1. Building Tension
Did you ever stand on stage,
behind the big curtain.
Standing there peeking out from behind the curtain,
watching the audience looking at the stage.
Your knees are shaking,
your mouth is going dry.
Your thoughts are racing,
will I remember my lines?
The act before you is almost done,
your time is coming up way too fast.
This is "building tension" in your mind and body,
time to go on~time to go on soon.
The audience is breaking out in,
cheering and applause.
Now it is my turn,
Oh God help me!
2. Building Tension
Building tension as I wait
Using only good thoughts
I watch the audience from behind the curtain
Laughing stomach calm down
Darn knees stop shaking
I know I will be up very soon
Now well practiced
Going on next, oh my.
Tension is building
Everyone is waiting to see my act
Now ready
Song is playing
I want to run
On stage I must go
Now God help me.
THE SUN AND ME
All day long I lay in the sun – the man in E R says it’s sunstroke
summer sun is hot
is it shining today then
no of course it’s not
The sun always shone when you were here.
It seemed to know that you were near.
But now the skies are always grey,
Since the day you walked away
31st May 2023
A Monocu, Haiku and 4-lines of rhyme - same theme contest
Sponsor - Tania Kitchin
Wedding bells toll somewhere far away
Hope blooms as love lightens the day
28th February 2023
For Tania Kitchin's "A new crystalline - any theme" contest
Syllables checked with howmanysyllables.com
Autumn winds chant a soulful tune
Elusive songs they choose to play
as maple branches bend and sway
Aspen trees drop their leaves too soon
Hues of umber, amber and gold
as seasonal changes unfold
Across forest floors they are strewn
Russet carpets to lie upon
when in repose a sigh is drawn
Then comes the sad cries of a loon
Haunting sounds foreshadowing death
She calls her mate with one last breath
Like withered leaves, a life was hewn
Taken from loved ones in the night
A cherished soul risen in flight
Pale light spills from a sallow moon
Beneath its glow we weep and mourn
Grief pierces like a sharpened thorn
Autumn winds chant a soulful tune
Aspen trees drop their leaves too soon
Across forest floors they are strewn
Then comes the sad cries of a loon
Like withered leaves, a life was hewn
Pale light spills from a sallow moon
September 19, 2022
In Remembrance of Connie - Autumn Theme Contest
Sponsored by Suzanne Delaney
I turned your way to talk to you,
then I remembered you were gone.
Tiptoed at night in softest shoe,
I looked for you but saw no one.
Sometimes I think I see you there--
a whisper, shadow, at nightfall.
Among the trees, a rush of air,
a song to me within bird's call.
As time went by, I lost your face,
but your fine wit stays in my midst.
We'll meet again--a special place
where all is love, and hope exists.
You stopped by once to say goodbye.
I couldn't say these words that day.
Time gave me strength, no longer shy
I feel you need be on your way.
Farewell my love, enjoy your flight.
with stars and moon beckoning nigh.
I'll search each day and moonlit night
for you, when it's my time to fly.
July 8, 2022
Rhyme
for Farewell Theme contest
by Lisa YY
Second Place
Prunella loved the color purple,
planting some lovely Crepe Myrtle’s;
they had a humongous growth spurt,
all due to her nitro-rich dirt,
now her yard’s a Myrtle hurdle.
6-11-2022
Contest / A Funny Limerick - Any Theme Contest
Tania kitchen
My crazy dog has a bad leg
He tried walking over an egg
Both of them just ran
This was not the plan
With bad leg now his name is peg
Date Written:6/5/2022
4 Place
HowManySyllables.com
A funny Limerick - Any Theme Contest
Sponsored by: Tania Kitchin
Light
bright, luminescent
guiding, glowing, shimmering
sunrays, starlight, silhouette, haze
fleeting, haunting, shape-shifting
mysterious, elusive
Shadow
08.25.2021
For Caren Krutsinger's "Diamante poetry for fun - your choice of theme" contest
Wash your hands a hundred times a day, with soap/water or use spray. With Covid everyone wears a mask in the store,
even if you are just four. At the store the plastic bags are stuck, open one up with good luck. Spit on your fingers if you must, be careful you may die and turn to dust.
Note: I am so tired of "keep clean" and then you can't get the bags in the stores open. I have asked managers to put a dish with a wet sponge. They say, not clean. But spitting on your hand and touching the bags is clean????? "Really" The world has gone mad.
Date Written: 12/18/2020
8 Place
COMPLETELY YOUR CHOICE (45) any form any theme Contest Judged:1/19/2021 Sponsored by: Brian Strand
With lens of faith
I plunged into a momentous expedition…
there my vision beheld radiant life-filled heart
freely revolving around thanksgiving galaxy
beautified with serenity lights
illumined by blissful worship rays
while emitting service beams---
Then I heard gracious voice of the soul:
“Welcome to my private universe of love’s domain
enclosed with God’s compassion* and mercy
transcending eternity’s space…”
humbled, I asked forgiveness
being guilty of selfishness---
yet, yearning for spiritual revival.
*Psalm 145:8 The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.
September 27, 2020
1st place, "COMPLETELY YOUR CHOICE (22)any form any theme" Contest
Sponsored by Brian Strand; judged on 10/8/2020.
hands entwined,
so is their hearts
as they...
walk step-by-step.
quintessentially
passionate!
they are...
but two souls,
handcuffed;
perfectly
in tandem.
two kindred spirits,
their bond, unbreakable.
the...
story of their love!
(yalto)
"Yalto" is a form invented by yours truly
Lines 1-15: 3,4,2,4,5,3,2,3,2,3,3,5,6,1,5 syllables
COMPLETELY YOUR CHOICE (8)any form any theme contest (Winner: 1st Place)
Sponsored by Brian Strand
Date written: 09/11/2020
Circuitous
their journey to love.
Their eyes
first met
half a lifetime ago.
They were young.
Buds yet to bloom;
much too young then!
Neither knew
what love was
or meant,
but they felt
a certain magnetism,
an undeniable spark.
Alas! It caught no fire.
They were pulled asunder
by destiny,
force of circumstance.
But a chance encounter
ignited the spark
of attraction
in their eyes
many moons later.
It was sheer predestination!
They were meant
to reach the same
destination.
A circle...
completes itself.
COMPLETELY YOUR CHOICE (5)any form any theme contest (Winner: 1st Place)
Sponsored by Brian Strand
Date written: 09/07/2020
Spring’s imagination
Inevitably creates
Impressionistic gardens
Resonant avid eloquence
And passionate reverence.
8/11/2020
Irises by Van Gogh inspired the verse
'STRAND COMPLETELY NEW (21) ,any form,any theme' Contest Info
Sponsored By: Brian Strand
She was beautiful within and without,
He was handsome, there was no doubt,
Engaged to be married, they were in love,
He knew she was pure like a dove,
A shocking news - she was found carrying,
A public shame - 'twas worrying,
What could he do? He would put her away,
Silently without much delay,
That night, while he thought on these things, behold,
An angel of the Lord, he told,
"Joseph, thou son of David, do not fear
To take Mary as thy wife dear"
"What she's conceived is of the Holy Ghost,
She'll give birth to a son foremost,
Jesus will save the people from their sins",
Virgin birth fulfilment begins,
Joseph, the just man, rose up from his sleep,
He his wife decided to keep,
He did as the angel had bidden him,
They married, life was no more dim.
07.29.2020
N/A in Strand Completely New (15), any form, any theme contest
STILL WAITING
Until his assassination in 1968, Martin Luther King campaigned tirelessly for equality and human rights for African Americans. Fifty-seven years on from his historic “I have a dream” speech, for many the lessons still have to be learned.
This man of vision
Dreamed the impossible dream.
Still far, far to go
22nd June 2020
Haibun Pick Your Theme Contest
Sponsor Line Gautier
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