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Best Poems Written by Carl Rankin

Below are the all-time best Carl Rankin poems as chosen by PoetrySoup members

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Confidence

CONFIDENCE

                          The world is full of people trying to stand out.
                             But they don’t realize that they already do.
                          They try so hard to figure what life’s all about.
                      With all their piercings, Crazy hair, and fresh tattoos.
                           They miss out because of the worry they feel.
                         Will they approve of the way I dress, think, or act?
                           In the spotlight a few moments they might steal.
                    But some of the stupid things they do can’t be taken back.
                           I have a secret that only the few wise ones know.
                              Love who you are and forget what they think.
                             And all the good things in life will soon follow.
                              And you shall rise above all as the critics sink.
                                So meet the world with you head held high.
                                  Let them see the beauty that is in you.
                              Let them see your happiness and joy inside.
                   And know that nobody needs to love you more than you do.

Copyright © Carl Rankin | Year Posted 2013



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Sadness

Here I am, alone again
Darkness and silence, my only friends.
Indecision and confusion, yea they’re here too. 
With great advice on what to do.
Pain is present, and accounted for.
Along with misery. Who could want more?
I have all these friends that never make a sound.
Yet they scream inside my head, on the stage they have found.
I have asked them to leave, but the rent is paid in full.
And so now I’m the puppet, with strings that get pulled.
Oh how I wish I could cut the strings tied to my heart.
To be carefree once again, and to have a new start.
They say time heals, and I know that it’s true.
But the scars shall remain this steady constant proof.
But hey I’m tuff and I can swallow what I feel.
I can push it away, or pretend it isn’t real.
I’m a survivor, and I can weather the storm,
And I can deal with travesty, regardless of its form.
So once again I set out 
I trust in myself, for I have no doubt.
That the sun shall rise and greet my face
It’ll dry my tears, and it’ll set my pace.
Though my days I shall run 
Until my living days are done.
But still I hope, and still I pray 
That I could at least brighten someone else’s day.
And though with words I try to express
What it is I feel. It’s just sadness.  
 
By:  Carl Preston Rankin III

Copyright © Carl Rankin | Year Posted 2013

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Holly

Holly

As I look deep into her eyes. I see the love waiting there.
Like the most beautiful sunrise. It warms my soul and removes the chill from the air.
She lifts my spirits with just a simple smile. She heals my heart with her warm embrace.
She helps me forget my worries for a while. She does all this with her style and grace.
All too often I let the world get me down. She seems to share all the pain I feel inside.
It breaks her heart to see me frown. She’s the only one whom I can confide.
She found me in the dark. She led me to the light.
When my world was torn apart, she held me so tight.
She is my Reason 
She is my Purpose 
She is my Life.
In fond dedication to my wife Holly ^^

Copyright © Carl Rankin | Year Posted 2013

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My Wicked Witch

MY WICKED WITCH!

Over the howling wind on a brisk October night, when a sickly yellow moon shimmers high in the autumn sky, you can hear her moan in twisted delight as she casts her evil spells and prepares to fly. Upon her trusted steed made of wood and straw, she grips ever so tightly with her gruesome claw. You can see her blackened grin from cheek to cheek; resemble tiny knives rather than teeth. Her eyes burn red filled with loathing and hate. But don’t you dare look at her and tempt your fate. She can look deep within your sole and find your fears. She’ll make you scream till you run out of tears. And when you think the worst has come to pass. She’ll drain your youth and turn you to glass. High on an oak shelf you’ll go… still alive. Still able to whatch her next show

HAPPY HALLOWEEN  <>

Copyright © Carl Rankin | Year Posted 2013

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I'M Not Ok

I’m not alright and that’s ok
Are just words that people say
To ease all the hurt and pain
Just to survive another day
It’s all bull and it feels fake
Convincing yourself not to hate
You live for someone else’s sake
But it’s all more than you can take
You’re so tired and not the sleepy kind
And dark thoughts begin to fill your mind
Praying what you lost you can again find
You tell yourself you just need a little time
I’m not alright and that’s ok
Just another mind game that we play
I’ve lost myself somewhere along the way
I just don’t care anymore come what may
I whish I wasn’t such a coward and did the deed
End everything and let the world forget about me
Just lay down and sleep as my wrists bleed
I’m done trying to be everything everyone needs
So now I’ll finish what I came to say
I’m not alright and that’s ok…..

Copyright © Carl Rankin | Year Posted 2023



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Coin Flip

He stands in your shadow. He walks in your steps.
He sits where you do. He sleeps where you slept.
He speaks with your voice. He sees with your eyes.
He tells only truths. He tells only lies.
Sometimes he whispers. Sometimes he screams In rage.
Sometimes he's free. Sometimes he’s locked in a cage.
He feels your torment. He feels your pain.
He shares your emotions time and again.
He lives your life. He dies with your death.
He’ll be there when you take your last breath.
He may never be known. He may never be seen.
He might remain a mystery.  Found in a dream.
Try as you may you can never be apart.
From the darkness that dwells, Deep in your heart.
Without him you couldn’t be whole.
For both good and evil resides in the soul.
Life flips the coin and sometimes you can choose.
Rarely you can win. But most often you lose.
Its a cruel game that we must all play.
It will never end until our dying day.

Copyright © Carl Rankin | Year Posted 2017

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The Painting

A blank canvas, A empty page 
A troubled soul, seasoned with age
A life of mistakes, Filled with regret
With Scars on his heart, he can never forget
He caresses the oils with a lover’s touch.
And with great care he strokes the brush.
The Colours are light and soft like cotton.
A vision of the past never forgotten.
An angel with silvery wings spread wide.
She carries an infant close to her side.
Over clouds and the world of man.
The angel did fly with child in hand.
Off in the distance you can see that pearly gate.
Then the painter grabs one last colour from his plate.
With the golden colour he pants a single band.
On the ring finger of the angels left hand.
Its his wife and daughter meeting the lord on high.
And he prays to see them again when he dies.

Copyright © Carl Rankin | Year Posted 2017

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Gods

He sits in the corner trying to hide
Hoping they don’t see him
Praying they don’t see him
he dares not meet their gaze
Fearful for that wrath that always follows

She sits alone crying
Tears run down her face
She could no longer see
The cause of her torment
She tries to run as the walls close in

Alone they are weak
Alone they are frail
Alone they fail
Never able to see
The power they hold 

He sees her compassion
He sees her brilliance
He sees her beauty
Everything he needs
All that he is lacking

She sees his courage
She sees his determination
She sees his wit
Everything she needs
All that she is lacking

Together they rule 
This bitter hell
Stronger than all
Who would see them fall
They are gods.

Copyright © Carl Rankin | Year Posted 2017

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My Lover

As the golden beams of sunlight invade the room through the drapes on her door and dance across her body, Light and darkness compete for territory across her soft skin. I envy them both for they are able to caress every part of her. 

I lay awake still because my mind refuses to let me sleep and miss every precious moment with her. I know these moments are rare and I relish them for I know it could be my last. 

Such beauty is reserved for the gods and I know I am not worthy. Yet I will not argue with a fate that has blessed me.

I quietly listen to the sound of her breathing in her sleep. Soft and subtle, and I realize this is what peace sounds like. 

I breathe in her scent which is so addictive and intoxicating that I fear I may suffocate outside her presence. She has become my oxygen. 

As we lay entwined in the hours of early morning, my body rebels against any movement that would break this blissful moment, and begin the torment that I endure when I leave her side.

Copyright © Carl Rankin | Year Posted 2022

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Death of Innocence

Oh my! When did this child die?
Nobody missed him. Nobody cried.
It seems I alone remember his laugh.
That was years ago, In shadows of the past.
I miss him now as tears fill my eyes.
It happens so quickly even I didn’t realize.
He was so beautiful so innocent so pure.
But in the world, we live he couldn’t endure.
Since he has died the world is darker still.
There is an empty space I can’t seem to fill.
He was not the only child to pass.
There were others, like sand though the glass.
I’m saddened deeper every single day.
Because the death of innocence is the price we pay.

Copyright © Carl Rankin | Year Posted 2017

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