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Best Poems Written by Eric Langenfeld

Below are the all-time best Eric Langenfeld poems as chosen by PoetrySoup members

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St. Columba's Prayer

"Be thou a bright flame in front of me,"

	The confused deep thoughts I have at day's end
	Carry to the morning.  Keen directions for life
	Are elusive.  What will happen with plans?
	Will I get started?  Suppose... Fear takes me.

"Be thou a guiding star above me,"

	Morning comes and with it smells of fresh coffee,
	Laughter from the lips of news anchormen,
	"Need to start my day but there's dishes and
	Laundry... all I have to do is start with dishes."

"Be thou a smooth path in front of me,"

	Early still and the short walk I promised 
	Myself painfully reminded by the 
	Leash my dog is chewing in the kitchen.
	"Where's my shoes," I say and move to the door.

"Be thou a kindly shepherd behind me,"

	Home approaches and my pulse against the
	Cool air fills me with the vital breathing.
	Feeling good, fear's forgotten and now the
	Next step seems obvious... Take a shower!

"Today, tonight and forever."

Details | Eric Langenfeld Poem

The Guitar Man

The guitar man gave the American countryside
his one note show he hoped would change the world.

The guitar man had long ago forgot why he'd left his home
in pursuit of his dream of dazzling folks with his one note show.

The guitar man realized that no one read or talked of him
and his life had led itself into a dismal despair.

The guitar man knew he no longer cared about the note
so he stepped over sadness and left his dream for home.

The guitar man still plays his simple style of guitar at times
but through the journey of one note he found other things to do.

Details | Eric Langenfeld Poem

The First Snowfall

Would the scent of winter,
the smell of fresh snow
mean much to me
if I'd been down south
breathing the scent of the sand 
in a better climate since a child?

If i found snow at fifty
I'd dance around with wonder
and shout the most magnificent praises 
that anyone could raise
but I'd ignore the smell
and scurry back inside.

The resonate purity of youth 
comes off the snow consecrated soil.
It's not a memory of youth
left wanting or yearning
but all at once I'm reimmersed,
undistracted in the storm.

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What Goes On In the Car

Crushingly tired driving down the freeway,
other cars take the fast lane past me,
light blinds me through my dirty windshield
and the wireless distracts me from the road.
Dragging my wonder to an angry hour ago...

A sedan nearly sends me off the side and 
needlessly I slam on my brakes before he weaves.
Shock subsides and security builds
in knowing my needs were watched while
I was not wincing through my dirty windshield.

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Safe Behind the T.V. Set

Giant bruises from words pulse on the inside of my chest
The past's grip comes biting at my head
I saw a girl beat up by bullies on the news this morning.
Meanness and anger meant nothing to the best of their parents.
Emotions of remorse and regret are replaced by blame.

A selfish subculture exists among us stabilized by jail time,
acting as if all actions had no consequence,
apathetic to believing their despair an accident.

My arrogance is safe behind the T.V. set
but I feel that I was once as brash and bold as they.
Growing from anger into insight,
I'm not lost like the bullies anymore
but it's good to see where I've been and where I'll go 
if i look at them and laugh and say that can't be me.

Details | Eric Langenfeld Poem

The Years Apart Are Nothing

On the steps of Congress St or somewhere college town
We talked about how smart we were and world domination
And laughed 
Ciccadas sung
I was indignant over stuff that seems minimal now
And our common friend wasn't our friend
In a world before Facebook people went in and out of lives
The natural order of things
On the steps we thought Californication was truth
Codeine dreams before booze and abstinence
The times when I studied rational thought
Came before rational thought became the answer
The time before the time in between was full of life.
We the had the fight of youth
And though neither of us thought of family that's what we have
The smell of smoke and damp seemed old
We knew better
Looking back we knew nothing 
Mistakes and instinct taught us life and where to go
On the steps I embraced the spirit of youth
And old I know it's to love but not to hold

Details | Eric Langenfeld Poem

Carryout Box

Noodle dinner, Italian restaurant
we leave half the food on the plate.
I'm not full but I want to leave
I say, "I'm tired and it's late."

A new ex-boyfriend, another one
learning about your encounters.
"What are you thinking?" I smile
Unsure, the fork twirls leftovers.

Carryout box, unfinished meal
resolved to say all later.
Bruno's, amazing as ever!
Though the talk isn't served by the waiter.

Details | Eric Langenfeld Poem

Bug

Beautiful insect cupped in my hands,
Released to the air to fly over lands,
Assured that keeping you would speed your death,
You were released, I held my breath.
Gently above me then floating away,
Orange glow from my hands deeply allays.
Within moments of a lifetime, brush cut, 
Feelings replaced by a punch to the gut,
Knowing its future like being aware 
My shadow follows someone else's dare.
Insanity is sadness for thoughts of
Others better care of the one you love.

Details | Eric Langenfeld Poem

A Helping Hand Was Well Outstretched

A struggling friend called me for help,
his world upside down, sinking fast.
I heard him speak of anger and lust
but always beneath was an empty heart.
Then the call ended and I was alone.

Though the advice seemed to calm,
I never talked to this man again
but another might come in need.
I've no sorrow for not knowing his fate
or if something else should've been said.

A helping hand was well outstretched 
and out of love my heart was filled.

Details | Eric Langenfeld Poem

My Guide of Light In the Sky

"Sky's brilliant," she says but i only see blue.
Her look is a lamp to direct her through life,
inhaling the scene as her day exhales haste.

I see clouds in the sky and far off storms.
It's most important for minute details
to be decided and made fast
before the daily efforts can begin.

"This isn't working," but her way is.
So i look up, surrender to the celestial spheres,
"The sky is beautiful and i can begin my tasks,"
I declare with a joy which shocks me.
Now i laugh knowing i'm free
to look to my guide of light in the sky.