if wait is not worth the
reward
then why humans
die wishing
one day
it will all get better
does that ever get better?

A poor wingless bee in dire torment
Sat brooding beneath the lemon bower:
"How shall I ever know the rose's scent,
And sample the sweet nectar of her flower?"

"And what value do you place on these?"
Asked a wise old bee perched on a stone;
Suddenly there appeared a swarm of bees,
Eager to hear the wisdom of the drone

Cried the wingless bee: "My days are drear,
Longing for the rose's scented dew;
Without wings how can I hope to draw near?
How I thirst for her . . . if only she knew!"

"Climb, my lad," advised the wise old bee.
"Brave the stinging thorns and twisted vine.
Only through courage and tenacity
Will you savor the bliss of her sweet wine"

O, what angst now stirred within the bee
As he scaled that stem toward the sublime!
But what delicious hospitality
Awaited him . . . because he dared to climb!

In a world where power is the ultimate reward, remember: you can be just as effective
with a shield as you can with a sword

Blue ****, sparrows and some rather pretty birds indeed
Gathering around their special wooden box of feed
Respectfully waiting for their turns to pick a seed
Then they fly away and I'm thrilled about my good deed

For I'm the supplier - in their eyes the Mighty Lord
I know a few things but mainly where the food is stored
Feeling a little superior is my reward
Though most times they believe I deserve to be ignored

the dog
resting peacefully
in his crate
is content
with being
shut in;
essentially
        trapped
only permitted freedom              
at the behest
of another

there was not always
such serenity
behind these bars;
there was howling
                  gnashing
                  whining

cag­ed like that
could not have been
further
from finding comfort

there were rewards
on occasions
though it was unclear
just why
these were offered
and when
the next might appear

with time
it became easier
to simply accept
the limitation
and wait
unenthusiastically
for the next
moment of joy
to come around

however long
that
     might
               be

I will award one poet with $50 USD via moneygram, paypal, donation to charity of your choice, or any other safe and secure method.

make me

feel something
know something
try something
hate something
love something
accept something
discover something that i am missing

this is not affiliated with any website or organization, but just $50 of my money that I want to share(i have all i need)

i promise i will try not to be prejudiced in any way, and i ask that anyone enter, no matter education level or any other "levels"...the winner will be decided by what moves me, and will have nothing to do with styles, forms, rhyming, etc

i may ask a few to help me verify certain things and if you would like to help me with this big money contest just msg me here. I may decide on having more winners, but the 50 dollar top prize is for sure(barring i don't die)

You will also win my prestigious Future Poet Award(a piece of paper?) Even if you hate me, you can get my money! Anyone who enters is a winner and i will post poems on my FB poetry page(BIGTIME). Contest ends November !st and payout will be within 10 days after contest ends. This is for real! Don't miss out on MONEY.

no cheating!

Don’t dangle me
to the carrot

I have spent so much energy, time and money
avoiding pain
not realizing that it is a gift
its own reward
only earned
by enduring it
securing it
surrender
work
effort
sacrifice.

Can’t get it just by sitting
watching
resting
talking.

But I can earn it
by listening
abiding
patience.
The crime
is not taking time
pain is earned
with time spent
with the climb
into someone’s tortured heart.

Pain must not be spurned
it must be earned.