Poet's Art, Volume 1, 2020 by David Fox - HTML preview

 

The Dance of the Trees

by Susan Marie Davniero

 

 

Suddenly I notice all the trees,

With rocking and rolling leaves.

Swinging in the windy breeze,

In harmony with nature’s jazz.

Rhythm of the birds and bees.

Tempo beat flowed with ease.

The dance of the trees.

 

 

Recycling Because.

by Susan Marie Davniero

 

Recycling because.

By nature’s laws,

Energy conserves.

Saves trees reserves.

The Earth is preserved.

It’s the recycling cause.

 

 

Our Thanksgiving Heart

by Susan Marie Davniero

 

Seeking to find our Thanksgiving heart –

One Thanksgiving Day, we took our part

Volunteering to join the serving line.

At the pantry for the needy to dine,

 

The table is set with  a Thanksgiving spread.

Thankfully we pray to share our daily bread.

Platter full of slice turkey in starring role.

Co-starring cider, yams, gravy and rolls.

 

The door is always open to serve all.

Welcome everyone to come each fall.

One Thanksgiving Day from the start

We’re thankful that we found our heart

 

 

Antelope Island, Utah

by Jim Barney

 

Rock and sand rising up in a sea of salt.

Desert shrubs and colorful wildflowers.

Fellow earth-creatures in abundance.

 

Meadowlarks on greasewood, singing their song.

Golden yellow eyebrows, throat, and breast

with a wide black “V” on their chest.

 

Magpies on sagebrush. Black and white

with iridescence greens and blues.

One flying by with a stolen egg in its mouth.

 

Blackbirds on rabbit brush, strutting their stuff.

Ruby red shoulder patches on each wing

with a yellow stripe beneath. Rites-of-Spring.

 

Clucking Chukars hidden from sight.

One standing look-out on a white rock

with coral red beak and black zebra stripes.

 

Cottontails, one holding still while I take its picture;

Jackrabbits, one zigging and zagging, with no such luck.

Coyotes, so far I’ve seen seven this winter and spring.

 

Pronghorn, a single pair visible around the visitor center.

Deer, small groups everywhere, less visible this summer.

Bison, massive, when they get close stay in your car.

 

Reading the story of creation in Genesis ...

Contrary to my Rangeland Ecology class, animals

Aren’t just meat-machines but fellow creations.

 

Rock and sand rising up in a sea of salt.

Desert shrubs and colorful wildflowers.

Fellow earth-creatures in abundance.

 

From Penwood Review (Fall 2015). Available as a reprint.

 

 

My Angels

by Vicky Salazar

 

Yesterday, twelve little birds sat daintily on my patio

fence, like pretty little girls in new outfits.

 

Little angels I said happy they had chosen me but then

they all flew away quickly

 

I missed my little ones and to compensate for my loneliness,

I spread around on my patio floor lots of bread crumbs

 

Sure enough, in the late evening, twelve little birds came

again to eat. My patio fence had become their retreat!

 

 

 

Beyond Summer

by Jane Hutto

 

After summer had bleached us ·out,

Friends and family looked askance.

On the bones of our relationship.

Over and over we had danced.

Listening to the Piper’s tune.

Skipping over notes fading

Past us as if played on a sluggish,

Almost run down turntable.

Rancor, distrust, angst,

And disappointment pelted us

Like acid rain, cold and chill,

Instead of pleasant refreshing

Showers. How had we done this,

Escaped and lost paradise?

 

A Coded Poem

 

 

Writing a Poem

by David Fox

 

 

Whether you’re writing fact or fiction,

Remember to use correct spelling and diction.

Try not to groan, nitpick, or gripe.

Think happy thoughts as you type.

Put it in an envelope and send it away.

Or if you’d rather, keep it in a notebook or journal for another day.

Whatever you do, try to have fun.

And don’t stop writing until you’re done.

Follow these steps and you

Can write a great poem which to view!

 

 

Aged Old Guitar

by Barbara Briggs Luczkowiak

 

I miss Mom’s aged old guitar.

For it was always there,

When I was young and innocent,

Pure and light of hair.

 

I miss Mom’s aged old guitar

Soul which used to sing

Of lullabies and lessons.

Tributes to a KING.

 

I miss Mom’s aged old guitar.

Music in the night.

Gentle, soft and soothing sound

Chased away my fright.

 

I miss Mom’s aged old guitar

And the songs she used to sing

Gentle, soft and soothing sound

Love’s recurring ring

Help Us Help Them

 

 

O, Holy Child of Bethlehem

by Barbara Briggs Luczkowiak

 

Help us, children now grown tall.

So to treasure children yet quite small.

That together we will center our caring.

Broaden our sharing.

And create a world where love is

And children are free to become.

 

 

Forth In Thy Name

by Bill Watkins

 

Forth in thy name, Lord I go, striving your Gifts to use so

that others truly you know.

Though I may face trials and woe, as oft my path may that show.

As my witness to others grow.

With God’s love I fill them in: All can bask in heaven’s glow.

 

 

Power Beyond

by John W. (Bill) Williams

 

The world Is In a mess.

But I know someone who can fix it.

His name is God.

 

 

4 Untitled poems

by John C. Mastor

 

Longing for love, a flying dove, grace from above.

Black cat,  my superstition in remission.

Rowboat, 99 bottles of beer capsized foam.

Blossoming love, holy spirit dove, Christian matrimony.

Happy anniversary!

 

 

Symbol of America

Sheila B. Roark

 

He is the sentinel of his territory

guarding the mountain side

with a regal pride

that radiates a quiet strength.

 

His crown of white

glimmers in the sun

with a sheen like ocean pearls

so smooth and iridescent.

 

He is the symbol of America

as he flies both wild and free

circling the granite mountains

standing up for liberty.

 

The Eagle is the symbol

of America, our home

a bird of strength and majesty

who soars among the clouds.

 

May America stay free and strong

just like this regal bird,

that quietly guards the mountain side

with a royal, silent strength.

 

 

 

Blue Bird Watching

by Susan Marie Davniero

 

Days of burst of sun light.

The focus seems just right.

Stage for blue birds to sing.

At this lovely season of spring.

There a blue bird is seen.

Among the leaves of green.

Perched on a tree finding room.

Where flower buds bloom.

Blue bird on a branch await.

For a graceful escape.

As the blue bird flies away.

To return another day.

 

 

 

The Pursuit of Happiness

by Vernon Waring

 

The waitress doesn’t smile.

The cabbie doesn’t speak.

The salesman is all business.

(This hasn’t been his week).

The boss is rude and angry.

He drives us all to tears.

The barber flails his scissors.

And almost cut my ears.

This band of moaners and groaners.

Is no treat for a happiness glutton.

The only grin I’ve seen all week

Was on a “SMILE” button.

 

 

Silent Protest

by Vernon Waring

 

In church pews, I am quiet.

In libraries, I'm hushed.

At grave sites, I am silent.

In theaters, I am shushed.

 

In hospital halls, I whisper.

The epitome of poise,

But frankly what I'd welcome now

Is some pure unadulterated NOISE!

 

 

Happy New Year!

Susan Marie Davniero

 

Happy New Year to all near and dear.

Oneness of humankind.

Champion of unity align. Together in unity.

Without bias disparity. Land of prosperity.

Peace and tranquility. Destiny in our hand.

Join together we stand. United for all - all for one.

We’ve only just begun!

 

Turn a calendar page. To the next stage.

Passing day grew. From old to new.

Night closes to morn. Awaken a new year born.

The old fades away. A new year today.

Shedding a tear. It's a New Year!

 

 

 

Just Like Me and You

By David Fox

 

Some focus too much on race and nationality.

And ignore a personality.

There's no room in this world for cruelty and hatred.

Differences are to be celebrated.

 

So what If you are a different race?

A human's a human despite the color of a person's face --

Asian, Black, Hispanic, Indian, White, or Jew*

Inside everyone's the same, just like me and you.

 

(•Jewish people come in different races, I know, used for rhyme pattern).

 

 

Whispering Wind*

By David Fox

 

The wind whispers gentle things in my ear.

If you listen closely, you too might hear,

Like angels flapping their wings.

 

So go on the journeys. Walk all around.

Just follow the wind's melodious sound.

 

*First published in Bell’s Letters Poet

 

 

Caught

by Carrie Quick

 

When Wifey served dinner to Sam,

He said, "I am sick of this ham.

This resort close about

has a stream of fresh trout.

I'm a fisherman, really I am."

 

Sam held up his catch, with elation.

But supper time came with deflation.

That day at the sale his purchase was stale!

He was caught by a fish on vacation.

 

 

Midnight’s Baby

by Carrie Quick

 

His pride and joy was a yellow kitten.

He held it by the nape with care.

He wouldn't let other cats near.

Midnight's Baby is not bothered.

Those old toms are not looking for rubber cats.

 

 

Predatory Priests

By Arthur C. Ford, Sr.

 

You keep your faith. And I'll keep watch.

For the next time, that you do it!!

 

You brought your cloaks from Dracula's store.

With guarantee of no disclosure!!

 

Your alms are cooked in minds entwist.

As you offer the Eucharist!!

 

Your leaders and their backers tum their backs.

 

Or your falter as you walk out.

Plot on sacred altars of the Lord!!

 

 

Haiku: Heaven Beautify

by Betty Streeter

 

Praised hands.

Chorus voice lifted higher

The clouds open up.

Heaven smiles.

 

 

Haiku: Friends

by Betty Streeter

 

Like mate.

Just met.

Believe in

The same things.

 

 

I'm Going There

© Jae Judy A. Campbell

 

I’m going where the rainbows glow

And the clouds will never cry.

The sun will sit upon the Earth

To warm the heavens with its shine.

Where the sweetest scent of the roses

Will be carried with the breeze

To mingle with the garden fruits.

The butterflies and the bees,

The birds will sing together,

And the nights will all be day.

The stars will forever twinkle

And the flowers will never fade.

So this is where you will find me

When my time on Earth is done.

I'll go to be in this great heaven

With all of God's chosen ones.

 

 

An Orange Colored Day

By Sylvia Roberts

 

On an orange-colored October day,

Five delightful children ran out to play.

They raced through rivers of russet leaves

And romped and tumbled under the trees.

They galloped after a golden breeze

And jumped into piles of tangerine leaves.

When they grew tired of this fine sport,

They climbed up a tree and built a fort.

 

 

My Morning Prayer

© Linda Amos

 

Oh, what a sight.

I made it through the night.

To greet this morning with delight.

 

Sunshine flows in my window bright.

All accomplished by God's might.

Waking rested - everything alright!

 

Able to get out of bed.

Morning prayers yet to be said.

Bible to be read.

 

Glad to be

Who God made me to be,

And to live but, another day.

 

 

I Can't Imagine

by Linda Amos

 

Even though almost half of a continent physically separates us,

I can't imagine A time when I will stop lovin' you.

 

Love isn't turned-off by circumstances neither of us

Can control.

 

Love isn't turned off like a faucet.

Instead it pours out of the human heart,

More freely than sunshine or rain.

 

Inspired by Mr. Alton C. Mc Cloud.

 

 

Confessions of a Friend

© Linda Amos

 

Some people I know personally thrive on angst.

They really don't want anyone they love to be happy.

It's as if their friends or family members are happy

That it will rob them of something.

Could it be that it might rob them of being happy too?

 

 

Truth

© Linda Amos

 

Do not allow the detours in your life to deter you

From reaching your true destination.

 

 

Ever the Optimist

© Linda Amos

 

In my heart, it is always Spring.

In spite of -2 degrees wind-chill!