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Best Poems Written by Alfred Berggren

Below are the all-time best Alfred Berggren poems as chosen by PoetrySoup members

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A Sailor

When you're topside in the gallants
and you're lookin' up at waves,
the wind's ascreemin' madness
intent on many graves.
The mate has said: "Lay aloft!",
and Third was on his way,
you scrambled up the shrouds windward
and laid to right away.
Now it's one hand for yourself
an' one hand for the ship,
oft hangin' on by eyelash
to last this windswept trip.
We be iron men from Denmark
an' seamen everyone.
We bring this ship to Scotia,
no loss for anyone.
Now it's one hand for yourself
an' one hand for the ship,
oft hangin' on by eyelash
to last this windswept trip.

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Shakespearean Sonnet To Mona Lisa

Iambic Pentameter

A renaissance delight beguiles our sight.
Such enigmatic smile on face doth hold
our wonder why such cheer's in gentle light,
and hidden secret's veiled from view untold.
What name do we ascribe to model's grace.
Is she from noble family fame and ease,
but certain nomen's sore to know or trace,
for artist gave us no clue known to seize.
Does picture only show a simple gaze
of painter's own self seen in lake that day,
well hidden by disguise in lady's praise?
A genius played a game some few would say.
If game is played, tis more a better scene.
Let be, for maid appears a regal queen.

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When First We Met

This poem is a really a Rondelet

When first we met
my heart skipped a beat and I smiled
When first we met
I thought I should leave, but not yet
She seemed like an innocent child
This girl in her teens sweet and mild
When first we met

6-22-18

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Sea and Shore

Blue ocean meets shore
White caps against cliffs and rocks
Trees on cliffs look down
6-23-17

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Timbucktoo

There once was an old man from Timbucktoo
Who made the most terrible stinky stew.
A pot full of meat
So rancid can’t eat
Even the vultures stayed clear of the brew.

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California's Pride - Sextilla

All I have to offer  is this cigar
and  clay cup of  whiskey that’s not so bad.
Hides are loaded, sir,  thought you would be glad 
We’re ready to sail at first evening  star.
Rounding the Cape at this late time of year
is dangerous but can be done, no fear.

Hold’s filled with hides, men have done their duty
things are shipshape, sir, hides are thoroughly dried.
no wasters here, we’ll catch the evening’s  tide.
They’ll pay good price for California’s pride.
Boston ‘wants prime leather for boots and shoes,
this ship will give them what they want to choose


With scopes  they’ll watch for our then arrival
Making wagers  what ship will make birth first,
losers with naught but dry and angry thirst.
Owner thankful for his ship’s survival
and happy he’s first to sell at market
With many buys filling his vest pocket

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Miss Monroe

You stood on the stage and flashed your winning smile
The play had gone well, cast was ending their stay
I had eyes only for you and curtsy style.
Our eyes met for an instant, you looked away
But my heart didn’t look away as you left stage
I knew instantly I wanted to engage
You at the members rear door this night
With bouquet of flowers in hand and smile right.

I’d seen play three times before, what mattered that?
I came to see you and all else was nothing
You didn’t know me, but I left where I sat
and bought blossoms from young street girl’s offering
You came with your friends laughing so happily
Your voices and words sounding most merrily
I stood in your way with flowers in my hand
Giving you a smile hoping you’d stop and make stand

“Please take these flowers I give to you just now,
Your performance was outstanding, Miss Monroe,
The play’s wonderful but it’s to you I bow.
Your acting is natural, your words do flow
Like the sound of a sliver stream on its way,
Refreshing the sinews of my heart this day.
Tomorrow I’ll gladly see your play again
Tomorrow and tomorrow and  once more then.”
7-1-17

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The Band - a French Pantoum

We walk the street this day,
we hold each other's hand.
Our talk is month of May,
when we shall hear the band.

We hold each other's hand,
we speak of things we like.
When we shall hear the band,
for them we'll take a hike.

We speak of things we like,
her students will be there.
For them we'll take a hike,
our friends will play with care.

Her students will be there,
we walk the street this day.
Our friends will play with care,
our talk is month of May.

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My Love - French Sonnet

Yes, ever I have known her ways are mine
and I do confess this,, I love Joan
When we talk I hear a voice low, soft tone
Can I deny the plain truth eyes do shine
If you ask me, “ami”, do I want Jane
There’s no spark starting fire in me that glows
This I will say,” pour vous”, think I not so
Past efforts made for me, did she in vain
Such I do know now, I can’t be her mate
Soon, I wish she’ll not gaze on me with hate
Forever, maid, give me your kind review
But Joan alone is for me, such is fate
In time for me don’t grieve and please don’t wait
“Sans aucun doute”the right man seeks for you.

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In Old California 6

Then Margarita gave her father mind,
for she was very happy being home.
Hence three years placed in a covent confined
where she's had little use of brush and comb.
Removed from places she loved most to roam,
the fields and plains of fine San Luis Ore.
For loving Yankee, sealed in great round dome,
but home with father, spirit high did soar.

Was she wrong thinking happy home thoughts, priest,
when she should be now praying while on knees?
But really she now didn't care the least
for she had little mind the priest to please.
Took she all pleasure fine that mind could seize,
a gold cross o'er the alter gained her eyes.
The somber monotones of priest did ease,
and lady greatly marveled golden prize.

Benedicat vos onmipotens Deus, Pater,
et Filius, et Sprititus Sanctus. Amen.
Dominus vobiscum. Et cum Sprititu tuo.
Initium sancti Evangelii secundum Ioannem.
Gloria tibi, Domine.