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Best Poems Written by John Arribas

Below are the all-time best John Arribas poems as chosen by PoetrySoup members

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It Reeks Anew

IT REEKS ANEW
by
JOHN M. ARRIBAS


When a Cow Defecates Onto the Grazing Field
There Is a Stench, That All Miasmic Odors Yield
But Given Some Time the Weathering Will Seal
And the Original Discomfort Becomes a non Deal
However, If the Deposit Is Stirred, the Odors Return
Leaving Old Conflicts Alone, a Lesson to Learn

We Have Disputes, Arguments Causing Unrest
But If  Finally Resolved, Passing Times Test
However, If the Event Is Later Resurrected
Resentments Return, Peace Becomes Unprotected
If You Find a Bear Sound Asleep and Undisturbed
Poke Him? Dead Events Should Remain Interred

Copyright © John Arribas | Year Posted 2018



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The Blue Planet

THE BLUE PLANET
by
JOHN M. ARRIBAS


This beautiful blue planet that we call earth
No one really can confirm its origin or birth
Some declare it was shaped by a powerful being
Others state the result of a cosmic unveiling
It just seems to be a tiny body in limitless space
With the right conditions to beget the human race

Orbiting at the right distance from a giant star
Allowing flora and fauna to propel exemplar
Giant creatures once roamed the face of the earth
But a cataclysmic event caused their dearth
Doom for the giants was a boon for the small
Leaving crevices and oceans learning to crawl

And so after millions of years we arrive at now
We’ve nearly conquered the why and almost how
Yet we still have questions that surely remain 
Is there a will to cease our destructive reign
The Danube was once blue now a brownish pink
The elusive snow leopard is nearly extinct

Most lakes, rivers and even the smallest rill
Are polluted with toxins and chemical spill
Fish caught in streams and canals are taboo
Not to be eaten too much mercury in them for you
Drinking water once availed from natural sources
Are now mostly dependent on commercial choices

The rainforests of Micronesia and the amazon
Sadly, in a hundred years they will all be gone
These sources of oxygen and absorbers of co 2
So essential in sustaining the me and the you
The trends are apocalyptic needing repress
Difficult decisions and actions may render success

Problems are exacerbated by human concentrations
Rapidly expanding and demanding, teeming populations
As resources erode and demand constantly increases
Harbingers of the agonies awaiting the human species
The answers are clear but politically unheard
Populations need reductions, a thinning of the herd

Copyright © John Arribas | Year Posted 2016

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Veterans Day

VETERANS’ DAY
by
JOHN M. ARRIBAS



THERE’S NO COIN OF THE REALM TO PAY FOR HIS TIME
FOR THE INNOCENCE STOLEN FROM HIM IN HIS PRIME
NO ONE CAN KNOW OF THE ANIMA LOST IN THE FIELD
OR THE TORMENTING IMAGES THAT WILL NEVER HEAL
THE LOSS OF HIS COMRADES THAT WERE IN HIS CARE
THE GUILT OF SURVIVAL HIS HAUNTING NIGHTMARE


HE STANDS DEFIANT ERECT PROUD AND UNAFRAID
HAND OVER HIS HEART AS THE ANTHEM IS PLAYED
THIS BRAVE AND SOLITARY FIGURE IS NEVER ALONE
HE SPEAKS FOR THE MANY THAT NEVER CAME HOME
OUR HEART FELT APPRECIATION IS PUT ON DISPLAY
SALUTE OUR FELLOW AMERICANS ON VETERANS’ DAY

Copyright © John Arribas | Year Posted 2015

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The Buffalo

THE BUFFALO
by
JOHN M. ARRIBAS


THERE WAS A TIME I ROAMED THESE PLAINS
FAR BEYOND WHERE THE EYE CAN SEE
IF YOU LIVED ON THESE PLAINS 
YOU HAD TO DEPEND AND FOLLOW ME
IF YOU WANTED QUALITY MEAT TO EAT
GRASS FED AND IN GREAT QUANTITY


IF YOU WANTED FURS AND PELTS TO WEAR
TO KEEP THE COLD  FROM THEE
IF YOU WANTED FUEL FOR A COUNCIL FIRE 
OR TO WARM A SIMPLE TIPI
IF YOU WANTED A SOLID PEACE PIPE
TO GAIN A FRIEND FROM AN OLD ENEMY


IF YOU WANTED THE SPIRITS TO SMILE 
SPREAD BLESSINGS ON THE COMMUNITY
IF YOU WANTED BONES FOR TOOLS
YOU HAD TO DEPEND AND FOLLOW  ME
I WAS ALWAYS WILLING TO OFFER FEED
YOU ONLY TOOK TO MEET YOUR NEED


A BALANCED EXISTENCE FOR ALL TO SHARE
YET OMINOUS FORCES WERE IN THE AIR
THE WESTWARD MOVEMENT IN FULL GEAR
COULD NOT COEXIST WITH THE TRIBESMEN HERE
AN DIABOLICAL PLAN WAS PUT INTO ACTION
CORRAL AND CONTROL THE  INDIGENOUS FACTION


THE BUFFALO WAS THE MAIN SOURCE OF ALIMENTATION
ELIMINATE THE SOURCE CAUSE WIDESPREAD STARVATION
RAILROADS HIRED THE BEST SHOOTERS IN THE LAND
SLAUGHTER THE BUFFALOS WHERE EVER THEY STAND
BUFFALOS WERE SLAIN FROM A COWARDLY DISTANCE
THE  TRIBES FOUGHT AND OFFERED FIERCE RESISTENCE


BUFFALO(2)


FINALLY DOMINATED BY AN OVERWHELMING FORCE
THE TRIBES WERE COERCED TO A PEACEFUL DISCOURSE
DEPRIVED OF FOOD  AND MANY FACING STARVATION
TRIBES  AGREED TO STAY AND LIVE ON A  RESERVATION
THE RESERVATION SITES THE GOVERNMENT SELECTED
WERE HARSH AND BARREN THE TRIBES FULLY REJECTED


FOR NUMEROUS YEARS THE PLAINS LAY UNPROTECTED
BUT IN THE END THE TRIBES WERE SUBJECTED
THE SHAMANS INVOKED THE SPIRITS WANTING TO KNOW
IF THE TRIBES WOULD SEE A RETURN OF THE WHITE BUFFALO
THE BUFFALO WAS SACRED AND SPIRITUALLY POSSESSED
ITS VERY EXISTENCE KEPT THE VILLAGES BLESSED


THE BUFFALO VANISHED FROM THESE ENDLESS PLAINS
BUT AWAITING HIS RETURN IS THE HOPE THAT REMAINS
THERE WERE FIFTY MILLION BUFFALO NOT LONG AGO
AN IMMORAL SLAUGHTERING LEFT LESS A MILLION OR SO
THE TRIBESMEN AWAIT THE BIRTH OF THE WHITE CALF
TO BRIGHTEN THEIR LIVES CAUSE THE CHILDREN TO LAUGH


THE WHITE BUFFALO HAS RETURNED TO THE TRIBES OF THE EAST
THEIR LAND ONCE UNUSED IS A PLACE NOW WHERE MANY FEAST
MODERN STRUCTURES NOW OCCUPY TRIBAL LANDS
WHERE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS DAILY CHANGE HANDS
THE WHITE BUFFALO HAS RETURNED AS A GOLDEN PALOMINO
ENRICHING THE TRIBES WITH A GOLD MINE CASINO


THE TRIBES OF THE PLAINS WHERE THE BUFFALO ONCE ROAMED
MOST LIVE IN ABJECT POVERTY,  THE SLAUGHTER HAD SOWN
ON THE PLAINS THE WINDS ARE SIGNALING  UNREST
THE RETURN OF THE HERDS IS THE SIMPLE REQUEST
THOSE HERDS ARE GONE NEVER MORE TO OCCUPY THE LAND
THE HOUR GLASS IS EMPTY THERE IS NO MORE SAND

Copyright © John Arribas | Year Posted 2015

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My Big Red Tomato

MY BIG RED TOMATO
by
JOHN M. ARRIBAS



Stopped by a roadside stand last week
Just out of curiosity I thought I’d peek
At yellow corn and small red potatoes
But mesmerized by the big red tomatoes
Mouth was watering awaiting the taste
I’ll eat it all leaving nothing to waste

On to the kitchen and washing them off
I’ll wait a day or so to let them get soft
Well the time is here and they are ripe
Time to satisfy my gastronomical hype
Onto  the table then a horizontal slice
A quarter inch thick my palate to entice

Fresh Italian bread cut at a slant and  thin
Sandwich this good should be branded a sin

Bursting with juice and so fleshy and firm
Heavenly flavor my taste buds confirmed
It was that slight sprinkling of salt, I believe
That topped off the ecstatic result I achieved

I’m going back to that stand experience teaches
This time I’m opting for those big yellow peaches

Copyright © John Arribas | Year Posted 2015



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Veterans Day 2

VETERANS’ DAY 2
by
JOHN M. ARRIBAS



There’s no coin of the realm to pay for his time
For the innocence stolen from him in his prime
No one can know of the anima lost in the field
Or the tormenting images that will never heal
The loss of his comrades that were in his care
The guilt of survival his haunting nightmare

Slowed by the steel rods now serving as legs
He wavers not from his duty and undying pledge
To defend this land and to safe guard its’ soil
Against all enemies and challenges to despoil
The freedoms he defended shall not perish
For future generations to nurture and cherish

He stands defiant, erect, proud and unafraid
Hand over his heart as the anthem is played
This brave and solitary figure is never alone
He speaks for the many that never came home
Our unending gratitude is put on display
When we honor our  patriots on Veterans’ Day

Copyright © John Arribas | Year Posted 2016

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Psychotic Trip

PSYCHOTIC JOURNEY
by
JOHN M. ARRIBAS


Feeling really beat,  I went to bed early last night
Suddenly awakened feeling something’s not right
There was total darkness, I was not in my room
Lying on a cold flooring, with a feeling of doom
Hearing moans and murmurs the sounds of pain
Someone close was whimpering, was I going insane


I tried to move, but was pinned by a body abreast
Trapped, no matter my efforts, a fruitless wrest
Girded in by bodies, some dying, guess most  dead
I struggled to get free grabbing someone’s head
I kept sliding , floor covered in gore n human waste
Slimy, putrid, total abomination, humanity abase


Hearing men talking, I yelled help, come, I’m in here
A large gate swung open saw two men in the clear
Carrying large spiked clubs all covered in blood
One said, I hate this work sloshing thru all this crud
A man among the sprawled, tried painfully to rise
Teetering, helpless , blinded, missing both eyes


Choking on blood, with whispered gasps of pain
Then clubbed in the head, splattering his brain
The men removed a few bodies,  releasing me
Hiding among the dead  will not get you free
You’ve got a trial to attend for causing grief
Inciting rebellion, acts of a mind stealing thief
 

I hear yelling and cheering, is it a baseball game?
I enter a stadium, frenzied folks shouting my name
As I enter, the jeering and booing turns into a roar
My knees buckled, I’m frightened like never before
Guard said, you’ve been found guilty, so cop a plea
Wait your turn, judge may find a iota of clemency




Psychotic journey (2)



Crowd roars as my name is announced, over the pa
You’ve eluded justice, no longer, today is our day
Judge scowls, sentencing to follow, it’s usual course
You are pronounced guilty, beg, plead, show remorse
You show remorse, only because you’ve been caught
Pay for your crimes, painful lesson, now will be taught


You are fortunate this day, you can choose how to pay  
For those dastardly crimes, you’re found guilty this day
The mobs scream numbers , one ,two, three, four, five
Select the one of these numbers to complete your demise
The stands erupt , yelling and screaming number three
Judge states that’s final, you’ve selected number three


Before sentence is carried out, lets look at the four
The ones you did not select but chose to ignore
One is a winner, its called a day at the cookout grill
It’s a hollow bull made of iron in which you will fill
Fire would be started below and continuously fed
Til the bull takes on a glow between yellow and red


Number two, providing the results we like to reach
It has all the wonderment, called a day at the beach
Ever heard of the eating habits of the coconut crab
Quite carnivorous, you lie on the beach tied to a slab
This sentence is not popular, its so difficult to hear 
Noisy crabs jaws, main dish cries and the mobs cheer


Number four is my favorite, for sadists all the rage
It features bees and you, its called a day in the cage
Had an aviary specially built with imports from brazil
Called killer bees, seeing them perform, an eerie thrill
You of course, would  be the starring attraction
Cacophony of screams, as the bees spring into action



Psychotic journey (3)


Number five really leaves nothing up to chance
It features fire ants, its called a day at the dance
We imported these stingers from southeast asia
More vicious, venomous, than those from arabia
We built a glass enclosure housing two colonies
Provided amplifiers to appreciate your harmonies


You selected, number three, a favorite of mine
Innovative, two penalties we were able to combine
A garrote, sit in a backless chair in front of a pole
Slow methodical strangulation is the final goal
Collar on the post around your neck is placed
Then slowly tightened til all life is erased  


We had added a new graphic feature, surely a plus
We have a musket loading cannon, a blunderbuss
Strategically located in front the garrote chair
Synchronized to fire, emitting a thunderous glare 
Loaded with nuts, bolts, screws shards of glass
Collar tightened, cannon fires, a tremendous blast


Judge said: there is a number six, I forgot to mention
It calls for a fine and a library card suspension
I’m placed in the chair the strap around my neck
Loading the cannon, will I be dead, no need to check
The collar is tightening, its getting hard to breath
The workers are scattering, rushing to leave


Whole procedure is handled as a remote operation
The cannon will fire to terminate the asphyxiation
Need to lose consciousness fore the shrapnel impales
I hear the lanyard moving I’m hoping it fails
I heard it click, its primed, its just a matter of time
Before I’m scattered and join the rest of the slime


There’s a loud noise, a bright light, I hear a voice
Why all the yelling, screaming, such terrible noise
Breakfast is ready, how do you want your eggs?

Copyright © John Arribas | Year Posted 2017

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The Coach

THE COACH
by
JOHN M. ARRIBAS

 
Went to an alumni meeting last week
 Looking for solace, the outlook was bleak
We lost a game we should have won
A total disaster to all not just some
Cries of anguish torrents of pain
“How the hell did we lose that game”

Three close calls in the recent past
Defeat was looming, the die had been cast
We were favorite to trample that team
What followed next was strictly obscene
No confidence in the coach, zero trust
A new powerful resurgence is a must

“Fire the coach, we need a new spark”
Call the chancellor a search to embark
There’ll be plenty of coaches to interview
At the end of the season there will be a slew
Most will have been fired that’s for sure
Same kind of let down we’ve had to endure

Appoint a committee to find a coaching ace
Got to expunge this humiliating disgrace
While we’re at it  the assistants they must go
They haven’t inspired the team as far as I know
Need to raise cash something we’re lacking 
Buy out his contract and send him packing

A new coach will cost us a hefty sum
A sales job needed to convince the alum
All must partake in any new proposal
Resources will be placed at our disposal
A few claimed it was to soon to act
Hissed and booed told not to come back





The coach (2)


All that remained were anxiously waiting
Are there any coaches, we’ve been baiting
A new coach will surely demand  success
All in favor pledge  support in this quest
Days later the finals were slated
Consensus was, we won’t be elated


To our amazement,  it’s hard to explain
Out team executed a perfect game   
I went to an alumni meeting last night
Everyone was joyful in utter delight
Many were boasting and sipping champagne
Alas we were conference champions again


We need to make sure we continue to cruise
Complete confidence in the coach and his crew
Upgraded facilities, haven’t you heard 
Call the chancellor pass on the good word
Our coach is a winner to be sure
Esteem and respect for him to endure

The backers are ecstatic bursting with praise
Throw in some perks add in a raise
Extend his contract for a many a year
Act fast our rivals might get his ear
Those remarks from last week , bid them adieu
They were made by an uninformed few

Copyright © John Arribas | Year Posted 2016

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Island Hopping

ISLAND HOPPING
by

JOHN M. ARRIBAS


My first day of community service at Glen Oaks
Assigned to spend time with a few elderly folks
Spotted an old gentleman staring out into space
Weathered beaten hands and a sun etched face
How are you today old timer, as I grasp his hand
A firm grip followed from a once powerful man


I had just returned from an island hopping trip
Told him about the islands and the fabulous ship
I went to St. Croix, St. Martins and Martinique
Stopped at Montserrat to overlook the peak
So many activities hardly any time to sleep
Shore excursions great, unbelievably cheap 


The old gentleman turned and looked away
Choked up on something he started to say
Room fell silent for the longest spell 
Son, I took a voyage that’s so hard to tell
It started and ended in the cauldrons of hell  
Then sighed so quietly as the tear drops fell				

My pals and I went on an island hopping trip
Sleeping on the deck on an overcrowded ship


First stop was at a place called Guadalcanal
There was so much noise, a percussion chorale
The local occupants got upset at our arrival
Just getting ashore was a matter of survival
All we wanted was to use their landing strip 
We were so insistent, they left, gave us the slip

ISLAND HOP (2)


Next stop was an atoll, place called Tarawa
Desolate,  awaiting brave mens soul to devour
We had a difficult time getting onto the beach
Tides were  low,  corals too shallow to breach
The locals didn’t take kindly to our arrival
Being denied admittance just wasn’t our style


Next stops were Kwajalein, Saipan and Peleliu
At each and every landing we left quite a few
Inhabitants of these isles were a  hostile horde
Yet our perseverance could not be ignored
We combed every inch in our search to achieve
Removal of the objectors, there was no reprieve
We overcame the objections to our presence
Committing these isles to perpetual reverence


Most hostile place  was an island called Iwo 
Soft sands made progress unbearably slow
Sinking sands made firm ground hard to reach
We left great numbers, still, on the beach
It took great courage to get over the dune
Each attempt exposed by a cloudless moon
Valor and bravery continuously put on display
Total commitment was the order of the day


A planned six day excursion took sixty days
Hard to evict the denizens  out of the caves
Some of these folks were so hard headed
Sealed up the entrances, left them embedded
Our single purpose  for “ Super Forts” to reach
More than paid for by those left on the beach
Island hopping seems innocent phrase to say 
Boils down to how much one is willing to pay

Copyright © John Arribas | Year Posted 2016

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The Faithful Servant

THE FAITHFUL SERVANT
by
JOHN M. ARRIBAS



A grand knight by the title of Sir Reggie Bentley
Had a castle and land a far as the eye can see
Had a beautiful wife known to all as Lady Emily
A page and servant known to all as Henry Lee 
Urged other knights come on a crusade with me
Lets go to Jerusalem and set the holy land free
He gathered an army with his impassioned plea
To his wife,  I must answer the call of holy duty

I will think of you each day as I cross the sea
My dutiful wife, alas you can not accompany me
You will be safe in the hands of trusted Henry
I will be gone for a while, years two or three
You are truly faithful, but knaves may not be
So wear a chastity belt while waiting for me

Henry most loyal  how long have you served me
Sire,   I’ve been with you for years, twenty three
You have guarded my house cared for my family
You’ve been most willing when serving my Emily
I have the utmost confidence and trust in thee

If I do not return, please set faithful Emily free
I hereby entrust you with the chastity belt key
The fateful day arrived with the gathered army
Camped outside the moat in columns of three

Early that dawn Sir Bentley kissed sweet Emily
If I do not return Henry Lee will set you free
The legion rode off at the head Sir Bentley

They had ridden apace for hours, two or three
When approached in a huff by trusted Henry Lee


Sire! Sire!  you’ve given me the wrong key

Copyright © John Arribas | Year Posted 2016

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Book: Reflection on the Important Things