The Poetry and Verse repository

Question

This is the place to show off your skills writing poetry and verse covering just about any subject, show off your language skills use rhyme and rhythm, mataphore and simile, the variations of prose are endless and no less skillfull so lets see what you are capable of and occasionally I will add some of my own poetry for comments and approval.  I will pop in every now and again and I hope people enjoy reading this. 

Stephen Martin (stevedover1965) 

Comments

Hush Lover

Dont cry
hush,
dont sigh
hush
dont wail
hush
dont fail
hush
dont call
hush
dont bruise
hush
dont abuse
hush
dont refuse
hush
please dont lose
me
hush
I can hear you
hush
the waves roll around me
hush,
the rip is pulling
hush
let me go now for you
for i can hear the slide of waves upon the shore,
they whisper
hushhhhhhhhhh
your voice is too soft now,
i can only hear
hush
hush lover in shades of blue
 hush
its whispering it for me
what i want me to say to you.
let me go
i am not right for you and you know
Hush
this was meant to be,
just blue,a rip and me,
my fragmented life,
get another wife,
you deserve to be whole,
hush lover,
for i leave you my soul.

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I can almost hear this as lyrics to a musical arrangement, have you ever written song lyrics?

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I havent written song lyrics on purpose no.... but like this one sometimes they turn out that way....smlin.....thanks for your comment...i feel that the ocean is music.....deb

Answer 1

ENIGMA

 

In the eyes of the foolish, a fool am I

In the eyes of the wise, a sage.

In the eyes of the old and young alike

I'm forever without age.

In the eyes of the pure, I'm innocence

In the eyes of evil, I'm flawed

In the eyes of those who seek their truth

You see in me your god.

You see what you know

But you don't know what you see;

You seek to remember, not learn,

And those who've seen the truth of me,

For more of the truth they'll yearn.

If I'm without end, both forward and back

For all eternity,

Then how can you say with faith and belief

I ever started to be?

 

Ronnie

Comments

Well done, I loved the flow of this and once you start to read you are carried along with the words.

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This is a poem I wrote and included in a novel I'm now shopping around to agents. The poem was spoken/recited by a court jester who is anything but a fool. I'm glad you enjoyed it!  RC

Answer 2

The Fishermen

The water lapping against a concrete wharf,
 mooring lines creak and light plastic drums and wooden hulls
 paint the air; with their dull rhythmic thudding.

Seaborne birds fill the sky, with begging cries,
and tar stained nets draped across wooden huts
like webs drying in the sun.

The seaweed gathers on the wall where the tide drains low,
and anglers’ lines hang like silver threads,
waiting patiently for the catch.

The jaunty whistle of an aged mariner,
working on a scrubbed deck,
His roughened skin carved by the salted wind and spray
and reddened cheeks licked as a lash across his face.

(c) Stevedover (2009)

Comments

I lOVED it!!!! . . .(as usual) :-D I love the imagery and the detail in it, and it sounds so peaceful . . . I kinda wish I was there :-D

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Beautifully descriptive, steve.

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I am particularly proud of this example of free verse

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you should be proud of this its a virtual picture of  prose in 3d.strong use of imagery and a real soothing sound when read aloud, i particularly like the lines Quote..."The seaweed gathers on the wall where the tide drains low, and anglers lines hang like silver threads......" dreamy .......simply put a pleasure to read....you are good ......deb

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And well you should be. Like your artwork on TD, this poem has a depth to it that makes you feel it and allows you to submerse yourself in it. Is there a particular art piece to accompany this, because I can almost see one while I read this wonderful piece. Great job!
--EmyO (gremmy)

Answer 3

In the park-

The sky is a deep azure blue,
With fluffy white clouds like cotton candy;
In every imaginable image wafting silently by,
I lay on a bed of green summer grasses, stained argent;
With wild flowers and buzzing joyful insects,
Wondering, as I did, the reason?

My brow cools with the gentlest of breezes,
The drone of a plane in the farthest distance,
Birds relaying their song in the treetops; as the
Branches creak and sway rhythmically,
Pondering in that hypnotic place, the meaning?

That savage demand, but a whisper,
Painfully issued just moments past,
A forgotten man, amidst the commotion,
These memories, ebbing away fast
Like leaves in the autumn breeze.
 
The laughter of children nearby,
Mothers gossiping, babies crying; for attention
No doubt! The faintest hint of savoury sausage,
And onion; carried on the wind, my stomach
Not paying attention, for once!

That noise in the distance: a Banshee-like wail!
Disturbing my peace and solitude, a siren perhaps?
Loud voices, in startled unison; buzz nearby.
That siren seemed closer, more urgent more…final.

I forgot the commotion; noticing instead,
A finch on the end of a branch looking down at me,
A small insect struggling for freedom within its beak,
That nagging question about life came back,
Haunting me as I lay alone, on the damp cold ground…

Strange warmth invades my chilled self, as I lay prone
Amongst the stems of stained grass, the sounds of nature
Fading, even the babble of people nearby seemed to
Die down, so that the finch I espied could be heard
More clearly, a musical warble that fills my head
With clear sounds and brightness, and my heart grows faint
And light within that savoury glow.

Then a sigh, Why?

(C) Stevedover (2009)

Comments

I absoluteyly L-O-V-E-D it!!!!! HOW DO YOU DO IT???!!!!!! you SERIOUSLY need to get some of your poetry published and I can guarentee you I'd buy one for myself and for my family and friends!!!! :-D

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That's deep ... and you have a way with words.

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An example of free verse

Answer 4

Seraphim

Once I saw an angel, exalting in hymn;
Its wings spread proud in glorious flight;
Its spirit bathed my heart with light,
Oh holiest Seraphim!

Once I saw an angel, rejoicing in hymn;
With feathered grace; as of a Dove,
 Landed gently and preached its love,
Oh Wondrous Seraphim!

And as it spoke, a host approached,
Of tiny Cherubim:

One strummed a golden harp, politely,
Another a trumpet horn; so proud,
Together they played heavenly music;
Whilst others watched from lowly clouds,

Then the angel gestured to the sky,
With wings outstretched it began to fly,
Followed by the Cherubim,
Was the glorious Angel - Seraphim!

(C) Stevedover (2009)

Comments

Oh I REALLY loved this one . . . again . . . because I absolutely LOVE angels, and They are so beautiful! You have a great way of making your readers feel as if they are in the poem, experiencing exactly what the characters are experiencing! I can't put my finger on it, but you have ah-MAZIN talent!! PLEEEEAAASE PUBLISH SOME!!!!!!!!!!!!

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I see dates at the end of your poems so must assume you have been writing poetry for some time. Have you published anything?

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Analysis of Seraphim.
Notice the pattern Verse 1 (A,B,B,A) 2(A,B,B,A) 3(Link) 4(lines 2 & 4) Last verse (A,A,B,B)  The pattern changes and evolves creating different rhythms...I hope.

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Yeah it does make it more interesting :-D I didn't even notice it until you pointed it out though :-D I might want to try that some time! :-D

Answer 5

The Lady in the Carmine Dress

In faith, we trust our faltering soul;
Till life’s blood has bled and taken its toll,
And fixed upon us his gaze;
So terrible a’ nemesis ways,

The eyes are bloodshot beams of hate,
The limbs gnarled from countless centuries wait,
The snarl from lipless grimace frozen,
The very countenance I had chosen.

Yet deep within, resolve did muster,
And that resource withheld did fester,
Creating courage, and wretched hate,
Against that creature opposed by fate,

With blazing steel and strength of will,
With slash and cut its blood did spill,
Upon the stony floor it bled,
Then suddenly it turned its head.

Those hateful windows fixed a’ stare,
Turned steadfast courage into despair,
Suddenly my resolve lost its edge,
Within’ that ferocious visage,

Back and forth our wills contested,
Claw and tooth and cunning invested,
Soon my strength ebbed and waned
My limbs like molten lead in flame.
       
The sword dropped upon the ground,
As I fell to my knees without a sound,
Awaiting a quick and sudden end,
To this my final requiem,

In victory the beast did roar,
Upon its hind legs and up it soared,
Ready to pounce as a bird of prey,
To tear the flesh of its victim away,

I thought about that love of mine,
Those lips so red and kiss like wine,
And my bravado seeking to impress,
The lady in the carmine dress,

“You are so strong, I’ll bet so brave,
Yet for all that boasting, one thing I crave,
To seek a man who can save this land,
And end the evil that has us damned”.

“The man who defeats this beast,
My hand in marriage for this kingdoms’ peace,
Wealth and prosperity abound,
If a hero to defend this land found”,

The wine, the kiss, my heart stolen,
I stepped forward and was beholden,
“I will end the torment and the pain,
If truly your husband I became”.
           
Those were my thoughts, almost the last,
I’m no Beowulf, nor skilled warrior caste,
A dreamer, a courtly squire no more,   
As I waited, cringing upon the floor.

(C) Stevedover (2008)

Comments

Did you make all these poems up from the top of your head???!!!!! They're totally awaesome & it's hard NOT to love them!!!!! I love this story because It feels like I'm there (as always) :-D and I am TOTALLY your bggest fan!!!! Your poems are by far the best poems I've ever read!! . . . SERIOUSLY!!!!! . . . Sorry if you think I'm a creeper, but I REALLY love your poems!!!! keep on writing!!!! :-D

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This is all my own work, but I don't write much these days, in 20 years I have only written 25 poems and they are amateurish. I have entered a couple of competitions and published them on line on a web site for poets but I am still waiting for a response, so I thought I would put some on here, you are very kind and your comments really encouraging - thank you.

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Well yeah I meant everything I said, and you really have God-given talent!!!! I seriously hope you write many more poems! :-D

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So I have my answer ...    I hope you don't have to wait as long as Van Gough did, to receive your just rewards.

Answer 6

Climate change.

The Worlds breath blesses my skin gently,
Caressing me quietly without sound,
Another time it could sunder the roots of trees,
And tear such bones from the Ground.

The Sun, creator, progenitor of us all,
Providing sustenance and life,
But elsewhere, its heat evaporates the air
Causing famine; pain and strife.

Water cools our fevered brow,
Quenches the heartiest thirst,
Yet the rain can wash away the crops,
And swollen riverbanks burst.

For every blessing a curse,
Each curse, a blessing in disguise,
This Earth rich abundant in life;
To the wary, prudent and wise.

(C) Stevedover (2009)

Comments

I Love how you made everything have a good side as well as a bad side. It makes life seem so balanced out and I've never really thought of it that way . . . It's a geniously written poem!! . . . (if geniously is a word :-D)

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It's good to see both sides of the coin.

Answer 7

 

Lament

My Doctor said, “You are OBESE, morbidly so.
You have Diabetes; and your blood sugars are low.
The blood pressure is high, and your cholesterol is wrong;
You’re exhausted and thirsty, you pee all night long!
Untreated your kidneys will stop functioning,
The nerves in your feet won’t feel anything,
Some amputees will tell you, “Please take care!
Gangrene in injuries is not that rare.”

So here I am; ten tablets a day,
Regular checkups to keep bad health at bay,
My diet has changed my eyes are inspected,
My fingers; pricked so my blood can be tested.
All of this might never have been,
If I had just worked harder at being lean;
Gone to the gym three times or four;
If only, I had taken care of myself more.

(C) Stevedover (2009)

Comments

I might have to write some more poems now!  Any one else wants to add some poetry feel welcome this is not here just to showcase my own stuff.  It's open to all people on here.

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I love this! I find it VERY funny! lol! :-D When I read it I was like "I've never seen your humor side before!" usually people are good at EITHER humor OR serious poems, but you can pull them BOTH off!!! Uz gots SKILZ!!!!!!!!! :-D

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You're not alone, ray ... I'm at the 4 tabs a day ... and resisting an increase.

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Psst names Steve

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gigglin lol pssssssst names steve excellent poem.......lol......had a bit of a chuckle with a cup of coffee great start on a monday morning....btw i am not really laughing about gangrene, amputees dibetes peeing all night long i think the psst my name is steve tickled my funny bone......love the inflections in your poem humourous when you know it shouldnt be..... really good writing richard......smilin.....slinks off chuckling.....deb

Answer 8

LOVE

Love is a violet satin,
     gentle and soft,
     flowing smoothly from one open heart
     to another.

Love is a faithful promise,
     never ending and never dwindling,
     believed by those willing
     to listen.

Love is a flame of hope,
     saught after and wished for,
     still standing after enduring
     the test of time.

Love is Jesus Christ,
     forgiving and sacrificial,
     always the winning side
     and the meaning of life.

Comments

I wrote this a LONG time ago, but it's one of my favorites . . . Please help me to critique it and please feel free to tell me what I can change because I REALLY want to improve in my poetry . . . You won't hurt my feelings in the least, because I'd actually be glad if you tell me what I can do better :-D

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This is obviously very meaningful and personal to you, someone once said, that the only rules in poetry are that there are none.  It comes from the heart and soul of the poet which in turn makes every word, phrase and sentiment precious.  It is true that some people are better at stringing together a couple of words than others but that is only a perception, being able to make someone else feel what you yourself felt whilst writing your verse is the real trick.  What you have done with your poem about the meaning of Love is explore some of the different aspects of what love can mean to you.  I liked the metaphor explaining the soft satin feel of love between two people and the enduring promise, the longing felt over time, faith in your religion and saviour and love in God.  It's all there and expressed in just 4 verses.  Can your poem be criticised of course it can, nothing is perfect, but there is no need because to you it has meaning and in poetry there are no rules.

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. . . wow . . . I never thought of poetry that way. I'm still in high school so everything is graded, and I guess since all my poems have had to follow a certain criteria I just automatically thought that there is always a right and wrong way to write . . . if that makes sense :-) . . . but thank you for your compliment! I really appreciate it! :-D

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Your words flow and the meaning clear.

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Doglover, you've done a beautiful job of allowing your thoughts and meanings to flow. In reverse, replacing Jesus Christ for Love in each stanza still makes sense and carries your meaning and belief through, however, one additional verse prior to the final one would make the transition more smooth and would take the abruptness out. As Steve points out, don't let people tell you there are right and wrong ways in poetry (even writing in general), there is always time to edit or smooth out a thought, but write and let it come from your depths as you did in this. Good luck in your writing, and most of all keep reading lots and lots of poetry, books, anything written so as to give yourself the experience of what feels right for yourself. ---EmyO (gremmy)

Answer 9

Bill

Bill’s shoes hung in tatters still attached
His socks still clean…lucky beggar,
The grenade left one intact,

My trench foot needed cleaning regular,
Else the rot set’s in the cracks,
Bill’s fingers mostly still there,
Cept the ring finger and one ear,
His left leg gone,
God knows where?

Stevedover © 2010

Comments

That's why I hate war.

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Steve, such power in such few words. Like Login, it's why I hate war. ---EmyO (gremmy)

Answer 10

The Empty House

The floor, coated with settled dust,
Scurrying rodents break the aged crust;
Cobwebs draped across the doors,
And corners with damp patched open sores.

Sepia paper strips dangling loose,
Stairs of wormy wood and musty pews;
Echoing with cries from children past,
This house is empty and crumbling fast.

Ghosts lie within these deserted walls!
Their stories echoing through these halls;
Whose fire blackened the aged grate?
With warming flames that ebbed of late.

(C) Stevedover (Oct 2008)

Comments

favourite line quote  ".....stairs of wormy wood and musty pews....."....deb