Sternly Poems | Examples

Anti-Diagonalism

We must be fastidious and particular,
our sidewalks, strictly perpendicular -
and we must sternly ask, who would be so crass
as to cut across our new mown grass.  
This despicable heathen can't be one of us. 
He can only be Pythugorus.

Hernley Grouses and Gripes

I wanted a larger sombrero, the spoiled child said.
Weird since she had a ten-gallon hat on her head
That’s all you are getting, her mother said sternly.
But she kept grousing and griping, this child named Hernly.

Her grandmother said “Fine, I will take the hat as my own.”
Hernly had such a fit, she was soon all alone
Except for her old-school grandmother who had a flyswatter.
What are you doing? Asked the naïve spoiled granddaughter.

The Voice of DISCIPLINE

It's quiet yet loud 

It's righteous, not proud.

It's not weak but strong

It carries you the day-long

It's unpretentious; it just is.

It stoically says, "No fooling around; let's get to the 'Biz.'

There will be no applause

But it's okay because it's all about the cause

That solemn voice wakes you up early when you would rather press snooze.

Then it guides you to a cold shower because mediocrity you did not choose.

It sternly tells you to skip the night out with the girls or the boys.

Then it says, "Go prepare for the good things on the horizon and forget the toys."


When that favorite outfit no longer looks good on you or fits like it used to

It commands you to drink more water and skip dessert and a meal or two

It pulls you back between the lines when you veer off a bit

It tells you to stay on the road and avoid the immobilizing pits

It's that whisper that says, "Keep going."

Even when you don't feel like it, it says, "Get on stage and keep showing."

THE OLD CHICKEN COUP

There she stood with tears rolling down her face and cheeks
Looking downward – such innocence – mild and meek
Her first trip to the slaughter house was no joke
Proved to be a one-sick hoax!

Slowly but surely – she told us the story
Leaving out NOT the gory!
“I was asked by dad
To join him fast
To pick out a chicken
 “O Good Riddens!
At last – no fret
I’m picking out my very first pet!” 
Is what I thought
When my breath I caught!

So, with joy in my heart,
And exuberant glee at start
I singled out the healthiest plump!
The attendant let out a little grunt
Roughly taking the chicken outback
She grunted sternly: ‘Wait Right here…I’ll be right back!’
With one quick twist
Of her hand and wrist
The chicken’s neck she snapped in half.
Mortified I stood on the chicken’s behalf!

Speechless, I stood - so panic-stricken
Horrified and mortified because of the chicken!

With no further delay
To my dismay
I was handed a bag
While the attendant let out a mischievous laugh!

From this day forward, I shall live to fret
Of what occurred to my chicken-pet
And live forever with my regret
Of visiting the Old Chicken Coup
All for mom’s LIVE Chicken Soup…?

Hearing My Protector

I heard him in the night; thought it was my husband.
He called my name.
I said “what” there was no answer
I nudged my husband “what?” I said, more sternly.
He was snoring so I let him be.
When I settled back down the angel again called my name.
In my ear or in my mind?
I did not know but I heard him.
I felt he was here to protect me.
To remind me that I am never alone.
It gave me a sense of reassurance that God sends his scouts.

STRANGERS

They collected dust over the fireplace
An old couple, sternly religious
Made “American Gothic” look like a dance team
They had remained in Ireland
Grandparents we never met

Unleash the Butterfly

Written: March 10, 2023
               ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A butterfly yearns to escape my heart,
But my stubbornness holds it back,
Stay inside; I won't abandon you,
On exhibit for everyone to view,
A butterfly yearns to escape my heart.

Am I doomed if I remain upright?
Do you intend to cause havoc?
I feel a fluttering sensation in my heart
Too savvy to let him out all night,
When on the brink of slumber
Stay positive. I hope you're here. 

 Freedom is the failure of fear
I pledge loyalty to my homeland!
Unburdened by time, raise your head
Backbreaking, blinded you to beckon,
A peek into what holds the future,
Release from the chains of slumber.
The Peacefulness of the night draws you in,
Don't mistrust stars guiding toward truth
Escape from confusion of destiny. 

The winds are erratic,
Cold and sternly, the helm is grasped
Living without becoming a puppet
Where motions are overseen by,
Wires habits and figures predict
For a master of the show
to dupe them into actual mimicry.

Sundrops

Perennially, like the angels, bloom with a bright smile
Like the sun, radiant with perpetual light and life
Ever youthful, and like the goddess Dyana, fruitful
How slimly and sternly you are held by a green stem fife!

Like the primrose or Auricula, bright yellow or pink
Cuter than Primulas, Polyanthuses, and Pansies
Of course, not like the touch-me-not! Night and day, yet you blink.
Your smile and scent are beyond all fashion-showy fancies.

it's, yet, your spiritual greatness that pulls me to you.
Cosmically healing all and triggering optimism
You heal, they say, and restore any person to youth too.
Does, in your shade or fade, anyone find true pessimism?

Do you, dear, yet live devoid of existential crisis?
I know it's in overcoming these that you find your bliss.

go sit in the orange dinosaur swing

Go sit in the orange dinosaur! Grandma said sternly.
Yippee! Her grandson shrieked with joy.
She gave him the look but he did not see it.
Her daughter was not fooled one whit.

Some punishment, she said to her mother.
Letting him swing in the orange dinosaur swing.
It’s what I would have let you do, her mother replied.
And you would have figured it out.

She could not argue with that.

gingerbread man named Preacher

I walked into biology class and there was a gingerbread man.
Take a seat! He said sternly “whenever you can.”
Some of us were stunned. Where was our teacher?
That is my business, he said, reading our minds. My name is Preacher.

Preacher! What kind of name is that for a teacher?
I began to snicker, but even smiling is an overreach-er.
If you have a stern sub like this fellow, Mr. Preacher.
Who in no way resembled our instructor, the teacher.

Imbibing the Cliffs Enthrall

Heart

Pulse throbbing, breathlessly imbibing the cliff’s enthrall. The crashing of momentous waves against the bolder rocks. The passionate heaving of whisking foam and the swollen coolness of seaside air.

Mind

Blown, for I am not a fisherman, nor reside near the cliffs. What is a haven and harbor to many is a far-fetched tale to me, but here I stand as if Liberty over the seascape. I could walk these rocks, forever in my figment, roll the scene over and over again, watch the washing of the rocks. 

Soul

The lighthouse sign, missed to one’s detriment. I take the warning sternly, with compassion for souls lost to the rocks. Resplendently wet, inviting adventure, departure into the lapping incisors. A cork bobbing, sinking, subsiding. Out of sight, I see ghosts clearly. Only fools tread onto the wet rocks. I want to be foolish, but it is not a good day to die.

Golden Shovel

silenced may be the words of she
yet through the echoes of minds she walks
with the weave of thoughts you let her in
where shadows of night behold her beauty

she'll wind down paths you may not like
make no sense in the suspense of these or the
whereas darkness plagues like lightless night
yet you listen to what she sternly speaks of
until tears rain from a mind that's cloudless
and emotions peak like blades in spring's climes

your mind, it bleeds like morning rise and
your eyes, now opened wide, appear less starry
then these clouded overhead darkened skies

your mind less blank, your paper now full, and
your muse herself ... she spilled it all
        ruthless, relentless, that's
              emotionless at best
       
 you shiver at what she speaks of
in the depths of thoughts so dark
yet you awake from her grasp and
see a clouded mind more bright!





She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that’s best of dark and bright
    Lord Byron – She Walks in Beauty

Lacust a Queen Bee

a soft humming sound filled the kitchen with pure good
workers were bringing in their loot in the middle of the hood
their offspring were learning to be sharers, not takers
the pot was filling up nicely with honeycomb by ardent makers

the queen sat on her throne, listening to the humming drones
she loved this feeling of superiority, as she wrote her glory poems
why does she get to sit? one small bee complained to his dad.
Shhh! The worker bee said sternly, not wanting her to feel bad.

the queen was oblivious, writing away on her beachfront missive.
A diva of royal breeding, these workers were invisible and dismissive.
Her feelings were all about herself, which means her novel was a bust.
She never gave the workers any credit at all, this stuck-up Queen LaCust.

I Had To Soar Bop

Shy, anxious, or just ridiculous;
Truth? It really all feels the same;
A bar always beats a house party.
Getting people’s pets in trouble 
hanging with them in the corner,
not feeling the small talk anyway;

I’ve never really tried to fly 
then suddenly I knew I had to soar;

Caught between home and happy,
I’m not getting anywhere staying in;
No one to talk to but there could be;
Tug of war you can go to hell.
Fine!  I’ll go get in my car;
Who knows who or what I may find;
Plastic smile but I can’t stop shaking;
The closer I get the more I want to go back;

I’ve never really tried to fly 
then suddenly I knew I had to soar;

A thought broke through the static
‘Strangers don’t bite or sting, 
go through the door turn the key!’
Sternly I tell myself 
‘Give people a chance to know you.’
I realize it’s all up to me.

 I’ve never really tried to fly 
then suddenly I knew I had to soar.

Downed

I feel your eyes,
Heavy as cold lead,
Resting on my chest---
Great dauntless weights
Pushing me through the couch,
Crushing me through the ground
Through depths of Hell.
Naturally enough, I begin to panic
And jabber
Aka zuzu non biz fo metacomf
Sternly, I tell myself,
This Will Not Do.
But it is too late.
I have made a fool of myself,
And you cannot love me.

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