Poets Forum

2023-10-14 - By Dennis Patton

FAIREST LADY

During each moment of

Every day she strives to

Achieve excellence, a true

Reality in her life. Everyone who knows her

Sees this as she goes from

Task to task . . . cheerful and

Meaningful is the life she lives.

Of sunlight and starlight,

Taken along with subtle

Hints of moonglow and

Evenly spaced rainbows

Raised from rainy skies,

Just imagine the comfort

Others derive from being

Around this lady!

Nothing can ruffle her Natural serenity or will

Ever erase her charms.

— Jane Hutto Pensacola, Fla.

NO HOME

Sitting on a street corner

Watching the people pass

Listening to the laughter

The jingling of their change

Praying for their soul — Jessica Gray Benton

AND WE DON’T EVEN KNOW IT

Above the tree-lined street

the searchlight of the moon

sweeps over sleepy homes,

their paper-thin walls shrink

back in the silence.

Wind chimes hang errily mute.

Lawn chairs, shadows with muffled

voices, line a backyard pool waiting

for any new changing creature

to climb out and evolve.

And time, silky and smooth,

slithers along searching by the beam

of the headlamp of the moon

and hides gifts to be opened tomorrow.

— Dennis Patton

Alexander

OCTOBER FILIGREE

October slipped in suddenly

on gold and amber feet

that crackled as they beat a fragile forest filigree from limbs and vines and stalks.

There Mother Nature walks

through flames, then dies contentedly.

—Verna Lee Hinegardner

Former Poet Laureate

FALL

golden leaves blowing down streets chasing away summer — Jeanette Heffington

Benton

GIVING THANKS FOR MY BIBLE

My Bible looks battered and tattered and old.

Its leaves have grown thinner with age.

Its value is greater than gold to me.

There is wisdom on every page.

I hold it with reverent and gentle hands.

Cherish words written in red –

Carefully savor the miracles

God’s words are my spiritual bread.

If ever my fingerprints are required,

My Bible would be the best place.

The prints grow deep in my heart

Engraved by my Father’s grace.

— Faye Boyette Wise

Deceased

HAIKU

Autumn’s color now lies underfoot—a mostly yellow carpet for those walking their dogs.

— Pat Laster