To sleep and
There to dream
In slumbers sweet embrace
To while away the hours
among lands far and wide
To walk in the steps of
Kings, Gods and wee folk
To feel sweet breezes brush the cheek
Cool sweet waters refresh the tongue
like exotic spices
And feel peace settle upon the brow
It seems humour is much appreciated
In this troubled world we live in
So I will continue to send out the giggles
Seems like there's not a lot of us
That write with a lighter touch
Which matches my personal approach to life
We're all just rushing to that glorious meeting
Way up yonder amongst the stars
Well I've still got some unfinished business
Down here before I make that inevitable trip
I still have my final act to go
Believe me, I'm having the time of my life
I wondered what I was going to do
To while away the hours when I retire
Poetry was the furthest thing on my mind
So with your blessings, once again
I shall continue to send out the giggles
Ad infinitum
I like to play my Xylophone
Whenever I get the urge at home
I while away the hours on my own
It puts me in my happy zone
But then I bought a microphone
And that made the neighbours moan
Complaining to me on the phone
To insulate with Styrofoam
Since they don't enjoy my dulcet tone
I said I'd give it up in order to atone
But vengeance is sweet and mine alone...
So instead I bought a Vibraphone
27 April 2023
Writing challenge 'Words with 'X' ' poetry contest
Sponsored by Constance La France
Zephyrs
‘I cannot tell you how it was
But this I know it came to pass.’
Beneath the broad and spreading oak,
Warm zephyrs sighed through meadow grass.
They danced among oak tree’s leaves
And sang a vibrant summer song
Of how we would love and love again
And to each other would belong
They sang among the budding flowers
And told in the ringing chimes
Of how thinkers while away the hours
And of how lovers write in rhymes.
But then they spoke of Autumn’s chill,
When secret mists would hide our way.
How playful spirits toss the leaves
When warm summer fades away.
Then ancient zephyrs breathed a sigh
And left that pleasant summer land.
Now blust’ry winds of Autumn came
And took us by the hand.
Our love was lost in hidden ways
As drifting mists obscured our view
And Autumn spirits tossed our dreams
And left nothing but the dew..
1st two lines are opening lines from
'May' by Christina Rosetti
Barry Stebbings
July 2022
The scent of you takes me
To a place when we were free
To do and be what we wanted to be
When each day was a memory
I still want to call your name
And see you smile knowing our game
So when the band plays our song
I want to close my eyes and sing along
Show me that we can live again
And have each moment to make amends
And while away the hours in each other’s arms
I want to again explore your many charms.
© Paul Warren Poetry
Beside that lonesome meadow
where the bluebells used to grow
there lies a lonesome pathway
that wanders to and fro
where afternoon talks and moonlit walks
would while away the hours
and there a bed of softest grass
and lightly scented flowers
How lonesome now that meadow
where the bluebells used to grow
how lonesome is that pathway
that wanders to and fro
no more the talks and moonlit walks
that while away the hours
how lonesome is that bed of grass
that so often
we called ours.
Gracious old stone homes, lofty rooms full of nooks and crannies
Snoe-white linen and antimacassars embroidered by our grannies
Cool wide verandahs, wrought-iron lacework draped with wisteria
Old fashioned cooking smells wafting from the kitchen, the hub of the interior
A grandfather clock ticking in the hall
Horses hooves on cobblestones, at each house they used to call
Sweetly perfumed gardens, fruit trees, shrubs, and fragrant flowers
Winding paths that lead to nowhere and a swing to while away the hours
Old stone laundry where the weekly wash was done
Spotless clothes and billowing sheets bleached by the summer sun
Sounds of a piano, or a wireless
Children playing in a nearby lane, seemingly tireless
Neighbours in their gardens, chatting over the fence
Everything in Grandma's day had an air of innocence
I feel so nostalgic now in this age of technology
If I could have a choice, I know where I should love to be
In a gracious old stone home
With rooms full of nooks and crannies
Cool wide verandahs and fragrant garden,
Exactly like my Grannies
to be a child again
and bask in innocence
to saunter and meander
to while away the hours
to expand the moment
and live wholeheartedly
every second of every day
pure magic and sheer wonder
ah to be a child again
Published in my 24-page photo/anthology ~A CHILD'S WORLD~ 2020
Submitted on September 8, 2019 for contest FREE VERSE OR RHYME (photo 1) sponsored by EVE ROPER - RANKED 3RD
Once upon a time
there was a prince
his name was Aaron
most of all
he loved to draw
he’d get his ideas
from both day and
and night dreams
as well as trips in nature
he’d look up at the sky
and see the clouds
and birds fly free
he’d notice all the
wonders of the universe
he’d scamper by the river banks
and love the waves and rocks
he’d walk through forests and
look up at the different trees
how tall they stretch and
how their leaves have shapes
inspiration circling in the air
finding the perfect spot
he would sit and sketch
to while away the hours
and so this is the way
our wonderful Prince Aaron
would rule over creation
ink wand and sketch pad in hand
AP: 3rd place 2020
Posted on March 6, 2019
Who is last to be served a meal
Who tends to the kids when they fall and squeal
Who transports kids like they're on a Ferris wheel
.... a mother
We live our lives in the fast lane
The days whizz past so fast
Don’t have time to catch our breath
And we hope our good temper will last
We wake our kids in the morning
Make sure they aren’t late for school
Give them breakfast and a well stocked lunchbox
Although the Ninja Turtles box may no longer be cool!
Then we hurry to our day job
and we while away the hours
then its a mad dash home to greet the kids
Some precious ‘me time’ just isn’t ours
Somehow we fit in the shopping
And take the kids to social clubs
A little down time is so important
Spend time with your friends or your hubs
So get yourself a trustworthy babysitter
Maybe a grandparent or a reliable friend
A few hours with no parental responsibilities
Some precious ‘me time’ is a real godsend!
Take care Contest
Sponsored by Caren Krutsinger
7/27/18
Apples in orchards
Apples in orchards crashing like snowflakes to the ground,
They fall into the baskets to be eaten now.
They have ripened and at last we can taste their juices;
This fruit of the loom brings pleasure to our mouths.
Vineyards drunk dry by drunken Mediterranean’s,
Create a wine so divine, you would swear it was a God send.
There is no end of pleasure to be found in this land of ours;
Sip the wine and spit it out and then while away the hours.
Summer shines upon us, as we are drunk in love;
We have tasted her, we are with her and she is the one.
The one who brings us happiness when all else is dark.
She brings us the warmth we crave; she is euphoria for the heart.
Dance for your lover and take off your clothes
And you will see the smile on their face.
Love each other truly and who knows,
You could grow apples in your orchard and savour the taste.
Love is your apple and your life is your orchard;
It takes two to grow an apple, so come on now don’t be a dullard.
Smother them in love and your orchard will grow
And at last you will have a place you can feel at home.
(C)2016 Aa Harvey. All Rights Reserved.
Sometimes
By Franklin Price
7/28/2015
Sometimes my joints are aching
On this trip of life I'm taking
But I wouldn't have it any other way
In this joyful life I'm living
There's some taking and some giving
I'm just passing through not really here to stay
I try to bring a smile to faces
Of all people of all races
As I travel through this life from day to day
That I know them doesn't matter
If they're skinnier or fatter
To treat them ugly really doesn't pay
Can't be looking down on others
They're my sisters and my brothers
Yes everyone I have a chance to meet
As I while away the hours
To extend my hand empowers
Me to make a friend of everyone I greet
Have to go the sun is bright
I've made it through another night
Always grateful to a loving God above
I leave this advice for you
Would not hurt to try it too
Don't spread hate around just spread a little love
Silence and seclusion
I'll take them any day
Upon my face, there peeks a grin
Now, I can have my way
Seclusion is so comf'table
For me, myself and I
This precious time predictable
I'll sit and wonder why
And silence - I know none of it
My heart begins to sing
Growing lighter in this perfect fit
My inner thoughts take wing
So leave me with my company
To while away the hours
Withdrawing from the summary
Of influential powers
Emerging from the Shadows
We have wrapped ourselves in the warmth of the open hearth
As darkness has fallen like a curtain over a sky
Filled with brilliantly shining stars--
Shadows of trees silhouette against the half-light
As we mourn the loss of our loved one;
Life does go on--
Painful memories shake themselves loose,
A moment comes when the door opens
And the future comes strolling in;
We have learnt to harmonize ourselves
With the rhythm of life--
Slowly we have awakened
From a darkness long untouched by sleep;
It is time to emerge from the shadows--
Realizing we are never again
To while away the hours with you,
So we have shut the door properly upon the past.
fyr feelN vry chat-T n yr gal S vry cattie, i'd ask u 2 refrain,
4my chin i'd b scratchin f yr txting :@) l@tn i'd ask u 2 refrain!
Plz dont Y'L awy the hrs talkin 2 Mayflowers, dey wl ask u 2 refrain
4 they're nt cyber powers they r Luddites ina twer, dey wl ask u 2 refrain
Tho yr fingAs may B skippin ovr keys they wnt lippin, sho em u’v a brain
n they'll luv ur knd }xx aftr evry missive wishes F u cll its nt n vain!
If your feeling very chattie and your girl is very cattie, I'd ask you to refrain
for my chin I'd be scratching if your texting in pig latin, I'd ask you to refrain.
Please dont while away the hours talkin to **Mayflowers, they will ask you to
refrain
for they're not cyber powers, they're ***Luddites in a tower, they'll ask you to
refrain.
Though your fingers may be skippin over keys, they want lippin, show them
you've a brain
and they'll love your kind kisses after every missive wishes, if you call it's not
in vain!
*PS it can be sung to "If I only had a Brain"
**Folks who are so OLD they came over on the Mayflower
***A Luddite is a person who is opposed to technological process
for cultural or moral reasons.
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