English Poetry Options

[catch22]

If you could Sing

If you could sing a melody
you’d know how birds feel in the trees
the branches sway in harmony
& dancing, dancing to the tune
the golden leaves, the golden leaves.

A song is such a simple thing
you open up your heart & sing
the words come spilling out of you
like notes that fly across the moon
they’re leaving soon, they’re leaving soon.

The world is old & full of song
we cannot help but sing along
yet we grow up & we forget
we’re so afraid to get it wrong
we lose the song, we lose the song.

But sometimes when you’re all alone
& sometimes when you’re far from home
& sometimes when your day is through
you hear the song pass over you
& then you swear you would take wing
if you could sing, if you could sing.

Patrick O'Leary

[catch22]

A little satire on........

A TYPICAL LOVE POEM

There once was a woman who lived in a jar.
She didn't live near; she didn't live far.
She didn't live wide; she didn't live tall.
She didn't do much real living at all.

There once was a man whose heart had been shattered.
So broken was he that nothing real mattered.
He slept all the day and waked all the night.
And never did hope it would ever come right.

Now in typical poems these two would now meet.
They'd walk by each other on a dark busy street.
They turn and their eyes would do what eyes do
(if you read poetry and you think that stuff's true.)

But here's the real scoop. Life isn't a poem.
Two strangers were neighbors and they were alone.
Her jar was a house. His heart was a life.
She'd lost a husband and he'd lost a wife.

They looked for each other without even knowing
what they were missing and where they were going.
Life gave her a push, life gave him a pull
His heart it was mended and her jar it was full.

Patrick O'Leary
*******************************************

Nobody Knows It But Me

There’s a place that I travel
when I want to roam
and nobody knows it but me.

The roads don’t go there
and the signs stay home
and nobody knows it but me.

It’s far far away
and way way afar.
It’s over the moon and the sea.

And wherever you’re going
that’s wherever you are
and nobody knows it but me.

Patrick O'Leary

**********************************************

If Trees Could Sing
by charliechen

What do you see when you look at the colour blue?
If I saw it through your eyes would it still be true?
What do you feel when you look into my eyes?
If I could only see you. Would you shed the disguise?

Through all the fury and tumble of colours
Have you a canvas? Can we be lovers?
Paint me a forest with minstrels and birds
And unicorns dancing amongst your words

And if trees could sing they would sound like clarinets
A big band sound, playing a jazzy set
But a single tree on a solitary hill
Would hum a bluesy melody to keep its heart still

As we walk through this foggy forest of desires
Can you hear the music that your presence inspires?
Yet I stand enraptured like that solitary tree
With my branches in flames that no one can see

And a fire is dancing through these streets of rain
Melting the ice that cages the pain
A warmth is rising up from the soil
A potion of desire is beginning to boil

At night I reach to feel the life that you breathe
The rising and falling - the melancholy underneath
I want to know the dreams that you are dreaming
And discover the truth of your visions steaming

In your mind do you see the colour blue?
Or hear the trills that only trees can do?
Do you feel the heat that threatens your heart?
Then live the love of my seductive art

[shivani]

Put a little sunshine
In someone's day.
Lend a helping hand
Along the way.

Put a little love
In someone's heart.
Show a little appreciation
For someone's art.

Put a little belief
In someone's dream.
Have a little faith
In someone's being.

Put a little kindness
In someone's life.
See a little worth
In someone's time.

Put a little hope
In someone's sorrow.
Make a little effort
In a better tomorrow.

- Kenn Clark

GRANDMA'S FLOWERS
Each time I go to Grandma's place
To spend some summer hours,
She lets me pick a big bouquet
Of pretty garden flowers.
I've learned the names of almost all
The flowers Grandma grows:
Carnation, iris, pansy, phlox
Petunia, and rose.
The sweet pea is my favorite;
It has a lovely smell.
The flower Grandma likes the best
Is Canterbury bell.
I think my Grandma's wonderful
And hope that when I'm grown,
I'll have a "green thumb" just like hers
And flowers of my own.

~By Pauline S. Walker~

Word of Cheer
Drop a word of cheer and kindness,
Just a flash, and it is gone;
But there's half a hundred ripples
Circling on and on and on,
Bearing hope and joy and comfort
On each, splashing, dashing wave,
Till you wouldn't believe the volume
Of the one kind word you gave.

Drop a word of cheer and kindness,
In a minute you forget;
But there's gladness still a'swelling,
And there's joy a-circling yet.
And you've rolled a wave of comfort
Whose sweet music can be heard
Over miles and miles of water,
Just by dropping one kind word.
What Difference Does it Make?
If you know you are being faithful
To the vision you have in view,
If you're sure you are holding steadfast,
There's nothing else you can do,
And that firm and true conviction,
Will take out the hurt and ache
From your heart when folks misjudge you---
What difference does it make?

There are various minds and problems
So think of your fellow man
As living true to his vision
And doing the best he can.
Then hold to your goal undaunted,
Keep ever alert and awake,
Nor mind what the world is saying,
What difference does it make?

If people don't like your methods
And criticize all you do,
So long as you know you're trying,
You're best---what matter to you?
Stick to your sincere convictions.
Be loyal for Truth's own sake,
And even though some condemn you
What difference does it make?
-Unknown

Day By Day
Let me be a little kinder
Let me be a little blinder,
To the faults of those about me;
Let me praise a little more.
Let me be when I am weary
Just a little bit more cheery,
Let me serve a little better
Those that I am striving for

Let me be a little braver
When temptation bids me waver,
Let me strive a little harder
To be all that I should be.
Let me be a little meeker
With a brother that is weaker,
Let me think more of my neighbor,
And a little less of me.

Let me be a little sweeter
Making my life a bit completer,
By doing what I should do
Every minute of the day.
Let me toil without complaining,
By doing what I should do
Every minute of the day.
Let me toil without complaining
Not a humble task disdaining,
Let me face the summons calmly
When death beckons me away.
- Unknown

Keep Sweet
Suppose a world of trouble do
Annoy you day by day;
Suppose that friends considered true
Your trust in them betray;
And rocks may bruise and thorns may tear
Your warn and weary feet,
And every day you meet a snare---
KEEP SWEET
Suppose you have not each desire
That forms within your mind;
And earth denies you half your hire,
And heaven seems unkind;
And you have not the best to wear,
Nor yet the best to eat;
What though you have the meanest fare?
KEEP SWEET
A bitter heart will make things worse
And harder still to bear;
A merry heart destroys the curse
And makes the heavens fair.
So I advise whate'er your cause,
Whatever you may meet-Dwell on the good-
Forget the base---KEEP SWEET

- Unknown

If Trees Could Sing
by charliechen

What do you see when you look at the colour blue?
If I saw it through your eyes would it still be true?
What do you feel when you look into my eyes?
If I could only see you. Would you shed the disguise?

Through all the fury and tumble of colours
Have you a canvas? Can we be lovers?
Paint me a forest with minstrels and birds
And unicorns dancing amongst your words

And if trees could sing they would sound like clarinets
A big band sound, playing a jazzy set
But a single tree on a solitary hill
Would hum a bluesy melody to keep its heart still

As we walk through this foggy forest of desires
Can you hear the music that your presence inspires?
Yet I stand enraptured like that solitary tree
With my branches in flames that no one can see

And a fire is dancing through these streets of rain
Melting the ice that cages the pain
A warmth is rising up from the soil
A potion of desire is beginning to boil

At night I reach to feel the life that you breathe
The rising and falling - the melancholy underneath
I want to know the dreams that you are dreaming
And discover the truth of your visions steaming

In your mind do you see the colour blue?
Or hear the trills that only trees can do?
Do you feel the heat that threatens your heart?
Then live the love of my seductive art

..this.. is lovely .. more than that actually

[shivani]

this.. is for a gentleman
Charm
Good manners
With inherent grace
A quality of dignity
and a happy face

Good grooming
With posture tall
A knowledge of etiquette
And feelings for all

Conversing with others
and listening too
With eyes that say
I'm interested in you

Having a funny bone
in times of stress
Looking at the bright side
because its best

Does not judge
his neighbors' acts
Is aware of a difference
between opinion and facts

Is loving and giving
and happy to be
in a world of beauty
with much to see.

-Unknown


and this .. for me
We Two
The donkey and I, alike to a tee
Have wills like steel when we do
not agree.
Standing firm on our convictions
we will not budge
And cannot be moved by a gentle nudge.
"Heaven and earth shall pass away"
But there we are and there to stay.
Yet, when slowly creeps the dawn
and lo, we see,
Thereafter, would you believe it
We are as nice as we can be.

[Priya]

U wrote that?
Abhi U were telling me abt roses.

No wonder Ur unknown writer is unknown. Who wnts to read abt myths!!!

[catch22]

..this.. is lovely .. more than that actually

Thanks. How much more?

this.. is for a gentleman

Who is this lucky gentleman?

[shivani]

Years before
are laid beneath painted skies
as the birds chase each other
in a swarm
and I imagine you here
once again, beside me
your voice still echos
with the fullness of love

It is time for a new season
though it is not like all the rest
I have changed once again
while my dream gets closer
It is now within my reach
and the values
you taught me
ring in my ears once again

I shall not forget my thoughts
which are colored
like a wondrous pageant
of floral bouquets
lined up against
the white picket fence
and the pristine house
which only you, my grandma
could charm
with your open arms

I see you in my mind's eye
and it is just like
you are fluttering
like an angel with wings
and you have given me
all that I could desire

I feel your love to the fullest
because you
left your light
beneath my path...

- Antoinette Kopperfield

[nasir]

WE LOOK BEFORE AND AFTER
AND PINE FOR WHAT IS NOT
OUR SINCEREST LAUGHTER
WITH SOME PAIN IS FROST,
OUR SWEETEST SONGS ARE THOSE
THAT TELL OF SADDEST THOUGHT.

This was by Shelley who fall among the category of romanticists.
Quoted from memory. Hope it is correct..


NASIR.

[dimps]

YOU SMILED

by Walter Savage Landor

You smiled, you spoke and I believed,
By every word and smile- deceived.

Another man would hope no more;
Nor hope I- what I hoped before.

But let not this last wish be vain;
Deceive, deceive me once again!

The Spring and the Fall

by Edna St. Vincent Millay

In the spring of the year, in the spring of the year,
I walked the road beside my dear.
The trees were black where the bark was wet.
I see them yet, in the spring of the year.
He broke me a bough of the blossoming peach
That was out of the way and hard to reach.

In the fall of the year, in the fall of the year,
I walked the road beside my dear.
The rooks went up with a raucous trill.
I hear them still, in the fall of the year.
He laughed at all I dared to praise
And broke my heart, in little ways.

Year be spring or year be falling,
The bark will drip and the birds be calling.
There's much that's fine to see and hear
In the spring of a year, in the fall of a year.
'Tis not love's going hurt my days,
But that it went in little ways.

[Priya]

Reminds me of pal bhar ke liye koi humein pyaar kar le. As a kid I thot, how silly. But love can make one so desperate, even a lie would suffice if it could take away the pain.

[dimps]

Why Did I Let You Go?


by Sara Jo Sparks


Why does it hurt so much inside?
Why aren't you here by my side?
I made a mistake a long time ago-
I denied my true feelings, and let you go.

I miss you so much, I don't know what to do.
All the thoughts in my head revolve around you.
I tried to make right what I did wrong,
So, I keep my head up and try to be strong.

You said, "I'm sorry, I just want to be your friend."
I said, "Okay," but that won't make my heart mend."
You think I am mad at all you do,
But I am not at all mad at you.

Naturally, I am still upset from what you said.
My feelings for you aren't changing like the thoughts in my head.
I still love you so very much,
As I sit here longing for your touch.

I know I hurt you at a certain time.
Now, I am as lonely, as a dark, silent mime.
I will let you go, if that is what you please,
If that will set your heart and mind at ease.

Just remember I will always love you,
and I hope you will, one day, love me, too.

[dimps]

The End


by Little Angel

My eyes are like clouds;
My tears are like streams.
I thought you loved me-
You shattered my dreams.

My heart was so delicate
No pain could it bear,
I warned it was fragile
And to 'handle with care.'

So, you thought you'd steal it
And break it in two
But that never destroyed
My feelings for you.

Without you, it's not easy
And it adds to the pain.
From that day you said, 'Good-bye'
My eyes began to rain.

I will lock you deep down
In the depths of my soul
And forever you'll be with me
The memories I'll hold.

So, I guess for the moment
We can be best of friends
But, forever and until eternity
I'll love you to the end.

[dimps]

Searching for Myself

by Debbie Pettengill

I remember a time when my heart would sing out
I remember the joy and what life was about
But something has happened to that girl I knew
I wish I could find her but I haven't a clue

I search for the happiness that was taken away
I search for my heart, every night, every day
A search that's exhausting, that gnaws at the mind
I search for myself, for my heart I must find

It's a lonely road but the path holds just me
It's a journey of rebirth, of trying to break free
But I will find my heart, somewhere on that road
And remember once again of days long ago

To those people who try and get hurt none-the-less
In trying to help me in this time of duress,
Please don't give up, remember me then
Back in the days, when my smile came from within

I'm trying to find my way back to that place
Where laughter and joy put a smile on my face
Where friends and family meant the world to me
I pray that I find it, I pray to be free

I get scared sometimes of what I've become
Will my heart stay like stone? But I can't succumb
I have to stay strong for what lies ahead
I have nothing to fear, I have nothing to dread

The search for myself has been a long, lonely one
But I will find me and lead me back to the sun
To a place not so distant, a place not unknown
To a place I remember, a place I call home...

[dimps]

I will alwayz love you

by summer fazzone

you say you love me but why can't you see,
that my heart breaks when i don't talk to you.
if i don't talk to you soon this relationship is through.

i'm sorry things have to be the way they are.
i'm sorry you have to live so far,
and i understand it's hard to have a relationship this way,
but you have a part in this relationship, and that part you must play.

we used to talk often but lately you've been drifting away.
there are so many words i wish i had the heart to say,
but i keep everything inside,
because i don't want to hurt the person in whom i confide.

you don't hurt me intentionally, i know,
but it would be a lot better if you could call me and tell me so,
tell me you love me, and satisfy my addiction to you.
you give me an amazing feeling... if only you knew.

i don't want what we have- to end,
but there are a lot of rules you must not bend.
so far you haven't been following those rules very well.
i wish i could give you these feelings i've felt.

now that i've said most of the things on my mind,
with the exception of a few,
i hope your love for me you can find,
but alwayz know, no matter what, i will alwayz love you.

[dimps]

Meet Me In The Stars

by Paul Anthony Nierychlo

As I am saying good night, at the end of the day,
And you are not here but many miles away,
My heart is so empty and so lonely inside,
As I wipe away a tear I am trying to hide.

I close my eyes and try to go to sleep,
But with the sadness inside I begin to weep.
Suddenly I remember what you once said to me,
Just meet me in the stars, waiting for you I will be.

When distance tends to keep us apart,
Remember, I still hold you near in my heart.
When the night together, can't be ours,
Just close your eyes and meet me in the stars.

Remembering those words, I begin to smile,
And gently close my eyes, lessening the miles.
I can see the stars, oh how beautifully arranged,
But you are not there, no hug to exchange.

I sit alone waiting with hope in my heart,
No longer wanting to be kept apart.
Suddenly in the distance a shadow appears,
A tear rolls down my face and the image is clear.

There is no question it is you who I see,
Waiting in the stars, just like you promised to me.
You hold out your hand as you become near,
And put it in mine saying, "I miss you, my dear."

Suddenly there's gentle music filled with romance,
You gently pull me close, we begin to dance.
Just meet me in the stars, that is where I will be.
A special place in the stars just for you and for me.