig us out
That's what our country's all about
The Democrat Debate
By Franklin Price
10/16/2019
Could not believe what I was watching
On the the Democrat debate
The outset not surprising
Has been no change of late
The direction of the great event
Set by the CNN
Further hurt the left side
With impeach Trump to begin
Dwelling on impeachment
Not their job there on the stage
Should have been what they would do
Of some substance, we could gage
The USA is searching for
A stabilizing ride
Impeachment's for the Congress
That's the place to stem the tide
Some of the nerdy dozen
Voiced how to sing along
And mentioned their concerns about
Helping write impeachment's song
Their object is replacing Trump
What they'll do, they should have said
Looks like the gators in the swamp
Are very far from dead
They should take a lesson
From what JFK would say
It's not what our country does for us
But what we do for it today
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