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Best Poems Written by Heidi Shipka

Below are the all-time best Heidi Shipka poems as chosen by PoetrySoup members

Details | Heidi Shipka Poem

The Seeds

THE SEEDS
June, 2015

It started with a breeze,
Sunny day in June, 
When the sun is at its sweetest.
Offerings of hope and optimism hinting at
Notion of bountiful fall harvest. 

He started with a smile,
His harsh words floating
Across an open field.
Tickling the ears
Of the curious in attendance.

Jaws dropped, and
a few felt the scratch. 
That undeniable stab 
that initiates the wound, 
oh, but a prick…

Others, so happy to bask in orange glow of celebrity,
Thinking it would somehow bring them closer to the sun 
(and to the riches of man),
Let the acid whisker thru one ear and out the other, 
Not knowing there was residue.

Residue, if left unwashed, 
would seep its poison into their
hearts and souls, giving birth to
fear filled clouds of hate,
swiftly swallowing the sun.

Details | Heidi Shipka Poem

Less Than

Less Than

She was living in a puddle of poor decisions,
Soiled in messy outcomes

Her downtrodden steps shuffling path of humiliation, 
embarrassment, 
self-loathing.

For a long time, I joined her
there,
Under her blanket of shame
(As if for lunch, at a cafe)

I even took it upon my arrogant self to define her existence:
‘Less than’

less than~
someone who had made better choices, 
worked harder ... or differently,

less than~
someone who planned more thoroughly, 
spent more frugally ...
sacrificed more.

I made myself comfortable in that place,
settled in for the long haul, wallowing in her pity with her.

Playing the part of gravity,
I held her there
Making her believe what I did...

That she was, indeed, ‘less than’

To be continued...

Details | Heidi Shipka Poem

Parkland

It started out like any other,
Sun warming children’s faces
As they walked into their day

A day of hearts & chocolates
and BIG teddy bears
Celebrating love like 
teenagers do

Or not?

Mid-day turns as sun becomes its brightest
Kids sighing relief as their ‘work’ day inches towards its end
Hump day, Wednesday, week almost over
One day closer to their future,

Or not?

Bells ringing, 
Shots ringing,
Cell phones ringing,
Or not?

The heaviness of it all,
Impossible to carry,
The world weeps with victims
As dirt becomes soaked with tears and blood.

Blood of our most innocent
Blood of lives not yet lived
Tears of those that must live on.

Tomorrow is another day,

Or not.

Details | Heidi Shipka Poem

A Call For Peace

3/12/16

A Cry For Peace

I long for a world
Where peaceful words
Trump fists.

Where differences are celebrated and
Built upon.

Where there is recognition
That, at our very core, we
Have a "sameness"
That cannot be ignored.

This should be our glue.

Our hearts all feel,
Our minds all think,
Our hands all do,
Our mouths all speak.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if
We had one vision,
One voice,
That spoke for peace?

The power lies within us all
Every choice,
Every word,
Every action,
Propels us to an outcome.

Which outcome am I moving us toward?

Details | Heidi Shipka Poem

The Planting

11/20/16
The Planting

The fields of America were tilled.

Wolf in farmer's clothing donning 
Red hat while
Sharp tongue cut grooves in the
Soil of humanity, violently 
Unearthing constituents needed for his success.

White hooded hate and prejudice,
Previously buried by years of reform,
(now nurtured in sunlight and fertile ground),
Take root once again.

Reform meant to propel humanity forward.
Damaged in the time it took to say:
 “Build a Wall”

Details | Heidi Shipka Poem

Thanksgiving

The past year has brought heartache and joy.  I have shed my tears for those I've loved.  My heart has grown for those we cherish.

The holiday season is that time of year where the universe opens its’ boxes for us to pack our most precious memories, most significant learnings, most cherished moments, and yes, our deepest heartaches.  Where we are reminded of how fleeting life is and yet, how extraordinary it can be.

In this box goes everything that has changed us in a meaningful way…

PACKING MY BOX OF THANKSGIVING - 2018

In my box I place my grief
Two friends lost, lives too brief.
Gratitude for the reminder to live life every day,
Embrace those you love often,
Nurture your relationships with dedication,
Be present in the presence of others.

In my box I place my aches & pains
All that slowed me down.
Recognition that we must care for 
the physical body our hearts, minds and souls inhabit.

In my box I place life’s complexities and frustrations,
Begrudgingly accepting the lessons in perspective.
Indebted for the teachings that made me more
resilient, compassionate, and open-minded.

In my box, at the very top, and with great care, 
I tenderly lay my joys.
All the laughter, tears, and quiet moments
shared with those who have taken-up
permanent residence in my heart.
Thanksgiving for all you gave and all I received
in helping me become a better version of myself.

Details | Heidi Shipka Poem

We Are All Broken

Splintered bones
match shattered hearts
Shredded soul pieces
strewn about in desolate
land of discontent

Why do we hurt the ones we love?
Tear them down with sharp
vulgar claws?
Assigning blame where
It doesn't belong?

An attempt to evict our own unhappiness?
Slither out of our misery like a snake shedding its skin?

Oh the pain you've left in your wake...

Dropping your stone of rage and hate in calm pond of life,
circular ripples too readily spreading your unrest
scarring surface of too many lives,
Your blows bruising one heart? many hearts?

One too many.

What gives you the right?

Details | Heidi Shipka Poem

Or You

A love so deep
But distant,
Enough to keep the common man away...
As well as your daughter

Your need for love so strong
Yet not,
Content to dwell in the shadows
controlling everything in the light where the others live

A puppet master hiding in the rafters
Wooden dolls, covered in cloth and painted-on makeup,
do your bidding
Audience reacting to them...
Or you?

A complicated soul
Fisherman of sorts
Reel in... Cast out...
Reel in

Does this dance ever end?
What damage is done?
What price is paid?
Who loses the most?

Us?
Or You?

Details | Heidi Shipka Poem

The Gatherer

She gathers their hearts and souls and invites them to her table.

She feeds them with love and laughter and they reciprocate;

It is on this fullness of belly and heart that they go into the world to achieve their destiny.

A bit more joyful than the day before.

Details | Heidi Shipka Poem

I Belong

I belong by the sea
Breeze tugging at my hair
Salt clinging to my skin

I crave the gentleness of the sand
Cradling my weariness

I long for the rush of the tide
Washing away my guilt, fears and
Sadness

I desire the deafening westward winds
To drown all that is unresolved
In my head.

To be as small as a grain of sand
Or as epic as a roaring wave
On any given day

This is where I belong