Poems

I said to the beautiful laidy
I'm somewhat unkempt and untidy
but it's my fervent wish
that you'd give me a kissh
she said do come back on a Friday

Author notes: https://allpoetry.com/contest/2797389-Ogden-Nash-Contest----ddg

the barrels, full of grapes of wrath
make for a stronger spirit
sealed off and off the beaten path
no tourists will go near it
no cheese and wine tour for the meek
turn back, if that is what you seek
but those that dare to sip it
they say that they no longer weep
never enough, though, just one sip
and so request to ship it

there are no flies in paradise
the drinks are truly fruity
the hosts, they're nothing if not nice
interpreting their duty
as the well being of each guest
those that arrive after a quest
and those called up too early
the victims of their circumstance
or in some cases, random chance
or worse yet, hurly burly

things are quite different down below
for one there's no hosannas
awash in warm volcanic glow
demonic pollyannas
toil endlessly for his return
bubbling cauldrons boil and burn
and Beelzebub and Mammon
each seeking favor with their lord
each falling of their own accord
plot pestilence and famine

and purgatory, your domain
it borrows from both places
on some days it's the devil's reign
on others, prayers and graces
which side wins out we've yet to see
perhaps that's all we're meant to be
a cosmic proving ground
the universe defines itself
put good and evil on the shelf
let love itself be crowned

I go through the prerequisite clichés
and prune them out as needed for the tale
no more comparing her to summer days
and synonyms for roses, bound to fail
my problem is, he simply wrote too much
whichever turn of phrase I seek to use
it's hard without resorting to the crutch
of using his -- as if we share a muse
the task is hopeless, no eternal spring
can fill the void that's left by taking out
the words as writ by him, what can I bring
awash in corny phrases and self doubt

and yet the venerable form does tempt
so try I must, and here is one attempt

Author notes: https://allpoetry.com/contest/2797370-Write-a-new-sonnet--that-is-neither-on-love

Lady Luck once went on strike
let me tell you what that's like
Satan cancelled many missions
by their very own admissions
lucky devils were no more
there was no one to keep score
all the breaks became unlucky
the big horse race in Kentucky
had no winner on that day
chicken dinners thrown away
why did she come back, you ask?
only one man for the task
Ol' Blue Eyes and his old gang
they all asked him, so he sang
and the gal came back from heaven
there she is -- I roll a seven

Author notes: https://allpoetry.com/contest/2797287-Letter-L-in-Rhyme-

pretty egret on the wing
eager for the rites of spring
taking off without a splash
it's for you, my balderdash
thank you egret, for my smile
fly away, but stay awhile

Author notes: image from DeviantArt

promises to keep
a great poetic line
cold walk in the snow

miller said to his son
you'll inherit the wind
to the father he said
please forgive, I have sinned
to his grandson: abide
here's my beautiful blade
to the wife by his side
please do not be afraid

then he passed as we do
but the windmill kept on
milling oatmeal and rye
till his dutiful son
took his place on that bed
and confessed he had sinned
but he passed without saying
inherit the wind

on my wall, I have a poster
life is just a rollercoaster
someone else paid for admission
there's no break or intermission
when the ride ends, someone will
pay the price for laying still
so, do take it all in stride
and relax, enjoy the ride

Author notes: https://allpoetry.com/contest/2797202-Life-is-Just-a-.....

where's the man who sold the world
I think I'd like to have a word
and do not say you're not the one
and you don't have, don't have a gun
I got from you this heart shaped box
memories hidden under locks
It's seen its share of spirits
and is full of music, hear it?

Author notes: https://allpoetry.com/contest/2797209-Kurt-Fans The title of a Nirvana song, using Nirvana lyrics and song titles

the sun emerges from the deep
and gives the sycamore a hug
the ocean feels a heart shaped tug
the sun's rays wake it from its sleep

the morning's glorious, the path
that led me to this seaside cliff
well worn by hikers, winds are stiff
the sycamore has felt their wrath

I stand there basking in the glow
it permeates each blade of grass
the ocean turns into green glass
obscuring all that lies below

the moment's gone, the sycamore
will have to wait another day
I ponder, as I make my way
if I could love it any more

Author notes: wc 101 Image from Pinterest https://allpoetry.com/contest/2797179-Fantasy-1111

my sycamore tree
all bent out of shape
longs for winds of change