Poetry Potpourri

To Death I Spoke

One night in dreams to Death I spoke;
He sat nearby, then silence broke.
His icy words with scorn were filled,
Which gored my heart and my blood chilled.
He said to me my short-lived life
Was filled with pain, much grief and strife.
No need to live, for hope is dead,
Nowhere to turn, my faith has fled.
To end my life would be a gift;
He promised me it would be swift.
With fear my lips few words allowed,
But yet remained in strength unbowed.
I said "my hope is quite alive,
And God my faith will help survive.
But you, O Death, destruction face,
At an appointed time in place.
So while my life you soon may take,
In faith I know that I will wake.
When dead, my life you'll briefly hold,
But yours forever God will fold."

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Do not Give Up

Do not give up! Let faith be strong!
Do not look back, resist the wrong.
Sin tempts your heart with sweetened lies,
To bend your path to your demise,
To wreck your faith, bring death along.

Do not you fear the piercing prong
That stabs at you to join the throng,
For narrow is the road you prize;
Do not Give Up!

Though storms you face where you belong,
Keep faith your goal will not be long.
The end is near, He hears your cries,
And lovingly more strength supplies.
So smile with joy and sing the song,
Do not Give Up!

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Darkened Soul

I am what nightly haunts your dreams,
The nights of tears and drenching sweat.
I'm lurking while you cry in streams,
Until new dawn red eyes reset.

I am the ache behind the mask,
What others fail to see in you.
The grief behind your heavy casque,
While smiles you paint to hide your blue.

I am the scar that mars your heart,
That drowns the hope for which you reach.
The voice you hear when bad dreams start,
When nightmares strive your sleep to breach.

I am depression, darkened soul,
Your one companion while you cry.
I'm not your friend, I have a goal,
To steal your light, until you die.

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Precious Life

Life, unseen, wends a lengthy hall;
It reaches home, behind a wall.
This home, designed to carry life,
Then wraps the gift in a soft shawl.

This gift, a child that thrives within,
On mother's face a smile will pin.
When life inside she starts to feel,
Her heart this precious child will win.

No sacrifice will be too great,
No pain will make her love abate.
Not darkness, sadness, nor despair,
Will keep her from her joyous fate.

She will embrace this growing soul,
Her greatest love will be her goal.
And when at last the child is born,
This precious life, will make her whole.

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Lazy Summer Days

It seems surreal, this warm touch,
This luscious day of heat and such,
While soaking feet at ocean's edge,
And breathing life I love so much.

The sand cascades between my toes,
A nuanced pleasure waves compose.
My joyous lips a smile display;
My nostrils breathe the briny rose.

I love these lazy summer days,
Of picnics, parks, and warming rays;
Of swimming, running, biking slow,
Of holding hands with hearts ablaze.

Of children playing with their dogs,
Of turtles basking on drowned logs;
Of mothers baking cakes and pies,
Of ponds that play the songs of frogs.

But summer won't forever last,
Yet here at ocean's edge so vast,
It seems eternal is the time,
While standing still, as waves recast.

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Reminders of Autumn

I walk alone when dawn her veil has tossed;
It's quiet on this early morn of frost.
I think of autumn, that she has to leave,
For winter calls, and snow to trees will cleave.
A painting fall will leave for me on trees,
Of colored leaves that shiver with the breeze.
They dance and twirl, then rush to kiss the ground;
Their stunning colors clothe the land around.
This beauty I absorb while walk on,
Then stop to breathe the air of early dawn.
Through morning's haze I view her wondrous art,
The kisses she has left to warm my heart.
One scarlet leaf I pick to take with me,
Reminder of what autumn days can be.

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Long Is A Poet's Night

Return, my muse, my voice give back,
For night has yet to settle down.
As sundown dims to shades of black,
My thoughts in fading ink now drown.

My fleeting words are barely there,
Unnoticed, lines that crave the light.
So please, my friend, see my despair,
And grant me words that I may write.

This darkness hides the world outside;
It veils my eyes so I can't see.
Rich colors daylight had supplied,
But now my words will not pour free.

Beside the window, dressed in black,
I sit, and frown, for night has won.
My coffee cools, my pen holds back,
My muse has left me, like the sun.

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Tears For Autumn

There is a tree not far from here,
With branches reaching to the sky.
Its age unknown, from what I hear,
It waits for fall its leaves to spy.

It signals fall to paint its leaves,
Not gold or yellow, even brown.
It wants them red, for when it grieves,
When autumn flees at winter's frown.

Soon autumn's brush adds hues of red,
Some crimson, scarlet, rust, cerise.
Young artists then on canvas spread,
The tree's red crown, a masterpiece.

But when spry autumn says goodbye,
The leaves begin their slow descend.
The crown, her pride, begins to die,
And sheds red tears at autumn's end.

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Beautiful Seasons

Four sisters vie to dress the earth,
Each one with beauty quite unique.
Their visits fill all hearts with mirth,
The young and old, the proud and meek.

Fair spring can make the flowers grow;
Her scent ascends to widened smiles.
Then there is summer with her glow,
She wears warm gowns of sundry styles.

Cool autumn crowns the trees with brown,
Then yellow, gold, and even red.
Cold winter brings her softest down,
And spreads her blanket on earth's bed.

These four my heart have always won,
Their graceful charm I always miss.
But still I save my love for one,
The season that my lips will kiss.

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Wondrous City

This wondrous city takes my breath away;
Protective walls help keep it free from dread.
It sends its riches far all night and day,
On flowing rivers filled with ships of red.

Its athenaeum holds a treasured scroll,
Which guides its work precisely from the start.
Its bustling center always in control,
Provides instructions for its world to chart.

When enemies attempt its walls to breach,
It sends a signal to its armies, fight!
Surrounding them with greatest rapid reach,
They slay the hordes before they spread their blight.

Designer of this city, You I praise;
Your work is wise, of this my lips will tell.
In awe my mind and eyes will ever gaze,
This wondrous fort, the humble human cell.

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The Last Red Tear

The old tree holds one last red leaf,
For autumn's dance has been too brief.
Now winter waits to claim the stage,
To share with all her white motif.

I stand beneath that ancient tree,
And hope the leaf the wind won't free.
It stands on guard while autumn smiles,
Forestalling winter's early spree.

But as all leaves before this guard,
Whose reddish face the wind has scarred,
Its strength to hold the gate will fail,
And then the door will be unbarred.

As winter's breath draws ever near,
The leaf gives way to her cold cheer;
Now winter spreads her dress of white,
For fall has shed her last red tear.

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Shades of Gray

My mind in darkness walks alone,
No friend to talk to as I groan;
No words to spur my weakened legs,
No hands to lift my arms of stone.

My eyes are drawn to shades of gray,
No colors, tints, but hues of clay,
No rainbow arch after the rain,
No crimson lips with which to play.

My heart is weak, but wants to fight,
To fend despair and leave this night,
To see tomorrow's dawn arrive,
And kiss a day of colors bright.

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Beautiful Fall

Beneath the smiling sun she sprightly walks,
Enchanting all who view her rainbow dress.
Alluring us with colors she unlocks,
Uplifting hearts in wait of winter's stress.
The tints of blue and brown, majestic red,
Imbue the land with life where steps she takes.
Fall brings her palette full of joy to spread,
Until the trees are clothed with winter flakes;
Leaves spring to blazing life before they shed.

Fall feeds the eyes and minds as winter nears,
And loads our souls with strength until the spring.
Like singing birds in flight when summer cheers,
Let autumn's charming days move you to sing.

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Florence

From far away she slowly walks,
Her shrieks of anger rise and climb.
She rides the ocean as she stalks,
And traps the day in lightless time.

Across the vast expanse she goes,
Her windswept hair of clouds her crown.
Beyond her breath are cries of woes;
Her angry tears small islands drown.

She reaches land in darkened skies,
The trees all shake their heads in fear.
Undressed and scared as waters rise,
They start to moan, for death is near.

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You Are Not Alone

Sift the hurried ticks of time,
Seek to rise above the fray.
Life without a goal to climb,
Makes the heart an easy prey.
Frailty seeks the mind to numb,
Bitter words from lips to flow.
Selfish hearts to greed succumb,
Stand your ground against this woe.
Loss of faith will set ablaze
Pain that stirs to doing wrong.
Glimpse your life through better days,
Hope is sure to keep you strong.
Self-respect gives sense of worth;
Take good care of those who groan.
Grant no space for hate to birth;
Cling to hope, you're not alone.

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Songs of Sunset

The sunset calms my mind this ending day;
It bathes me in its red and orange blush.
Field crickets start to chirp at fading ray;
The trees ring out with songs, a lovely thrush.

This chorus joined by robins then inspire
Poetic words that flow as if a song.
My heart is filled with lyrics set on fire,
Which moves my lips to join this splendid throng.

When day and night complete their graceful dance,
And hues begin to fade as light seeks sleep,
The stars and moon applaud this grand romance,
Then smile with sparkling lights while dreams I reap.

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Autumn's Dance

Autumn dances on the field,
Flowing dress a golden brown.
Trees observe and colors yield,
Leaves they shed, her feet to crown.

Cooler days she brings with her,
Smiling softly as she whirls.
Squirrels prance below a fir;
Young men sing to lovely girls.

Parents and their children play;
Couples share a tender kiss.
Kites above cavort away,
Twirling with the wind in bliss.

Seasons come and seasons go,
Summer left, now autumn shows;
Winter waits her turn to glow,
Standing by for autumn's close.

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When Eyes Seal Shut

When night sore eyes with darkness veils,
Hope enters halls where dreams are born;
Endearing sights the mind replays,
Naively seeking life once torn.

Entreating songs the lips intone,
Yet words will only wounds incite;
Endemic to all darkened dreams,
Seduction taunts sad hearts at night.

Soon darkness sleeps and signals dawn,
Erasing plays no one recalls;
Afraid of grief that pains the soul,
Love quests to flee these dreary halls.

So strive to find your way back home,
Help heal a soul that cries in pain;
Upend the past, invite true love,
Take heart and seek new life to gain.

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A Summer Day

A white summer dress sways in the gentle breeze,
As the hot sun bathes with warmth the land it roams.
Light winds play with the leaves of towering trees,
A leafy haven where birds will build their homes.

Fresh blooming flowers in scented garments glow,
And perfume the air as hummingbirds fly low.
Couples spread their blankets on the grassy field;
They sense summer's touch as their hearts to love yield.

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Summer Tears

The angry sun was scorching lovely earth,
As rays of August stained her verdant gown.
She sought an end and so to clouds gave birth,
To clothe her form in garb as soft as down.
With harsher heat the sun began to frown,
And heaped upon her form its glaring ray.
Her anger roared with thunder all around,
Which lit the sky as clouds she turned dark gray;
She burst in waves of tears, that blazing summer day.

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When Heaven Speaks

Night returns, and I gaze the sky;
The heavenly grandeur then speaks.
I listen intently, and sigh,
For such grand beauty I hold high;
There, now a star in silence streaks.

I smile and wonder where is He,
The one who set celestial laws
When He created all I see.
Some would say there is only we,
But should I deny just because?

When I observe what nature tells,
In awe I see design in all,
From grandest stars to tiny cells.
And now, as heaven shows what dwells,
I sense just why we are so small.

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A Voice In The Night

When night had set in quiet darkened gray,
He sat upon his bed in startled stare,
For he had heard a voice, a ghastly bray,
Which kept his mind awake in great despair.

He knows not where the voice is in the room,
But feels the words from lips his soul debase.
With burning ears his mind hears words of doom,
Which cause his heart to run a frightful race.

The voice derides his mind with taunting clack,
In fright his eyes engage to find the groan.
He comes upon the mirror staring back,
And sees his lips then move, the voice his own.

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Thundering Cries

Earth shades her eyes
From the brilliant sun;
Copious tears wet her gown
As thundering cries are heard.

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I Await

A child I was when upon my bed I called out to you,
For I had dreamt a life of void where I no longer was.
No existence, nothingness, was what haunted my dream;
To bear that thought I could not, of no longer being.
Fear, fear quite deep and numbing embraced me;
Its coldness reaching into the deepest part of my being.
But this fear, this agonizing fear, you removed from me,
And replaced it with hope, such a wonderful hope!
A hope of redemption, a hope of renewal, a hope of life!
But not just life that passes like mere wisping smoke;
This life, this wonderful gift you promise, is eternal,
Like the one Adam squandered along with his wife,
When he selfishly chose to turn his back on you.
It's been years since that night, when you answered my call,
And still that wonderful hope burns deep within me.
I know that you will bring your promises to fruition,
That your words of comfort will not go unfulfilled.
Till then, I patiently wait, no longer in fear,
No longer a terrified child crying upon his bed,
But a man, a gray-headed man, who awaits your call.

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And Heaven Cried

Fertile fields once full of pride,
Dying lands from thirst have dried.
Now undressed, laid bare and sad,
Verdant gowns their form once clad.

Clouds approach from far away,
Silent prayers the valleys send.
Bursts of tears then fall that day;
Heaven cried, the land to mend.

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When Spring Arrives

The songs of birds are heard outside
As spring arrives, a sprightly bride.
The budding flowers smile with pride,
Their brilliant colors amplified.

Soft rain falls on the grassy side,
Where verdant blades sprout high and wide.
The rabbits now with food supplied,
Step out with youngsters unified.

The insects crawl the countryside,
All types and shapes and brightly dyed.
Now squirrels play in turn beside
The leafy trees, then branches ride.

I smile as spring serves as a guide
Of nature's beauty magnified.
Tonight I'll dream, quite satisfied,
That spring this day with love replied.

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The Signs

See the signs as they arise,
Increasing quakes, reports of wars;
Godless hearts now mock the faith,
Near to death, they ignore the four.

Offensive words pour out from lips,
Fomenting strife and warring cries.

The signs they now refuse to heed,
Heaping scorn in ranting screed,
Enticing hearts to crave what's bad.

Toward the end the horsemen charge,
In steps with words of prophesy;
Men of faith recorded light,
Enlightened hearts are given sight,
See the signs as they arise.

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Puerto Rican Child

The island, Puerto Rico, my sweet home,
Where happy children played with homemade toys,
And ripened mangoes layered smiling lips.
What joyous time for wide-eyed girls and boys!

Our humble house on sturdy stilts was built,
To face the rising floods the rains would bring.
But into brownish waters I would swim,
Not knowing yet of nature's ugly sting.

The stiffened wind would sail my flying kite,
As chicks and ducks had eyed my widened smile.
It seemed they feared that I would fly away,
And meet the kite to play above the isle.

And after play when hungry I would be,
The fruiting trees would samples to me give.
Delightful songs from mother I would hear,
A call to home, in dreams I still relive.

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Paradise

Lost by two who wrongly
Selfish thoughts embraced;
They then brought death
Upon their children,
Through sin's infernal stain.
Until a selfless one his life
In love laid down to cover sin,
Gave hope to those
Whose faith is true,
That paradise
Will be regained.

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The Unknown Path

The early morning fog clouds his vision,
Yet he can make out her outline
Within the shroud of the heavy mist.
Her divine figure entices him to join her,
While she also signals with a finger to follow.
He is hesitant to traverse this unknown path,
But her smile, like a beacon welcoming
Weary seafarers, seduces his senses,
And so he complies with her request.
In what seems like hours, he follows her,
His heart craving the delights she promises;
So blinded is he in his singular pursuit,
He does not notice their space never narrows.
Then in the distance he hears the familiar
Wails of a siren, warning him to return.
But he already knows it is too late,
For he is now lost in his dream.

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Lady Winter

I saw lady winter walking past me;
Her alluring luminescence held me captive.
Spellbound, I watched as she silently danced,
Carpeting in white what surrounded her.
When she finished, soft cotton dressed the foliage
And light bounced gloriously in every direction.
I sensed only warmth radiate from her body
As she stood still to examine her handiwork.
She closed her eyes and sensuously smiled,
Then captured the moment and froze it in time.

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Lady Spring

It is now nearing April,
Yet lady winter still cleaved,
And so I asked lady spring
Why this lover she deceived.
I enjoyed the balmy days
She warmly showered with glee,
So why does she now delay
Her luscious kisses on me.
With a beckoning finger
She called at my heart,
And smiling, softly whispered,
"My warmth I'll impart."
She promised me her sister
Would be finishing her spree,
And that soon she would depart,
Sending spring back to me.

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Lady Summer

My sweetheart; how I've missed her smile!
Her sultry arms I long to greet.
With warmth my heart she does beguile;
Without her kiss I'm incomplete.

Her dress of silk is deepest green,
Adorned with blooms of many shades.
Her bonnet blue, O so serene!
Her crown of clouds the sky parades.

The birds all fly around her form,
And land upon her lovely hand.
They then with eagerness perform
Majestic ballads 'round the land.

Her loving touch renews my soul;
I close my eyes and feel her kiss.
Her warm embrace now makes me whole;
With lady summer I'm in bliss.

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Lady Autumn

When playful summer waves her last goodbye,
A wonderful change envelops the landscape;
The stately trees begin their annual blush,
Creating a grand painting all behold in awe.
As I admire the wondrous palette of colors,
The artist comes into view, lady autumn;
She waves her hands to and fro, adding
Shades of red, orange, yellow and blue.
She is truly a beautiful sight to behold!
Her auburn hair freely flowing as she dances
Across the fields; her soft laughter and
Sensuous smile fills my heart with delight.
Lovely lady autumn completes her artwork
As the air cools and the days grow shorter;
And now a spectacular panorama warms the eyes,
Inviting couples to happily walk hand in hand.
Lady autumn smiles as she inspects her masterpiece,
Then notices my astonished eyes on her form;
She approaches, and with a soft kiss on my cheek
Tells me, "with colors I have made love to you."

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The Night Maiden

On a moonlit night he saw her,
A vision of beauty unlike any
He had seen on his many walks.

Her sheer gown sways in the
Evening breeze as her hair plays
With the whispering wind.

Her poised and voluptuous figure
Makes his heart race like a stallion
On an open field; it craves her!

She glances over her shoulders,
A sublime smile signaling a welcome.

With unsteady yet wary steps
He begins his journey towards her,
Eager to be embraced by this maiden.

As he nears her she extends her arms,
Ready to receive him into her bosom;
But his quest is then abruptly ended
When awakened by his clock's alarm.

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God's Arms

The requiem tears her heart
As memories flood her mind.
She lost her mate to death,
With woe she's been confined.

In grief she calls to God,
In the stillness of the night,
To soothe her injured soul,
A mind in tortuous plight.

In pain she begs and pleads,
And hopes He clearly hears,
The mournful cries of a child,
Whose bed is filled with tears.

When alone she greatly felt,
And woe infused her heart,
His soothing voice she heard,
A calm it did impart.

Her Father heard her cries,
And eased from her what harms;
Then restful was her sleep,
While cradled in His arms.

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Life's Chapters

Life is a book of many chapters;
Some relate stories of a happy childhood,
Playgrounds, ice cream trucks, and friends,
While others of awkward teenage crushes
When love is but a passing mist.

Yet others tell of unshackled pain
Expressed by sad and broken hearts,
When words on paper are unchained,
And with tears the ink bleeds like cuts.

But there are also chapters of true love,
Where hearts entwine and merge as one,
And the words 'lived happily ever after'
A wonderful reality becomes.

Which chapter should I turn to tonight?

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Reflection

The old man examines the youngster staring
back at him.

His innocence is striking, a gentle smile
adorning his cherubic face; a child,
without pain in his heart.

Not having experienced the scars of life,
he seems contented, happy that his
world is whole, where nothing is missing.

The old man so wishes to counsel him, to
offer instructions to guide this child,
to be a shining light on the precarious
road ahead.

Yet, he is powerless to help;
to show the child the pits he should avoid,
and the lessons he should treasure;
the friends he should keep,
and those he should leave behind;
to reveal the times he will fall in love,
and the times his heart will be torn asunder.

He wants to extend a sheltering hand,
To offer the wisdom that comes with
tested age; but he is unable to do so.

They share a knowing smile as tears well in
his old eyes.

Overwhelmed by sadness, aware they have to part,
their hands reach out, and their fingers touch;
he then bids the child goodbye,

as he walks away from the mirror.

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Scars

How often we cry whilst
We stare at our scars;
No, not the physical ones,
But the scars of the heart.
An old photo on the bureau
Of happier times when two
Hearts had merged as one.
A nuanced fragrance whispering
At our senses while walking
Alone in a crowded park.
A glance from a stranger whose
Likeness triggers images
Of a treasured past.
Do not despair,
For painful as those memories may be,
They remind you that you are alive,
And can love again.

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The Hummingbird

I opened my eyes,
And there she was,
The hummingbird.

Funny how fragile she seems,
Yet so powerful in flight.

I gaze in amazement as she hovers,
Searching for that one flower
To give her what she desires.

Selectively, carefully, she searches.

The hummingbird;
What a beautiful creature.

As I admire her,
I can't help but wonder,
What if I'm the flower she searches for?
I smile, and close my eyes.

No creature compares to her;
The hummingbird.

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Web of Lies

Much too often a lie becomes truth in
The minds of those spinning the web;
False words and contrived emotions
Are laced with unfeeling acid tears.
This is their clothing, spun from lies,
To shape the true feelings of another,
And sate their own cowardly notion
Of what is right and what is wrong.
But in reality their lies unravel quickly
When faced with a stand from the strong;
It is their own web that holds them captive,
Yet too blind they are to see this truth.

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Words In A Poet's Heart

A poet's heart is like a singing room,
Where verse, emotion meet, and songs compose.
A pen records what moves the poet's mind,
Although at times a wall the words oppose.

The dreams to paint on paper slowly fade,
And sadly, dried of ink remains the quill.
So strong the craving to record the dreams,
The poet prays a story to instill.

Then like a river's water running deep,
That flow unhindered to the waiting sea,
The poet seeks to tear the wall which hides
The lyrics that the heart wants to set free.

And so the poet peers the world around,
Where melody inspires psalms from above;
Delightful are the words the heart recites,
And then the pen to paper makes sweet love.

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Angel L Villanueva

Though I occasionally write in free verse, the form does not appeal to me as much as the rhythmic flow of meter and rhyme found in structured, formal poetry. I prefer simplicity of words in my poems, but equally enjoy poetry where more elegant words and expressions are skillfully used.

While many of my poems have been written in the first person, not all are autobiographical.

I have included images with the poems. Hopefully they will add to your reading enjoyment.

To read a poem, click on its thumbnail image.

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