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Best Poems Written by Jan Terry

Below are the all-time best Jan Terry poems as chosen by PoetrySoup members

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One Master

I signed a contract with the state
to use my body as they will.
My mind they did manipulate.
In the name of freedom, I would kill.

I never questioned right or wrong.
Obeyed all orders without thought.
I strove to be Army strong.
My loyalty and heart were bought.

The flag I served flew overhead.
My uniform bespoke my pride.
A true soldier born and bred,
I marched on while others died.

As time went on, before my eyes,
I saw a different point of view.
I prayed to God my soul baptize,
wash clean my sins, be born anew.

I threw down my master's glove.
I left the life of blood and sword.
My orders still come from above,
but now I serve the Lord.

July 5, 2015

Details | Jan Terry Poem

A Tribute To Robin Williams

A good man's gone, loved by us all
on the screen both big and small.

The fire is cold, the lights are out.
His soul's moved on, without a doubt.

The laughter's gone that masked the pain.
The house is still and peace does reign.

He fought his battles on life's wild ride,
but lost his war with the demons inside.

How can one thrive on acclaim and wealth
without the love of one's own self?

I hope you found the peace you sought.
The life you lived won't be forgot.

July 5, 2015

Details | Jan Terry Poem

Father's Gift

I've seen my father in my dreams
and traveled to where, it seems,
he is still composing verse
and, happily, we converse. 

His poetry plays in my head.
I wake, in haste, jump out of bed
and quickly jot down what was said.
My father is alive, not dead!

He lives in all my poetry.
He'll always be a part of me.
No one can take away his light
as long as I continue to write.


November 30, 2018

Details | Jan Terry Poem

Dandelion

Behold the lowly dandelion; a weed with just a fancy name.
She grows where opportunity allows but pest is her main claim to fame.

Strong and tenacious, she holds her own against those who wish her harm.
Growing wherever she can drop a root, a bright yellow flower to disarm.

Among the many blades of grass, she snuggles in your lawn.
If you resent her presence there, then grab the Weed Begone.

But when it's time to reproduce, she's soft and fluffy fairy down.
Sending her seeds into the world, they ride the wind along the ground.

A bee's first food in early spring, she holds a place in nature's heart.
Perhaps a wish is sent her way, as the child in us blows her apart.

So, don't underestimate this overabundant humble weed.
She has a niche in God's plan and her humble presence fills a need.


April 5, 2019

Details | Jan Terry Poem

Hold the Peas

Baby doesn't like the 'peases'.
She spits them out, as she pleases.
I still have that childish vice
But spitting peas isn't nice.

Avoiding them is hard to do.
They're in the pot pie and the stew.
So, I pick them out one by one
But pea-picking is not fun.

Give me a break. I cannot take
To even smell them on the make.
Cold in salad or piping hot,
Hold the peas. Peas porridge, not!


January 11, 2018

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House of the Crescent Moon

There is a house in my backyard
they call the 'Crescent Moon'.
I visit more than I would like
but, then no one's immune.

I've passed many an hour there,
pants below my knees.
The place is open day and night.
You can come whenever you please.

Just go in and have a seat;
You're welcome one and all.
Take a load off your feet
when nature makes that call.

So, don't be afraid to make a move.
You can even bring a friend;
Just in case, there's a double seat
and you'll be happy in the end.


Inspired by the humor of Jan Allison
Potty humor
Jan Terry
April 16, 2019

Details | Jan Terry Poem

Bad Rap

Babygirl, someone needs to say
you can't go on acting this way.
If you don't learn another tune,
the party will be over soon.

Rude, without a clue
know-it-all, that's you.
Good intentions aside,
you don't deserve this ride.

That phony, baloney,
holy sanctimony
is not lost on me.
Just let it be.

Insecure, immature,
but there's a cure.
Life's journey mocks
the school of hard knocks.

Daddy's spoiled child;
He always smiled.
Welcome to what's real.
How ya gonna deal?

Play it out. 
Leave no doubt.
Take a stand.
Play your hand.

So, what's up?
Go grow up.
Be a woman,
Know you can.

July 5, 2015

Details | Jan Terry Poem

Together We Are Strong

We've only met on the internet:
a friend of a friend, and yet,
I feel your pain and send you love
with prayers for care from God above.

You've won the battle twice before
and God will not give you more
than you can handle on your own
but we are with you; You're not alone.

I've signed on to join your crew
and, just like that, our numbers grew.
When Team Monique Teal Sisters unite,
we all, as one, can win this fight.

There's still much more of life to live
and lots of joy and love to give.
A good man is hard to find;
You've got the best: loving and kind.

You both are heroes in my book
for maintaining a healthy outlook:
facing down the monster within
and not allowing cancer to win.

I admire your strength and bravery too,
in spite of all you've been through
so, dry your tears and battle on.
You're too tough to be cancer's pawn.


March 14, 2018

Details | Jan Terry Poem

She Came This Way

On a headstone in the ground, 
a life's summation can be found:
born and died and little more
marks the end with an underscore.

Before I die I'd like to say
all that happened along the way.
There's a story to be sure.
Let's begin life's overture.

My life began in celebration;
The War was over across our nation.
A baby boomer I became;
My generation was given that name.

Born on the East coast raised on the West.
Who's to to say, "Father didn't know best"?
Dad's family was left behind
but mother didn't seem to mind.

Childhood was rough and raw.
Money scarce but, from what I saw,
friends and neighbors were in the same boat.
Families worked hard to stay afloat.

We made do with what we had.
In handmade clothes we were clad.
Our imaginations entertained us
while nature's bounty helped sustain us.

Raking, mowing and bottle collecting
provided things we weren't expecting:
to see a movie or buy a mitt.
If you wanted something, you worked for it!

So, I more than survived childhood;
I learned to be all I could.
Two years of college was cause for delay
before I declared Independence Day.

I left my parents; moved far away
excited to do it all my way.
To try my wings without a net,
leaving the nest without regret.

Any job well done is its own reward.
I found many occupations to be explored:
mail carrier, bookkeeper, manager, clerk,
soldier, census taker, service rep, soda jerk.

Made many friends along life's path;
A few have met with life's aftermath.
Sometimes I wonder why I'm still here
but, of death, I have no fear.

Of loves, I've had a few
but the greatest love I ever knew,
is the love of a mother for her son;
With him, my family was begun.

I leave my grandchildren to carry on
the adventure of life when I am gone.
I hope they thrive when they are grown 
in a world much different from my own.

The legacy I leave behind,
I wish to be my words and rhymes.
So, on my gravestone may it say:
"Through her poetry, she came this way".

August 31, 2015
For my family

Details | Jan Terry Poem

The Music of Silence

Her world is silent and so is her music
but she dances as if all can hear.
Sometimes I join in to take part in her joy,
no matter how strange we appear.

She's only three and the love of my life,
my princess, my reason for living.
Her mother left me soon after birth
with a gift that keeps on giving.

I couldn't imagine life without her;
indeed, it would be empty and dull.
The music she hears playing in her head,
I, too, hear and it makes my heart full.

So, we will dance through our lives together,
because daddy will always be near.
No worries, just learning new steps
to the music that only we hear.

October 1, 2015