A haunting hallway of portraits,
introspections of who I once was,
multiple players in various roles,
is the true person here? Can one find the woman
intended to be before life harshly assaulted me?
A parody or a performance or, perhaps, a caricature,
a study in twisting realities,
does a genuine being manifest here?
Suddenly shattered glass reveals
the scarred reflection that truly is me.
Nette Onclaud, sponsor
Finish In Ten Contest
Date of poem - June 30, 2026
The violin seems to float in space, the bow
slipping and sliding over my heart, the glow
of tears falling down to earth, yet it stirs
the silent wings of butterflies, fluttering as if
pulling an endless thread from my silhouette.
A dark gypsy soul with the moon shines, arms
push and pull each note, like a sullen lullaby.
The knockabout on ebony waves, shoulders the weight
with a mystery of long raven hair, ruthless sadness.
Vibrations of vibrancy, beautifully rumble in the ear,
creating introspections of smoke and mirrors. The years
ebb and flow, the fear long gone, steel tears flow.
The song is sung, not with rhetoric, but rhapsody.
The violin
of old
seems
to float
in space
the bow…
Quite far we have traversed, in pursuit of goals we chose,
Through troubles and trepidations of seasons in throes;
Sometimes reveling sunshine, sometime in glum of shadows,
Always together~ on barren terrains, or verdant meadows.
In albums of yore, we ruminate now, turning pages of life,
Banishing anguish of feelings-forlorn, fuming in strife;
Reminiscing in moments passionate, of love sublime,
Treasured in memories-beloved, accumulated over time.
Harboring wisdom, inlaid in life’s waning phase, as we age,
In realms of reflections, insights-sapient, now we engage;
Learning from knowledge gained, from choices we made,
Accepting with grace, laments of secrets, as yet unsaid.
Regrets unmitigated, voice remorse of unuttered sigh,
Seeking empathy from goodwill of repentant goodbye;
As life tallies good versus bad, that introspections confide,
Eying a tranquil state of mind, devoid of hate and pride.
It’s time to reflect, it’s time to mend, it’s time to befriend,
As journey of life, beaming content, approaches its end;
Living final days in covenants revered, humbly we penned,
Elevating self, in peace of bliss, to heavens we shall ascend.
In my poems you will find
Introspections from a worldly mind.
Some are pensive, some are kind,
But they helped me pass my time.
I hope that you’ll enjoy my wit,
And don’t consider me a twit.
By the time you read my poems all through,
You’ll find that I am very much like you.
In my poems, you will see
Life’s dominant personalities.
As words poured freely from my mind,
These personalities slowly were defined.
Some thoughts are flippant, and some are tender,
Some are distant, but still rendered.
Most are harmless, but some are lethal,
And some were borrowed from other people.
Some poems are passionate, yet filled with strife
And though not pretty, they’re part of life.
Some will leave you open-eyed.
So, buckle up for a sentient ride.
*Image of New Level of Morality by CharN.
The March of Us
A time that possesses my introspections,
contributes a pastime,
noting parents made donations,
~The March of Dime.
That coinage seemingly flipped from then to now,
new technology prime,
trials social media vow
~The March of Time.
Hollywood legends are noxious, paid, and made
silver screen pantomime,
chaos begets morals decayed,
~The March of Crime.
Protect the innocence from the innocent,
offbeat nursery rhyme,
as to culture spiral descent,
~The March of I'm.
The motivation for our rebelliousness,
increased in our lifetime,
reversal roles to righteousness
~The March We Climb.
2023 January 22
*RZ & HMS; following Constance format
Please speak to me of love in gentle tone,
That I may recall her voice in your inflections
Never were her words shrill or monotone,
But sweet like honey-frosted confections,
She spoke to me with love and sincerity
In phrases coming from her introspections.
She and I conversed in contented solidarity
I so miss those times of sharing intentions,
When together we searched for our verity.
And, sometimes, we cast aside conventions
Speaking in intimate terms only we knew
We were our sole-partnered redemptions.
Once again I yearn to hear her words so true.
SECOND PLACE WINNER
Written July 5, 2022
Submitted to "The Meaning of Love" poetry contest
Sponsored by Anoucheka Gangabissoon
symbolic
surreal
introspections
inspirations
in the complex
radiant
poetic pastel
peinture contemplative
juxtapositions
deep imaginings
as tonal treats
in the eye
unique
dreamlike
symbolistique
symbolic
surreal
introspections
inspirations in the
complex
colour
radiant the poetic
pastels
peinture
contemplative
in juxtapositions
of deep
imagings
as
tonal treats
in
the
eye
The moon did not show
up in the night sky
Rolling down to light my path
with a car beam
As the stars shone I walked alone
The whole world was fast asleep
An unkempt friend of mine
Walked with me thoughts entwined
And asked to see the hidden world
I had lost within me.
3.2.2021
Sponsor: Brian Strand
Contest:All Yours Feb 2(1st Place)
imagery&rhyme
&
symbols of sound
in the poetic
found
in childhood memory
assonance&allusion
a fusion
embodied
blended
perceived
received
as
a
human experience
an inward
quality
to colour
forever
indelibly
frozen
imprinted
unerased
introspections
spots of time
of
yours&
mine
Birth of a pearl on a stelliferous night.
Amidst, shimmering iridescence, crepuscular morphing light.
Beautiful fireflies dancing to the tune of “aye!”
Dressed in white, gracefully gleaming bright.
Queen of gems, quietly arrives,
with ultimate sophistication to rule the sky.
Showering amplifying mystical powers.
Silver rainbow of your purifying light,
Steeps into me and make me glow.
Bestowing equanimity and self-control.
Ripples of your vibes, ignite my soul.
You and I entwined with a beautiful tie.
Silent converse and profound insight.
You control the rhythm of my tides.
Healer of my wreak havoc emotions.
Guiding my intuitions and introspections.
O! Ruler of the Oceans!
Accept my boundless devotion.
06/03/2019
Liquid Luna Lace Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Chantelle Anne Cooke
Sometimes the suffering
seems extreme,
for the crime we often
do not know...yet
sensing a wrong
in the core
of our being--
Sometimes we know
we got off easy,
for the wrong
did not deserve
our freeing--
Between such oscillation
lenience then consternation
On one “Sometimes”
should all agree:
Between every two
introspections
at the least
there should be three.
“An Aching for the Cosmos”
I’ve fount fault
With finding fault
For days and days uncounted
Washed away his beach of wonder
After an introspections over
What world has wonder brought?
To sinking ship and shoveling sun
All dreams are broken pieces
Fallen apart for shame and speechless
When will this earth then dead fall?
Turn round from life withdraw
skinned green trees
bleeding ghosts
fallen leaves
inner disquiet
unchartered journeys
love is an ocean
arent we scapegoats
following the footsteps
of fermented purple grapes
prisoners of intoxicated embrace
existential angst retrospections
naked honest introspections
i am kissing the painted
red guitar from spruce
trees are speaking
aug 31 2016
3.51 pm
Some friends I know are loathe to share
Affections for these word inflections
Try as I may they seem to scare
At thoughts of further introspections
If they should pry their headphones high
Peruse the verse their tune relies
They just might feel the big reveal
The rhythmic zeal and fresh appeal
Within the rants they wryly chant
Just maybe then all won’t be lost
They may just pick up Robert Frost
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