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Pandita Sietesantos Poem
Once Upon a Purple Sunrise
Pretty as a Periwinkle,
in your frilly summer frock,
the one with purple polka dots
that matched the cool of early dawn.
Haloed in hazy lavender hue,
I'll always remember you;
running barefoot through
the cornfields still wet
with translucent drops
of fragrant morning dew.
The scent of damp, fresh grass
lingering on your waist-length,
ebony braids, that wrestled free
of their crimson satin ribbons,
floating away in the pale blaze
of a new day, riding on a gentle breeze.
Your childish giggles drifted
through rows of raspberries bushes,
a look of total wonder reflected
in your bright smiling hazel eyes,
innocent as the wispy grey clouds,
that awake with the surprise
of a transient glowing sunrise.
Where did you come from,
Little Sprite, with your
mischievous deep dimples,
cherry-stained cheeks and lips?
Even gazelles would be jealous
of your long, lithe brown legs,
graceful as a swan's,
gliding in casual slow motion.
Carefree as a hummingbird,
hovering in suspended animation,
you were lost in the beauty
of your own song.
Did you forget me,
waiting for you with
finger sandwiches and sweet tea?
But that was okay –
it was your time to wander
in an ocean of wild yellow daisies
that needed to sprout
in your youthful heart…
take root and grow
in your memory forever.
02-17-2018
Best New Poem - 2/20/18
Poem of the Week 2/25/18
Sponsor: Silent One
Contest: Sunrise and Sunset
Placement: 1st
Copyright © Pandita Sietesantos | Year Posted 2018
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Pandita Sietesantos Poem
Screaming at the Sky
Mothers screaming mournfully at a deaf sky
holding their heads helplessly as they cry
pitiful tears for innocent, defenseless children slaughtered
in fatal cross fires, deadly drug wars
drive-by shootings, and cases of mistaken identity
on blood-splattered streets, senseless endless violence; but
who really gives a damn, only grief-stricken
mothers screaming mournfully at a deaf sky.
(Form – Enjambment posted as Verse – 8 lines with 7 words in each line.
The 1st line and the 8th line are the same)
10-21-2014
Contest: 8 Lines 7 words ~ First and Last Line Must be the Same
Sponsor: Rick Parise
Placement: 2nd
Copyright © Pandita Sietesantos | Year Posted 2014
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Pandita Sietesantos Poem
When Love Found Me
What a wonderful, magical surprise!
Sometimes love arrives in disguise.
I never saw this coming,
never anticipated such an awesome blessing.
I was at the right place,
when I spied your sweet, handsome face.
It was at the right time,
calling me your goddess was a sign
and I knew you were mine.
I had been a sad, little bird with no songs to sing,
with only broken wings,
working my way through some hurtful things.
But you came along,
a real man, offering me strong,
broad shoulders to lean on.
It was a slow process getting back on track,
but you willingly took the burden off my back.
You showered me with loving attention,
tenderness, kindness, and consideration.
Nurturing and cherishing me each step of the way,
you build my confidence and trust each day.
Thank you for helping my fragile heart to mend;
thank you for helping me become whole and to love again!
05-26-2014
Contest: Best love poem #3"
Sponsor: Poet Destroyer A
Placement: 10th
Copyright © Pandita Sietesantos | Year Posted 2014
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Pandita Sietesantos Poem
Night-Blooming Jasmine
expert seducer with soft silky lips, silver blue moon
sweetly kisses a slumbering beauty awakening desire;
greeting her lover, Night-Blooming Jasmine unfolds perfumed petals
11-02-2015
Contest: Any Old Poem #6
Sponsor: SKAT A
Placement: 6th
Copyright © Pandita Sietesantos | Year Posted 2014
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Pandita Sietesantos Poem
I Did It My Way
I did it my way, not for the applause but because,
failure was not an option and I became a rebel with a cause.
I wanted higher education and was told I couldn’t have it all,
so I had to prove them wrong even if I had to creep or crawl.
I was accused of having a stubborn streak,
just because I wasn’t mild and meek.
Challenging every obstacle placed in my way,
and all the negative things that people had to say.
In spite of all the “You can’t do that,” that I was told,
I stubbornly did it my way and confidently smashed the mold.
Marching to a different drummer and dancing to my own tunes,
I kept my eyes on the prize ignoring all the nay-saying buffoons.
To keep on track, I learned to juggle tasks knowing I wouldn’t be derailed.
To keep my ducks in a row, I learned to haggle knowing I wouldn’t fail.
With dedication and hard work, as sure as night follows day,
success was mine because I certainly did it my way!
06-07-2014
Contest: I Did It My Way
Sponsor: Shadow Hamilton
Placement: 1st
Copyright © Pandita Sietesantos | Year Posted 2014
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Pandita Sietesantos Poem
I’m Not Your Puppet
Don’t you ever forget
that I’m not your puppet!
I’m not a toy on a string that you can manipulate,
so you can walk right back through that gate.
You thought you could simply bark out commands,
and I would just yield to your demands.
But I’m so over you and I hope you can see
that I’ve broken those chains and I’m now free.
Mr. Manipulator, don’t try to mess with my mind,
‘cause it has a will of its own as I’m sure you’ll soon find.
Don’t even try to figure me out,
I’m my own person, that’s what this is all about!
You took my love for granted,
and got everything you ever wanted.
Well, marionette maker, let me tell you what's true,
no more dancing to your tune as I've had enough of you!
Trust me I’m not even bitter,
but it’s all over and you can go cry me a river.
You really did me wrong thinking you could string me along;
but nothing lasts forever and I've grown super strong.
I’m not your puppet, and as I’ve told you before,
my name's not Pinocchio, so see yourself to the door.
You'd better understand that I'm my own woman,
and I will not be controlled by anyone!
Inspired by the R&B song, “I’m Your Puppet,” released in December 1966 by James and Bobby Purify, singing duo.
12-26-2014
Contest: Puppets
Sponsor: John Lawless
Placement: 9th
Copyright © Pandita Sietesantos | Year Posted 2014
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Pandita Sietesantos Poem
Chains of Colonialism
With guns they came
With whips and chains
Chains to capture the Dark Continent
Chains snaking across Africa
Africa blessed by nature
Africa a precious jewel
Jewel coveted by imperialists
Jewel stained with blood
Blood of the disenfranchised
Blood of innocents
Innocents slaughtered
Innocents subjugated
Subjugated like cattle
Subjugated nonentities
Nonentities to colonial masters
Nonentities bowing to alien flags
Flags of oppression
Flags of exploitation and domination
Domination of inferiors
Domination of natural resources
Resources robbed
Resources nurtured with sweat and tears
Tears of those with no voices
Tears of those whipped and silenced
Silenced by superiority
Silenced by weapons and fear
Fear of foreign invaders
Fear of certain death
Death of ancient civilization
Death of treasured culture
Culture stripped and raped
Culture battered and fragmented
Fragmented destiny
Fragmented people
People crushed to the ground
People with no more sweet songs
Songs of freedom and happier times
Songs of nationalism
Nationalism and solidarity
Nationalism thwarted
Thwarted to divide and conquer
Thwarted to castrate minds and bodies
Bodies chained and beaten
Bodies killed for defiance
Defiance against injustice
Defiance against colonialism
Colonialism in the name of God
Colonialism in the name of kings
Kings
God
05-01-2016
Contest: Dig Deep - Race Relations - Conflicts - Colonialism
Sponsor: Marugo Mo
Placement: 2nd
Copyright © Pandita Sietesantos | Year Posted 2016
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Pandita Sietesantos Poem
To Dreamland on Sunset's Lullaby
Gracefully the young crescent moon
ascends the sky like a cosmic tune;
replacing the drowsy pale yellow sun
sinking on a golden glowing horizon.
To dreamland on a lullaby of silvery twilight...
to dreamland floating with music of night.
Even as shadows of day seek rest,
choirs of songbirds fly home to nest.
But asleep I'll be before stars start to shine;
asleep I'll be before Venus and Mars align.
To dreamland on a lullaby of silvery twilight...
to dreamland floating with music of night.
Melodies of powder-puff pinks and baby blues,
splashed on sunset's orange-tinted hues;
gently I'll slip into a cocoon of sweet slumber,
on the wings of a celestial lullaby so tender.
To dreamland on a lullaby of silvery twilight...
to dreamland floating with music of night.
The trials of day fade gloriously to gray,
and into Sandman's restful arms I will lay.
My restless spirit is calmed from within,
serenaded by nature's soothing violin.
To dreamland on a lullaby of silvery twilight...
to dreamland floating with music of night.
03-23-2018
Contest: Lullaby in the Sunset
Sponsor: Vermillion Scythe
Placement: 1st (PoetrySoup Premiere Contest winner)
Copyright © Pandita Sietesantos | Year Posted 2018
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Pandita Sietesantos Poem
December Magic
Waltzing with the wind,
in crocheted gowns of white lace…
flurries of snowflakes
sway to sweet divine music...
that only angels can hear.
12-24-2014
Contest: A Quintain Christmas
Sponsor: Andrea Dietrich
Placement: 2nd
Copyright © Pandita Sietesantos | Year Posted 2014
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Pandita Sietesantos Poem
Sarah’s Story - Mental Illness
Sarah, the “Crazy Lady,” was a familiar sight,
roaming the streets any time of day or night.
Her foul body odor announced her presence,
as she paraded around in her filthy, smelly garments.
Walking barefoot regardless of the weather,
in her state of mind, she couldn’t do better.
Children teased and made fun of Sarah,
reciting ridiculing ditties, adding to the drama.
Behind her a lively entourage would follow,
taunting and calling her names creating a sideshow.
They howled with childish laughter,
as Sarah hurled angry profanities after.
An avid collector of all kinds of trash,
she transformed her abode into a garbage stash.
Sarah’s odd behavior made her fair game,
to unkind people who had no mercy or shame.
While many folks turned a blind eye,
young boys threw rocks and other missile,
at the roof and windows of the shack she occupied.
Behind bushes, they would scamper away to hide,
as Sarah furiously dashed outside,
brandishing a machete, cudgel, or broom,
screaming out curses, damnation, and doom.
Like a cancer, her mental illness had devoured her brain,
and before long, she was officially "certified insane."
Most agreed it was for her own benefit,
and for the good of society to be rid of this "misfit."
But even though she was locked away in an institution,
no psychiatric treatment could cure her mental condition.
When Sarah finally died, she was unloved and alone;
her passing was hardly noticed, and she was mourned by none.
Note: This piece was inspired by a true account. While we have made great strides in the study of mental illness and understanding it, unfortunately negative attitudes and beliefs toward people who have mental health conditions are still common. Thus, as a society, we still have a long way to go to improve our attitudes and to show more caring and compassion for those who suffer from various types of mental illness.
08-06-2015
Contest: Mental Illness
Sponsor: Nathan D.
Placement: 7th
Copyright © Pandita Sietesantos | Year Posted 2015
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