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Anton Bradinger Poem
dear Robert, much-loved friend of ours
intellectually gifted
reciting Bellman Songs for hours
radiant and with voice lifted
intellectually gifted
you lacked the talent to survive
radiant and with voice lifted
you left this world with forty-five
you lacked the talent to survive
too much fervour, too much wine
you left this world with forty-five
ignoring you were on the line
too much fervour, too much wine
farewell scene with long smile knowing
ignoring you were on the line
you went and left us plenty owing
farewell scene with long smile knowing
reciting Bellman Songs for hours
you went and left us plenty owing
dear Robert, much-loved friend of ours
A RHYMING PANTOUM OF FIVE STANZAS Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: L MILTON HANKINS
May 10, 2022
Copyright © Anton Bradinger | Year Posted 2022
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Anton Bradinger Poem
The woman of my dreams is still undressed
in early morning woken up by light.
We make ourselves at home in this love nest,
convinced that everything will be all right.
The daybreak after fervent wedding night,
we´ll never quit this loving house arrest.
She´s stunning, lucky me, for gods a sight,
the woman of my dreams is still undressed.
With rapt attention watching how her chest
is heaving with each breath. She is of slight
and slender build, adorable at rest,
in early morning woken up by light.
Her perfect breasts are shimmering pure white,
I cuddle up to her without protest.
We cover tracks of nightly pillow fight
and make ourselves at home in this love nest.
The table full with greeting cards, the best
I´m paging through again. For me they cite
as evidence - no dream! - we slept abreast,
convinced that everything will be all right.
I spot on my left shoulder a love bite.
All wishes are fulfilled and each request,
the first time future, I believe, looks bright.
Can´t get my eyes off her like one possessed,
the woman of my dreams.
A RONDEAU REDOUBLE POEM Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: L. MILTON HANKINS
July 2, 2022
Copyright © Anton Bradinger | Year Posted 2022
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Anton Bradinger Poem
Diogenes, philosopher in Greece,
was said to be a dawdler. "Devil finds
some seedy work for idle hands, don´t fleece
our youth!" He saw the walls in people´s minds
who all declined his odd and frugal life.
He lived on bread and water, beans and fish,
without belongings, even without wife.
King Alexander promised a free wish:
"Ask anything of me, so make your choice!"
Got speedy answer: "Stand out of my light."
The famous king confessed with lowered voice:
"So eastwards now, the Persians I will fight.
But if I were no king I´d seek your peace,
Diogenes, philosopher in Greece."
May 13, 2022
Orphan Sonnet Poetry Contest, sponsored by Emile Pinet
Orphan Sonnet with a rhyme scheme of Abab - cdcd - efef - aA,
10 syllables per line in three quatrains, and a final couplet
with the last line repeating the opening line.
Copyright © Anton Bradinger | Year Posted 2022
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Anton Bradinger Poem
"writing the words of a sermon that no one will hear ..."
Beatles, Eleanor Rigby
This poem refers to the increasing number of teenagers suffering from depression and anxiety during the pandemic.
a girl sixteen years old Jane Rigby her name
enjoyed learning bass guitar dreaming of fame
she had many friends and was good at school too
young Jane was convinced that her dreams would come true
pandemic gosh darn it this meant separation
so lonely the people in forced isolation
too many fell victim to pure desperation
and mostly affected: the young generation
"day after day life is empty and idle"
once lively Jane had become suicidal
lasting for hours she stared at the wall
even lost interest in her best friends´ call
"don't want to talk to them, they not to me,
leave me alone, Mom, back off, let it be"
mindlessly scrolling her phone the whole night
claiming aggressively "I am alright"
writing the words of a song full of fear
that - she already knew - no one would hear
listlessly woke up lost visibly weight
for virtual classes began to be late
then social media flustered her mind
followed examples of beauty like blind
marvelled some starlets with pictures touched up
"girl, too much screen time" "oh mother, shut up"
poor Jane withdrew from life not realizing
she had been netted in smart advertising
can´t replace eye contact, skin and warm breath
finally grabbed a knife and bled to death
it happened a year ago middle of May
"collateral damage" I heard someone say
fine words of farewell were engraved on her stone
I silently added "she felt all alone"
Copyright © Anton Bradinger | Year Posted 2022
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Anton Bradinger Poem
next night in the subway to come without sleep
rereading the letter she got yesterday
"We have to announce with regret true and deep ..."
her husband had died on the second of May
she asked herself how she could tell it her son
rereading the letter she got yesterday
plans for the future at one blow were gone
shocked and deprived of the power of speech
she asked herself how she could tell it her son
no persons of trust and no help within reach
harried by black thoughts, recurring and dire
shocked and deprived of the power of speech
his unit in Kharkiv had come under fire
she read disbelievingly in this short letter
harried by black thoughts, recurring and dire
without an idea how to deal with that matter
next night in the subway to come without sleep
she read disbelievingly in this short letter
"We have to announce with regret true and deep ..."
A RHYMING PANTOUM OF FIVE STANZAS Poetry Contest
Copyright © Anton Bradinger | Year Posted 2022
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Anton Bradinger Poem
Night had been short, I still was highly tired
for my bones had been badly maltreated
during exhausting marches. I admired
comrade John who recently had cheated
the Reaper in the north at Stamford Bridge.
I left the troops and headed for a beech
where I relieved myself. The coming fight
transformed it into a cesspool, this ridge.
King Harold on his horse then gave a speech,
out of earshot for the fyrd, out of sight.
When the enemy advanced I started
to shake like a leaf and had to vomit.
In the front the first soldiers departed
this world. "Count details and do not omit
your prayer", John advised. "Mother Mary,
please protect me and my comrade John!" In
a body then I counted three arrows.
Our brave Saxon shield wall withstood ... perry
for all! An early promise we would win
the day? Chirping, I counted eight sparrows.
After long turmoil of battle a rest,
I counted wounded and I counted dead.
Among the killed were many of the best
and fully-fledged soldiers. I ate some bread,
then Norman buglers sounded the next charge.
Will men ever stop slaying each other?
King Harold was killed, either by four knights
or by an arrow in his eye. Our sarge,
mortally wounded, cried for his mother,
while John and me betook ourselves to flights.
May 22, 2022
Form O- Ode- New poems Poetry Contest
sponsored by Constance La France
theme: memory
three 10 line stanzas, 10 syllables per line
rhyming pattern: ababcdecde fgfghijhij klklmnomno
I am aware that I only considered the formal requirements, strictly speaking this is not an ode. Please let me know if I should better take part in a different contest - thank you!
Copyright © Anton Bradinger | Year Posted 2022
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Anton Bradinger Poem
never do listen to sweet sirenes´ call
promises made by them lead to your fall
they try to lull you into a false peace
claiming that all of your problems would cease
go read their faces they just need to feed
upon surrender they want you to bleed
watch out for soft words including a lure
to sweet temptation don't yield do endure
though heavy burdens are weighting your back
keep perseveringly to the right track
though it´s a strong and inveterate foe
bravely let's fight him, my dear, have a go
in suicidal mood do just hold out
stay unperturbed and don't worry about
you will withstand black thoughts never give way
you are a strong girl alive you will stay
looking for shelter in shivering fears
and consolation in vanishing tears
nevertheless you will crawl on all fours
straight through the thicket success will be yours
though it´s a hard fight you have got to drive
out of the mess with the will to survive
though it´s a strong and inveterate foe
bravely let's fight him, my dear, have a go
whether you're chained to oars or say it´s done
leading numerous lives or have just one
be hyperactive or more contemplating
running for your dear life or calmly waiting
whether you are with friends or go alone
look for a diamond and just find a stone
I have just one wish please come back to me
safe and sound do return from odyssey
(I´m not a native speaker, probably there are mistakes in grammar and vocabulary. So I cordially invite other members to send me suggestions for improvement as long as rhyme and rhythm are kept. Thank you very much!)
Copyright © Anton Bradinger | Year Posted 2022
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Anton Bradinger Poem
you're proud of your book learning and often boast about
but stand helpless and perplexed when friends shed tears or shout
your diction is so witty, your wording eloquent
but when you talked about affection no one knew what you meant
you would never fly a kite or dance in summer rain
for you an idle hour is just waste and all in vain
you've never read a fairy story about a cordial elf
you'll never be capable of laughing at yourself
come to your senses as long as for you I yearn
watch out, my friend, don't you notice how you spurn
our precious chance of happiness
you seem always broody and never lose your poise
a children's playground in your view just means annoying noise
you're always self - possessed, remarkably controlled
hence in your younger days you already looked somewhat old
you think adults must always stand with both feet on the ground
you hate broad laughter and you would never fool around
tender feelings, sentiments you determinedly reject
you rely upon sagacity and keen intellect
your aloofness gives cause for serious concern
watch out, my friend, don't you notice how you spurn
our precious chance of happiness
to all appearances you are always on the ball
behind your back you got the nickname "Mr. Know-it-all"
programming languages to you strongly do appeal
but with overwhelming emotions you never learned to deal
extraordinary is your knowledge of the overseas trade
you are able to edit cases which are high in the grade
in the minimum of time you completed your degree
but don't come up with the idea of sending flowers to me
if you mess things up now I will never return
watch out, my friend, don't you notice how you spurn
our precious chance of happiness
you say these sunshiny days are just too good to last
you never let go, no, you are addicted to your past
you keep your distance and insist on the view from above
you look for safe and stable shelter from your passion and my love
I´m not a native speaker, so I cordially invite other members to send me suggestions for improvement. Thank you very much!
Copyright © Anton Bradinger | Year Posted 2022
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Anton Bradinger Poem
Your friends would have viciously gossiped and jeered,
your parents have shouted: "No way, how bizarre!
What does he live on, to be sick he appeared?
Hands off, this odd fish is as old as we are."
I wanted the best for you, therefore I feared
declaring my love would have gone much too far.
Dispel nagging doubts now, so please let me know:
Your answer would certainly have been a no?
September 09, 2022
OTTAVA RIMA Poetry Contest
sponsored by L. Milton Hankins
8 lines, 11 syllables per line
rhyming pattern: abababcc
Copyright © Anton Bradinger | Year Posted 2022
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Anton Bradinger Poem
for R, my dear friend fighting against BPD
whether you're happy or feel very sad
think you are likeable or mostly bad
find yourself unsightly or rather pretty
wallow in pleasure or cheerless self-pity
whether use make up to smooth lurking doubt
all of us say you look gorgeous without
exquisite jewellery twinkle on you
or stroll in rags second hand and no shoe
though it´s a hard fight not easy to face
watching recovery come in snail's pace
though it´s a strong and inveterate foe
bravely let's fight him, my dear, have a go
whether soul's frozen or thoroughly warm
whether restored peace or calm before storm
whether mind's weightless or absorbed in thought
anything practical you once were taught?
whether determined or changing your mind
right answers within reach trying to find
misunderstandings wherever you go
feel paralyzed your true colours to show
though it´s frustrating be misunderstood
signs of true friendship they will do you good
though it´s a strong and inveterate foe
bravely let's fight him, my dear, have a go
walk under blue sky or through fog and mist
offered securities do they exist?
whether´s a bright path or one dark and grey
finding relief might be still a long way
fight for survival when demons arise
notice they might appear in changed disguise
do they come slowly or at spanking pace
sit out the challenge there is a safe place
though it´s a hard fight not easy to stand
don't think of busting your head in the sand
though it´s a strong and inveterate foe
bravely let's fight him, my dear, have a go
Copyright © Anton Bradinger | Year Posted 2022
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