Poetry competition CLOSED 26th May 2014 00:48am
WINNER
malin69 (malin)
malin69 (malin)
Summer Time
Anonymous
I started to write about summertime and all that it means
But I discarded the drafts that started with idyllic scenes
My life is not pretty; I have nothing to look forward to
But I do have some memories; for when there is nothing to do
Spring used to be a happy time when nature came to life
And men decided to marry and take a wife
The warmth in the air was welcome after winter
As was cleaning up downed branches and removing a splinter
Thoughts of the beach and sand between toes
And driving to go camping in secluded places no one knows
Spending weekends away from home
Without the stress of work, chores, or even a phone
I used to be a part of it all
And especially looked forward to having a ball
Being outside, having barbecues, and swimming in fresh water
Kayaking down the river past beaver dams and an occasional otter
Identifying which species of bird sings
And all that the change of season brings
Eating at picnic tables; sitting on porches
Campfires with surrounding Tiki torches
When I was young, I would jump off a dam by a railroad trestle
I propelled off the walls of a rock quarry; fresh water being my vessel
And I hiked in the woods for hours at a time
And took pictures of wildlife while I sat in the woods where it was sublime
Washing my long hair in the lake was my favorite pleasure
And I loved to swim underwater to look for a treasure
I took boat rides and fished and threw rocks
And watched ducks foraging at the docks
I remember a place where boats of all sizes were moored
It was a seasonal town; locals and tourists never got bored
There was a city park with a pool next to the ocean blue
And hot dog stands, pizza shops, and yard sales to stop at for something to do
Taking the kids to a park to swing
And seeing the joy that such a simple trip would bring
Driving my car on a ferry was very exciting
So was arriving on the island that was so inviting
Scavenging for sea shells at the shore was fantastic
And bringing them home to save in the memory basket
So they could be added to the empty terrarium
Which was already filled with white rocks and starfish; it looked like an aquarium
Farmers markets are set up in the city
Flea markets are open with finds that others found not so pretty
I rode a bicycle down a country road
With no hands; I used to be so bold
I’ll end this piece about summertime with all that it meant
Because now I’m old and cannot do those things anymore
I still have the memories which are heaven sent
But I miss doing these things and experiencing what summertime has in store
But I discarded the drafts that started with idyllic scenes
My life is not pretty; I have nothing to look forward to
But I do have some memories; for when there is nothing to do
Spring used to be a happy time when nature came to life
And men decided to marry and take a wife
The warmth in the air was welcome after winter
As was cleaning up downed branches and removing a splinter
Thoughts of the beach and sand between toes
And driving to go camping in secluded places no one knows
Spending weekends away from home
Without the stress of work, chores, or even a phone
I used to be a part of it all
And especially looked forward to having a ball
Being outside, having barbecues, and swimming in fresh water
Kayaking down the river past beaver dams and an occasional otter
Identifying which species of bird sings
And all that the change of season brings
Eating at picnic tables; sitting on porches
Campfires with surrounding Tiki torches
When I was young, I would jump off a dam by a railroad trestle
I propelled off the walls of a rock quarry; fresh water being my vessel
And I hiked in the woods for hours at a time
And took pictures of wildlife while I sat in the woods where it was sublime
Washing my long hair in the lake was my favorite pleasure
And I loved to swim underwater to look for a treasure
I took boat rides and fished and threw rocks
And watched ducks foraging at the docks
I remember a place where boats of all sizes were moored
It was a seasonal town; locals and tourists never got bored
There was a city park with a pool next to the ocean blue
And hot dog stands, pizza shops, and yard sales to stop at for something to do
Taking the kids to a park to swing
And seeing the joy that such a simple trip would bring
Driving my car on a ferry was very exciting
So was arriving on the island that was so inviting
Scavenging for sea shells at the shore was fantastic
And bringing them home to save in the memory basket
So they could be added to the empty terrarium
Which was already filled with white rocks and starfish; it looked like an aquarium
Farmers markets are set up in the city
Flea markets are open with finds that others found not so pretty
I rode a bicycle down a country road
With no hands; I used to be so bold
I’ll end this piece about summertime with all that it meant
Because now I’m old and cannot do those things anymore
I still have the memories which are heaven sent
But I miss doing these things and experiencing what summertime has in store
Anonymous
I’ve started to write about summertime and all that it means
But I discarded the drafts that started with idyllic scenes
My life is not pretty; I have nothing to look forward to
But I do have some memories; for when there is nothing to do
Spring used to be a happy time when nature came to life
And men decided to marry and take a wife
The warmth in the air was welcome after winter
As was cleaning up downed branches and removing a splinter
Thoughts of the beach and sand between toes
And driving to go camping in secluded places
Spending weekends away from home
Without the stress of work, chores, or even a phone
I used to be a part of it all
And especially looked forward to having a ball
Being outside, having barbecues, and swimming in fresh water
Kayaking down the river past beaver dams and an occasional otter
Identifying which species of bird sings
And all that the change of season brings
Eating at picnic tables; sitting on porches
Campfires with surrounding Tiki torches
When I was young, I would jump off a dam by a railroad trestle
I propelled off the walls of a rock quarry; fresh water being my vessel
And I hiked in the woods for hours at a time
And took pictures of wildlife while I sat in the woods where it was sublime
Washing my long hair in the lake was my favorite pleasure
And I loved to swim underwater to look for a treasure
I took boat rides and fished and threw rocks
And watched ducks foraging at the docks
I remember a place where boats of all sizes were moored
It was a seasonal town; locals and tourists never got bored
There was a city park with a pool next to the ocean blue
And hot dog stands, pizza shops, and yard sales to stop at for something to do
Taking the kids to a park to swing
And seeing the joy that such a simple trip would bring
Driving my car on a ferry was very exciting
So was arriving on the island that was so inviting
Scavenging for sea shells at the shore was fantastic
And bringing them home to save in the memory basket
So they could be added to the empty terrarium
Which was already filled with white rocks and starfish; it looked like an aquarium
Farmers markets are set up in the city
Flea markets are open with finds that others found not so pretty
I rode a bicycle down a country road
With no hands; I used to be so bold
I’ll end this piece about summertime with all that it meant
Because now I’m old and cannot do those things anymore
I still have the memories which are heaven sent
But I miss doing these things and experiencing what summertime has in store
But I discarded the drafts that started with idyllic scenes
My life is not pretty; I have nothing to look forward to
But I do have some memories; for when there is nothing to do
Spring used to be a happy time when nature came to life
And men decided to marry and take a wife
The warmth in the air was welcome after winter
As was cleaning up downed branches and removing a splinter
Thoughts of the beach and sand between toes
And driving to go camping in secluded places
Spending weekends away from home
Without the stress of work, chores, or even a phone
I used to be a part of it all
And especially looked forward to having a ball
Being outside, having barbecues, and swimming in fresh water
Kayaking down the river past beaver dams and an occasional otter
Identifying which species of bird sings
And all that the change of season brings
Eating at picnic tables; sitting on porches
Campfires with surrounding Tiki torches
When I was young, I would jump off a dam by a railroad trestle
I propelled off the walls of a rock quarry; fresh water being my vessel
And I hiked in the woods for hours at a time
And took pictures of wildlife while I sat in the woods where it was sublime
Washing my long hair in the lake was my favorite pleasure
And I loved to swim underwater to look for a treasure
I took boat rides and fished and threw rocks
And watched ducks foraging at the docks
I remember a place where boats of all sizes were moored
It was a seasonal town; locals and tourists never got bored
There was a city park with a pool next to the ocean blue
And hot dog stands, pizza shops, and yard sales to stop at for something to do
Taking the kids to a park to swing
And seeing the joy that such a simple trip would bring
Driving my car on a ferry was very exciting
So was arriving on the island that was so inviting
Scavenging for sea shells at the shore was fantastic
And bringing them home to save in the memory basket
So they could be added to the empty terrarium
Which was already filled with white rocks and starfish; it looked like an aquarium
Farmers markets are set up in the city
Flea markets are open with finds that others found not so pretty
I rode a bicycle down a country road
With no hands; I used to be so bold
I’ll end this piece about summertime with all that it meant
Because now I’m old and cannot do those things anymore
I still have the memories which are heaven sent
But I miss doing these things and experiencing what summertime has in store
Summer
I remember summmer--
It takes me back to being a kid again.
Of sitting on the wooden swing in front of my grandparents house.
Of orange soda and devil dogs.
Of staying up until it's early in the morning.
And waking up when it's late in the afternoon.
Of phone calls and long walks with best friends.
Of ice cream in the middle of a rain storm.
Of thunderstorms that shook the house.
And firework that lit the sky up so bright.
I remember summer--
Smell of chlorine in my hair after getting out of the pool.
Of getting to water parks before they have a chance to open.
Of chicken strips and root beer, of standing under a giant bucket as it dumps gallons of water on my head.
Of being with my dad on the weekends.
Of staying with my grandparents with my best friend.
I remember summer--
The last ring of the bell and you're free for two and half months.
No homework, no tests, no waking up at 6am anymore.
I'm free from the confines of school and it's rules.
I can hang out with friends and sleep in late.
I can sit out on the swing in front of my apartment and listen to music with a CD player and headphones-- That was before my relationship with iTunes began.
Reading Magic Tree House, R.L. Stine's Fear Street and Goosebumps.
Summer Reading programs making the library my second home.
My dad dropping me off and me turning off my phone like the library says to do.
My dad coming to find me as I watch plays of fairytales of a girl in purple converse as a modern day Cinderalla story.
I remember summer--
Of sun bleached blonde hair.
Of shorts and skorts combos.
Of swinsuits and Gutiar hero.
Of walking up to the middle schools with my friends.
Of sleepovers and staying up all night, watching scary movies and eating junk food until we were sick to our stomach.
Why did we think eating pure marshmallow fluff was a good idea?
Of dreaming about our careers, of being an actress and a writer.
Of listening to music and watching movies.
Of telling each other ghost stories.
And falling in love with the idea of going to high school.
Promising we'd be best friends forever.
Isn't that what we always promise even when we know it's never gonna come true?
I remember summer--
Rainy days of depression in July of 2007.
When I was woken up by the sentence "Whose gonna tell her?"
And there was my father, standing over me and saying.
Grandma's gone-- Passed away, just this morning.
We're so sorry Annie.
And I just stared at the television listening to "I Miss You" by Miley Cyrus.
And that song comforted me through that time.
I remember summer--
Wearing black and saying good-byes.
Tears running down my face and clinging to my grand-dad's side.
I didn't want to leave this place.
This small New England town, this is my home.
But we had to go back to a place that never gets cold.
Move away from summertime being a season.
No, we moved to where summer isn't a thing, it's a place.
I remember summer--
When warm weather was June, July and August.
Not September, October, November-- Never December.
Don't even get my start of January and Febuary.
How the months felt colder when they were warm.
How summer felt so faraway.
And when it finally came.
And I was finally done.
When music videos and gutiar solos ruled my world.
Where dreams of faraway places and journal entries were my only escape.
I remember summer days--
Walking to a cementary to visit my grandparents.
The swing long gone from their house.
Of reading my book inside of my room.
Because I didn't live in the same apartment with the same swing to listen to music on anymore.
No more fireworks, except the ones in the distance fading lights in the night sky.
No more ice cream in the rain, because that friendship washed away long ago.
With those summer days.
Of childhood innocence and stories to tell.
Of slumber parties, music videos and chlorine smell.
My season pass has become faded and worn, and my father is gone.
Summers aren't the same anymore.
No more lemonades stands, tag sales, cookouts, and bike rides in the park.
Those days are faded but I remember it all the same.
I remember those days.
Those wonderful beautiful summer days.
That take me back to being a kid.
Just sitting on a wooden swing, not a care in the world.
Just a can a soda and a devil dog,
Just poetry and horror novels.
Just CD players and headphones.
Just dreams of summer romances and faraway places.
Those were the days.
The days I love to remember.
When the ground is hot.
And my naturally pale skin has tanned.
My shoulders are peeling and am laying in an air conditioned room.
Reading my books, listening to music and enjoying life.
When life was a different kind of sweet.
When depression was just a spark in the back of my mind.
Not a shadow overseeing my life.
When my problems didn't exist because it was summer time.
And I had a vacation from life.
But that's why I love to remember.
I love to remember summer.
I remember summmer--
It takes me back to being a kid again.
Of sitting on the wooden swing in front of my grandparents house.
Of orange soda and devil dogs.
Of staying up until it's early in the morning.
And waking up when it's late in the afternoon.
Of phone calls and long walks with best friends.
Of ice cream in the middle of a rain storm.
Of thunderstorms that shook the house.
And firework that lit the sky up so bright.
I remember summer--
Smell of chlorine in my hair after getting out of the pool.
Of getting to water parks before they have a chance to open.
Of chicken strips and root beer, of standing under a giant bucket as it dumps gallons of water on my head.
Of being with my dad on the weekends.
Of staying with my grandparents with my best friend.
I remember summer--
The last ring of the bell and you're free for two and half months.
No homework, no tests, no waking up at 6am anymore.
I'm free from the confines of school and it's rules.
I can hang out with friends and sleep in late.
I can sit out on the swing in front of my apartment and listen to music with a CD player and headphones-- That was before my relationship with iTunes began.
Reading Magic Tree House, R.L. Stine's Fear Street and Goosebumps.
Summer Reading programs making the library my second home.
My dad dropping me off and me turning off my phone like the library says to do.
My dad coming to find me as I watch plays of fairytales of a girl in purple converse as a modern day Cinderalla story.
I remember summer--
Of sun bleached blonde hair.
Of shorts and skorts combos.
Of swinsuits and Gutiar hero.
Of walking up to the middle schools with my friends.
Of sleepovers and staying up all night, watching scary movies and eating junk food until we were sick to our stomach.
Why did we think eating pure marshmallow fluff was a good idea?
Of dreaming about our careers, of being an actress and a writer.
Of listening to music and watching movies.
Of telling each other ghost stories.
And falling in love with the idea of going to high school.
Promising we'd be best friends forever.
Isn't that what we always promise even when we know it's never gonna come true?
I remember summer--
Rainy days of depression in July of 2007.
When I was woken up by the sentence "Whose gonna tell her?"
And there was my father, standing over me and saying.
Grandma's gone-- Passed away, just this morning.
We're so sorry Annie.
And I just stared at the television listening to "I Miss You" by Miley Cyrus.
And that song comforted me through that time.
I remember summer--
Wearing black and saying good-byes.
Tears running down my face and clinging to my grand-dad's side.
I didn't want to leave this place.
This small New England town, this is my home.
But we had to go back to a place that never gets cold.
Move away from summertime being a season.
No, we moved to where summer isn't a thing, it's a place.
I remember summer--
When warm weather was June, July and August.
Not September, October, November-- Never December.
Don't even get my start of January and Febuary.
How the months felt colder when they were warm.
How summer felt so faraway.
And when it finally came.
And I was finally done.
When music videos and gutiar solos ruled my world.
Where dreams of faraway places and journal entries were my only escape.
I remember summer days--
Walking to a cementary to visit my grandparents.
The swing long gone from their house.
Of reading my book inside of my room.
Because I didn't live in the same apartment with the same swing to listen to music on anymore.
No more fireworks, except the ones in the distance fading lights in the night sky.
No more ice cream in the rain, because that friendship washed away long ago.
With those summer days.
Of childhood innocence and stories to tell.
Of slumber parties, music videos and chlorine smell.
My season pass has become faded and worn, and my father is gone.
Summers aren't the same anymore.
No more lemonades stands, tag sales, cookouts, and bike rides in the park.
Those days are faded but I remember it all the same.
I remember those days.
Those wonderful beautiful summer days.
That take me back to being a kid.
Just sitting on a wooden swing, not a care in the world.
Just a can a soda and a devil dog,
Just poetry and horror novels.
Just CD players and headphones.
Just dreams of summer romances and faraway places.
Those were the days.
The days I love to remember.
When the ground is hot.
And my naturally pale skin has tanned.
My shoulders are peeling and am laying in an air conditioned room.
Reading my books, listening to music and enjoying life.
When life was a different kind of sweet.
When depression was just a spark in the back of my mind.
Not a shadow overseeing my life.
When my problems didn't exist because it was summer time.
And I had a vacation from life.
But that's why I love to remember.
I love to remember summer.
zinger said:It's starting to heat up, so write me something about summer. What it means to you, how it makes you feel, maybe some memories.
Summer Time
By Mike Stewart
Many miles from the crowd
the ocean beach has allowed
A long way up roads gravel
Heat and cold in a battle
The water is glacier fed
its refreshing to dip your head
and then I hike to the cliff
where I spark up a spliff
I can hear the rapids below
but its deep this I know
The sun is still in the sky
I climb up sixty feet high
then I look down below
at water,
that was once snow
then I take my last puff
and then I leap of the bluff
The rush is farmilular
then I splash down and linear
twist round and swim back to the top
outta the cold water I flop
refreshed and relaxed
the water swish through the cracks
only animal tracks
beside my backpacks
that I have with my cooler
I crack bottle EACH NEW YEAR
the rainforrests my friend
where the valley decend
The chehalis river, and lost creek
norrish, and more to speak
are places i go
when the summer
I know
calls me back to nature
water flow? could never hate ya
2014©
ms:)>
Summer Time
By Mike Stewart
Many miles from the crowd
the ocean beach has allowed
A long way up roads gravel
Heat and cold in a battle
The water is glacier fed
its refreshing to dip your head
and then I hike to the cliff
where I spark up a spliff
I can hear the rapids below
but its deep this I know
The sun is still in the sky
I climb up sixty feet high
then I look down below
at water,
that was once snow
then I take my last puff
and then I leap of the bluff
The rush is farmilular
then I splash down and linear
twist round and swim back to the top
outta the cold water I flop
refreshed and relaxed
the water swish through the cracks
only animal tracks
beside my backpacks
that I have with my cooler
I crack bottle EACH NEW YEAR
the rainforrests my friend
where the valley decend
The chehalis river, and lost creek
norrish, and more to speak
are places i go
when the summer
I know
calls me back to nature
water flow? could never hate ya
2014©
ms:)>
stimulating my senses
summer setting under a bright moon
firefly dance
poetry in motion
the worm wind
hugs me tight
the passing rain storm is even a joy
the birds and frogs sing aloud
bringing a joyful noise
a beautiful time
all god's works surround me
the aroma of flowers
the beautiful sights
summer
a truly delightful time
summer setting under a bright moon
firefly dance
poetry in motion
the worm wind
hugs me tight
the passing rain storm is even a joy
the birds and frogs sing aloud
bringing a joyful noise
a beautiful time
all god's works surround me
the aroma of flowers
the beautiful sights
summer
a truly delightful time
Anonymous
<< post removed >>
Summer's Past
“I can see you, your brown skin shining in the sun”
– Don Henley, Boys of Summer
The radio’s playing the soundtrack of summer
memories of your warmth, burnt upon my lips.
Looking out the window at skeleton trees
all our yesterday’s seem so far away.
My frost-bitten hands crave sunburnt nights
that smelt of heat and summer sunshine,
the caress of your parchment skin
as merciful as desert sunsets.
Through crystallised water panes
I stare down these empty road ways
driving, alone, with nothing but the cold midnight moon
and the soundtrack of summer playing on the radio.
While I’m wondering if I’ll ever make it back
to the crackle of your sunburnt lips on mine
when everything was sun kissed and simple,
The Boys of Summer, replaying silently in my head.
“I can see you, your brown skin shining in the sun”
– Don Henley, Boys of Summer
The radio’s playing the soundtrack of summer
memories of your warmth, burnt upon my lips.
Looking out the window at skeleton trees
all our yesterday’s seem so far away.
My frost-bitten hands crave sunburnt nights
that smelt of heat and summer sunshine,
the caress of your parchment skin
as merciful as desert sunsets.
Through crystallised water panes
I stare down these empty road ways
driving, alone, with nothing but the cold midnight moon
and the soundtrack of summer playing on the radio.
While I’m wondering if I’ll ever make it back
to the crackle of your sunburnt lips on mine
when everything was sun kissed and simple,
The Boys of Summer, replaying silently in my head.
and proud to be honored by this trophy. Thank you, zinger, for this comp and congratulation to all other competitors for their high level contribution in front of my humble senryu's trio! 
