These poems were posted here throughout the year on this forum, and I'd thought I'd reshare some of my favorites, Enjoy!


STILL

Can you hear it?

Come a little closer

Do you feel it?

It’s the sound of silence

stagnant, immobile

unmoving, motionless

and that is how the world

would be if we all stood

still and did nothing

to change the world.

-----


PERSEVERANCE

Perseverance is determination to the “Nth” degree
disguised as endurance in its fullest form.
With procrastination, fear, lack of motivation and
thoughts of possible failure being
unacceptable excuses for not reaching one’s
goals.

Perseverance applied diligently with confidence
and faith, are the key ingredients in achieving success
and accomplishing one’s dreams and goals.

-----


The Willow Tree
(Dedicated to the Mothers & Babies of Darfur)

Oh sleepy willow why do you weep?
You never seem to be in peace.
Your branches bend as though in pain
as I listen to your wain

I weep because I cannot sleep
nor will I ever be in peace
I weep for babies crying in pain
innocent victims of humanity's shame
caught up in man's selfish games

If I could move I'd give them love,
I'd even give their mothers' hugs
But it hurts me so, just to know
I could do nothing, to cure their woes.
I look at you, with limbs that move
and wonder..what if I were you?
Oh how I wish I could be you,
for just a day...a moment or two.

Oh woe is me as I stand still
I would help the world if nature
gave me the will,
but I am just a tree...
...standing still

Where is mankind, what has happened to love,
where is compassion or just giving hugs?
How can you sleep with the world in despair
have you no soul, no heart to share?

Oh woe is me as I stand still
I would help the world if nature
gave me the will,
but I am just a tree..
…standing still.





THE DEPTH OF MY SOUL

From the depth of my soul
I live the realities of life
Not afraid of its nakedness

I face all its boldness
and stand up against the
poisons of its “isms”
in its various forms,
as it tries desperately to
capture me with its chains
of hate, negativity and despair.
but fails, because the strength
and vigor of my spirit will never
stand “still” long enough for it to “own”
me.

Life’s blanket of hope, love, positivity and
compassion has embraced my heart
and soul with the strength of a Lioness
who protects her young against the hungers
of many.

I shall not bend, I shall not crawl and
"I will never give up my right" to speak
against what is not right in this life,
because the love that lives within
the ”depth of my soul” speaks for itself.

-----




BLESSED

Blessed are the hearts that embraces compassion
and love for humanity intertwined in their souls
With a thousand angels standing before them
guiding them through the daily evils and ills of the world
Their smiles sheds light on darkness and uplifts
those fallen to despair and tragedy.
The kindness of their souls gives hope,
warms a cold heart and mends broken spirits
The authenticity of their being transmits across
the universe like a shooting star streaming
across the sky and bursting with joy.
Blessed are the spirits of these beings
who share their existence with the world.

-----



THE WAIL OF THE OAK TREE





The oak tree holds decades of history
deep within the root of its trunk
Its branches stretch upwards, holding on fiercely to
untold stories of lives forgotten and unbeknownst
to the world.

The sound of the wind passing through the leaves and branches
sings the wailing song familiar to that of the poplar tree.
The tears, moans, pain, terror and the deep sorrows of a
mother’s cry over the senseless death of her son,
just for the crime of being one of God’s beautiful creations,
yet his existence unacceptable and deemed worthless to the evils
of some within mankind

Man? Kind? I often wonder of the marriage between the
two words. For is Man truly kind? The oak tree reveals that
untruth, for what maketh a man so evil that he cannot accept
the beauty of all God’s creations?

Each time the wind blows, the branches and leaves of the oak tree
continue to carry the wailing songs of a mother’s cry, as only the
sun in many a bright sky, and the moon in many a dark night,
bared witness to the days of those atrocities, and as the rain
begins to fall, it’s God’s tears filled with sadness, as he cries
over those lives lost at the hands of humanity.

-----


I MAKE NO APOLOGIES

I make no apologies
for speaking out against
the "isms" of society
I refuse to lay down
my dignity or go
against my beliefs,
to satisfy those whose
hearts are filled with
evil intentions that
consumes their souls
and poisons their
minds.

Hate is their daily bread
While love is mine
Positivity rules my day
but negativity becomes
their daily dose of happiness

Lonely are those souls filled
with pessimism and discontent
unlike those filled with joy
and enthusiasm for the appreciation
and blessings received in life


I make no apologies,
for I am not afraid,
I'm a rebel with
a defiant spirit and a
compassionate soul,
A warrior who speaks about
life’s truths, and refuses to accept
its false realities,
and despite criticism
from the naysayers
I will not be silent,
because I have a voice that
will be heard, that will be heard,
that..will..be..heard!

-----



WE

Many have mocked the events of the past
but what does that say about them?
If you or I were born at that time
would we have done what others
have done? Turn the other cheek
and choose to play blind to what they
desired not to see?

We are them and they are us
We are present and future and
they are our history
But we must stand for what they could not do
and hold love in our hearts and not harbor hate
for those who lack compassion, love or empathy

We must be strong despite the long, hard road
through the obstacles of life that leads to the
true path of humanity.

We have to right the wrongs and heal the
wounds that still carry the pains of the past
Nurture our souls and minds, not steal one's spirit,
while embracing our differences and similarities,
and we must pray that we can find a common bond
to reach that level of understanding that "We"
are all part of this human race.

-----




BLACK & WHITE

Black and White, 2 colors searching for space to claim

in an infinite universe as though there's

not enough room for one or the other

Injustice, struggle, distrust, confusion, power,

chaos, prejudice, fear of the unknown.

assumption, discrimination, disrespect, suspicion,

racism, anger, devastation, ignorance, violence and pain

and in between the Black and White lays the gray,

silently hoping that someday it can bring

understanding, love, respect and peace.[/i]


-----

LIMITATIONS


Accomplishing one’s goals is not done
by placing limitations on one’s life.
Limitations exists only if you allow them to
It’s like setting conclusions to your life
or a period at the end of a sentence..finality……
if you will.

You can touch the sky, if in your heart
you have a burning desire to reach for it,
You can claim the sun, if you stop
hiding behind its shades of opportunities
and step into its light and let it shine on
your capabilities
You can climb to the top of a mountain
if you move the rocks out of your path

Reject the “E” in Excuses, the “P” in
Procrastination and the “F” in Failure,
Take the “R” in Risks and the “ T ” in Try,
Own the “P” in Passion and the “B” in Believe
and there will be no limitations to what
you can achieve.

-----

CARIBBEAN SUN

As the sun rises, its glow
reflects like diamonds over the turquoise
waters of the Caribbean, while the ocean's waves
performs its daily dance to the tune of its own symphony
across the white grains of its sandy beaches.

Pelicans and seagulls fly through
the air crossing the glistening waters
in search of their morning feast.

The sounds of the roosters’ crow rings
like an alarm over the hills and mountains
of the countryside, reminding inhabitants to wake up
to a new day and suspend themselves in time,
as they live their daily lives.

Sailboats and yachts quietly move across calm
waters to later challenge the evening’s rocky waves
Ships from afar steer into the island’s ports
filled with passengers, anxious to fulfill their
fantasies on the islands’ shores, and bask in the
warmth of the Caribbean sun.

TWO DOVES IN LOVE

Atop a tree branch nestled together
I notice two doves and admire the grace
and beauty of these birds of peace and joy
Have you ever seen two doves in love?

One dove slightly raises her wings playfully
and coos while her beau looks upon her,
as if he is softly whispering “I love you”
and she responds with coyness from his affection

They stay close, as though no dark clouds,
harsh rain or even fate can keep them apart
A love between two beautiful creatures
that even nature cannot touch
Then suddenly, both doves lift off together
with their wings spread across, a clear, blue sky
like two angels leaving a sense of love, peace,
joy and beauty, to share with the rest of the world
Have you ever seen two doves in love?


-----


PEACE..

Copyright 2008 CH (2elijah)
revised-4/29/09
[Edited 4/29/09 18:28pm]

BEAUTIFUL! Particularly the 1st and "Blessed".

PurpleRain747 said:

Thanks appreciate it!

Just from the title of your thread alone, poetry is obviously
your heart song 2Elijah...right at this moment "Caribbean Sun"
and "Two Doves in Love" are warming my heart & soul.

`
[Edited 10/20/08 20:37pm]

obsessed said:

Thank you, as I recently discovered that 2 years ago. It is funny how we search for our niche in life, and all the time it's right there.

Also, happy to know you enjoy those 2 poems.
[Edited 10/21/08 6:01am]

Two Doves In Love

tony23k said:

Thanks Tony...it seems to be a favorite of a few around here.

Thank you for sharing 2elijah

Your poetry is beautiful and very inspiring

Pole said:

Thank you, appreciate that.

2elijah said:

It's filled with hope.

nice to see your collection all gathered here.

Your a true artist my friend!

Beautiful, 2elijah. Some of the words that struck out at me and made me "think"...

Man? Kind? I often wonder of the marriage between the
two words.


...that is how the world would be if we all stood still and did nothing

to change the world.




...The authenticity of their being transmits across the universe like a shooting star...




...in between the Black and White lays the gray, silently hoping that someday it can bring understanding, love, respect and peace.




...They stay close, as though no dark clouds, harsh rain or even fate can keep them apart.

noimageatall said:

Wow...1001 hugs to you!..and just to think I started out in 2006 just writing quotes, that turned into poetry. I am elated that my poetry has been an inspiration to so many here, and with all the compliments here on this forum that I have received since, I started posting some of it in this forum.It has just encouraged me to write some more. I am trying to put them together for a book so I can share it with the rest of the world.

I write from heart and soul trying to somehow understand this world. I think my first poem was called "There's Angels Among Us" and so true it is. Thank you kindly to all who appreciate my poetry... I am humbled.

FrankAxtell said:

Wow, thanks Frank, I so appreciate that!
[Edited 10/22/08 16:42pm]