Poetry competition CLOSED 3rd December 2021 5:42pm
WINNER
da_poetic-edifier (Damon)
da_poetic-edifier (Damon)
RUNNERS-UP:
robert43041
and Heart_of_Stone
Page:
The Role of a Man
Poetry Contest Description
Please provide a poem containing no less than 100 words on the subject of valued roles that men fill. Have fun!
For example, you might dive into the roles of brothers, fathers, husbands, sons, role models, et al.
DIMINISHED
he would go hungry
before he let us want
that's what i saw
and what i took for truth
and what my soul yearned to follow --
not blind
nor brutish
nor toxic
but righteous,
his love proved in a thousand ways
and none of them meant
to diminish
but to cherish
and work, work, work
and fix
and do
and hold (too) tight
and hold the door
and take the bullet
and tolerate
and try
so fuckin' hard
to carry the load
without letting on about
the goddamned weary strain of it
and all that
run down now
and mocked
and portrayed as arrogant
or stupid
or angry
and deeply, ruthlessly selfish
and good men don't know
how or even what to be
so, goddamn, brother,
just be free
before he let us want
that's what i saw
and what i took for truth
and what my soul yearned to follow --
not blind
nor brutish
nor toxic
but righteous,
his love proved in a thousand ways
and none of them meant
to diminish
but to cherish
and work, work, work
and fix
and do
and hold (too) tight
and hold the door
and take the bullet
and tolerate
and try
so fuckin' hard
to carry the load
without letting on about
the goddamned weary strain of it
and all that
run down now
and mocked
and portrayed as arrogant
or stupid
or angry
and deeply, ruthlessly selfish
and good men don't know
how or even what to be
so, goddamn, brother,
just be free
Written by javalini
Go To Page
Ode to my youngest brother.
Actually my kid brother
The youngest of our family
Of five boys is my hero.
Really.
Always positive, knows where he's going
No hesitation, full steam ahead
Went for officer training
Found that world cold and
Did not like the idea of giving
Commands which lead men to get killed,
Preferred to get back home,
See his sweetheart and get married.
He finished college at night
While working full time days
Then his first child was born.
Prematurely.
So: work days, visit at the hospital after,
Then school at night
And all over again the next day..
Bought a house. Second kid.
He completed his B.A. in history
Wanted to become a teacher,
Had to do that year daytime of course,
No need to add that his wife helped greatly.
Two boys one daughter later
Now retiring after teaching
For twenty years in a difficult district.
Somewhere along the way, sold the house
Bought a B and B, now on sale.
He wants to travel.
I'm sure the details are all
Planned out already.
The youngest of our family
Of five boys is my hero.
Really.
Always positive, knows where he's going
No hesitation, full steam ahead
Went for officer training
Found that world cold and
Did not like the idea of giving
Commands which lead men to get killed,
Preferred to get back home,
See his sweetheart and get married.
He finished college at night
While working full time days
Then his first child was born.
Prematurely.
So: work days, visit at the hospital after,
Then school at night
And all over again the next day..
Bought a house. Second kid.
He completed his B.A. in history
Wanted to become a teacher,
Had to do that year daytime of course,
No need to add that his wife helped greatly.
Two boys one daughter later
Now retiring after teaching
For twenty years in a difficult district.
Somewhere along the way, sold the house
Bought a B and B, now on sale.
He wants to travel.
I'm sure the details are all
Planned out already.
Written by robert43041
(Viking)
Go To Page
The troubadour of my sensory intakes
Likewise an offspring of a god of music that made love to a mortal poet..
Nature took the spirit born from the air, the Ether
and gave birth to a male, artistic troubadour deity
Such an inconceivable moment of human magic
Triumph awaits him
Chrisma
I'm able to behold under his skin the freedom of his subsistence
A pull to the land of his mystery birth is felt by a controversial sense...
I'll do what can't be done to feel the pulse of his vain kissing my fingers
I'll become a string of his instrument to get his frequent touch
I'll stop the rain from falling to clear our way
I'd destroy what holds power on our separation
He is
my pure motivation
A superb manifesting help force
He is a server of truth
Of humanity
Of love...in any form
Of Art...in various forms
A visionary
with such an independent expression of beauty
Like diamond
but priceless
My ink is channeled through his sound
worshiping his harmonics and words
guided by them
My ink write poems no more
but a diary of an astral love
I thank the cosmos for joining me in this mental dance
I thank the host..
The notes of my affection author
echo like a different world
where you hear not
sound is travelling directly
without reflections of its waves
and I am travelling with it..
His purity of thought..
of self examination
of problems of the world..
His kindness of intention..
all make me want him even more
happy than all creations
Nature took the spirit born from the air, the Ether
and gave birth to a male, artistic troubadour deity
Such an inconceivable moment of human magic
Triumph awaits him
Chrisma
I'm able to behold under his skin the freedom of his subsistence
A pull to the land of his mystery birth is felt by a controversial sense...
I'll do what can't be done to feel the pulse of his vain kissing my fingers
I'll become a string of his instrument to get his frequent touch
I'll stop the rain from falling to clear our way
I'd destroy what holds power on our separation
He is
my pure motivation
A superb manifesting help force
He is a server of truth
Of humanity
Of love...in any form
Of Art...in various forms
A visionary
with such an independent expression of beauty
Like diamond
but priceless
My ink is channeled through his sound
worshiping his harmonics and words
guided by them
My ink write poems no more
but a diary of an astral love
I thank the cosmos for joining me in this mental dance
I thank the host..
The notes of my affection author
echo like a different world
where you hear not
sound is travelling directly
without reflections of its waves
and I am travelling with it..
His purity of thought..
of self examination
of problems of the world..
His kindness of intention..
all make me want him even more
happy than all creations
Written by personanongrata
(Astral Gift)
Go To Page
The Y Chromosome
Must be tall, must be funny
Must have the looks, must have money
Must have muscle, must have the fight
If not, then don't bother swiping right
Must be into sports, must always be tough
Must bottle up your feelings, must do other 'guy stuff'
Must handle your drink, must enjoy a good smoke
If you don't do these things, are you even a real bloke?
Must pay half your assets, must play the court's game
Must give up the children, must take all the blame
Must be left broken, must bring your life to a halt
If you do all of this, it'll still be your fault
Mustn't be weak, must not cry
Mustn't speak out, must not try
Mustn't ever run, must not hide
But once every minute, a man commits suicide.
Must have the looks, must have money
Must have muscle, must have the fight
If not, then don't bother swiping right
Must be into sports, must always be tough
Must bottle up your feelings, must do other 'guy stuff'
Must handle your drink, must enjoy a good smoke
If you don't do these things, are you even a real bloke?
Must pay half your assets, must play the court's game
Must give up the children, must take all the blame
Must be left broken, must bring your life to a halt
If you do all of this, it'll still be your fault
Mustn't be weak, must not cry
Mustn't speak out, must not try
Mustn't ever run, must not hide
But once every minute, a man commits suicide.
Written by Adzy
Go To Page
Roles Of Man
Man
Such a small, three letter word
Carrying the weight of the world
On his shoulders
Or on his back
Responsibilities; he never lacks
Like a sack of potatoes
That he frequently curls
Sire of baby boys & baby girls
Definition?
Subjective
Elective
In modern day
Toxic masculinity
Some would say
Opinions sway
Cisgender
Pretender
Straight
Or
Gay
Husband
Protector
Mentor
Roles he may play?
There's an array
So how does one convey the role of a man?
He may walk with or carry you through the sand
Is he the one who commands during a time of war?
Or
Could he also be the deserter exiting out the backdoor?
Such a small, three letter word
Carrying the weight of the world
On his shoulders
Or on his back
Responsibilities; he never lacks
Like a sack of potatoes
That he frequently curls
Sire of baby boys & baby girls
Definition?
Subjective
Elective
In modern day
Toxic masculinity
Some would say
Opinions sway
Cisgender
Pretender
Straight
Or
Gay
Husband
Protector
Mentor
Roles he may play?
There's an array
So how does one convey the role of a man?
He may walk with or carry you through the sand
Is he the one who commands during a time of war?
Or
Could he also be the deserter exiting out the backdoor?
Written by da_poetic-edifier
(Damon)
Go To Page
The Presence Of Man
Created in the image of the Divine
Superior creatures
With handsome manly features
Selfishly given of his rib
A man in the making starting from the crib
Playdough, marbles, Army men to command
Bow and arrows, playing all day in a box of sand
First day of school for the rest of your life
Parents looking down at your young face, years going by without strife
Preparing your mind for the day you take a wife
The first school boy crush
Swooning a girl with love letters to make her blush
High school now, a little hairs on the chest
A new pep in your step
Girls and partying your only quest
College days
The initiation Haze
Fraternities
Brotherhood
No Falsehood
Banded for life with the security of Knighthood
College Sweetheart with a mind of gold
Virginal intentions from what you’ve been told
A dream for a parent if only their son can maintain to hold
Graduation from the classroom
Now to the boardroom
Lavish home, expensive suits, fast cars, you know the ones that goes vrommmm
At the alter now, sweat creeping under the Tux
I hope this girl’s hand in marriage is À la carte deluxe
Man and wife
My partner for life
Positive test for the seed of creation
Burping, changing diapers, milk
Wondering do you still have that swag, with words of silk
Long legs in the office, a bit of flirtation
No sinful hesitations
Baby, I’m working late
Cover my plate
Don’t wait up for me
A man snagged by a tempting Honey Bee
I’m sorry baby, will you forgive me, we would no doubt get past this
Emptiness now felt in a reassuring kiss
Pain staring at you from such beautiful eyes
Months of uncertainties and now unveiled lies
The house is quiet she’s packed up and gone
Money, success, means nothing inside the walls of this empty home
One more chance one day at a time
We’re older now that grand stairwell is just too hard to climb
Child in college dancing on air
Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers dancing now to our rocking chairs
I hold your hand as I look back
That second chance in life
Placed us right back on track
Private Nurses, our beds positioned side-by-side
Gray hairs, Pills, Oxygen tanks
Just to get us by
I hold your hand as my life flashes from the skies
The last breath of life staring into your beautiful eyes
Tears of remembrance roses thrown over me
You stood as a man and followed your creed
Without the presence of God breathing to set my soul free
Sliding out the cocoon of the womb
Given unto you your first breath of life
Promised by the stars to a man and his wife
You were someone’s blessing to be
From birth to the first scratch of your knee
What would you have done
What testimony would your life have stood for
Ashes to ashes you no more
Superior creatures
With handsome manly features
Selfishly given of his rib
A man in the making starting from the crib
Playdough, marbles, Army men to command
Bow and arrows, playing all day in a box of sand
First day of school for the rest of your life
Parents looking down at your young face, years going by without strife
Preparing your mind for the day you take a wife
The first school boy crush
Swooning a girl with love letters to make her blush
High school now, a little hairs on the chest
A new pep in your step
Girls and partying your only quest
College days
The initiation Haze
Fraternities
Brotherhood
No Falsehood
Banded for life with the security of Knighthood
College Sweetheart with a mind of gold
Virginal intentions from what you’ve been told
A dream for a parent if only their son can maintain to hold
Graduation from the classroom
Now to the boardroom
Lavish home, expensive suits, fast cars, you know the ones that goes vrommmm
At the alter now, sweat creeping under the Tux
I hope this girl’s hand in marriage is À la carte deluxe
Man and wife
My partner for life
Positive test for the seed of creation
Burping, changing diapers, milk
Wondering do you still have that swag, with words of silk
Long legs in the office, a bit of flirtation
No sinful hesitations
Baby, I’m working late
Cover my plate
Don’t wait up for me
A man snagged by a tempting Honey Bee
I’m sorry baby, will you forgive me, we would no doubt get past this
Emptiness now felt in a reassuring kiss
Pain staring at you from such beautiful eyes
Months of uncertainties and now unveiled lies
The house is quiet she’s packed up and gone
Money, success, means nothing inside the walls of this empty home
One more chance one day at a time
We’re older now that grand stairwell is just too hard to climb
Child in college dancing on air
Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers dancing now to our rocking chairs
I hold your hand as I look back
That second chance in life
Placed us right back on track
Private Nurses, our beds positioned side-by-side
Gray hairs, Pills, Oxygen tanks
Just to get us by
I hold your hand as my life flashes from the skies
The last breath of life staring into your beautiful eyes
Tears of remembrance roses thrown over me
You stood as a man and followed your creed
Without the presence of God breathing to set my soul free
Sliding out the cocoon of the womb
Given unto you your first breath of life
Promised by the stars to a man and his wife
You were someone’s blessing to be
From birth to the first scratch of your knee
What would you have done
What testimony would your life have stood for
Ashes to ashes you no more
Written by SweetKittyCat5
Go To Page
Golden Rules
Be an asshole for love
Do whatever it takes to
keep her happy
Make her breakfast in bed
Buy her flowers
Buy her candy
Help her if she needs help
Show her:
Kindness and Respect
Be her Captain
Be her knight in
Shining Armor
Be a gentlemen and
pay on the first date
then listen and get
to know her
Do whatever it takes to
keep her happy
Make her breakfast in bed
Buy her flowers
Buy her candy
Help her if she needs help
Show her:
Kindness and Respect
Be her Captain
Be her knight in
Shining Armor
Be a gentlemen and
pay on the first date
then listen and get
to know her
Written by Phantom2426
(Francisco J Vera)
Go To Page
A Woman’s Work
Nowadays women get very emotional
When you suggest they good at some things
I ain’t saying you HAVE to do nothing
Look at me? A man writing poems?
Kinda gay right? Well... as a matter of fact
Yes it is! I’m a gay man.
But even if I wasn’t, would that mean I can’t write poems?
No... it just means I gotta try a little harder
Jesus gave us gifts, but they different gifts
Women lifting logs?
It’s not as easy for them
But it’s not like they don’t have strengths
Women are AMAZING at some things
I know this well
Because poetry is not for men
Not without serious dedication
I have to go 10X harder than a woman
So I understand what it means to be a woman in a man’s world
That’s the power of poetry
The magic of art
When you suggest they good at some things
I ain’t saying you HAVE to do nothing
Look at me? A man writing poems?
Kinda gay right? Well... as a matter of fact
Yes it is! I’m a gay man.
But even if I wasn’t, would that mean I can’t write poems?
No... it just means I gotta try a little harder
Jesus gave us gifts, but they different gifts
Women lifting logs?
It’s not as easy for them
But it’s not like they don’t have strengths
Women are AMAZING at some things
I know this well
Because poetry is not for men
Not without serious dedication
I have to go 10X harder than a woman
So I understand what it means to be a woman in a man’s world
That’s the power of poetry
The magic of art
Written by Jermainesplain
Go To Page
Real or Pretend
Men pretend
within their disguise
to be legends of the past
to be the knight in shining armor
[white charger optional]
often times rusted and bent
Strong and fearless
little boys playing war
but real men don't play these games
thinking this is lame
knowing their true power
is the nobility of spirit
to carry the weight of the world
Walking tall with iron will
my heroes don't wear capes
instead they hold me as I weep
and while I sleep
[and never say I snore]
finding love in a world of lust
for men's power or maybe magic
is to create a garden on earth
to build a house
so I can make a home
within their disguise
to be legends of the past
to be the knight in shining armor
[white charger optional]
often times rusted and bent
Strong and fearless
little boys playing war
but real men don't play these games
thinking this is lame
knowing their true power
is the nobility of spirit
to carry the weight of the world
Walking tall with iron will
my heroes don't wear capes
instead they hold me as I weep
and while I sleep
[and never say I snore]
finding love in a world of lust
for men's power or maybe magic
is to create a garden on earth
to build a house
so I can make a home
Written by Heart_of_Stone
(Rachela)
Go To Page
The masculine
To form the bond to clasp
to add your jeans into that bank
It rules our lives
the rise and fall
from song of dawn
the nesting, call for which we grope
our southern thoughts
stuck back in stone-age times
aware of feelings greater plains
the beast awaiting to be tamed
to add your jeans into that bank
It rules our lives
the rise and fall
from song of dawn
the nesting, call for which we grope
our southern thoughts
stuck back in stone-age times
aware of feelings greater plains
the beast awaiting to be tamed
Written by slipalong
Go To Page
The winner of this competition and any runners up were decided by public vote.
Thank you to the following members for voting:
Billy_Snagg, AspergerPoet56, nutbuster, cold_fusion, _Skylark_, Marks, LivingWithAntlers, Phantom2426, Honoria, nightbirdblue, lepperochan, Insiderew, RichardJ, DerDunkleRitter, MadameLavender, rubyredheart, Tallen, Bluevelvete, Zazzles, Dine_With_69
Thank you to the following members for voting:
Billy_Snagg, AspergerPoet56, nutbuster, cold_fusion, _Skylark_, Marks, LivingWithAntlers, Phantom2426, Honoria, nightbirdblue, lepperochan, Insiderew, RichardJ, DerDunkleRitter, MadameLavender, rubyredheart, Tallen, Bluevelvete, Zazzles, Dine_With_69
