Poems From the Porch 7
More Poems From the Porch
Thanks for taking the time to visit my porch again this week. the weather is fine and sunny, not too hot though thanks to recent rain and the view of the yard is much improved as the grass is actually starting to turn green again.
I have only written three poems this week but they are diverse themes (one is following the garden's theme from last week). Those lucky (or not) people who I have written poem for this week are: Artchelle Arcillas, Li-Jen Hew, and Dora Wethers. Thank you for your requests ladies and I hope you enjoy what I wrote.
*Somehow, I got a few of the requests out of order but never fear, I will still get to all of them.
Artchelle Arcillas
"Can you please write about a dreamer close to achieving her dream but still facing huge trials along the way."
Artchelle, I hope you like this poem.
Her Dream
She had a dream she nurtured
From a very early age,
And never deviated
From her goal at any stage.
Though trials and obstacles emerged
And tried to block her path,
She persevered relentlessly,
Bravely facing any wrath.
Her journey's long and winding
But she keeps her gaze ahead.
Her dream now well within her grasp,
It's not just in her head.
She knows she'll face more barriers
Before the journey's end,
But her determination
Will soon pay dividends.
She'll never give up trying,
Though impossible it seems,
For she knows success awaits her
When she realises her dream.
Li-Jen Hew
"Perhaps you could write a poem about a garden. I'll leave it to you to decide how it goes!"
Li-Jen, I did wite two garden oriented poems last week, but it doesn't matter, who doesn't love gardens? Besides, I enjoyed writing this poem.
The Wonder of the Garden
My backyard is a garden that is full of plants and shrubs,
With trees and flowers and vegetables and herbs in plastic tubs.
There are ornaments and wind chimes, and chickens strutting by,
But the wonder of the garden is in more than meets the eye.
For where the native orchids grow against the chain-wire fence
There is a microclimate, the result of common sense.
Bromeliads and begonias catch the eye to please,
And elkhorns grow upon the fence, but mostly in the trees.
And there you'll see me gardening, and also my dear wife.
Neither can imagine no garden in our life,
And, except when seeds are planted, and we shout to scare the hens,
The wonder of the garden reminds us of close friends.
Some can pot petunias and some can prune a rose,
And some just can't be trusted to touch anything that grows.
But, they can trim, and mow the lawn, and weed the garden beds,
For the wonder of the garden can occupy all hands.
Dora Wethers
"Can you please write some lines on the Innocence of Childhood?"
This is a good topic MsDora. I did a bit of reminiscing and came up with this poem.
Days When Life Was Innocent
Remember when we were just kids,
everything was so much fun,
when life just seemed so carefree,
left the stress to dad and mum.
We played outside from dawn to dusk,
”Just be home before dark!”
There was no thought of danger,
or strangers lurking in the park.
We didn‘t have computers
and games were played outside
except maybe for board games,
or if we had to hide.
We played in dirt, and mud, and grit
with cars or soldiers, made mud pies.
At TV time we went inside,
though it was black and white.
We ate the food put on our plate
otherwise we didn’t eat,
and if we misbehaved at all
there‘s a chance that we‘d be beat.
We weren’t to speak unless spoken to,
”Go play out in the yard!”
if visitors should happen by.
I know this now seems hard.
If an adult asked us how we were
we’d answer, “Well, and you?”
And if we wanted anything
we said, “please” and “thank you.”
I guess we were so innocent
that everything seemed funny.
We never saw the darker side
like a lack of food or money.
If our father had to struggle
to provide the family’s need,
he’d just take on an extra job.
something we’d never see.
I often miss my childhood
and would like to turn back time
to days when life was innocent,
and everything was fine.
Special Bonus Poem
Because I only wrote three pieces of poetry this week I decided to add a short nonsense poem by one of my favourite poets/song-writers as a special bonus (at no extra cost.) I hope you enjoy "Snowball" by Shel Silverstein.
Snowball
I made myself a snowball
As perfect as could be.
I thought I'd keep it as a pet
And let it sleep with me.
I made it some pajamas
And a pillow for its head.
Then last night it ran away,
But first it wet the bed.
by Shel Silverstein
Until Next Week
Once again I bid you all a fond adieu and wish you all the best for the coming days. The next edition of Poems From the Porch will feature poetry for:
Doris James Mizbejabbers
Brenda Arledge
Ann Carr
Bill Holland
See you next week on the Porch.
© 2019 John Hansen
Comments
AUTHORThat's ok Rinita, whenever you have a chance feel free to catch up with this series. It's never too late. It makes me happy to know you are enjoying these poems. Yes, we do have all those plants I mentioned in the garden. It is inviting and a nice place to sit and relax while watering. I would love to be a child again, so writing that poem brought back memories. Talk to you again soon.
I'm falling behind on reading this series but I'll catch up soon. I cannot decide which one I liked the best. I love your garden, though. It's so open and inviting. Do you really have all those flowers you mentioned? The childhood poem was just wow. Struck a chord deep enough, mixing pain with pleasure. Why can't we be children again? Great job keeping this beautiful series going.
- AUTHOR
Hi Tiyasha, thank you for the kind comment. I have added “the four seasons” to my list.
You have such a knack for nature poetry John. So I was wondering, how about a poem on the the 4 seasons and how you observe the changes from your porch.
They are all very good. I liked the last two the best. Days when life was innocent is a poem I can so easily relate with. It made me nostalgic. I think our generation was the last to play outside, run about and not dwell in the video game world as much.
Snowball brought a smile to my face. Such clever play of words in the last two lines.
- AUTHOR
Thank you Nikki. So glad you enjoyed those poems. I just checked where you request is on the list, and it will appear in Poems From the Porch 9. I hope you can wait until then.
I loved her dream and snowball. Priceless indeed. When would your write about my topic? Looking forward to it.
- AUTHOR
Thank you for reading Lynne. I look forward to your request.
I like that you do these requests, I might have one soon
- AUTHOR
Thank you for reading these poems, Abitha. I am glad you enjoyed them
Poems from the Porch - I love this title. Your Snowball poem is priceless and tickled me so. Days When Life was Innocents reminds me of my childhood and how free and trusting we all were.
John,
What fun to read your poems loved the Childhood poem and Snowball, so creative and funny.
- AUTHOR
I have to try to control that little imp at times, Cynthia. I am happy you liked these poems and the illustrations. Thank you.
- AUTHOR
Thank you for reading and commenting, Mark. It is hard to go wrong choosing a feel-good Shel Silverstein poem to end a hub with.
Hahah-- I think a little imp was unleashed with the poem Dora requested-- finishing with that Shel Silverstein "Snowball" was brilliant. I loved all three of your poems. I also like the whimsical illustrations you've chosen to go with the poems. Good work!
Great collection of poetry, John. And the Shel Silverstein was the icing on the cake. A tasty treat.
- AUTHOR
Thank you manatita. I appreciate your generous comment.
Well, you have now got Hubber themes, I see. Great! I was asked to do a piece on Fire and also Black History Month.
You continue to rhyme well and the innocence and naivete of the child is portrayed. There's also nature and life's struggle as is touched upon in the first poem. Nice one!
- AUTHOR
It make me happy to hear my poetry is “relate-able little Shauna, especially due to the fact that I am writing them from my readers/friends suggestions. I am so glad you enjoyed these. Thank you.
John, these poems are all so relate-able. From not letting life's obstacles keep us from achieving our goals/dreams, to the versatility of gardening (as you pointed out, you don't have to have a green thumb to contribute to its beauty), to the innocence of childhood. Some of your younger readers may not feel the wave of nostalgia that we who grew up in that era do, but I'm sure they've heard stories of the way life was "way back when".
I enjoyed all of these!
- AUTHOR
Thank you Clive.
- AUTHOR
Thank you for the lovely comment, Lora. It is a pity you can only grow cactus and dry weather flowering plants (even though I like succulents.) I am sure we have bleeding hearts here, though we don’t have any in our garden.
I loved your poems this week, John, especially the one about Childhood. Yes, many times I wish I could go back there. Life seemed to be so much simpler then and also much more fun too. If you really wanted anything, all you had to do was to imagine it! You must have a beautiful garden with wild orchids, begonias and bromeliads. I used to grow begonias (one of my favorite flowers) when I lived in a much cooler climate. Now, I live in such a hot climate, nothing but cactus and a very limited number of flowering plants grow! Gardening use to be my passion. Another of my very favorite plants are bleeding hearts. Do they grow in Australia where you are? Loved the bonus poem too! That was very clever.
- AUTHOR
Thank you, Ann yes, I too am enjoying the varied subjects people are asking me to write poems about. I always look forward to tackling the next batch.
All great poems, John, but my favourites are the garden and the childhood ones, with which I can closely identify.
This series is so enjoyable because it's so varied.
Ann
- AUTHOR
Thank you for reading and for your kind comment, ut kashy. Much appreciated.
I loved reading your poems. The poem titled "Her Dream" was the best. It is encouraging.
- AUTHOR
Hi Li-Jen, I am happy you enjoyed the garden poem you requested, and yes life was more innocent back when I was a child.
- AUTHOR
Linda, it is a pleasure to write these poems for my friends here at HubPages. I am glad you enjoyed them.
- AUTHOR
Hello Nithya. I am glad you enjoyed these poems. Thanks for the compliment about my rhyme, it just seems to come natural. Yes, I will write you a poem about an oak tree. I did one quite a few years ago called “My Friend the Oak.”
- AUTHOR
Thank you Brenda. I read “Snowball” recently and just had to include it. Glad you enjoyed them all.
Hi Jodah, it's satisfying to see you write pieces requested by Hubbers. I appreciate the effort that you put in for all of us and it was worth the wait. Thank you for fulfilling my request. I like the personal touch and details in the garden poem. I can see your love for your garden. Haha back when life was more innocent! It's true!
Thanks for another enjoyable edition of "Poems From the Porch". I enjoyed reading the poems and seeing a photo of your cat. The snowball poem was very funny!
I enjoyed reading all your poems. My favorite is the one about childhood. I am amazed at the way you write rhyming verse! I enjoy reading them.
I love oak trees. Please can you write about an oak tree, I would love to read it.
Oh john...your bonus one on Snowball made me chuckle. So great!
I did enjoy the others as well...the gardening is always great.
The one about the yesterdays of youth...the way kids used to be raised was touching...such a shame kids today no nothing of this.
Grest write.
very creative indeed. I liked the dreamer.
- AUTHOR
Thank you, I appreciate you following this series.
Three top quality poems. I liked them all. Each one paints a detailed picture in my mind.
- AUTHOR
MsDora, I am so happy that you liked the poem I wrote for you. It seems many have similar memories about growing up as though we did all play together.
- AUTHOR
That was great to hear, Ruby. I am glad these brightened your day.
- AUTHOR
Thank you Flourish. Much appreciated.
- AUTHOR
Thank you, Rasma. Cheers.
- AUTHOR
Glad I enabled you to relive your childhood memories Linda. Yes, Shel Silverstein was great. Blessings.
John, the narrative in the first poem, and the description in the second are excellent, but the satisfaction in the one you did for me is off the chart. I've read and re-read it and will read some more. Seems like we played together. There was never a father in my house, but I see my uncles and neighbors in the male figure you mention. Sheer genius. A bucketful of thanks!
I had a smile on my face as I read your poems, then when I got to Snowball, I laughed out loud. I loved them all!
The one by Artchelle — you were really on your game there!
Enjoyed them all and had a chuckle with Snowball absolutely delightful
All enjoyable, but my favorite is the one about childhood memories--that is how I grew up; thank you for taking us back there for a little while. Shel Silverstein was such a talent.
- AUTHOR
Hi Bill, I am happy to know you are enjoying this series and I hope your blessings come true and the series and writer have long fruitful lives lol. Same to you.
I liked them all but loved the garden poem the best. This is such a fun series. May it have a long and fruitful life, like its writer.
- AUTHOR
Eric, I am honoured when my writing can make you go away and contemplate, and also that it inspires you to try poetry. What a great line that is from a Byrds' song too. I feel that way sometimes.
"Some can pot petunias and some can prune a rose," I went out to my very own personal stars in the sky and pondered this, I was thinking that this is why I try poetry. I am not so good at Petunias.
I sometimes contemplate when I went back to "I was so much older then I am younger that now" // Byrds //
John you do a service here in your connection for us into a love of life.
- AUTHOR
Thanks Pamela. Glad you could relate MsDora's poem to your childhood. Life certainly has changed.
- AUTHOR
Thank you Charlie. I always appreciate your comment
Shel Silverstein had a great sense of humour.
Each poem was uniquely different and excellent in my opinion. I like Ms Dora's poem as that is just how I grew up. Life has changed so much now. I look forward to you next edition of poems.
- AUTHOR
Lori, I appreciate that kind comment, Lori., OK, putting that request on the list "A poet crafting a poem.)
Another wonderful selection of poetry from your porch and good to finish with a laugh.
- AUTHOR
Hi Lorna. I am glad you enjoyed the Childhood poem. We did the same, were free to do our own thing until it was time to eat.
These were lovely. The childhood one I found especially endearing and nostalgic. Being a child back then was extremely different than today.
Enjoying this series.
I'd love to hear a poem about a poet crafting a poem.
I loved the poem about childhood John which brought back fond memories of days by the river. We went off on our bikes and came back when we were hungry. The snowball poem made we smile. Another enjoyable selection from the porch.
- AUTHOR
Thank you, Artchelle, I am glad you liked the poem. By all means use it in your Notes App for motivation if you so desire. That is a compliment.
Awwww... I am in so much bliss with the poem you wrote in line with my request, Jodah. :)
I'd like to keep your poem on my Notes App as part of my motivation routine. I hope it's alright :)
- AUTHOR
Well, thank you for that generous comment, Poeticnurse. I really appreciate it, and glad you had a feeling of being present in what I described.
Wow Wow.
You knitted the words so beautifully well till I felt present in it John Hansen. Thank you for putting this out.
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