Poetry competition CLOSED 30th May 2016 11:39pm
WINNER
seekingkate (kateA)
seekingkate (kateA)
RUNNERS-UP:
JohnFeddeler
and Jade-Pandora
The enchantment of the forest
Anonymous
<< post removed >>
RAINBOW
As a child camping with family, I ventured
from our double tent into the chilled air
come dawn after a night-long downpour,
when Yosemite was clean & brilliant, in
morning filtered through the branches
of more pine trees than one could fathom,
to my favorite vantage, the smooth outcrop
of granite that rose from the path I walked
each day, to a cold, chattering stream.
Climbing atop and standing in the silence
on the concave expanse of stone, I beheld
overhead, the arc of a rainbow!
The myth of what I might find at one end
took over my imagination, so I
slid back down, and off I went to explore,
'till soon, there it was, below in a clearing:
the rainbow's end, surrounded by
a council of trees a quarter-mile thick!
Instinctively, I climbed down the slope,
to excitedly stake my claim,
to bathe in a spectrum of its colors.
But as I approached in breathless want,
the colors began to quickly fade
into the trees, until nothing remained.
Such was the folly of what I'd hoped for,
and to now be left with only a mem'ry.
For years I mourned, thinking, if only I'd
stayed at a distance to enjoy what I had,
yet since I've grown, with each passing year,
I've come to know the gift of that rainbow
truly was... the gold at its end.
©2016 Jade Pandora. All Rights Reserved
As a child camping with family, I ventured
from our double tent into the chilled air
come dawn after a night-long downpour,
when Yosemite was clean & brilliant, in
morning filtered through the branches
of more pine trees than one could fathom,
to my favorite vantage, the smooth outcrop
of granite that rose from the path I walked
each day, to a cold, chattering stream.
Climbing atop and standing in the silence
on the concave expanse of stone, I beheld
overhead, the arc of a rainbow!
The myth of what I might find at one end
took over my imagination, so I
slid back down, and off I went to explore,
'till soon, there it was, below in a clearing:
the rainbow's end, surrounded by
a council of trees a quarter-mile thick!
Instinctively, I climbed down the slope,
to excitedly stake my claim,
to bathe in a spectrum of its colors.
But as I approached in breathless want,
the colors began to quickly fade
into the trees, until nothing remained.
Such was the folly of what I'd hoped for,
and to now be left with only a mem'ry.
For years I mourned, thinking, if only I'd
stayed at a distance to enjoy what I had,
yet since I've grown, with each passing year,
I've come to know the gift of that rainbow
truly was... the gold at its end.
©2016 Jade Pandora. All Rights Reserved
Anonymous
<< post removed >>
Poet Trees
Echoes echo
throughout the willowed hollow
in secret gardens no one else knows of
like creeping vines that twist and wind
embracing the branches up above
interlaced in loving weaves
and laying to rest
placidly on my ledges and eaves
these faded remnants of your voice
once upon a time they were
such bright colored leaves
Still
your tone resonates
penetrates the many seasons
having grown around my core
The more I feel you here with me now
the more reasons I have to cherish
and adore these memories
ancient
rekindled
when we writhed in passionate throes
limbs bent and spent
together in a rhythmic poetry
rooted deep from seed so strong
chambers of my heart emptied
are daily nourished with new song
I sing along with
can't help but sway to
these gifts you keep giving back
I will gladly take
as I tremble in the wind
and the echoes of your wake
Echoes echo
throughout the willowed hollow
in secret gardens no one else knows of
like creeping vines that twist and wind
embracing the branches up above
interlaced in loving weaves
and laying to rest
placidly on my ledges and eaves
these faded remnants of your voice
once upon a time they were
such bright colored leaves
Still
your tone resonates
penetrates the many seasons
having grown around my core
The more I feel you here with me now
the more reasons I have to cherish
and adore these memories
ancient
rekindled
when we writhed in passionate throes
limbs bent and spent
together in a rhythmic poetry
rooted deep from seed so strong
chambers of my heart emptied
are daily nourished with new song
I sing along with
can't help but sway to
these gifts you keep giving back
I will gladly take
as I tremble in the wind
and the echoes of your wake
Love in the woods
I take you into the forest
It's a special spot I know well
As I take your hand I lead you up a rock
With our picnic and music in our bags
We start a fire and lay out a blanket
And look out into the sunset
As far as our eyes can see
Then you lean in and kiss me
Which Leads to a lot more
And us passed out on the forest floor
As the moon rises and the stars start to fill the sky
My head snug in your shoulders I am feeling so high
The wind whips throw your hair
Oh the mid night air
With the fires light flickering
we sit back and listen to the night sing
I take you into the forest
It's a special spot I know well
As I take your hand I lead you up a rock
With our picnic and music in our bags
We start a fire and lay out a blanket
And look out into the sunset
As far as our eyes can see
Then you lean in and kiss me
Which Leads to a lot more
And us passed out on the forest floor
As the moon rises and the stars start to fill the sky
My head snug in your shoulders I am feeling so high
The wind whips throw your hair
Oh the mid night air
With the fires light flickering
we sit back and listen to the night sing
Forest of Caledon
Where have you gone,
Forest of Caledon,
Your pines and oaks
Once clothed the slopes
Of Scotland's proud hills
The trees were used
O'er centuries past
To build the cottar
And warm the house
By Scotlands proud hills
The heather crags
And grassy slopes
Fed deer and sheep
Forgotten were the trees
On Scotlands proud hills.
Too late we look
And see no trees;
And most agree
We must replant
On Scotlands proud hills.
But who can do
This mammoth task?
The Commission say
You can trust us
With Scotlands proud hills
The spruce clad slopes
Are firebreak slashed
The skyline is dark green
The forest is restored
On Scotlands proud hills
We feel betrayed
No oaks, few pines;
The forest of Caledon
Was never like this
On Scotlands proud hills.
( I wrote this poem soon after I started writing poetry about 25 years ago)
Where have you gone,
Forest of Caledon,
Your pines and oaks
Once clothed the slopes
Of Scotland's proud hills
The trees were used
O'er centuries past
To build the cottar
And warm the house
By Scotlands proud hills
The heather crags
And grassy slopes
Fed deer and sheep
Forgotten were the trees
On Scotlands proud hills.
Too late we look
And see no trees;
And most agree
We must replant
On Scotlands proud hills.
But who can do
This mammoth task?
The Commission say
You can trust us
With Scotlands proud hills
The spruce clad slopes
Are firebreak slashed
The skyline is dark green
The forest is restored
On Scotlands proud hills
We feel betrayed
No oaks, few pines;
The forest of Caledon
Was never like this
On Scotlands proud hills.
( I wrote this poem soon after I started writing poetry about 25 years ago)
A Kiss Of Magic
deep in the forest
among the fair fey
my heart takes leave
deep magic hidden
amongst the trees
an ancient kind
my lovely ones are here
playing hide and seek
under the thick canopy
they're balm to my soul
with singing that causes healing
torn and left hurting in the mortal realm
my wings left in shreds
are now mighty and strong
sweet kisses from their powerful potion
have made me whole
I dance among them
frolicking freely in this magical kingdom
oppression taken from my shoulders
by the Master of this beautiful place
he tenderly touches my mind
takes the darkness from my thoughts
gently tells me you must go back
you are needed in the world of men
your magic powerful
I'm with you always in the shadows
fighting for what is worthy
take your sword for this journey
there are some treacherous paths ahead
the forests your home
i'll always be here
for you to draw energy from
my beloved Queen
show me what you have
make my heart swell with pride
one day I will come for you permanently my lady
deep in the forest
among the fair fey
my heart takes leave
deep magic hidden
amongst the trees
an ancient kind
my lovely ones are here
playing hide and seek
under the thick canopy
they're balm to my soul
with singing that causes healing
torn and left hurting in the mortal realm
my wings left in shreds
are now mighty and strong
sweet kisses from their powerful potion
have made me whole
I dance among them
frolicking freely in this magical kingdom
oppression taken from my shoulders
by the Master of this beautiful place
he tenderly touches my mind
takes the darkness from my thoughts
gently tells me you must go back
you are needed in the world of men
your magic powerful
I'm with you always in the shadows
fighting for what is worthy
take your sword for this journey
there are some treacherous paths ahead
the forests your home
i'll always be here
for you to draw energy from
my beloved Queen
show me what you have
make my heart swell with pride
one day I will come for you permanently my lady
Foraging
I dream again about the wild
where branches thick with leaves
lend shade to the ground below
and gentle zephyr casually blow
I see the fresh young leaves
on plants I had plucked before
putting them in reed baskets
and heading for home to cook lunch
the babbling brooks
where we caught small fishes
and freshwater shrimps
to fry together on a hot wok
I hear again the calls of squirrels
chattering noisily over ripe fruits
monkeys joining in to call
soon leaving the trees sadly bare
this morning I woke up
in a sterile hotel room
cold and impersonal
and recalled my childhood
like a communion wafer turn bitter
or a balancing act on a tight rope
past memories lost in racing with rats
streak across the room laughing
sometimes.
I dream again about the wild
where branches thick with leaves
lend shade to the ground below
and gentle zephyr casually blow
I see the fresh young leaves
on plants I had plucked before
putting them in reed baskets
and heading for home to cook lunch
the babbling brooks
where we caught small fishes
and freshwater shrimps
to fry together on a hot wok
I hear again the calls of squirrels
chattering noisily over ripe fruits
monkeys joining in to call
soon leaving the trees sadly bare
this morning I woke up
in a sterile hotel room
cold and impersonal
and recalled my childhood
like a communion wafer turn bitter
or a balancing act on a tight rope
past memories lost in racing with rats
streak across the room laughing
sometimes.
Just a Walk
Alone I walk
shawled in thoughts
Treading light and soft
on moss green paths
Old rocks and pebbles
Paved the moist soggy
ground of green grass
smooth as a shaggy carpet
Sounds of twittering birds
Serenades the balmy air
Hopping squirrels on branches
rustles the canopies of green
On the jungle floor
Tranquillity reigns
Except for rustles of dwellers
In the green Kingdom
Hearts call and fragrance
of rose petals comes from afar
of bread baking and candles
flickering on windows
Return, whispers the heart
To a beloved hearth
But always out there
Eden calls to take me home
Alone I walk
shawled in thoughts
Treading light and soft
on moss green paths
Old rocks and pebbles
Paved the moist soggy
ground of green grass
smooth as a shaggy carpet
Sounds of twittering birds
Serenades the balmy air
Hopping squirrels on branches
rustles the canopies of green
On the jungle floor
Tranquillity reigns
Except for rustles of dwellers
In the green Kingdom
Hearts call and fragrance
of rose petals comes from afar
of bread baking and candles
flickering on windows
Return, whispers the heart
To a beloved hearth
But always out there
Eden calls to take me home
Big Sur California
Where the ocean meets the forest
that's where you'll find me
amongst the trees listening
to their ancient tales
picking up pine cones
as I trail under
the leaf covered canopy
naked like Eve in the garden
adorned only by nature's beauty
wild flowers my covering
kissing my milky flesh
with their tender petals
making my way to the beach
letting the sun and wind caress
collecting sea shells
lying down in the waves
as the tide rolls in and out
opening myself as the ocean
makes sweet love to me
Where the ocean meets the forest
that's where you'll find me
amongst the trees listening
to their ancient tales
picking up pine cones
as I trail under
the leaf covered canopy
naked like Eve in the garden
adorned only by nature's beauty
wild flowers my covering
kissing my milky flesh
with their tender petals
making my way to the beach
letting the sun and wind caress
collecting sea shells
lying down in the waves
as the tide rolls in and out
opening myself as the ocean
makes sweet love to me
Nature’s Promenade
Magnolias bloom cautiously, like
eyeless saints guarding
wax-lit cathedrals.
Fragile
petals too tender for
this Earth, fall—
their death, a carpet of
pink and white, for the feet
of spring brides, and hares
sniffing mossy furrows,
damp,
from winter’s last, feeble
snows.
Awake!
Arise!
Ye gods of the wood, and
stretch your branches to
the sun, yawning
off hibernation’s slumber.
I wear my veil of
daisies, among your
vines, and his name
falls from my lips.
I marry you, now, in
the presence of doves and
green grass, the deer,
my witnesses.
We promenade through
breezes and darling buds of
May
until I find the path to
Heaven, where
you are.
Magnolias bloom cautiously, like
eyeless saints guarding
wax-lit cathedrals.
Fragile
petals too tender for
this Earth, fall—
their death, a carpet of
pink and white, for the feet
of spring brides, and hares
sniffing mossy furrows,
damp,
from winter’s last, feeble
snows.
Awake!
Arise!
Ye gods of the wood, and
stretch your branches to
the sun, yawning
off hibernation’s slumber.
I wear my veil of
daisies, among your
vines, and his name
falls from my lips.
I marry you, now, in
the presence of doves and
green grass, the deer,
my witnesses.
We promenade through
breezes and darling buds of
May
until I find the path to
Heaven, where
you are.
Anonymous
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Anonymous
<< post removed >>
