Visit beautiful Michigan Avenue
The ‘Magnificent Mile’
See the teenage gangs at night
roaming ‘gangster-style’
Admire block after block on ‘the strip’
Madison Avenue, the Old West Side
burnt down by arson way back in 1968
embers still afloat – Don’t they smell great
Take a walk on the Wild Side
The South Side that once hosted Nat King Cole
Note the empty lots, broken glass and one-eyed cats
What a pleasure to take in all that…
Yes, dear friends, a trip to Chicago’s just the thing
Come to a town where crime is king
Categories:
take in, adventure, chicago, travel,
Form: Rhyme
On a warm sunny day
I let the dog out of the house
He wants to jump and play
He gets mud on my blouse
The warmth of the sun
I throw my dog’s toy
I try to have fun
I try to find the joy
I take in the view
I sit by the tree
He senses my mood
He walks up to me
“I’m sorry I’m sad
I don’t know what’s wrong
I’m doing pretty bad
I don’t know how to be strong”
My dog licks my face
He licks the tears away
He jumps in my lap
We both take a nap
But I wake up alone
I see his headstone
I see his old bone
I’m here on my own
I wish you were here
To greet me with cheer
To chase all my fears
I know that much is clear
I’m sorry you had to go
But I feel like you’re near
You’re the best dog I’ve known
Your spirit will always be here
Categories:
take in, angel, animal, bereavement, depression,
Form: Rhyme
Spring Gleaning
. for public domain
Our love can offer lifetimes
with what little time is left,
heal wounds, bring welcome comfort,
to the lonely and bereft.
In the midst of dark distress
Hope and Faith can flourish.
Settings at Heaven's banquet table
spark famished souls to nourish.
Embrace a worn and weary heart,
take in our lost and broken,
be Godlike with a loving hand,
show Heaven's door is open.
Categories:
take in, christian, faith,
Form: Rhyme
Once upon a happenstance,
she fell into a swift trance.
This view felt ordinary,
that was what made it scary.
Every flower was in bloom,
still you should never assume.
Spots of energy raging,
can you feel what it’s staging?
With that sweet breath of magic,
nothing here could be tragic.
Timeless beauty’s engaging,
the Fey have be-spelled aging.
A wand touching a mushroom,
you hear its rhythm go vroom.
There is a weight to carry
to take in this scenery.
A victim of circumstance,
once upon a happenstance.
Categories:
take in, adventure, emotions, fairy, feelings,
Form: Free verse
Come, walk with me
let’s take in the breeze.
We’ll start the morning lost,
and find our way back with ease.
Maybe we’ll find the ring you tossed.
Come, walk with me
a splendid day calls.
Let’s go have a picnic,
sip time near the waterfalls.
I’ve built you a nice walking stick.
Come, walk with me
you should take a chance.
Right now? We should explore!
Adventure starts at the entrance.
You in? Your swim suit’s in the drawer.
Categories:
take in, adventure, emotions, feelings,
Form: Free verse
A city will swallow you whole
the suburbs will chew on you for a bit
our world's gone off its bloody blue axis.
We were born to thrive and not just exists
given mustard seed souls to nurture into bloom...
there are those that live to poke and twist
silk from the soul of the cherry wood loom.
Head for the evergreens for just a bit
take in a teaspoon of sapphire breaths.
sashay up a mountain- nanny by your side
thinning air sweetened by a robin's egg sky.
Blessed guardian in the shadow of the tree line...
Take a crystal dip in a cool blue orchid shaped Jewell
sleeping between the whisper of the alpine.
Return, with earthen spirits woven into the chest
to face the fiery darts of man's greasy restlessness
Hold onto the many, cherry wood blessings
hold tight for as long as you possibly can.
Categories:
take in, baptism, bullying,
Form: Rhyme
On your journey to one hundred, I say,
Try laughing, learning, and loving each day.
You’ll meet many travelers along the way.
Share memories with others, take time to pray.
Enjoy a sunset, eat a piece of pie.
Take in life’s beauty and quit asking why.
Take a long walk as often as you can.
Talk with a loved one, walking hand in hand.
Thank your Creator for all you’ve received,
For the comfort in times when you grieved.
Open your heart letting love flow right through.
Happy you’ll be in whatever you do.
Categories:
take in, friendship, god, introspection, life,
Form: Couplet
If I should die quite suddenly
Don't grieve, my dear. Don't cry for me
I've waited, oh, so fervently
From bonds of life to be set free
This world is not how it should be
Today the Lord has heard my plea
Don't mourn for me
I've been set free
Don't stand too long around my grave
For death is friend and not a knave
He came my breaking heart to save
I rest with all whose hearts were brave
To mournful thoughts, don't be a slave
Let souvenirs your tears now stave
Death's not a knave
He' come to save
So live your life without a care
For what I've learned I gladly share
Take in the beauty, all that's fair
There's not a moment left to spare
Do all you've dreamt of on a dare
Let every love your heart lie bare
This truth I share:
Live, love, and dare
For one day death will come for you
Don't leave this world with things to do
There's no escape, this much is true
So use your time, try something new
Let passion burn you through and through
For when death knocks, you'll say adieu
This life pursue
Until adieu
Eileen Manassian
Categories:
take in, death, life,
Form: Rhyme
How do you process when all is a blur?
How can I take in the fact that you're no longer there?
Yesterday was normal. Well, as far as normal goes.
What will tomorrow bring? Nobody knows!
Not so long ago, I thought I knew my path ahead.
Now everything has changed and it has vanished instead!
I was a carer. My mind was focused and clear.
Though things were tough, we brought each other cheer.
You took me in when I was young with new beginnings no end.
Little did I realise that in you I'd gain the best of friends.
We were special to each other and we'd pick no other way
Than to work together to add meaning to each day.
Though I feel torn to pieces because death tore us apart
Remembering your love soothes the wounds of my heart.
My dear Nan and Grandad, precious memories you fill.
I deeply miss you both and I always will.
(29th June 2025)
Categories:
take in, bereavement,
Form: Couplet
Pearl Waters
No shoes
Two souls flying parallel
Just bare foot in the sand
Pearl waters fluent
Souls running free
Sky indigo glowing
Silver ripples amazed
Zenith mesmerized
Celestial emerald lands divided
Open winds collide
Your the one who stands beside me
Grow old together heavenly
Take in the moment
No one can ever replace you
Hand in hand on the seashore
The one that I adore
Never hesitated
One day, we will ascend
Categories:
take in, relationship,
Form: Rhyme
The air can be relatively silent
or noiseful wind – sort of like,
flatulence – both blessing and
curse~ depending on where and
when. The who, more often, not
forthright.
Do we wrongly blame
God, for our own airs – what we
take in and give off, lusts of the
appetite, making foul smelling of
an otherwise sacred dwelling?
To my mind, better we
advocate for greener mountains, and less
polluted seas – myself, not so fond of skin ulcers,
burning, blistering pees.
No Second Coming, till our own transformation
Christ is not late
We are….
Categories:
take in, christian, god, inspirational, introspection,
Form: Free verse
Life is full of wonders bright,
Receive its gifts, take in the light.
No matter how small, don’t look away,
For little things grow in a mighty way.
Let’s not waste our time in regret,
Nor dwell on things we can't reset.
The past is gone, the future calls,
So stand firm, fight - don’t let it stall.
His Crown of thorns, His finest hour,
With grace and glory, divine in power.
Through trials deep, we'll stand so tall,
Our finest hour will shine for all.
The answers to our earnest prayers,
Wrapped in the favour that each wears.
Maybe we are planted deep in gardens not fair,
Yet destined to bloom flowers beyond compare.
Categories:
take in, inspirational, life,
Form: Free verse
with a touch of rain and sun
the lawn has come to life
spring has brought forth
times of growth and times to mow
a soft breeze whispers to me
there are times to love and times to be alone
there are times to love and times to be alone
and every day I live and die
but a lawn that is cared for
will thrive after the storm
my life filled with times to love
and times to let go
the lawn takes in what nature gives
I step outside and take in nature’s sweet breath
Categories:
take in, life, loss, love, nature,
Form: Sonnet
Back Yard
Just sitting on my back porch.
In my back-yard.
Looking into the sky.
No worries.
Keep things simple.
Take it easy today and tomorrow.
Live alone.
That’s the way it goes.
See birds fly.
Skim through the air, by and by.
Just wondering.
Just relaxing.
Take in the air.
Smoke a cigar.
Live out in the country.
This is how it should be.
Categories:
take in, simple,
Form: Rhyme
I can be a headache. A match lit at 1,000 degrees.
I'm sorry I never meant you any harm.
Even if I inflicted pain and made you bleed.
Allow me to minister the band-aid to your arm.
I believed in you to perform all of your glories
We all as people have dreams within
It sucks that this world also revolves around worries
Can the riches of life in people's smile begin with no end?
I believe in you and me.
Even when I say I don't.
I believe a king can be a king.
But I can't only believe if you won't.
We have wisdom, we have heart, and values that shower pearls
We have chances after chances that we don't take in this world.
We trust, we have betrayal, we have misery, love, and pain.
We have rain the can drop to see that everyone in their own way could reign.
Categories:
take in, 10th grade, blessing, confidence,
Form: Free verse
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