FanStory.com - Heart Crafted Poems

FanStory.com
"Heart Crafted Poems - 2023"

Prologue
Destiny's Child

By JLR

Destiny’s Child by JLR

Dad left one day, unseen. Mom shed no tears.
Alas, intense despair ablaze, she steamed.
When you did speak, I swore I heard some cheers,
between long gaps of sleep, you cried, then dreamed.

Of what, of where, or when and who was lost

as you sighed some and tossed, then turned again.

I thought dad was the cause; a drawn line crossed

which made him mad and brought upon this bane.

Life did improve, with joy beyond sad days.
At times smiles beamed most days again for us,
Aloneness then would stoke your flames crossways.
Then strain from loss regained its grasp; you’d fuss.

As son, I watched you try to hold your calm,
to bear this fate in stride, no more a bride.
But what was most concrete you were my mom.
My rock, to my relief, you would not hide.

Much change did swamp our lives, our hopes each day
You strode beyond your loss and were okay.

You strode beyond your loss and were okay.
That just is how, indeed, unwed moms are.
So right, because inflamed is not the way
to move ahead and seek your guiding star.

Your time demanded twice more the resolve
to put distress far off, behind yourself.
Because neglect was not a choice to solve
the need's of, and time, for the lone child itself.

In truth, immense morale displayed is seen
when one foot falls ahead, with head held high
to teach the way how to be kind, not mean
or harsh through all the highs and lows and why.

Oh sure! Days have some downs. This we all know.
A job, long hours, cooked meals, house clean, clothes washed.
Each task, a day, then weeks, then months, this though
would make the best of men want to get sloshed.

Therein the rub is felt he was no saint
As you always applied mature constraint.

III

As you always applied mature constraint
and used calm words with folks, inanely odd,
perhaps at times, some things required restraint.
so much I learned perceiving your slight nod.

Unawed by these diverse, so-called, wise seers
who told you how to thrive alone and think.
My world was kept unjudged, unchained for years.
I felt your trust, your love untried, in sync.

Does time heal all chagrin and soothe the soul
like salve atop deep wounds that heal within?
inside scars were not seen, just a black hole.
Encased in pain your wounds keep you shut in

But then, when dreams of hurts befell the eve
Your whimpers would be loud, at times, not still.
By chants of Psalms and praises, you would cleave
then rest, that brought you Peace bracing your will.

Would I, perchance, adopt a mind of hate
about the love that binds our lives by fate?

About the love that binds our lives by fate
How might you act by my attempt to know
around that night when you both were irate.
Such wrath not seen before, his strike, that blow.

Then gone, as like the wind from east to west
that seemed to sweep away, as he were naught,
alike soft sighs not heard in a steel chest,
he was beyond extinct - here then, then not!

So, what then binds a child and mom for years
while this boy child grows up, becoming keen?
Is it our fate that binds or just moms’ tears
that kept the urge to know of sighs unseen?

To spend my life with some holes not filled in

has led me to my own made-up tall tale,

to set my own created world ... was spin.

When asked." Who is your dad?' I would set sail.

But now, you have been laid to rest at last
I find more time to clean and purge the past.

I find more time to clean and purge the past.
Despite the dread incurred, I start, as thoughts
ascend, descend from start to end. Aghast
I search. A thing, a place, a time; the dots.

In your ensuite, that faint aroma hangs
a bit on this and that, the dress, a coat.
My mind records then block away those pangs
of guilt, some fear, my loss, those years afloat.

On your nightstand, a King James sits, well used.
I search the books; then some caprice took hold
of me, that shook my core that God excused
all words you held locked in your heart controlled.

Within the Book of Ruth, a note was sealed.
Surprised, with much unease, my hands embraced
the prize with great suspense but, with much Grace
for this must hold the uncanny foretaste

The note began Dear Son; you shall now find
the truth you sought spun in a web confined

The truth you sought spun in a web confined
is on the shelf above the stack of shoes
a cache I kept for all these years defined
in cards and notes from him to me, the clues.

With great suspense, I am intense from bliss
to hold at last in my two hands these posts
composed by who? Compiled by you, for this
precise event you had foreseen the most.

I find some stains; perhaps your tears had made
with dates before you wed that man, my dad?
About that time, he wrote I shall upbraid
no one, dear mom. I ache to know this cad.

A card you wrote, unsent, sealed by a kiss
is last unread, my eyes close tight, so sad
that the tearstains blot out your words, not his,
but know, my love, waiting would be quite bad.

I must, you know, get wed, and soon, my knight
my fate is pledged to wed without delight.

VII

My fate is pledged to wed without delight…
How your unsent words touched me, dearest mom.
Encumbered by vows sworn with wants not right
The path you chose, you met with much aplomb.

So now, mom, I thirst and will thirst non-stop
to know about the man you loved renounced
and who, it seems, your tryst made you flip-flop.
Abstruse! To swap his love for wealth announced.

Confused, my mind resists attack with rage,
because, at last, prolonged travail has ceased,
for you, and I now freed; unknown outrage.
of lives asunder torn by shame, at least.

With you now dead, you win the cake you baked

but left me to put icing on my slice,

how nice to unravel the life I faked.

I smile, when all the while you paid the price.

But now I know the grounds and why the airs!
Dad left one day, unseen. Mom shed no tears.
----------------------------------------------------

Author Notes A Crown of Heroic Sonnets

A tragic tale:
A unmarried woman in love gets pregnant, marries another man in a pre-arranged marriage, divorces and raises her son, carrying her secret to the grave, leaving a note found by the son to reveal her deep secret.

A Heroic Sonnet is an iambic pentameter based poem that adds a heroic couplet to either two Sicilian octave stanzas or four Sicilian quatrain stanzas. In other words, it's eighteen lines of iambic pentameter broken into three or five parts with the last part being a couplet. The rhyme scheme is a,b,a,b,a,b,a,b - c,d,c,d,c,d,c,d - e,e OR a,b,a,b - c,d,c,d - e,f,e,f - g,h,g,h - i,i.
Thanks for the use of Through the Eyes of Love by cleo85 on FanArtReview.com

Chapter 1
Love at First Sight

By JLR

In line, I gazed unseen. You were alone.

Such deep allure bewitched my heart and soul.

That tilt of head, kind smile, your sweet cologne

induced me, now together on we stroll.

Along the path of life, betrothed, our hands

avowed as one, conjoined we walk through life.

Bequeath for time eternal, our gold bands

that binds two souls, our hands, both hearts, dear wife.

Indeed, aware I may advance above,

I will be sure to etch your face each day

on all the stairs above, so all, my love,

will know that you, my bride, are brought my way.

You won my heart at once; indeed, again,

immense romance renews each day, amen!

Author Notes a-b-a-b, c-d-c-d, e-f-e-f, g-g
iambic pentameter
thanks for the use of Fluttering Hearts Valentine by helvi2 on FanArtReview.com

Chapter 2
Fear not ...

By JLR

Release
your fear!
Know that
you are
a child
of the
Great I AM!

Author Notes Syllabic count: 2,2,2,2,2,2,3

Thanks for the use of Nature Sees by helvi2 on FanArtReview.com

Chapter 3
Best attributes of my bride

By JLR

Else I crash upon the rocks of the shoals of troubling words
I write from the deepest pools of life-giving waters that have
guided me throughout thirty-nine years of marriage.

Because the attributes of what I believe are those
that I like best about a woman are my perceptions
and uniquely mine
that would encompass the culmination of
a life-worth-living relationship with my bride,

Who is ...
A woman of great integrity,
who possesses values which she adheres to no matter what,

A woman who is gracious,
Who does things automatically out of the goodness of her heart,
seeking no reward or recognition,

A woman who does not seek to change me
But rather, inspires me to be a better version of me,

A woman who is nurturing,
But please don't confuse this with "taking care of"
or mothering,

A woman who values self-care
Who stays the course to make herself feel good,
look good,
be refreshed
and focused,

A woman who is not of the jealous type
who values trust in our relationship,

A woman who brings laughter into our relationship
who can just as easily laugh at herself as at life's
peculiarities,

A woman who is forgiving
that allows me to squeeze, not roll
the tube of toothpaste,

A woman who is fun to be around
that still holds my hand and lets
me open doors for her

A woman who is not vindictive
nor holds grudges and lays blame.

A woman of compassion
who has been trusted with my deepest and darkest pain.
A "safe place" to lay my head,

A woman who displays great kindness,
one of her most incredible qualities,

A woman who encourages others
offers words that help and support to
they and I to accomplish things we would
never attempt on our own,

A woman who is loyal.
Simply stated, "She has my back."
Through thick and thin times,

A woman who always seeks to be better,
who accepts what she can not change
about herself but always strives
for self-improvement,

Quite simply,
These are what I like best about
a woman, my bride!

Author Notes A Contest Entry in Free Form Verse
Thanks for the use of Romancing Dawn by Wolfdancer13 on FanArtReview.com

Chapter 4
Constant change

By JLR

Though the oak stands bare
while in winter's cold, firm grasp
like us, constant change is sure.

Author Notes A 5,7,7 poetry contest entry
thanks for the use of A Winter Scene by VMarguarite on FanArtReview.com

Chapter 5
Spring has sprung

By JLR

The pages of the calendar whistled by this winter

carried by winds pushing us toward spring.

Heavy grey clouds, weighted with moist,

wet snow flung a tempest of flurries near and far.

On occasion, the sun peaked through and

teased us with its not-so-warm rays

but on some days more than others.

But it seemed to change –

like even overnight.

The darkness began shrinking away

while dawns became far brighter.

Then birds aplenty came flocking over

and I saw a bee teasing greening clover.

It was when the breeze settled

just past the ides of March

the calendar page had fluttered

over once more to March twenty-one.

Then I realized Spring has sprung …

Author Notes Contest: A Poem for Spring
Write a poem for spring. You can not use the words: flower, buds, blossoms, rain, new.
thanks for the use of spring day by shawn17 on FanArtReview.com

Chapter 6
Early Eagle

By JLR

Each new day pushes back the nights
an eagle soars high to new heights
regal, the word that comes to mind
little force is used in her flights,
yearning to sight her sought find.

Even hares knew her hunting sites
and were doomed if seen in her sights.
gods of the sky smiled down in kind
liking the order as designed;
eagles hunt; their natural rights.

Author Notes A Potlatch club entry: Acrostic Decima: the Decima form with an acrostic. *Write the two five letter words used in the poem vertically to start the line.

*Syllable Count: 8 syllables per line.
*Rhyme Scheme: a-a-b-a-b a-a-b-b-a.

Chapter 7
Storms

By JLR

It's winter here and there, perhaps.
So, anyone with eyes can see,
We, with ears to hear, can easily tell.

Sounds of winds as limbs collapse
Ice cycles into form as rain falls free.
It's winter here and there, perhaps.

This season's winter, nature's spell.
Storms of the soul visually foreboding,
So, anyone with eyes can see!

Sadness, a glum damp in life
Like winter storms that are goading
We, with ears to hear, can easily tell.

Author Notes A Potltach club entry: The only rule cascade poems have is that all lines in the first paragraph ultimately become refrains repeated at the ends of each subsequent stanza. meter is not required.

So if, for example, the first stanza has three lines with the lines represented as ABC, then there will be three more stanzas. The first will end with a repetition of line A, the second in B, and the poem as a whole will end with line C.
thanks for the use of: The Tempest by Raoul D'Harmental on FanArtReview.com

Definition: damp. ARCHAIC
a check or discouragement.

Chapter 8
There is time!

By JLR

I stand gazing into broken fragments,
visually uncertain as I strain,
to make sense of what lies before me.

The low-lying heavy mist cloaks
the many trails I have traveled
to witness this
stewing and brewing tempest
reminding me of my lonely heart.

The mysterious outcroppings
rock solid, steel gray, distant
smugly seem like metaphors
of my own making of storms.

They appear as a statement.
Each craggy, hollow self-creating,
look of stoic resignation,
enduring their manifest
hardships, weathering all
storms without complaining.

As I gaze atop these ancient
monoliths toward the slow
unveiling of far mountains,
I look to the right and see
a single giant outcropping.

As if it were a spiritual guide,
a deep soul-feeling connection
draws me to this solo obelisk.
With a sudden knowing,

I sense a personal dawning.

There is time,
To which I revel in this thought!
Thank God, there is time!

Author Notes A Picture this club entry in free verse form

Chapter 9
Quotes by Others Interpreted

By JLR

“Every man dies. Not every man lives.” ~ William Wallace

Between the first and last breath of life

All can choose, each day, the quality of being alive.

Therefore, catch the wind, and sail high waves into the afterlife.

“Try to be a rainbow in someone else’s cloud.” ~ Maya Angelou

Storms come and go for everyone, somedays.

So take rays of sunbeam wherever you go every day

be a sign of change to help ease their malaise.

“Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.” ~ Dr. Suess

Each and every tick of the secondhand

momentous events often flash across our minds.

At that moment, if not present, important events dull over time.

“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” ~ Leonardo da Vinci

Far too often, we tend to build the clock,

instead of looking at the timepiece

and simply tell someone the time.

Author Notes Poetry Contest
The topic for this poetry contest is Interpretations.

Thanks for the use of Thinking inside the box

Chapter 10
Look to the heavens

By JLR

Our galaxy, such as our meager minds can tell,

is contained in such a vast, unfettered form.

Spinning like a top across the cosmos, for eons

expanding, evolving, growing, dying,

planets and stars bound in dense rock cores.

In our finiteness on this planet called Earth,

we walk upon boulders that have born scars

and deep gouges grinding down great mountains.

The wages paid under the harsh sun, rains, winds,

unseen but ever-present are the volcanic steaming,

stewing cauldrons of alchemy spewing forth rocks.

Unsettling, for sure, is man’s doing.

Rocks, man sees not, are steadily binding, building,

growing, gnashing one plate upon another and another.

Then when Mother Nature herself has had enough

She tosses near-unimaginable volumes of rock

upward.

Only once again, over millions of years

we, humans, press and mold what we claim is ours.

Earth folded into metamorphic rock,

man calls coal, and polish as diamonds, or harvest

as marble, or watch floods shift sheeted layers,

densely formed limestone and sandstone wiping

out man’s houses, cars, and roads.

We are warned, the signs glaring.

Uncontrolled, excessive, never constrained,

Is this madness as mankind builds upon a rock,

using steel formed from rock. Then we seal

the seams in wet viscous rock-forming concrete,

All the while, we throw unimaginable

mounds of dollars made from the ever-shrinking

forests at the unknown, untested, long-term

solutions to save the Earth …

These all might not be the wise and surest

building blocks for a rock spinning round and round

in a galaxy with so much unknown... might I suggest

look to the heavens praying and explore.

Author Notes A free Verse about Earth

Chapter 11
Children's Spring

By JLR

You need no calendar to know,
Spring days are clearly on their way.
For weeks there is no hint of snow.
Though skies remain a constant gray.

As morning's early sunrise glows,
two squirrels in the Oak that sways
are busy building nests like pros.
Both safety hidden from hawk's gaze.

The pond is full of frogspawn growing.
In trees the nested birds are laying.
A pair of noisy crows are crowing,
"Spring comes, it comes!", is what they're saying.

Though skies remain a constant gray,
Spring days are clearly on their way.

Author Notes A childrens Poem
Meter 8/9 abab, cdcd, efef, BB
Thanks for the use of: Flower Farmers by DeeAyeJay on FanArtReview.com

Note: Frogspawn: a close group of frog's eggs, each egg being a small almost transparent ball with a black grain near its centre.
Field day: a day for outdoor athletic competition

Chapter 12
Forgive and Forget

By JLR

Forgive and forget!

------

These foster

personal

freedom!

Author Notes Poem in seven words or less than have impact.
Thanks for the use of Uplifted! by VMarguarite on FanArtReview.com

Chapter 13
Kersplat!

By JLR

On my walk today, I saw a toad

Who was trying hard to cross the road

But, was hit by a truck and did implode.

Author Notes A 25 word poem.
ribbit by Prophet972 on FanArtReview.com

Chapter 14
Tainted

By JLR

My tears are salty and do sting
Harsh words shoot from your rock and sling.
Your voice tosses salty mist
that blemishes your soft kiss.
Your cloak of love, thought so pure,
was fool's gold, a nasty lure.
My tears are salty and do sting
Harsh words shot from your rock and sling.

Author Notes A Potlatch club submission: The Octelle, is a poem consisting of 8 lines using personification and symbolism in a telling manner.

The syllable count for this verse is 8, 8, 7, 7, 7, 7, 8, 8,
The rhyme scheme is aa/bb/cc/aa.
The first two lines and the last two lines are identical.
Thanks for the use of: Diva by avmurray on FanArtReview.com

Chapter 15
Stay young

By JLR

Before life's hardness tainted dreams
young friends sat by a river's bank
sharing each one's big hopes and schemes
painting a canvas that is blank.

The three boys and a girl closely knit
awash in a scene of idle chat
bring smiles to passerby who gets it
before his life was hit by a brickbat.

Togetherness is everything
as time stands still while being young
I say, " grasp hold of youth," and sing.
Dream large, no matter how far-flung!

Author Notes A Picture this club submission -- A viewers perspective
A triple quatrain in ababcdcdefef rythme in 8/9 meter

Chapter 16
Deux Parts

By JLR

Part 1

I swear I dropped in on a breezy day.

The stork was surely blown off course.

For many hours I pondered whether I’d stay,

thinking people here were very coarse.

But soon, another child dropped in.

Thinking to myself,” Now that is a sin”,

and then two more; I just had to grin,

we huddled together through thick and thin.

Two lassies and one lad became kinfolk.

With our parents, who were on an inside joke.

Then each went our merry ways, very broke.

While over the long years, we barely spoke.

Part II

A man of seventy-two, family is my everything.

Securely bonded to a fantastic wife for forty years.

We have leaped over hurdles starting on a shoestring.

Enjoying far more joys than we have had tears.

God blessed us with three really cool kids,

without many overwhelming “Father forbids.”

Mother made home safe with landing skids,

making the study the rule to be whiz kids.

Season after season, our family has grown.

Grandchildren, we scored from seeds sown,

Not just one, but now we have eight … known.

If we had one more, be sure, we would not moan.

-----------------------------------------------------------

My family part one, many a lesson was learned,

… Most important, tough beginnings can be turned.

… Love your kids unconditionally, love will be returned!

… Family is something that should never be adjourned.

Author Notes Poem about Family:
Part 1 Three quatrains abab, cccc, dddd
Part 2 Three quatrains abab, cccc, dddd, eeee

Thanks for the use of Irradiated by John of the lab by Renate-Bertodi on FanArtReview.com

Chapter 17
Breathe

By JLR

Breathing
uncounted times
taking in the presence
of Mother Nature's majesty

soothes souls

Author Notes A cinquain poem contest entry

Chapter 18
Earth's Garden

By JLR

Long before mankind arrived down here
bright stars filled Earth's night sky in gold
So pure, each star.
It seemed, Earth slept.
Selene shone, broad lakes sparkled.
Trees feet drank from sweet streams.
Eagles arose above the hills so clear.
Each fluttering on warm breezes.
Abloom, plants and animals filled meadows.

But, then came manmade schemes.
In the blink of an eye, oh dear.
The stars' immense brilliance, appeared less bold
while at dark of night the owl wept.
Time ticked away.
Smoke, fumes, bombs, dis-ease, fear
so much disorder; morefold are killed
Actaeon's cries arose.
Eden collapsed,
beneath man's wrecking bar.
muting the creatures' wheezes.
As time elapsed,
the Great I AM said, "Stop, there is a better way!"

Author Notes A Potlatch Club Entry
This is my attempt at an Irregular Ode: a poem with meter (iambic) and rhyme just like all other odes except it has no set rhyme pattern, but EACH line rhymes somewhere throughout. Not quite there ...

Thanks or the use of The Garden of Eden by avmurray on FanArtReview.com

Notes: Selene: Sel e ne; the Moon
Actaeon: god of the wilderness, wild animals

Chapter 19
Elixir of Life

By JLR

Ornate blooms burst above receding snow
as the wet elixir quenches their deep thirst.
While warm rays seize the day, the sun aglow,
ornate blooms burst above receding snow.
New growth is seen on tips of leaves below.
Gray skies splash rains yet from another cloudburst.
Ornate blooms burst above receding snow
as the wet elixir quenches their deep thirst.

Author Notes A Triolet is a poetic form consisting of only 8 lines.

The 1st, 4th, and 7th lines repeat
and the 2nd and 8th lines repeat.
The rhyme scheme is simple: ABaAabAB, capital letters represent the repeated lines.
Thanks for the use of Raindrops on the Fuchsia by Susan F. M. T. on FanArtReview.com

Chapter 20
A Pitcher of Hope

By JLR

There’s Wisdom In Silence by Justin Farley

There’s wisdom in silence;

Silence breeds seeds of wisdom.

Knowledge pours in like an flowing pitcher

Of water into an empty basin …

------------------------------------------------

I stand away from the grueling noise

ever hoping to sneak a break, a pause

from the jangled taunts of a reeling mind

troubled by the increasing crime, the lost

souls screaming at demons there but unseen,

the twenty-four seven mouth pieces miss

because they are told don’t go there today,

nor tomorrow or any other day,

because the people's elect pretend

There's wisdom in silence ...

But the problems unseen, while far too great

to sweep into the dark, dank crevasses

in alleyways, under paths, and freeways

seen every day as we drive by

are cloaked in our sea of worry, and strain.

So that this “no news" just becomes “good news."

Even creating a false narrative

can be somewhat soothing as we sludge through

the daily dramas of our own making, but ...

Silence breeds seeds of wisdom.

However, as daunting as this might sound

tragic suffering, the hate turned to rage.

The senseless strains of today’s hopes and dreams;

youth lost in the vortex of failed systems,

elders caught in the vice of inflation,

and workers sitting on the bench wringing their hands.

Angry, their jobs just don't get the bills paid.

Each man, woman, and child can bring on change.

But each of us must keep our heads mindful ...

Knowledge pours in like an flowing pitcher

of water springing forth for thirsty souls

unsullied by man's greed and power lust

and egoic unconscious use of "free will."

It has been said 'oft "Hope springs eternal."

So, as bad as life has been presented,

you, me, or them must always cling to hope

like a life vest, driftwood, or boat,

knowing bad times have seemed hopeless before.

Just fill your soul full of hope, like a pitcher

of water into an empty basin.

Author Notes Quote 4 lines of a poem (not one of yours). Be sure to list the poem's title and the poet. Automatic DQ if not properly cited.
The 4 lines of the poem quoted become the last lines of your poem like this:
Line 1 is the last line of your first stanza
Line 2 is the last line of your second stanza
Line 3 is the last line of your third stanza
Line 4 is the last line of your fourth stanza

-Each of your stanzas is 10 lines long
-There are no hard and fast rules about syllable counts or rhymes. However, there are no variations in the format allowed either.

This Glosa poem entry written in free verse style

thanks for the use of Photo by J. Brouwer on Unsplash

Chapter 21
The Unknowing

By JLR

We know not what lies
ahead of this finite plane
but Know ... death comes next.

Author Notes A 5/7/5 poem about death

Thanks for the use of Dark Lady by cleo85 on FanArtReview.com

Chapter 22
Love Matters

By JLR

Love

matters

now!

perhaps

quests

rightly

stimulate

tense

undercurrents

virtually

whirling,

xing

zooming

abnormally

back.

Centered

deeply,

earnestly,

foolishly,

grappling.

Handsomely

intoxicated …

just

knowing

Love!

Author Notes An ABC poetic thought
LMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ;
ABCDEFGHIJKL

Thanks for the use of With a Heart for 2014 by avmurray on FanArtReview.com

Chapter 23
Night Lights

By JLR

Moonlight shines brightly.

Watch for Nightingale’s eyes gazing

Moons silvery light.

Catching sun rays

Dancing on the Moon’s surface

Night lights beam.

Author Notes This is a Collom Lune contest. A Collom Lune is different from a Kelly Lune. There isn't a syllable count like the Kelly Lune. In a Collom Lune there are 3 words in
the 1st line, 5 words in 2nd line, 3 words in the 3rd line. Each line can stand alone as a complete thought, or the lines can run into each other in a continuation of a
sentence or phrase from one line of poetry to the next stanza.

Thanks for the use of The Light of the Moon by cleo85 on FanArtReview.com

Chapter 24
Blind Faith

By JLR

I made a choice to walk this way
tuned out some to walk this way.
because I had tested their path
unsure to where.

Knowing I am going somewhere
that God has planned is built by faith
I made a choice to walk this way,
unsure to where.

I stumbled on those other walks
too much ill will, way too much gin
selfish and headstrong, never wrong.
Unsure to where.

Author Notes A Potlatch club submission.

The Baccresieza is: stanzaic, written in 3 quatrains.
* syllabic, L1, L2, L3 are 8 syllables and L4 is 4 syllables.
* refrained, L4 of each quatrain is a refrain and L1 of the first quatrain is repeated as L3 in the 2nd quatrain. The last 4 syllables of L1 are repeated as the last 4 syllables of L2 in the first quatrain only.
* rhymed, with a complicated rhyme scheme AaxB bxAB xxxB x being unrhymed.

Thanks for the use of: Hand Of Faith by VMarguarite on FanArtReview.com

Chapter 25
Daylight Savings Time?

By JLR

Don't laugh, 'tis not that I am old.
Springing forward I have no knack.
You’re losing an hour, I am told,
knowing that it’s the sleep I lack.

Don't laugh! Tell me how many years
has it been since you sprung forward?
I can say I received no cheers,
I find walking is straightforward.

Don't Laugh! Falling back would be worse!
Could mean my final day has come.
One might skip the nurse, call a hearse.
Making this chum, feel glum, or dumb.

Don't Laugh! We all want to save time.
When old, we want time to slow down.
We do know daytime and bedtime
But, my hour, quit clowning around!

Author Notes A rhyming poem; Four quatrains abab, cdcd, efef, ghgh

Thanks for the use of Memento Mori by avmurray on FanArtReview.com

Chapter 26
My search for the Leprechaun

By JLR

Sunrays danced on the water in Fergus bay,

as the Shannon flowed into the Atlantic Ocean,

My trek began as I rode north, then east today

through Feakle, then Scarfiff, pedaling in slow motion,

but, I soon waved farewell to County Clare,

looking back from up high, standing firm, I stare.

Across the Slieve Aughty mountains, I jog

where forested lands never meet a stranger,

but warning signs foretell: beware of the bog.

I rest reposed, like a dog in the manger,

near a Cloister, in the small village of Clonfert

before saying goodbye, not quite a convert.

Quick as a lark skipping most of RosCommon

I continue my trek and reaffirm my quest.

At a leisurely pace, perhaps like King Solomon,

by way of ShannonBridge, I restore my zest.

Across hills and dales along sheep-dog trails

deep in midlands of county Offaly, heard of in tales.

As luck would have it, in such a story as this one, or two

a Shepherd I met said, “ you’ll find your quest in Tullamore.”

He continued. “At the pub ask the barkeep for Tullamore Dew.”

So, I strode to the pub and had a pint, and said, “draw more!”.

Being bold, I then had a Dew, then, had another glass of brew.

Suddenly, I saw the Leprechaun! With brass buckles on his shoes.

Author Notes Poem format: Four Sestets ababcc

Note:
Tullamore, County Offlay: The town's most famous export is Tullamore D.E.W. - Triple Distilled Blended Irish Whiskey distilled by Tullamore Distillery that can be traced back to 1829.
Tullamore D.E.W. - Triple Distilled Blended Irish Whiskey

Thanks for the use of Today we are all Irish by avmurray on FanArtReview.com

Chapter 27
Dear Son

By JLR

Dear Child

So many times, my son, too many times, I must add, have your doubts, and fears often turned over to tears. Even though I felt your struggles deeply, I continued to respect the boundary that I set for myself and allowed free will to run its course.

My heart was and always is filled with such abundant love for the unique person that you are. As is the case for each of my children. Whom I equally love.

So often, I hear your pleas for forgiveness. My dear child, in writing you, I want these words to be read with the eyes of your over-soul and felt imbedded within your great big compassionate heart. You, my son, are forgiven.

You have been forgiven! Even before you transgressed, you were forgiven.

The very fact that you have called out my name from the darkest depths of your self-made Hell, I was and have always been with you! Sending you My shining Light to remind you I AM here.

You need not suffer. I am here for you. I am always with you.

Dear, dear son … fore -give yourself! Allow yourself to do the work from within. Only you can do this work. What, might you ask is the work?

The work is releasing yourself of any and all bonds that fetter, tie, bind, limit, distort, blind, and on and on. Let your divine self soar unbridled with the fullness of all the gifts of life.

Son, I hope you hold these words close to your heart today and in the remaining days of this lifetime. My dear child, know my love for you is now and ever eternal. So free yourself with this knowledge.

With Love

GOD

Author Notes A letter from God, entry

Note: Imwould like to, point out my intenti9nal use of fore-give. To be able to forgive someone. One must. Before (fore) give oneself.

Chapter 28
What a day!

By JLR

My, oh my! How many faces
does one need to make in a day?
The car will not start, why not frown
the tank is empty why not jeer?
But, the station is near so cheer!
You spill the coffee on the floor
does that make you a clumsy bore?
You find a big hole in your sole
so put some cardboard in the hole!
Always smile, it takes less muscle
knowing life is just one big hustle.

Author Notes A picture this club submission

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