It is a painting of deep connection
to natures beauty of fascination
and the changing seasons, of colour and light
it captures its essence, in fleeting its sight
his brush stokes fluid and energetic
he gives it life , to the unexpected
and in hues of greens and pinks, serene
a sense of calm , so rarely seen
l transport back, to peace and harmony
to his eyes, of deeper meaning
passage of time ,and its fleeting nature
his Water Lilies, their fragility, his feeling
a pulse of light upon the water
it has a miriad of interpretations
so he paints to invite you in
and he paints its slow , in it's his celebration
l'll think , and sit, and wait a while
and absorb the artistic palette
as his canvas gives back, the Lilies smile
in the gardens sunset ,
of Monet
Categories:
stokes, art, flower, water,
Form: Rhyme
Visage stark and eyes of steel
He shares my thoughts and what I feel
And seems to know more than I’ve known
The face in the mirror sees through me.
He knows my faults, my secret sins
And bears no mercy without or within
Judgement swift cuts to the bone
The face in the mirror weighs me
Dreams and goals, schemes and plans
He shatters with a sneering glance
And his silence is the only tone
The face in the mirror knows me
He measures my worth with soulless stare
And soundlessly he lays me bare
Worthless his lips appear to moan
The face in the mirror shows me
He finds me lacking and less each day
Though why so harsh he will not say
Just a loathing low hushed groan
The face in the mirror wounds me
His disregard so plain and clear
He knows my pain and stokes my fear
His twisted lips set the tone
The face in the mirror grieves me
He arbitrates my very life
Slashes my soul with psychic knife
His cruelty hard as stone
The face in the mirror hates me
No escape and no reprieve
This simulacrum will never leave
His torment won’t let me alone
The face in the mirror is me
Categories:
stokes, confusion, fear, hurt, introspection,
Form: Rhyme
Big Ben chimes again
With Bazball zen
One of those men
From special stock
Shepherd of the flock
Hewn from strewn Volcanic rock
From New Zealand's Southern Isle
But only there for a wee while
Mighty flame haired flair laird
Without doubt more about Blighty's North East
They forged this bellicose beast
Ripsnorting sporting cavorting squire
Glutton & gourmand gorged feast
Test town crier
Puffed buffed chest
Inspire..burning
Proper copper topper
Churning fire..
Endless zest..desire
No dull lull
No bore draw
Simple...aspire
To score more!
It's not arcane
Stokes campaign & reign
Train like you're insane
Always entertain!
Remember us flounder
In the gutter
Trounced...17 on the bounce
Could we have found
Pound for pounder
Better all rounder
Nutter...go getter
Sounder founder
Run rate record setter
Of the evolution
And revolution
Of Test cricket
Toe to toe
Blow by blow
Heave ho
Give us a ticket
In the Baz ball or
Ben buzz grotto
Gung Ho motto
You will never know
Till you give it a go!
Categories:
stokes, sports,
Form: Free verse
Sometimes the things some humans do
when judged by reason’s point of view
appear as acts of insane fools
which defies logic’s rigid rules.
The virtues that sweet madness breeds
inspiring heroic deeds
are from a realm beyond earth’s clime
suffused with attributes sublime.
The martyrs dear of Christendom
faced their demise with buoyant bliss
their tormentors were baffled by
the peaceful way in which they died.
The joy that true love e’er evokes
the fire that its presence stokes
produce in hearts a madness sweet
that lovers like a treasure greet.
Oh, may God’s love, of heaven born,
cause us to love Him in return
so, with the martyrs we may know
the sweet madness that in them flowed.
Categories:
stokes, courage, devotion, happiness, joy,
Form: Rhyme
Daylight fades away early
Even though our day is not done.
Clumps of snow shimmer in pearly,
Enchanting drifts, reflecting the disappearing sun.
My love stokes ardent embers to glowing
Beneath hungry stockings hopefully hung.
Enthusiasm with warmth flowing,
Remembering times when we were young.
Now golden days are growing shorter,
Illuminated by our fireside memories.
Glimmering from the hearth’s bricks and mortar,
Halcyon dreams highlight sweet histories,
Tumbling through gibbous and crescent quarter,
Soothing as we smile at life’s mysteries.
Categories:
stokes, december, dream, environment, memory,
Form: Acrostic
Indiscriminate bombardment will flow
with endless pigmented possibilities;
A cross of Penelope pop-socks and indigo;
Abstruse, the two primary colors;
It must be that brush of butterfly effect
the wild one pulled from under the covers;
Intangible to all but the one who strokes
the canvas with bubbling neon flames;
A smeared showpiece each drop stokes;
Quilted texture of poodle-prairie red
dances with lines of earthy caveman;
Stimulated Muse taunted, empowered;
Passion-ridden poppy colored hands
leave only the most elegant stain;
That backsplash born of bold badlands;
Lush hues of whimsical rain pour out
exiting the smallest tube on the table;
Children’s daydreams fall from it’s spout;
Behind perfectionism a child will lurk,
screaming at you to relax and have fun;
Who cares if it is pristine or patchwork?
Categories:
stokes, color, creation, emotions, feelings,
Form: Rhyme
Someone stokes through the ash pile to rekindle your spirit
Categories:
stokes, emotions,
Form: Monoku
A battle that rages in our world every day is love versus hate
Which side you choose to be on I think will ultimately determine your fate
Hate stokes the fire of stress, which rakes havoc on our well-being
Love on the other hand has the opposite effect, a sense of calm that can be so pleasing
When you were born, I sense love would have ruled the day
So why is it with some people it has become replaced with hate along the way
Dogs are a great example of showing love as they will show affection no matter what you do
Think positively and love will always come shining through
A negative attitude creates the perfect breeding space for hate to grow
We must all stand together to fight it if we want it to go
Love will keep us together whereas hate will tear us apart
If you haven't spread love lately maybe it might be time to start
Categories:
stokes, hate, life, love,
Form: Rhyme
The pillow queen stokes her empire
her quivering hand follows her letter
to all it may concern
cry in the dark
although she maybe strong,
made out of ploughshares
the sun still flickers
so much has gone already
and little is wept for
growing old
your strands of whitish hair
you may pray like a cygnet
but hopes are fenced
Categories:
stokes, analogy,
Form: Free verse
Take the plunge..As I have before, try your friends..
Just to be sure.' Give them truth..Support' some trust
Then wait and see.' Expecting no love, or hate..that fire.'
For it might flare? Their will exposed, in steeped despair?
Who knows the spirit of humans? Deep to core? but one.!
The Great I Am, within deep seas we can't escape him
He's traced each wrinkle, none can berate Him.' And
So I turn to my only Father, who has warned me often
I had allowed for rather..? Well a different speil or option'
Did it depend in part how i'd spun the wheel.? God is
True let all others be liars' add the crackle of thorns to
To call those before Him called..? God watches 'all people'
And
Maybe, wonders?
At much stupidity as yet; he stokes hells fire.'
Categories:
stokes, appreciation, christmas,
Form: Free verse
Charmed by her exotic glance
She enchants a sexy dance
In costumed display of art
Strumming rhythms of joyful heart
Choreographing slow grooves
In graceful, musical moves
As gestures paint passion themes
And song of love stokes their dreams
When desires-enamored spree
Hypnotized in tunes of glee
But look closely, watch her sigh
Hear the bawl of tearless cry
When crowds deceitful extol
Exhibit of anguished soul
As smiles aesthetic hide pain
And feigned visage cries disdain
Cheer for her to turn the page
For she longs to leave this cage
Leave realms inebriated
Of drunk notions, ill-fated
Categories:
stokes, dance, desire,
Form: Couplet
The living mindscape.
Virtues stage, showing colors.
Painting the belief.
Sculpted in truth's form.
A resurrect, re birthing.
A glorious seed.
Sunlight on our skin.
The kiss of destiny's plan.
Shining in fullness.
Wade through trials' fires.
Follow through the mire.
Wishing, stokes desires.
Thinking in silence.
Genuflecting what makes sense.
Sending confidence.
Someone to share it.
Truly a gift sent from God.
Unwrapped hearts with strings.
In living color.
The world shows a designer.
Of a designing.
Urging urgently.
Wind carries sounds, just a taste.
As my mind swallows.
The intentional.
Inventional-convention.
Dire introspection.
Showing Cause, Aeffects.
Righteousness spell dialect.
Never, derelict.
Afterbirth of hope.
Placenta in the remains.
Gives us its growth pangs.
A beautiful way.
It has its way to premise.
In living promise.
In living color.
The Holy Spirit sends it.
Wisdom to gather.
Categories:
stokes, beautiful,
Form: Rhyme
Passion
Passion's born a wormy moon
Laying waste our good intent...
As desire brings forth a foolery
Where we rile in love's torment.
As novelty stokes our zeal
And the impetus seems well-meant...
It quickly dies a pauper's death
As familiarity breeds contempt.
If familiarity brings the winter...
Driving passion to its knees.
The fault is ours... and ours alone
As we forget what's soon to be.
Affairs of Men
The affairs of men dim evermore...
Morose they seem to be.
Buffeted by the winds of fate
And mediocrity.
Categories:
stokes, allegory, passion,
Form: Rhyme
Jim Stokes is at the Memphis Zoo.
He’s been assigned to interview
a Southern copperhead. A few
have scared him s _ _ _ less in the past.
Thank God this one’s behind thick glass!
Jim: Good, morning, Mr. Copperhead.
Snake: It’s Missss. Welcome to my abode.
Jim: You’re coiled as if to strike out. Why?
I haven’t come to taunt or goad!
Snake: I’m used to being in strike mode.
Jim: How do you feel about your—uh, room?
Do you ever feel mistreated
or deprived in that little tomb?
Snake: Cheesh! Now you’ve made me feel cheated.
Till you came, I never felt defeated!
Jim: Sorry. Why not completely uncoil?
Wouldn’t that feel good for a change?
Snake: Your taunting makes my cold blood boil.
This interview is really strange.
I’ll uncoil if my freedom you arrange!
Jim: How unrealistic can you be?
I’m scared of you old wicked snakes.
Snake: (It strikes the glass) If I get free,
I’ll find you even if it takes
ten years. You know, glass sometimes breaks!
June 12, 2023
Categories:
stokes, animal, fear, people,
Form: Rhyme
From blazing forest scorched birds flee
Fuming wind waltzes in the flame-fest
Calm cloud clumps in the smoky sky
Take the ashes to cauldron of oblivion…
Anger stokes an inferno in the mind
Let the soul shower cooling serenity.
___________
May 20, 2023
For Line Gauthier's Bitsize Contest No 64
Categories:
stokes, anger,
Form: Verse
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