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Best Poems Written by Bruce Coates

Below are the all-time best Bruce Coates poems as chosen by PoetrySoup members

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Details | Bruce Coates Poem

Ladybug, Fly Away

Ladybug
Little friend
Little dancer
On my pen

Gentle bug
Little soul
Little creature
That I know

Fly away
Under the moon

Ladybug
Lovely girl
Lovely part of
This whole world

Gentle bug
Lovely boy
Lovely life which
Gives me joy

Fly away
Before it’s noon

Ladybug
Lonely heart
Lonely song from
Nature’s harp

Gentle bug
Lonely you
Lonely me and
We make two

Fly away
Don’t die too soon

Copyright © Bruce Coates | Year Posted 2014



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The Old Man

Upon a hill there was an old house and in it lived Abigail, a young lady without a spouse. One day her doorbell rang and she went to the door. There stood an old man, his head to the floor. He appeared scared and weak so she let him come in, for if she didn’t it’d be a sure sin. The old man smiled and gave his thanks, and she said, “Not to worry, there’s no need to thank.” Abigail and the elder talked for quite a long time. Sharing story after story, and soon drinking wine. The two became very good friends and laughed, and laughed, ‘til night came to end. When the next day dawned, they went for a walk, down at the pond they decided to stop. It was frigid and misty, but they enjoyed the stroll because their friendship was warmer than the wind’s dreadful cold. As they stood in front of the calm, cool pond, Abigail asked, “Where do you come from?” The old man laughed a deep, dark laugh. “I come from the boneyard, the place of last breaths. I am the one which many name Death.” The creeping old man then pulled out a knife and slashed Abigail’s throat before she could fright. Her life left instantly, her body grew cold, and the elder’s smile sparkled like gold. The pond was hungry and the old man knew that Abigail’s corpse would have to go soon. He tied a brick to both of her feet and tossed her away into the deep. As her body sunk into the watery blue, the elder stood there and felt renewed. Back on the trail the aged man went. Not a worry in mind, no remorse ever meant. He did what had to be done, for to the grave his soul belonged. The elder approached another ol’ house. He rang the doorbell and waited, innocent as a mouse.

Copyright © Bruce Coates | Year Posted 2013

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Daydreams of Snow

As I’m pushed away by summer’s breeze
Flakes of white fall upon my brow
I wish for the earth beneath to freeze
To shield me from how days are now

These months have been so long and cruel
I’m ever so blind while the sun reigns
Therefore, I’ll dream of winter’s cool
To take away my summer pains

Copyright © Bruce Coates | Year Posted 2013

Details | Bruce Coates Poem

Coffee and a Cigarette

You drink a cup of coffee You light a cigarette You sit back in your chair And you try to forget The nicotine kills you The caffeine keeps you alive Don't play with fire Unless you're ready to die

Copyright © Bruce Coates | Year Posted 2013

Details | Bruce Coates Poem

In the Name of Love

If our love were ever to become a gamble between the gods, And the Lord and the Devil both desired to see us flawed, I would make my plans for deicide and, as a mortal, face the odds. First I would build you a castle and hide you far away, So no god could find you or take you as his prey. They would have to go through a man if they wanted to get their way. Then I would fashion a sword of the most wonderful elements. Sharper than Satan’s wit and greater than God’s blessedness, I would wield it into battle and redefine the Exodus. Through the gates of Heaven and across the plains of Hell, I would meet the gods wherever to confront them where they dwelled. Yea, a mortal man I may be, their homes would be expelled. And if I should fail in my quest for our love, The gods would at least regret their gamble thereof, And I alone would stand as the martyr who set you above.

Copyright © Bruce Coates | Year Posted 2013



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Good Things Come

The bones of an animal
Who died in the cold
Have dried in the sun
Only a month or two old

Copyright © Bruce Coates | Year Posted 2015

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Giving Freedom Away

Carry me quietly to the river Strip me, touch me, and love me I am alone Let the freezing water cover me Let it eat me alive As my mind drifts through the waves And my spirit sees its own grave Set me free Free me from everything Free everything from me

Copyright © Bruce Coates | Year Posted 2013

Details | Bruce Coates Poem

Woodpecker

Woodpecker, woodpecker
Pecking on the wood
Woodpecker, woodpecker
Live a life that’s good

Peck away, peck all day
Always peck that wood
Peck away, peck every day
Live the life that’s good

Woodpecker, woodpecker
Pecking on the tree
Woodpecker, woodpecker
Live a life that’s free

Peck away, peck all day
Always peck that tree
Peck away, woodpecker. Please,
Peck for you and me

Copyright © Bruce Coates | Year Posted 2013

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A Dying Hymn

O my graveyard
How I do find it hard
That I must sleep with you

“Until we meet again”
How sweet that sounds, my friend
But we both know it isn’t true

O my own death
How I’ll cherish that last breath
When I’m waiting here for you

I know this life must end
And how sad this is, my friend
But there’s nothing we can do

Copyright © Bruce Coates | Year Posted 2013

Details | Bruce Coates Poem

Little Delights

My little village
Of family and friends
The place where I started
The place where I’ll end

My pleasures in life
Quite simple and free
A moment with you
A moment with glee

My little school
The world in a book
On giants I stand
On giants I look

My studies of life
A grand make-believe
The freedom to stay
The freedom to leave

My little home
Of food and of drink
Where I quietly pace
Where I quietly think

My routines in life
Carried out on my own
As I chat to myself
As I chat on the phone

My little lover
The light of my day
Who shows me new things
Who shows me her way

My lust for life
Like a flower, it grows
Beautiful flower
Beautiful rose

Copyright © Bruce Coates | Year Posted 2015

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Book: Shattered Sighs