Poems From the Porch 25
A Quarter Century and Counting
Welcome to the porch! If you are a regular visitor then you know the drum - find a seat, maybe a cup of tea or coffee, and get comfortable as we read a collection of poems requested by our friends. If you are new then you are also most welcome to join us.
Can you believe this is the 25th anthology in the series? That's more than 100 poems I have written from requests by you, my colleagues and readers here at HubPages. Maybe, one day, I'll compile them into a book. There's already more than enough.
I apologise for this edition being a little late. it's almost two weeks since I published the last one, but there has been a lot happening. The Coronavirus (Covid-19) is the major headline around the world and preparing for that in even a small way has a bit of a ripple effect on everything else including my writing. Anyway, you can't keep a "good" poet down so better late than never. I hope you enjoy these poems.
Pamela Oglesby
"I thought maybe you could write about being a senior citizen and maybe doctors as I seem to spend way too much time in their offices."
I was tossing ideas around in my brain for this poem, and then the coronavirus happened. That changed the focus slightly. I hope you still enjoy this, Pamela.
But however secure and well-regulated civilized life may become, bacteria, Protozoa, viruses, infected fleas, lice, ticks, mosquitoes, and bedbugs will always lurk in the shadows ready to pounce when neglect, poverty, famine, or war lets down the defences.
— Hans Zinsser
Coronavirus (Covid-19) ~ the Poem
"Doctor, Doctor,
I'm a mess.
the Coronavirus
makes me stress.
I'm over sixty
and that's high risk,
but I stay fit,
my walks are brisk.
Hopefully, Doc,
we'll all be spared.
Stock up on food
to be prepared.
Should I panic
and stay at home,
only communicate
via phone?"
"Keep your distance,
wash your hands,
avoid big crowds,
and other lands.
If you've symptoms
take a test,
then stay at home
and get some rest.
Don't stress things
you can't control,
just try your best
to do as told.
If there's one positive
amid this plight,
it's united countries
in the fight.
The world now has
a common purpose.
To find a way
to beat this virus."
Gypsy Rose Lee
"I have finally been successful in getting a California company interested in giving me writing jobs. Suddenly I wonder if California might be in my future. Could you please write a poem about the dream of going to California etc?"
Congratulations on landing writing jobs with a company in California, Rasma. It's well deserved. I know you are a romantic so I hope you like this poem/song.
Why don't you go on west to California? There's work there, and it never gets cold. Why, you can read out anywhere and pick an orange. Why, there's always some kind of crop to work in. Why don't you go there?
— John Steinbeck
California Dreaming
All the leaves are green, and the sky is blue.
I've been traveling awhile, hand in hand with you.
We've been to Los Angeles, San Francisco too.
~California dreaming~ where I want to be with you,.
Stopped at a little church, down in Sacramento,
Found myself a priest, gave him a deed to do.
He agreed to my request, and married me to you.
~California dreaming~ where I want to be with you.
All the leaves are green, and the sky is blue,
I've been traveling awhile, hand in hand with you.
We've been to Los Angeles, San Diego too.
~California dreaming~ where I want to be with you,
To get over the past, you first have to accept that the past is over. No matter how many times you revisit it, analyse it, regret it, or sweat it...it's over. It can't hurt you no more.
— Mandy HaleRosina S Khan
"There are issues from my past that still haunt me today such as changing universities as a student and quitting my job of many years. Circumstances arose which caused me to make those choices. I would, therefore, request you to write a poem, 'Making Peace With My Past'".
Thank you for another request Rosina. It is always a pleasure to write a poem for you. I hope this is along the lines of what you wanted.
Making Peace With the Past
Our past is what defines us,
but confine us it does not.
The lessons that we learn in life
shape the person we become.
Stuff happens to disrupt our plans,
throw a spanner in the works.
Don't let that curve ball fool you,
hit it clean out of the park.
Sometimes there's things we'd like to change,
or wish had not occurred.
The disappointments or what-ifs
won't let us move ahead.
We need to make peace with our past,
don't let it cloud our thoughts.
we can't turn back the hands of time,
so the only way is forward.
Let's concentrate on today,
use the knowledge that we've gained
to succeed at everything we do,
And make our futures bright.
Peggy Woods
"Spring cleaning might be a good topic."
Yes, Peggy. Spring cleaning is a great topic.
If you want to get rid of stuff, you can always do a good spring-cleaning. Or you can do what I do. Move.
— Ellen DeGeneres
Spring Cleaning ~ Pack It All Away
Pack all your cares away,
Your winter clothes away,
Your mistletoe away,
Your Christmas songs away.
Pack your fire-wood away,
Your old ice-skates away,
Your skis and ploughs away,
Your plastic flowers away.
Pack your sad thoughts away,
Your soups and stews away,
Your woolly socks away,
We're cleaning up today.
Spring cleaning house today-ay-ay.
Keep Smiling and Writing
Well, that's it for another edition. These are challenging times but there isn't much we can do other than to heed the health warnings and try to keep ourselves and family safe. Stay positive and keep writing and smiling until next time we meet. Oh, and if you have a poetry request just ask in the comments or send me an email.
In the next anthology you can look forward to poems requested by:
Bill Holland
Shauna Bowling
Peggy Woods
Dora Weithers
© 2020 John Hansen
