Love is a two-way street with a lot of one-way drivers
(Lily and Pema, 2026)
Sitting here at the end of a tiring day
Home again
After a few days on the road
Dogs nestled in on both sides
One more on the lap
And without even knowing it
I feel refreshed
Without knowing I was lacking
I feel fulfilled
And know without a doubt
The dogs all feel the same.
(2/7/26)
Folks expect miracles
around holiday time
There’s a feeling in the air
We deserve one…
Not so fast
says the Man upstairs
Stop whining
that you’ve had a tough year
How about Mine
I look for My Name in
the things you do
Sorry to say
~ I’m disappointed too
So, what is life without the gift of love?
An empty shell to face it all alone.
Without it, there's no shared solution of
The drama now, and what is still unknown.
To earn that gift, love is a two-way street;
The take and give should share joys willingly.
In times of pain, a kind embrace will meet
compassion with the warmth of sympathy.
It matters not what misery is faced;
Love is the potion that can ease the pain.
Though all our problems may not be erased,
Love calms and heals to help a new hope reign.
Love's two-way street of give and take must fare
When those we love need praise or heartfelt care.
RECITATION is a Two way process
Words to say,
caught by the day
in this one-off
’ as is’ moment
images in sound
aloud
voiced
spoken
a unique
interplay
‘twixt
you and I
A mayfly moment
of the here &now
to hear
ethereal
&passing
to create
an impression
In your listener ear
poetry lies long
undisturbed
& dormant
on this page
A dead object
‘til
the cadence
of my English voice
intones
& the process
comes alive
TO PARTICIPATE copy& paste the youtube link at the top of poem into the URL address bar space
sometimes I feel like a two way mirror,
people look at me and I look at them,
with that hint of recognition,
do I know you, my friend?
And they'll say, "I've known you my whole life"
the truth concise, and said so nice,
it almost made me want to believe,
and so we go on playing pretend,
that friends we are and friends we've been,
but plainly put it is to see,
that look on you when you see me,
inside I twist unrecognizably,
But on I go playing the part,
for friends I have to share my heart,
I won't, but it's nice to know, you know,
sometimes you're a little less miserable,
so thank you friend for seeing me,
and possibly deceiving me,
I'm glad we've had our little rendezvous,
but I'm getting so sick of trying to be you
John Wood 'LOOKING BOTH WAYS
O WALK O
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O STOP O
I gave you all my love, every bit and piece,
But in return, you left me feeling incomplete.
I lost myself while loving you,
It's something I didn't want to do.
Love isn't supposed to leave you feeling drained,
Or like you've been neglected and left in the rain.
If one gives all and never receives,
Their heart will surely start to grieve.
Love grows when both give and take,
Efforts are shared, and hearts don't break.
It works when both put in the effort,
And show their love with words and comfort.
So don't give your all and lose yourself,
Find someone who reciprocates and shares your wealth.
On grassy field, with shady trees;
A lake to contemplate.
There is so much to discover,
and so much space to urinate.
An old man on a garden seat,
gives his time and quietly faces,
the drive of youth and freedom
in a young dog going places.
Two way dedication
becomes a lifelong bond
on a road that goes forever
then travels far beyond.
Time with it’s moving motion
won’t take a backward stride,
I prayed to God you hold on,
and Lord knows how you tried,
but I knew pain and suffering
were more than you could bear
so watching you was agony,
and totally unfair.
I know up there in heaven,
close to the pearly gates,
on the day that I arrive,
that’s where Tommy waits.
Two way dedication
becomes a lifelong bond
on a road that goes forever
then travels far beyond.
Others will defend their will
We will defend Thy will
Them who are wealthy will oppose
Us who are poor will secure
They will rebuke negativities
We will divulge reality
Other will rally for money
We will pray for our country
Now they’re threatened to be exposed
And we will still be on quest for truth
They never dared
We sacrificed and cared
They will plan and plot
But Thy will stands
History must be a story learned
Now is a change still unlearned
For their age they speak
For our children we stake.
if the person
you love
isn't interested
in what
makes you tick
you're living in delusion
go find
someone
who loves
the person
you are
AP: 2nd place 2021
Whatever the color of your skin,
Whatever religious group you are in,
Whatever political party floats your boat,
What you think, or for whom you vote,
I can respect your right to be
If you give the same respect to me.
Do not label me what I may not be
From what I write, you cannot “know” me
I do not expect you to like everything I write,
If so, just click your mouse, do not start a fight.
I can respect your right to be
If you give the same respect to me.
I do not come to Poetry Soup
To find a particular like-minded group.
Not looking for somebody out to fight,
I come to share some poems I write.
I can respect your right to be
If you give the same respect to me.
I enjoy, too, reading the rhymes you post
I love to read the narrative stories most
Ideas, yes, I enjoy reading them, too,
But do not expect me to join your queue.
Whatever the color of your skin,
Whatever religious group you are in,
Whatever political party floats your boat,
What you think, or for whom you vote.
I can respect your right to be
If you give the same respect to me.
[Sometimes it takes repetition to get
one’s point across.]
Look upon yourself
See what lies in side
Take your heart
Place it through
To the other side
Clean it then they will see
A clean heart within
Giving it to another
Through this two way mirror
You,
Looking at You
Hey there fella,
Listen up real fine
I'm gonna blast ya
With this slammin rhyme
You said I be trippin
Cuz i can't show my love
Well you still be creepin
With that itsy package you shove
Go back and give me
Something more than your haiku
For this big ol momma
I needs somethin to chew
Don't get all uppity
Or sig yer hoes on me
You mess with the wrong one
Can't your Silence see
You can make the others
Lick up all yo shoes
But head on off to boys town
For another that you choose
Shake bam rattle
I ain't showin you my stuff
Bye ya made up tyrant
This B has had enough
11-11-17
I fly through the trees, my eyes fixed on a cup
of water
That drifts
between Heaven & Hell, since
smiling drugstores sell ice
cream for
cancer, until midnight captures
stars reflecting
The Carny's bark of deliverance, while
mice sleep for
centuries, as
Wagons circle around junipers, parched jasmine
lays
forgotten until
reports of muskets shake power, absent 'till gold
surrenders to floating
Shards of glass, speaking mystical tongues from
mouths of
Mustangs trampling
religion that heralds Cathedrals of Angels-
voices, my Grandfather promised
tomorrow
voices,
my Grandfather
promised
tomorrow
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