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Best Poems Written by Dane Ann Smith-Johnsen

Below are the all-time best Dane Ann Smith-Johnsen poems as chosen by PoetrySoup members

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Details | Dane Ann Smith-Johnsen Poem

Cats Cats Cats

on...                                                     Oh!                  Oh!
                                                       What?              What?
                                                       Do you think of cats?
                                                     We have too many cats.
                                                   At least, they feast on rats.
                                                 Cats. (*) Cats! Cats! (*) Cats.
                                                 What do you think of that?  I
                                                 have seen them with a mole.
                                                 Dead, pulled out of his hole. 
                                                  A delicacy I once was told.
                                                       My cats are: Meow.
                                                 Some big fat- Meow!
                                       Rat-eating cats.  Meow!
                               I never see them eat a bat.
                        I guess at night, they sleep or chat.
                  Cats do not have wings.  They cannot fly!  
               My, oh my, will they wish someday to fly?
            At early dawn it is time to prowl.  Not for owls.
        Meow!   They hunt for snakes, insects, some fowl.
      Silently, sneakily, stealthy, spying, they P-o-u-n-c-e-!
     It’s survival of the fittest, kitty cat style.  Buy a bell.
    You may see them on the ground or in a tree looking
      down. Meow!   Sometimes they will play in the sand.
      Rolling, flipping around on every inch of ground.
       Or you might find them upside down flexing,
         Anticipating their morning prowl.  Meow.
              By and by, success is found.  
                  In their kitty bowl...  Meow. 
                   Smiles!  Meow, Meow, Smiles! 
                         Copyrighted on January 27, 2010

Copyright © Dane Ann Smith-Johnsen | Year Posted 2010



Details | Dane Ann Smith-Johnsen Poem

Myself In Urban Chaos

Here I go again, focused on myself.
Remembering, analyzing,
Memorializing tragedy.
Thinking, endless thinking.
Suicides, death of grandmas, past loves.
Pining about passions and losses.
The condo I had to let go.
The jobs I left behind.
And the cemetery lots.
My mind wonders around in circles.
From darkness to darkness, city to city,
Job to job, decision to decision 
My children, I embrace with love.
Those years riddled with joys and pains.
Trying, always trying, 
Yet, still disappointed.
Clinging to religion, remembering God.
Accepting –
Then, the child in me curls up
Safe in my warm cocoon,
And I think of you in the next room.
Life made new, fear subdued.
The touch of your hand, my confidence renews.
That forever love so long wanted, found at last.
The pressures I once knew moved to the past.
To the outside world I say adieu.
I was lost in the hollow of myself.
Outside of myself, I found peace. 
Memories blot out urban chaos
And focus on woodland happy days.
Struggles not so painful anymore.
Peace found its hope in you.
…And then, we spoon.

Copyright January 15, 2014

Written for Poetry Soup member contest: Contemporary Figurative Artiste Stephanie Deshpande in Contemporary Free Rhyme Free Poetry Contest 
Sponsored by Cyndi MacMillan.

Inspired by Stephanie Deshpande’s portrait of a Sleeping Child http://www.stephaniedeshpande.com/porfolio/

Copyright © Dane Ann Smith-Johnsen | Year Posted 2014

Details | Dane Ann Smith-Johnsen Poem

Love List

Love
     By Dane Smith-Johnsen

Love approaches and does not scare.
Love bears and does not let go.
Love cares and does not shrink.
Love declares and does not shun.
Love establishes and does not tear down.
Love forgives and does not remind.
Love gives and does not expect.            
Love has and does not gloat.
Love hears and does not tell.
Love hopes and does not give up.
Love instills and does not corrupt.
Love joins and does not run over.
Love keeps and does not stray.
Love lives and does not stress.
Love manages and does not control. 
Love persuades but does not discourage.
Love proclaims and does not hide.
Love questions and does not badger.
Love rejoices and does not displease.
Love sees and does not condemn.
Love talks and does not defame.
Love understands and does not misconstrue.
Love values and does not insult.
Love wants and does not ignore.
Love XOXOXOX and does not reject.
Love yearns, and does not insist.
Love zaps, and does not destroy.

LET US LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Copyright © Dane Ann Smith-Johnsen | Year Posted 2009

Details | Dane Ann Smith-Johnsen Poem

A Guinea Fowl

a guinea fowl
molting polka dot feathers—
handmade earrings

© February 21, 2012
Dane Ann Smith-Johnsen

Written for Poetry Soup Member Contest: Juxtaposition Haiku 	 
Sponsored by: Charles Henderson

http://www.honoluluzoo.org/guineafowl.htm

Copyright © Dane Ann Smith-Johnsen | Year Posted 2012

Details | Dane Ann Smith-Johnsen Poem

Possum Juggling

POSSUM JUGGLING  
  Written By the Poets Listed After The Poem.  
  
Possum juggling is a trick conjuring sport.  
You should never do it if your arms are short.  
Nasty teeth are gnashing as they're tossed in air.  
The juggling of possums requires flair.  
Full-grown possum are very massive fellows.
Their bulk when lifted, like handling jell-o.  
They are so at ease as they fly through the trees.  
Are you ever so tall?  Fight them on your knees! 
Though cuddly and soft, please never be smitten.  
Asleep they appear, in a flash you're bitten.  
Upon one look, so UN-cute the ragged claw!  
Surely reminds me of my mother in-law.  
In my compost bin found this fury creature.  
Pointed nose, stinky as my English teacher-  
For that part which sticks out of the can at dark.  
Not a pretty site though pink, duck. It’s a fart!  
Quickly grab his leg and throw him really high 
Let the little blaster soar into the sky! 
Be quick, juggler, Granny Clampett is waiting 
It's possum stew she hopes to be creating 
Wait, I forgot! My arms are too short for this.
Now on my face sprinkles a souring mist.
The moral of this story, surely you see!
Never juggle opossums! Just let them be… 

Contributed Poets (in alphabetical order)  
Charma Chircop, Austin Daver, Carolyn Devonshire,  James Frazer, Robin Gass, James M. 
Goff, Raul Moreno, John Robbins, James Peranteau, Dane Smith-Johnsen,

Copyright © Dane Ann Smith-Johnsen | Year Posted 2009



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A Fairy Tale

A Fairy Tale
     By the Poets Listed After the Poem

Once upon a time, long-long ago there was a wishing star.
She, unlike a billion other bright shining stars, was magic.
Bored with her galaxy, she began to wander far away.
Streaking through the atmospheres was very hot, but not tragic.

Pausing to wonder with much time to ponder, she cast her spell.
“Tiny goblins on Halloween, by light one wish I will grant.”
Who should be the recipient of this very special wish?
Earth children roaming streets that night in one hand my gift, I'll plant.

Oh who should receive my amazingly special gift of light?
So many young ones, in who's humble heart this wish I could grant.
Out of all the precious children that have come within my sight.
The child who has the purest wish is the one I will enchant.

I'll sprinkle on my chosen one, crystal glitters, gold balloons.
A ride follows to fairyland, ending on the golden moons.
With a magical flight through a rainbow high where dreams come true,
And a house of candies in the land of Marshmallow-Lagoons...

Oh, that magical light shining through sweet cotton candy clouds,
Her wish she may...her wish she might...there's one ghoul she'll bless that night.
Of princesses, fairies and goblins, a good heart will be found.
Quickly child, make your pure wish, before the magic star takes flight.

CONTRIBUTING POETS: Charmaine Chircop, Carolyn Devonshire, James Marshall Goff, John 
Loving III, Robin Gass, Raul Moreno, Ruben D. Ortellao, Patricia Prescott, 
Dane Ann Smith-Johnsen

Copyright © Dane Ann Smith-Johnsen | Year Posted 2009

Details | Dane Ann Smith-Johnsen Poem

Flowers Fill Her Universe

Beyond the valley mottled clouds and blue
Invite all strangers into quiet peace.
There sunlight sparkles with the morning dew.

The river hears the loudly honking geese. 
And fragrance from spring flowers fills the air.
Each anxious soul can feel his qualms release.

A quiet stillness floods the valley fair.
Magnolia blossoms show their shining white.
A virgin giggles adding her sweet flare.

While smitten by the golden sun’s daylight,
She challenges desires in her mind.
Beneath the yellow trees her heart takes flight.

Idyllic beauty with God’s hand entwined,
Resounds His message through nature’s converse.
Departing there, good virtue still aligned.

Delightful flowers fill her universe.

Copyright © Dane Ann Smith-Johnsen | Year Posted 2012

Details | Dane Ann Smith-Johnsen Poem

Weeping Willow

The weeping willow wept and withered.
Lovers swore their love, carving hearts.
Initials replaced her perfect bark. 
Pains of loves or lost loves embarked.
Each time young lovers sat beneath her bows,
She watched kissing and tender touches.
Then, out came the knife … OUCH!


44 words
5/20/2017
Written for ONE of FIVE-70 words or less - Poetry Contest Sponsored by Laura Loo

Copyright © Dane Ann Smith-Johnsen | Year Posted 2017

Details | Dane Ann Smith-Johnsen Poem

Non-Toxic Love

Non-Toxic Love

Pecking order glances
Destroys friendship chances
Dissolves love, annuls romances.

Surviving smart as a fox…
Smooths that road of hard knocks…
So step out of the box.

Live above mental kicks.
Care, without verbal pricks,
Strengthen homes made of sticks.

Avoid hot gossiping lips
Prevent ill judger's grips.
Watch the evil one do flips.

Find peace with the white dove.
Be sheltered by God above.
Receive His gift… non-toxic love.


© Dane Ann Smith-Johnsen
January 22, 2010

Poetic form: Rhyme

Copyright © Dane Ann Smith-Johnsen | Year Posted 2010

Details | Dane Ann Smith-Johnsen Poem

The Deposition

The Deposition

The love God gives remains unbound.
Jesus of Nazareth came down. 
Everlasting, His love abounds.
 
Deliverer and Redeemer: crucified, He died. 
Eternal sacrifice, His perfect life tried. 
Painfully executed, giving no retort to their lies.
Omnipotent creator, teacher, and revelator
Righteous, He lived, and died; over sin the victor. 
Incomprehensible pain He, for us bore. 
Two women, Mary, His mother, and Mary Magdalene
Inconceivable how perfect love and wisdom fomented.  
Overcome with grief, Nicodemus and more lamented.
Never ending love, on the third day Jesus the Christ, alive presented.

© Dane Ann Smith-Johnsen
December 5, 2009

Copyright © Dane Ann Smith-Johnsen | Year Posted 2009

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Book: Reflection on the Important Things