Submit your work, meet writers and drop the ads. Become a member
Denis Barter Sep 2020
Oh me, Oh My, I must confess,
I suffer from excessive stress
that has me highstrung with duress.
Being naught but a mental mess,
how do I ease unwanted stress
in a manner - that is painless?
Truthfully I hereby confess,
I'm one, who under great distress,
seeks a Folklore cure, that is less
expensive, but taken to excess
would it leave me in a worse mess!
If excess stress took a recess,
would peace of mind, return to bless
my day?  Would it perhaps, suppress
the pangs of my extreme duress?
How do I ease excessive stress,
so normalcy can rule?  Much less
of this cursed mental distress
would be a blessing! I confess.
For any small sign of success
I would be happy to express
my thanks.  For such I’d say - God Bless.

Rhymer.  September 11th, 2020.
Fooling around with various formats, keeps me from going stir crazy
when the weather is not suited to me, working in my garden.  The scent of Fall is in the air.  Or is it the smoke from fires from West? Denis,
Denis Barter Aug 2020
An Abecedarian composition
Besides being a tough proposition,
Constantly challenges a poet’s skill.
Daunting at times, it can and will
Evoke emotions, but barely amuse
For a short time, unless you use
Good penmanship and employ
Hard won skills with artful ploy
In your composition, you will
Jeopardize your effort. Use skill:
Keep rhythm and metre in mind:
Leave all your inhibitions behind!
Make poetry the window to your soul!
Noteworthy in this respect, is the goal
Of the competent Poet, who will ensure
Poetry opens that window. It’s no sinecure!
Question, query and contemplate on those
Reasons why, well written rhymes or prose
Succeed in imparting a picture or thought
To the reader?  Poor lines come to naught
Unless the poet exercises great skill.
Very often badly written lines will ****
Worthy intentions and the message is lost!
X marks the moment to count the cost  
Your effort exacted, though it came to naught.
Zestfully use the skills you were taught!

Rhymer.  August 15th, 2020.
I love Acrostics and Abecedarians.  With this one I've tried to give a reader some ideas of how to...? Did I succeed?  You tell me.  Denis.
Denis Barter Aug 2020
My Soul suffers a bitter agony within,
To watch the devastation upon my kin.
To see Hope die under such fearsome strain,
As Alzheimer’s invades, to despoil their brain!

We see them fall under its inhuman spell,
To wander lost, alone in a private Hell!
For who can follow the path they now tread,
That leads to where?  ‘Tis known only to the dead!

Who can know the realm to where they’ve gone?
No sign points the way!  No light shines on
Their tortuous path!  There is no respite
To tangled thoughts plunged into darkest night!

Desperately we seek answers to their plight,
But none are found!  No reason sheds light
Upon their persecution!  Each afflicted breath,
A further step along the road that ends in Death!

Their fierce passion, though it might burn inside,
Lacks purpose or direction. Heartbroken, we hide
Concerns, lest we deny them Love they need.
Though we anguish over futile lives they lead!

Their ailment advances.  We know them no more!
They return to be the child they were before!
Though whims and desires demand fulfilment,
Reason is lost, as is sane discernment!

Next, into cataleptic state they retreat,
Needing constant Love and devotion to defeat
The grim effects on their tormented brain.
We pray for their release and peace again!

When freed of those chains, by which they were bound,
Should we celebrate the new freedom found?
Are we shallow hypocrites to rejoice this way?
As their torment ends when Death takes them away?

Rhymer.  August 13th, 2020
Though written earlier for my Mother,  My Darling wife of 89, shows some symptoms that seem similar.  So many are so afflicted.  As yet, I am just a little forgetful . But I've had a good innings and have no regrets.   A 90 year old kid at heart!. Denis.
Denis Barter Aug 2020
I’ve a coat with many pockets,
that’s special in its ways,
Although young when I first donned it,
still fits me well these days.
With a host of special reasons
for wearing it today,
It's  gifted to my chidren,
when I reach my final day.

It’s got pockets full of memories
and others full of dreams,
from my ninety years of living,
with more to come it seems.
there’s a pocket for the future,
into which I hope to add,
all the moments I’ll enjoy,
be they jubilant or sad.

Should I feel downhearted:
an occasion that is rare,
I’ll recall a favoured happening:
or a moment I can share
with anyone that’s listening,
that has befriended me.
With a moment that I treasure,
I deem a priceless memory.


When friends have come together,
a common human trait,
we’ll reminisce on our early years,
and how we faced ill Fate,
We talk of our successes
and times of yesterday,
as for achieving the impossible?
We’ll brag the livelong day.

But there is a pocket hidden,
it’s one embedded deep.
Within it, lie my broken dreams:,
that have hurt me rather deep.
They rest with irksome memories:
that make me sad and blue.
as do my angry thoughts,
that I'll not disclose to you.

There’s memories that are cheerful:
there’s others that are sad.
Whilst others make me wistful,
for the better times I’ve had.
When I think the world’s against me,
I’m alone and feeling bored,
I’ll rummage through my pockets,
for the memories I have stored.

In its pockets by the number,
there’s many treasured dreams.
Amongst memories I cherish,
there’s a host of madcap schemes.
Despite pockets overflowing,
and others fully filled,
there’s plenty more to fill,
before my life is stilled.

Yes, my coat of many pockets,
is a cherished one I wear.
Though somewhat worn and tattered,
about it I really care.
It may not look inviting,
when hanging on a hook,
but Memories therein stored,
invite your second look.

Rhymer. August 10th, 2020.
Justa little thought I've had as the year progresses and life gets a tad tougher due to the pandemic.
Denis Barter Aug 2020
In the forest, there’s few things I find more to please
Than to walk woodland trails, strewn with fallen leaves.
But by their rustling underfoot, they sing a sad lullaby
Which serves to remind, that autumn, in the short by and by,
Brings closure to our delights, now summer’s passed.
Though it too, as do most things in Life, will not last.

My walk under branches, when bared of all leaf cover
Allows an observant eye to search for and discover
Abandoned nests of last spring’s long flown brood,
Or a squirrel in his lofty drey. This agile and shrewd
Forest dweller, is ever prepared to take instant flight
Should an untoward move of mine, cause him fright!

Moments later a ruffed grouse takes off in panicked flight
Though its presence was sensed, I’d glimpsed no sight
Of this woodland denizen.  At home within the forest scene
It haunts the undergrowth but often goes, sight unseen!
Next a snake, sunning, poised alert, quickly slithers away
Having sensed intruders were abroad and coming his way.

Unexpectedly from overhead, staccato sounds startle me,
As a busy downy woodpecker, intrudes upon my reverie.
Whilst a roving shrew, in never ending search for tasty prey,
Snuffles through the leaves: pounces, then scampers away
Replete with a fat slug delicacy for its brood of young.
Though its actions benefit man, they frequently go unsung.

The leafy paths of forest floor are bustling alive this day
With various sights and sounds.  When time allows, it’s my way
To fill hours that all too swiftly pass. But reality encroaches
Upon my walk.  I hasten my step, for darkness approaches,
So with one last lingering look, I take my leave and steal away
Determined to visit these arboreal woods again, another day.

Rhymer.
With the virus pandemic restrictions followed faithfully by my wife and I, a small forested area close by my garden, is the perfect place for social distancing. Hence my poem.  DHB.
Denis Barter Dec 2018
May your life be merry, may your load be light:
May your joys be many, and your future bright.
May the road be smooth, for the friends you know,
And may you make many more, wheresoe'er you go.
To all of you - grand folks to know - we raise a glass
And pray sincerely, that Peace soon comes to pass.
So to achieve this end, may our voices be raised.
As for Internet Folks?  Heaven be praised!
Let's keep the postings coming and let the rhetoric fly;
Be it solemn, comic, or inane? We'll either laugh or cry
When we read such opinions or indulge in idle chatter,
But all discussion should concern us, so let's natter.
While there's the Internet, and we can keep in touch,
Whether we write frequently or not very much,
The camaraderie enjoyed here, is second to none!
So to One and All - and I'll bet you're glad I'm done?
May everyone enjoy A Very Happy, Prosperous and Peaceful  New Year .

Rhymer. December 29th, 2018
Denis Barter Dec 2018
We often meet in a small corner cafe.
A brief exchange, then we’re on our way!
Powerless to check my raging appetite,
I hasten to take you out into the night!
Loath to let you go, I will hold you near.
Need speak no words, for my intent is clear!
Though to be too impetuous is wrong,
My demands cannot be stayed for long!
Quite unable to stop my eager lips
From brushing yours! I take fearful sips
And savour the sweet bouquet they foretold.
Instantly, my pleasure is fourfold!
Though further draughts set my lips afire,
To appease my wants is all I desire.
Once satisfied, I’ve no further need of thee!
I discard the plastic cup that held my tea!

Rhymer December 23rd, 2018.
Next page