Poems

if roses were a dime a dozen
the cliché would get more popular

history is rewritten by the whiners

they had a thing against you looking back
the ancients and their myths are quite persistent
the messaging is shockingly consistent
Lot and his wife were fleeing an attack
and Orpheus was rescuing a lover
two tales cultures apart, but you discover
a common theme against this very act
a subtly written rule, a secret pact
do not look back, and you can have it all
as long as you maintain that protocol
the gods demand obedience with this threat
and warn about the danger of regret

Author notes: https://allpoetry.com/contest/2793708-Orpheus-x-Eurydice

you might consider, as I stagger
the setup for a cloak & dagger
a murder for a pretty penny
where I had simply one too many

Author notes: https://allpoetry.com/contest/2793699-Word-Prompt---25-words-or-less-

my breakfast started with a waffle
though I had wanted a falafel
the absinthe used to be unlawful
I chugged it down with that damn waffle
and now I feel a bit less awful

Author notes: https://allpoetry.com/contest/2793720-Most-awful-poem-wins

when Good and Evil sit to dine next to the Tree of Knowledge
the one whose apples, so divine, allowed Eve to skip college
each thinks the other will, at last, accept their rhyme and reason
it isn't for the faint of heart, no, not at all, this season

pray tell me, have you heard the tale
of Dragon and St. George?
the beast and its enormous tail
the struggle near the gorge?

well, let me tell you, what you've heard
is not completely true
the real events are somewhat blurred
give modesty its due

the truth is when George raised his spear
a euphemism, you see
t'was love he felt, it wasn't fear
but it was not to be

yes, real love is what he sought
his heart set on the drake
the dragon preferred Lancelot
he partial to the snake

the jealous lover, thus engorged
grabbed his spear with his glove
and thus, the Dragon and St. George
and unrequited love

Author notes: https://allpoetry.com/contest/2793763-Impossible-Love-A-Ballad-Contest

I loved you once.  That love’s decaying embers
still warm the empty chambers of my soul
Do not feel sad, if part of you remembers
I wouldn't want to sadden you at all
My love for you was desperate and hopeless
heartfelt but timid, jealous, but so true
genteel, sincere and wistful, and may God bless
and grant you love that feels that way for you

Author notes: there are multiple translations here, here's one: https://allpoetry.com/I-Loved-You I've attempted to keep both rhythm and rhyme, which of course necessitated some other liberties.

the alpha leads the fearsome pack
their eyes are glowing embers
their gait sends shivers down your back
as part of you remembers
who is the master of these lands
howls signal his arrival
and you forget your best laid plans
and focus on survival
another minute and they're here
the floodlights flicker on
they surely smell it, smell your fear
but stop at once, as one
and there they stand, the moment's passed
and licking canine teeth
and you, back in the now, at last
remember how to breathe

Author notes: wc 90 image from Pinterest

reversal to mean
entirely natural
Fibonnaci's gift

there, among stately Grecian pillars
she stands, serenely -- our Bridezilla
petite, all smiles, but watch out fella
if the foie gras is less than stellar
the pinnacle of her planned youth
has now arrived. Next: photo booth

Author notes: https://allpoetry.com/contest/2793528--391-MAX-6-lines---PHOTO-is-prompt

stunned by her beauty,
the angels gather to her,
fluttering their wings

they continue to sing
to the heavens
but they've had no choice...

but to fall