'Lonely Heart' by A Bermudez

Lonely Heart

Winter´s cold fingers grip
a breath can be seen leaving the lips
this room is just as cold
as the inner depths of the soul

No glimmer nor light can be seen
as the frost settles making all gleam
releasing any warmth left
in a room of color bereft

Emptiness abounds
as the cold air surrounds
there are only frozen memories and emotions
soon to become only notions

As the winter comes to an end
no warmth or spring comes to transcend
for the cold has come to stay
capturing a victim as its prey

As the flowers seem to surround
no life is felt to be found
no warmth or love in this soul
that a spring day could console

A tear has frozen in time
of pity not sublime
on a cheek so tired and drawn
from begging for love now gone

As the day leads to the night
there is no hope for the plight
of turning a heart now cold
warm from feelings and love untold

A Bermudez

Written by A Bermudez, first posted to the People's Poetry Bookshelf on 18 February 2013.

See more here: Whispered Notions Poetry and Memories from a Magical Box Photography

'IAM TIRED OF POETRY' by Eddy Ongili

IAM TIRED OF POETRY

My pen refuses to stop
I get so twisted and Iam laid bare
of all the themes I wear
of all the ideas I share
My poetic wit disobeys my orders
Poetry stop please, you are killing me

Iam in a state of poignancy
I pity myself
I loathe my gift
Poetry is evil
But Plato disagrees
He claims 'the poet's job is to bear witness'
And I witness that 'witnessing' is tough
Iam tired of poetry
Iam tired of poetry
It is to me belligerent
It sneers on my energy
Who will save me from myself
Iam baffled by its effect on me
All I want is more poetry
Reading one leads to the next

Iam disturbed by the comfort others find
I write and someone calls me 'sweet'
Iam told I inspire
Iam told Iam 'set to be' Shakespeare'
Words; words fill my mind
My pen is always on its duty
Traverssing the lonely pages of my books
Iam blind and cant see my soul is dying
I milk it daily/ I beg for complete surrender

The BIBLE or QURAN all poetic
All God's prophets were poets
Please, please, Iam no prophet
I receive no divine light
Poetry please release my mind
Experiences please block any inspiration
Iam tired of poetry
Its disease i get no cure
Poerty let me percieve
Your words let me not receive
For I always believe
Without you I cant live

I see and hear writers perform
some good, others do great injustice
to your name poetry-they cant form
Iam called mystical, satirical, romantic...
Iam none of this,
I deserve not even the name "poet"
Iam ashamed at my writing
Iam ashamed of you poetry
I encipher diatribes into your mailbox
Hoping that you'll desert me
Because I promise if you remain
I'll strip you naked
I'll expose all your forms
And you will suffer from my pen's wrath
I'll decapitate you completly
Poetry is fire, a fire that burns me
In light or night it opens my sight
Iam tired that I cant even sleep
I seek no apologies or reconcilliation
For poetry to me is 'me'

Eddy Ongili©

Written by Eddy Ongili, first posted on the People's Poetry Bookshelf on 18 February 2013.

'Not an Ode to Tofu' by Jo Simons

Not an Ode to Tofu


Oh tofu, I try so hard to love you.
You are what my heart and arteries supposedly prefer.
You save the animals from their frightful doom.
You are our hero.

But you sit there on my counter
trying to look like something edible....
and I see modeling clay or soft white building bricks
meant to be a sculpture or a fun playhouse.

But you claim to be food as you challenge me to make you flavorful -
to smell like anything - to convince me you really are edible.
You staunchly refuse to taste like anything
unless we vigorously infuse you with strong spices.

I am beginning to think you are just a clever hoax!
You're a stubborn, unappealing block of nothing.
Oh sure, you're a cousin of the soybean.....
then why aren't you green?

I need more from you, oh lifeless block.
I need you to try harder to seduce me.
I need a luscious aroma, a beautiful form, a nice color.
Then, perhaps I can learn to love you.



Written by Jo Simons, first posted on the People's Poetry Bookshelf on 18 February 2013.

'Third Planet' by Nnoli Sylvester

THIRD PLANET

Just like a rolling ball, you come like a roger

Your quizzical movement brings about changes

Changes like the dark which they call the night

And changes like the light which they call the day

Up and down you go as you roll

You never quit a bit, always rolling

In a quivering manner though, you still roll

Having obstacles in your way as you go, you bring shambles

Causing to you to quive, bringing along hard times inside of you

Can you ever slow down a bit?

Knowing that the faster you go, the faster time goes

Your fast move makes the young to become old

It makes the strong to become weak

And even the brave to become weakling

Oh my fat large rolling ball, stop a bit!

Because time has a way of making us old

You are placed third in the line though, but you are the best among the equals

As you have land and sea in you, making it conducive for the fishes and the fishermen to dwell on

You are so warm and beautiful and i dont wish to leave your side

Can you permit me to always be in you?

Slow down a bit! Time is running against us...

Written by Sylvester Nnoli, first posted on the People's Poetry Bookshelf on 18 February 2013.

'A Painful Truth' by Phil Gibson

A Painful Truth

A figure of death
Looms over the land
A nuclear scythe
Is borne in his hand
Wearing a mantle
Of consuming fire
He lights for our world
A funeral pyre

I flee in terror
But find no escape
For all of this land
Shows signs of his rape
Where-ever I go
He is always there
Stripping the land
And leaving it bare

I hear his cruel laughter
A malicious sound
While his victims’ corpses
Are thick on the ground
He’s dealing out death
And pain on a whim
There can be no way
Of hiding from him

But now I am running
So desperate to hide
For I’ve glimpsed a truth
I cannot abide
The horror flows through me
For now I can see
There is no escape
This figure is me!


© Phil Gibson 2011

Written by Phil Gibson, first posted to People's Poetry Bookshelf on 17 February 2013.

View more at Phil's blog, the Garret.

'Don't blame the mirror' by Nnoli Sylvester

DONT BLAME THE MIRROR

While standing in front of it in the morning as i woke,
What i saw was me, yes! The real me...
He said hi to me just at about the same time
That i was saying hi to him

Even the smiles which i poured out
Was reciprocated back at me
Just at about the same time
i queried to know why i was being imitated
And all that i got in return was that same query

Just at about the same time
As i tried to walk away from him,
I saw him walking away from me too
He is me! Yes, the real me
The man in that mirror...

Written by Sylvester Nnoli, first posted to the People's Poetry Bookshelf on 17 February 2013.

'If I Could Write A Love Poem' by Chris Smith

If I Could Write A Love Poem

If I could write a love poem
It would be able to reach out
To touch everyone on this world
It would stand the test of time
And show how love is immortal
But the mind stays young and fresh
As the body starts to feel old and weary
Wanting to express this need and desire
To spend an Eternity able to hold you
Able to write just one poem of love
To put the true emotion into verse
It is the hardest thing to do
Because this poet becomes lost for words
To try and express your real beauty
The correct meaning within this beating heart
If only I could give you the wonders of time
Give you the glories within our reality
Describe how your very kiss is electric
How your touch is that of an Angel
This poem I will give to you
As I attempt to find these words
If I could write a love poem
So the stars above can shine down
And all of Heaven can see how I love you

copyright Chris Smith 30th November 2009

Written by Chris Smith, first posted on the People's Poetry Bookshelf on 16 February 2013.

'Thanks for the Love' by Eddy Ongili

THANKS FOR THE LOVE

Iam humbled by our friendship
Iam thankful for your smiles
Your deep comforting words
Your ever present help
All lead me to thank you for the love
I appreciate your texts
The time we share
The feelings and all we exchange
Iam caressed at heart by you just being you
You calling me dear,best friend,love
And saying I LOVE YOU

You've proven to me your loyality
Your sweetness and forgiveness
You understand me
You encourage me
This day,Iam occupied by your smile
I browse through your texts
I say your name
And I thank God for such a true friend
Hoping that once again
I'll see you,hug you,kiss you on the cheek

Well Iam not okay
When you're away
But when I think of your assurances
Your promises to be friends forever
And all the love you've given me
Iam ashamed of being doubtful
Doubtful that you'll come back
And be in my eyes again
To love and to cherish
To hugs and kisses
All we'll share my blessed friend
And we'll grow in our friendship

Others may walk in and out
But I promise that I'll always be around
Anytime you need me
Call me
Text me
To you my friend,I'll always stand by you
Thanks for the love
To you Iam always ready to serve

Eddy Ongili©

Written by Eddy Ongili, first posted to the People's Poetry Bookshelf on 16 February 2013

'The Green Line' by Cronin Detzz

THE GREEN LINE

The Greeks and the Turks
a blurry mess
the thin Green Line in Cypress
Just like
The British crown and the IRA
never see their islands the same way
Just like
... The question of Oswald or CIA conspiracy
who the hell knows but Kennedy
Just like
LAPD and Rodney King
Just like
All of us who go on hating

We all love
We all hate
We all bleed
And make mistakes

All I know is that I’ve had enough
of people killing
in the name of something they love
Ask Malcom X or ML King
They were cut down, fighting
They inspired us to be color blind
They encouraged us
To erasing the thin dividing lines

Written by Cronin Detzz  , first posted to People's Poetry Bookshelf on 15 February 2013.

'The Price of Prosperity' by Phil Gibson

The Price of Prosperity

The charges are set
We’re ready to blast
There’s no need to worry
The mountain will last
This rubble is needed
For factory walls
We’ve no time to rest
Prosperity calls

Stoke up the furnace
Don’t let the fire die
Keep the coal coming
An endless supply
We must keep producing
There’s more fuel to burn
The darkness at noon
Is not our concern

There’s no time to rest
There’re more trees to fell
The more we cut down
The more we can sell
It’s all they are good for
They’re dead anyway
Soaked in pollution
To wither away

Send out the trawlers
With wall of death nets
There must be an hour
Before the sun sets
We have to work harder
The only solution
There’s less fish to catch
That’s man’s contribution

The pressure is mounting
Our profits are down
There’s no time for sleeping
Get up off the ground
There’s so little time left
We have to get on
Why is it so dark?
Where has our world gone?

Written by Phil Gibson, first posted to People's Poetry Bookshelf on 12 February 2013.

View more at Phil's blog, the Garret.

'My Love' by Quesi Ankoma

My Love

Arise now and shine
O light of my world!
Sparkling soul in my
Heart without you, I live not.

Red rose in my garden
Beautiful as the naked
Full Moon of February
In the illuminated clouds.

Written by Quesi Ankoma, first posted on People's Poetry Bookshelf on 12 February 2013.

'Forever' by Tatius T Darksong

Forever

Defying death cursing his very name, I am forever
Do you wish to connect your name to mine
Fear stands before you long since forgotten
Wandering the corners of Efil’s worlds searching

Destined to a nomad’s existence from youthful dreams
Adventures under the burning stars and melting spores
Foreign lands and distant nebulas faint spots in black holes of space
Visiting horrors upon my kingdom fallible and flawed
Armor once polished and radiate dulled and battle scarred
Do You wish to connect to my name, I am forever

I curse the howl of the grey Mulenkis as drowning souls expire
a wanderer of barren lands searching for battles to fight and wars
to be won slipping through timestreams of nameless worlds
I have walked the golden sands of Sel as little ones challenged
falling stars beaten to cosmic dust, I am the creeper of time
forever caught listing dreams looking away as blue suns set
Do you wish to connect to my name, I am forever

I sail on crimson tides and fly aloft on the back of pegasus
I am a wanderer I am a drifter living the life of a nomad
I sat around the flames of Tomas telling tales of glory
as the fifth sun sets I return to you defying death
sailing home on the river Acheron, I am forever
do you wish?

© 2013 TTDarkSong

Written by Tatius T Darksong, first posted to the Peolpe's Poetry Bookshelf on 11 February 2013.

'Love' by Sarojini Pattayat

Love


You are here, 
I am also here, 
But look, 
I can't see you in my naked eyes,
Please come,
Flowers will blossoms in the desert
in yours praise.

Written by Sarojini Pattayat, first posted on People's Poetry Bookshelf on 11 February 2013

'No-Name the Cat' by David Lewis Paget

No-Name the Cat

The cat and I stare at the room
No-name the cat, the cat and I,
She stares at me, I at the gloom
The house lies still as a vaulted tomb.

She sits and waits, No-name the cat,
Sits and waits for a sign from me
But I in the corner chair am sat
And make no sign for No-name the cat.

We’re all alone, alone are we
No-name the cat, the cat and I
Only the two, No-name and me
Yet once in the past we numbered three.

Now on the floor, between us two
No-name the cat, and me, lies you.
Your eyes are staring, your cheek is slack,
Your tongue’s thrust out and your face is blue.

The cat and I stare at the room
No-name the cat, the cat and I,
She stares at me, I at the gloom
The house lies still as a vaulted tomb. 

Written by David Lewis Paget, first posted to People's Poetry Bookshelf  on 10 February 2013.

'Thoughts' by Rachael Redd

Thoughts

Was she watching the rain?
Slouching in that damned chair,
While the screen holes filled with water?
Could she hear it,
Spattering against the cement steps?
Was she dancing in the rain,
Like she did long ago?

I gazed at the condensation,
Slowly spreading across the glass.
Was that regret creeping in?
I tried to feel,
But conjured nothing.

She could feel the rain,
But she wasn't dancing in it.
She could hear the splashing,
But her thoughts were deafening.

Written by Rachael Redd, first posted on the People's Poetry Bookshelf on 10 February 2013.

'Eternal Valentine' by ViCente HalfBreed

Eternal Valentine

I sit here… Under the Oak tree…. by the old fishing hole….
Waiting… for you…. to show
You promised…. you would be here…
I have been here before….. and we met…. as promised….
But today…. is different…..
As the day… goes by…. I remember….. 
The time…. we first met…. an age…. Of Turmoil…. where we lived
I see…. this Butterfly…. coming thru the branches…. 
It stops…. on a blade of grass….. next to me…
As the Sun…. starts to set….. the Butterfly turns to Star Dust….. 
I Stand… and watch…. as you appear… before my Eyes…..
You reach out…. for me…. In years gone by….. 
I was….. the one….. reaching out…. for you….. 
I take… your hand…. you lead me… to the fishing hole……
You stop….. turn to me…. you touch my face….
I look….. into your eyes…. as you place….. your hand on my shoulder…. 
Then we… step together… Heel Toe….. Heel Toe….. Heel Toe….. Toe.. Toe..
We dance….. Together…. for the first time….. in years…. gone by
Just you… and me…. Mother Nature… has provided us….. the Music…. for our dance…
We Danced…. like old times… in tune…. with each other…..
We danced….. on top… of the fishing hole….. as if was a Floor….
A Mist…. of Star Dust….. wraps around us…. you kiss me…… 
You wrap…. your arms.. around me…. And hold me…. tight.. 
I look…. into your eyes…. as we start….. to rise….. 

I see us….. turn into butterflies…. we start….. to fly…. Together once again…..
We fly…. to a land….. far away….. beyond the skies 
Where… my friend’s…. have gone 
Where the tree…. of life…. is in… Eternal Bloom…… 
Sheds…. its fragrance…. on an unclouded day…. Its fragrance….. envelopes us
No more Illness… No more Pain…. No more Sorrow….
In a… Mist of Star Dust… we return… as Butterflies….
To where…. we started….. The Star Dust…. starts to Spin….
We are returned….. Back…. to our Shapes… 
As I hold you…. I Notice…. We have Wings…
I can see…. the reflection….. of our shadows…. on top…. of the fishing hole…..
The sky…… turns orange….. as the sun…. starts to rise… in the distant…..
I look up….. and see…. a bright light…. I blink… my eyes… and awaken….. 
To see…. the Sunlight….. Peeking….. thru the blinds….. 
My arms…. wrapped around…. your Pillow……..


Written by ViCente HalfBreed, first posted to People's Poetry Bookshelf on 10 February 2013

'In the Dark Dust Becomes Me' by Russell Buker

In the Dark Dust Becomes Me

This sightless morning
I stand alone,
having just fed
the birds, to feel
the silence of a
first snow drift
down to me and sense
my intuition pushing
against the diminishing
space I used to own

Written by Russell Buker, first posted to People's Poetry Bookshelf on 10 February 2013

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New Featured Poem

The Diners And The Killers

The diners and the killers sit side by side
Touching, breathing, eating, seeing only what can be seen
No one here hides, tells, speaks ill of their dead
Their minds shaped by red, brandy, the girl across the street,
barmen, waiters, waitresses, wives, husbands, money and the people they meet

In each others eyes they see only themselves, their fears, their inner lies
The lack of power, sapping and slipping away on this very ordinary day
They sip strong coffee, chew soft toffee, and eat slimy burgers with ketchup red and nice
In this smoothness, this moment, there are no desires
No endless lies, no smart arsed young kid shouting, laughing, as they walk on by

This place has neutrality, the diners and the killers breathing the same air, this, their air
Naturally, carefully, slowly, with precision, with coolness, with time shifting from side to side

This haven for down and outs, well healed, cold manic men and women
Who on other days are sensibly controlled lovers, fathers, mothers, tramps, sick, well, professional
This sanctuary has it all, has seen it all, is it all, knows it all
The sobbing, the condolences, the bleeding from the nose, the shaking, the headaches
The eating, the thinking grazers who have come, sit, glance slowly through murky, dirty windows
The Diners and the killers, sit side by side, smile, nod in friendly recognition of their lives
Their worlds firmly, securely, locked, tight, deep within, inside


Written by mcgoohan
First posted Jan 2, 2013 on People's Poetry Forum

Read more: Here...