Harmonious_Echos Posted November 6, 2008 Report Posted November 6, 2008 I have way too many poems to post in here but here are a few of my better ones... Memorial to P.J. one gun one bullet one life What would we give to see you again? You should be twelve, To swim in the creek, Bring home frogs in your pockets, eat toasted marshmallows, and later, to catch fireflies… Instead, I jump at every closing door, every knock, every footstep, a single gunshot echoing and re-echoing in my mind. Where are the muddy hands, now, to wash? The ragged pant-knees to patch? Gone, all, but a great dark stain on the carpet Life-blood, too precious to wash away. Dear God, What were you thinking? A dream of Sun and Day Once in a dream, in spacious darkness a maze of tombs trapped me, pacing endless circles in the quest for freedom— While all around me, crumbling symbols of humanity stood, lost souls, petrified with a clinging evil easy to sense but not to flee. Once in a dream, Through dulling senses, faint, I hear a church bell’s toll— see the resentful darkness parting for a living emerald, a Lady, flooding her life-light through every statue in the tomb— but I, in seeing such joyous abandon, fled cowering in unreasoning fear. Once in a dream I hid in my cowardice, still the Lady Sunday found me took my hand, and led me gently to a door. Then I awoke, and seeing morning sunshine, knew- she had not gone, but merely changed her form to light my way once more. Published or Bust! Inspiration is a fleeting thing- any writer knows that. My words fall like teardrops onto the page and I chop down my dreams to fit proper rhyme schemes... Can I help it if "the Moon in June" sounds better than "the Moon in September"? Polish, They say, polish. "Poetry is an art easy to dabble in; hard in which to reach true perfection" Well!! I don't believe in sonnets-- So there, Shakespeare! My words flop and whither as I write fading to a façade of grandeur- So like the simple truth behind them; And in my mind nightmare Editors whisper through sullen lips, "She cannot write! She never will! She is a child" And so I'm here, scribbling down this bit of myself for me to see; I'll show myself. I will-I will! I must. Fairie Touch If you wash your face in dew On the first of may-- I’ve heard that you’ll receive the Touch-- Fairie beauty for a day. The story goes, or so they say The Fairie Touch is sure To make a lass Queen of the May But then, she must endure The many many many Compliments, and remain humble-- Or else, the Queen of Fairies frowns and swears to bring her trouble! Northern Lights Cold, cold fire running Running rippling free Shining river-sea of light Over my head Over my dreams tonight Raise, raise my spirit Spirit harmonies free A symphony of sight Into my eyes Into my thoughts tonight Night, night starlit rainbows Rainbows shimmering free A lasting memory bright Into my heart Into my soul tonight Dusk To Dawn Night-fall Night-fall Dark-fall Eve-fall Catch the day’s dying breath Savor it Wrap yourself in mystery… Sky-bright Sky-bright Star-bright Moon-bright Clinging skeins of silken radiance Weave them in Weft of ancient magic… Cloud-red Cloud-red Blood-red Morn-red Mourn the gently dying night With fevered dancing Pulse of day’s beginning… Gecko Dreams My Listless Life...Ah, comforts fount in dreaming! I lie like the gecko in the sun, still, waiting for Fortune to flutter by, yet I am burned by Cruel Experience-- I strive only to slumber in peace. So deep, my dreams, and so full of wonders-- as if I wander nightly, free, in Paradise and I fall willing prey to such forgetful bliss. Fortune, flutter by-- I care for naught but sleep. Can our awakened world be so bright? Our reality, be more fulfilling? I cling to sweet illusions, hoping that in a place where dreams are real old wounds can, maybe, heal, and joy, jewel-faced, may gleam once more within my reach. Evening on the farm The hay is up, the cows are in… the pigs are grunting in the sty… The barn-doves mourning with their kin… the smell of cooking wafting by… For now at last my day is done... so softly sings the robin near... and through my window sets the sun... thus entertaining eye & ear... Such sweetness settles round about… when twilight stains the glass-clear sky… and labor-weary we all bow out… and listen to Night's new lullaby… Gray Day The world is sad today— Gray skies, Dove-colored eyes Through which the soul of the world Can be seen, weeping. And my soul, too, Is swept along In a current of stormy tears. To view great sorrow Only brings us pain… Why, then, does it bring such comfort, joining the rain? Twilight Puzzle Wind blows, Trees rustle far away— Through your window I can hear the night Bring me a candle, hold me closely As I flicker, cup your hands about me… And I’ll find a way to follow The scent of your body, sweet and dim Twilight Puzzle, do I fit in? Thunder rumbles, doves call out in fear— A wisp of lilacs’ deep perfume All of the world is singing, softly, As I listen, will you wait with me? I would give you all I cherish But the look on your face, so cruelly kind Twilight Puzzle, must I be blind? Star-light in sunset, frost hinted in the air— The tang of earth, an odorous pall Lifting the curtain, watch the moon rise So you linger, to let me think I’m free Still I cling to rotted fantasy Until your body blocks the light Twilight Puzzle, how can I fight? After the beginning Before the storm breaks, I sit melancholy in the lamplight- Fragile light that whispers dark memories into my mind. A cool breeze stalks by, tossing my hair and hissing softly through the trees. I have survived one storm- the angry roars like wind the flashing eyes, the threatening rumbles; the bitter curses falling like rain- and so I sit, and wait as one storm passes and another begins.
Wyvern Posted November 7, 2008 Report Posted November 7, 2008 I like most of these poems, Harmony. :-) I think my favorites of the bunch are probably "Memorial to P.J." and "Published or Bust!," with the personal nature of the former and the comic tone of the latter both resonating with me. These poems as a whole show a very broad range of talent, since the romantic nature and dream poems seem just as nicely written as the more personal mood poems. I also like how you give us a taste of both your experiments with free form and your rhyming poems in this selection, as following up a personal free form piece with a piece that plays with language kept things interesting. I'd say you should definitely ignore the "nightmare Editors" of "Published or Bust!" and keep up the good work. Thanks for sharing these with us here, Harmony. Welcome to the Pen, I hope you enjoy the many eccentric writing folks here. Out of curiousity, do you have a preference when it comes to writing personal poetry or romantic dreamy poetry?
Harmonious_Echos Posted November 10, 2008 Author Report Posted November 10, 2008 Acutally, I have a hard time writing poetry that isn't entirely free-verse and/or depressing in nature. Most of my works are written when I'm feeling bad! For instance, Dusk to Dawn, Gecko Dreams, Grey Day, Memorial, Twilight, and After the Beginning are all about sad or bad experiences. I don't have many romantic poems! Here are a couple I'd call 'romantic'-- Motorcycle Ride My laughter building, Bubbling up in me on a summer’s evening A motorcycle ride, just you and I My mind is spinning, Full of your scent as we are riding, So close, my arms wrapped tight around you Wind, fall far behind, We two will conquer you-- Sing in our ears a harmony We are in tune For I’m feeling the way we fly Feeling the stares of passers-by In their eyes I see their envy As we roar on by Road, lead us onward, forward, Casting our eyes ahead Our cares far behind Smooth and free, we’ll soar No secret care could break, or take, this magic from us My heart is burning, Wishing this ride would never end, Feeling the chill of sunset, washing over us So sad to go, I don’t even want to leave Twilit stars winking their pleasures At us down below Out on our motorcycle ride Baby I lied We were eager once In the springtime nights together And I held your heart And I know that you held mine I have come to know, now That all we have together Rests on those sweet hours Those sweet hours that will never come again I know you love me still I know you always will I love you too You know I do Oh I have tried and tried To stay by your side but I lied when I said I was true I love you so, but Baby I just can’t stay with you Ice Cream in the Rain Do you remember that sweet march day Just barely warm enough To go out for ice cream Do you remember the thunderhead that rolled on in While we sat under the Dairy Queen sunroof outside? How we laughed and shivered As the rain poured down How the thunder crashed around us And we minded not a bit Mixing ice cream and rain With kisses And as spring broke around us It lifted us up in a flawless joy As the years go by And we toil in strife We often forget how much we have And in march, when the wind Is blowing thunderclouds in Can we still eat ice cream in the rain See what I mean? None of those are any good at all, except maybe the motorcycle one...and even that's not great. I'm just not good at expressing my romantic side in poetry...
The Death of Rats Posted November 12, 2008 Report Posted November 12, 2008 Now comes our newest poetess into our quiet vale Pouring the the product of her pen into a silent spell So tearfully seems she to think as she scribes her verse that as not what could be, it is all a waste of ink That loses my perceptions, it goes against proverb. Or am I the only one been taught That's for beholder's words?
AuroraAoD Posted November 12, 2008 Report Posted November 12, 2008 Hi Harmony! So sorry I'm late in welcoming you to The Pen. My Bad! *giggles* Thank you very much for the works that you shared with us. I really enjoyed them. My preferences would have to be "Memorial to P.J.", "Evening on the Farm", and "Published or Bust". I get to see a different side of your personality in each piece and you can feel the emotion in each one. I look foward to your future pieces and am so glad you have decided to hop in for a spell! *HUGS*
Harmonious_Echos Posted November 13, 2008 Author Report Posted November 13, 2008 Thanks, AuroraAoD! Here are a few more poems... Old Temptations O Temptation, Dear Old friend- Have you come a-haunting me A-haunting again? Standing ever by me On Razor’s edge I’ll tred; While you teach the facts of life Night is Black, Blood is Red. You must hold your foes close but hold your friends away, lest they become too close, And know to get away from you… O Temptation I'm feeling your old flame Have you come a-haunting me a-haunting Again? Trapped Sinking Choking lungs screaming for air it is hard to die- still harder to live- dark water foaming over my eyes Over my head bubbles fleeing from my sight-- The frenzied scrabble of my hands slows, and now my head is throbbing with the nearness of death Dark water whispering sleep, sleeeeep… yet my numb fingers close around a car's door handle and I am free! Soaring up breaking the surface gulping air, my heart racing Realizing I will not die today! Magic Lantern I am a genie in a golden lamp My magic lights the way for others here Yet, trapped inside my cell I cannot see The light that shines from me You are the genie in the lamp I hold Your magic lights my pathway through the night I wish to break your bonds and set you free To shine for all to see
Harmonious_Echos Posted November 13, 2008 Author Report Posted November 13, 2008 Two Hearts in Love We are two hearts in love My soul, my eyes A heart that longs That lingers with a gentle touch, And too, a heart that cries. We are two hearts in love, My self and I A heart un-shy Ravenous and cunning Starving for excitement. So we feel shame And shamefully take our prize live just to lift our bloody trophy high; And my two hearts weep to be clean Of our sweet, ghastly sin. We are two hearts in love, Our hour is near For ending love’s embrace Forevermore. In the Dark Feeling my way in the dark I strike a match On my calloused heart And watch it burn awhile A candle’s no use here This darkness surrounding me Is a part of my soul My tears fall, pointless now Like the match, Falling dead from my fingers Light gone Leaving me to feel the burn In the dark again How To Warm February What do you make of February? The coldest month of the year- The most drear-- A time best spent in school, Spring dances, Or otherwise huddled In groups to keep warm. And yet, for all its many Weatherly problems, It is known to many as the month for love? Perhaps our dear Saint Valentine In all his wisdom recognized-- That a little love goes a long way-- and love is by far The best heater of them all. For a tree’s life I wish that I could be a tree; I’d fly fast and far on stiff wooden wings, Settle deep into dark, forgiving earth, And there begin to grow. I’d turn out my leaves fresh and new every spring, And put my flowers on display for awhile, Birds might nest in my branches, Children might carve their initials, And I wouldn’t need to care. I’d bend when the wind blew, Revel at the Sun’s touch, Stand naked outdoors in the coldest of winter, And sigh softly for joy when the rain fell, Using my leaves and branches as the instrument Of my happiness.
Harmonious_Echos Posted November 13, 2008 Author Report Posted November 13, 2008 See, I can write OF love...but never of being IN love...not romantic, just depressing...
Harmonious_Echos Posted November 19, 2008 Author Report Posted November 19, 2008 Here's a few more, first some REALLY old ones...the first two I wrote when I was in 8th grade, when I first met Muse....and then a few from my high school years(when I was really into having everything rhyme and rhythem out just right), and then a few later ones, better ones, towards the end. Friendships Friendships Small fragile circles Swirling colors of sadness Or joy A school of bubbles Fading, brightening, tempered By words and thoughts, By dreams and ambitions Small groups of humanity Taking life as she comes Some bubbles pop, Flinging anger and hurt On to others as well But after awhile A vagueness of youth Gives way, as we find Our own version of reality Bonds strong, walls high No newcomer can break our shells We must open of our own will And let new friendships grow Pass me by You who are my friend, (You make me laugh, on days that are gray If you would stay my friend, (When you see me, I will smile) Don't pause— Don't stop or look deep into my eyes Don't pause Don't try to lift the mask on my face Because if you look beneath You will not see anything at all, I am a hollow, empty, breathless shell, Of what I used to be, in The days when I was truly me.. You who are my friend, (A bright flower in the desert of life), If you would stay my friend Don't—don't pause— Pass me by The Adoption Bitter-sweet- This tiny One I held For but a moment- I wonder as I wander though the hallways of my soul. These tears, this joy, this pain- Will it ever be enough? Small one, So soft, so warm, so helpless, So very mine— Yet never was and never will be mine. My heart sobs for your scent, Trembles at your cry, Just one more glance, one more touch- Just one, and then I’ll go and let you be- I’ll send you off to live your life without me Don’t cry, you’ll love them- They’ll love you- But never while I still draw breath Will I forget this, my Bitter-sweet moment with you… I Am the Queen I am the queen of unjust smiles, secret plans, hidden files, I creep around a question asked- then run for miles. I’m Empress of mournful cries, stained hands, reddened eyes, I never care, I do my task- but in disguise. I share with you this piece of Fate, Love and trust, never wait, my heart was lost between the lines- now it's too late. The Poplar and the Willow The willow fair and poplar grow side by side on a hillside green; together they watched o'er the forest below, and the animals, grass, and weeds. The sturdy oak and the pine watched too, Side by side on a hill nearby They watched o’er a busy, and militant spot Where a city soon came to rise. They stood tall above their fast-paced world, Looking down on it all with pride; Until men with saws came and cut them down To build scrapers for the skies. The oak and the pine once mocked the two as they guarded their simple spot; but the poplar and the willow wept when they saw their friends' trunks cut. The poplar and willow were kinder than the oak and the pine had been; Though if you are any kinder than I still remains to be seen. This Too Shall Pass It was long ago o'er the darkened fields, 'mid the clouds of fatal gas, That a colonel beckoned his private near, and he said "This too shall pass." It's been longer still since a mother wept for her daughter was breathing her last; As she died, the child looked up and smiled- "Don't cry, Mummy. This too shall pass." Far out at sea lay a sinking ship, ripped by enemy cannon blast And as the sea buried broken bodies it whispered "This too shall pass." The ship has rotted, the mother is gone, and the fields are covered with grass- Though your hope be worn and your life, war-torn, Just remember, This too shall pass. Limerick A portentous young Porpoise one day declined to leap in the spray Said He “’Tis most cold, And as I’ve been told I might freeze right to death as I play.” RATS. Are they rodents? Or neighbors? They scurry, crawl, pay taxes. Burn trash in barrels. Peek in my windows, Scoffing, At my lack Of a tail… Chaos’ Snowflakes We sparkle we Sing a song of sixpence Read A Catcher in the Rye See Baby’s little thumbprint Baked in the pie The silverware all disappear And the Doggy in the Window So kill another Mockingbird And hang your head low, love Like Jack Frost’s merry snowflakes We all dance for Mother Nature And as the sun rises and falls We shine, in a chaotic life Riddle She wears the scent of autumn mellow and sweet and bright When twisted ‘round with cinnamon Christmas comes to mind Merry, she flowers in spring-time Picture a Robin there; And in Autumn you see her With jewels in her hair. Of Caramel Apple Dreams Candied apples in the fall once spoke to me of lanterns of campfires warm summer nights and overnight trips to the lake. But now candied apples hurt my teeth and lanterns hurt my eyes… somehow campfires are drear mosquitoes hover, ever near and even summer nights are cold when you’re older… Lakes grow into swamps grow into meadows and time unmerciful spoils even my candied apple memories.
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