Section A In January 2017's ' A Showcase For P H Poets'... [ Up To 15 Poems From P H 'friends'; Expanding Horizons For P H Members & Visitors! ; Different Poems For Varied Tastes] Poem by Bri Edwards

As December comes to its final week.
allow me to ink some words quite meek**.
[they won't be heard above a mouse squeak]
'Please, at this showcase, will you peek? ? '

December's showcase was a rousing success,
for me, if not for many others, I do now confess.
I do my ‘thing' on PH and you all do ‘yours'…..but …
I'm sure many of you, like me, have other chores.

I like the ‘new' format of my/our monthly display,
but if YOU do not, all I can say is: 'A, B, C is OK …..
with me! '
So send me a poem(s) to share, or just you read,
and comment perhaps, …..OR simply pay no heed.

(November 24/revised December 26,2016)

Bri :)

** definition 3: not violent or strong: moderate

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Some information for Contributors AND Readers of the showcases:

Each Section (A, B, and maybe C) will hold 15 poems, maximum. EACH Section will accept ONE poem per poet, any length, any topic, any style, BUT I, Bri, will decide which poems are used. Unless a poet has arranged for me to ‘help myself', I shall wait for poems to be offered by the authors, all of whom ALWAYS will receive recognition for THEIR words.

The poems need not be new, need not be on PH already, and need not be in English [but English translations of non-English poems will be appreciated! ].
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THE POETS (and titles) , up to a maximum, usually, of 15, listed chronologically (more or less) in the order I received them:

1 - Brian Johnston

Each Day Is A New Gift

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2 - Della Perry

Rehearsal

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3 - Savita Tyagi

Flash Thought ll

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4 - Bri Edwards

Eat, Drink, And Be Mary! .... [gender 'Change'; Humor/Humour; 'In The News']

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5 - Beach Girl

Whispers In The Forest

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6 - Loke Kok Yee

A Country in Distress

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7 - Eugene Levich (translator) : [Jacques Prévert, author of the French original]

Chanson**

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Bri's Notes: (from Wikipedia)
'A chanson (French pronunciation: ​[ʃɑ̃sɔ̃], 'song', from Latin cantio, gen. cantionis) is in general any lyric-driven French song, usually polyphonic and secular. A singer specializing in chansons is known as a 'chanteur' (male) or 'chanteuse' (female) : a collection of chansons, especially from the late Middle Ages and Renaissance, is also known as a chansonnier.'
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8 - Lynn W. Petty

A Glint Of Gold

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9 - Clarence Prince

When It Comes!

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10 - M.J. Lemon

I Broke My Leg

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11 - Annette Aitken

NO, Silence of the Screams.

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12 - Elena Plotkin

Nameless The Blameless

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13 - Tom Billsborough

Tides

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14 - Andy Brookes (aka Paul Brookes)

New Years Early Morning Walk

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15 - Is It Poetry

Sarah Trevor Teasdale

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Bri's Note: for the first time i have chosen to add a #16 poem, by the late poet, Sarah Trevor Teasdale (1884-1933) [see #15, above], a poem i found in a Wikipedia article about her life. She used the name Sara Teasdale Filsinger after her marriage in 1914. Wikipedia

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16 - Sarah Trevor Teasdale [aka Sara Teasdale Filsinger,1884-1933]

I Shall Not Care

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[up to a maximum (usually) of 15 poems in each Section] [go to Section B? ]

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THE POEMS (and their authors) , up to 15 (usually) , listed in REVERSE ORDER of when I received them.


[up to a maximum, usually, of 15 poems in each Section]

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16 - by Sarah Trevor Teasdale [1884-1933]


I Shall Not Care


WHEN I am dead and over me bright April

Shakes out her rain-drenched hair,

Tho' you should lean above me broken-hearted,

I shall not care.

I shall have peace, as leafy trees are peaceful

When rain bends down the bough,

And I shall be more silent and cold-hearted

Than you are now.

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15 - by Is It Poetry


Sara Trevor Teasdale

After death and to long loves forgotten,
Will I still remember you.
Twilight's dreams,
Dreams of love, we both left unfinished.

I cannot wait here somewhere there,
While you still love someone here.
And the whispers to her from you that I hear,
Are not those of love about us, I must bare.

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14 - by Andy Brookes


New Years Early Morning Walk

lichen clothed
stone walls straddle
rolling humpbacks
hills green on green

melancholy cloud-scape
lingers moist in
grey misted valley folds
of stone and slate

dried whispering grasses
dulled damped down
recalcitrant dawn
refuses to spark into light

chilled droplets fall ice on skin
gritstone monsters rear
their voices stolen
from the cackling brook.

New Year has started
on a dreary damp day
glimmers of sun give hope
as the bright dawn burst forth.

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13 - by Tom Billsborough


Tides

The sea, the sea, always returning,
The blood reoxygenating,
Creators of dreams
As the pure salt of an apt phrase
Regenerates our themes.
How my eyes widen over these dark seas,
Misusing the myth of eternity
As sand structures flatten.
The sea, the sea always returning

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12 - by Elena Plotkin


Nameless The Blameless

Behold, all broken and battered,
Things that once mattered,
Who I ask 'Is at fault?
'Hee, Hee...Nameless the Blameless can't be caught.'

Behold, dirty and splattered,
Clothing all torn and tattered,
Who I ask 'Is at fault? '
'Hee, Hee... Nameless the Blameless can't be caught.'

Behold, toys left out in the rain and snow,
Forgotten and badly in need of a tow,
Who I ask 'Is at fault? '
'Hee, Hee, Nameless the Blameless can't be caught! '

Behold, a jar of cookies no longer full,
Nothing left to snack on after school.
Who he asks 'Is at fault? '
'Ha Ha, Nameless the Blameless just got taught.'

[(C) 2015 copyright Elena Plotkin ]

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Bri's Note:
If you liked THIS one, you may see the sequel,
'Nameless The Blameless, The Teen', in the next part
of January's showcase: Section B, when it is ready. ;)

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11 - by Annette Aitken


NO, Silence of the Screams.

When is it the right time to let someone
new get to know me?
My life.
My secrets.
The inner me.
At times you can bury yourself
so deeply, you forget who you are.
For trust is a very fragile emotion
hard to glue back together
from the fragments remaining on the floor
after it was smashed into smithereens.
Will I ever be able to let myself
share this life of mine with another?
I know I can love,
But,
trust is a different story.
When I'm screaming with all my being,
do not let weakness raid, or invade you.
Is strength my sister?
Is weakness my foe?
Is trust now my nemesis?
Will I ever allow it to grow?
As the screams of doubt resonate in my head
SCREAMING.

NO! NO! NO!

(2016)

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10 - by M.J. Lemon


I Broke My Leg

I have no time to notice
what takes place around me

Distractions daily duties grab focus
away from who I am might be

I break my leg and the misery
means I must lie still do not move

as every simple motion spasm
cramp serves to reprove

listen listen listen

i go to pieces, Says the Tibia
i feel trapped, Says the Fibula
i cannot move, Says the Knee
there's no common ground, Says Achilles
i need air, Says the Ankle
step on it, Says the Foot
we love the outdoors, Say the Toes
i've got you covered, Says the Cast
we want to go places, Say the Crutches
have a seat, Says the Wheelchair
i'll be back, Says the Leg

Leg leg Leg
I will keep it together

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9 - by Clarence Prince


When It Comes!

People, wave goodbye to the old year
And let us welcome the New Year
With plenty of cheers
Say happy New Year
For while 2016 is going home
Prepare,2017 is coming home
Hence let's enjoy the rest of 2016
Hopefully we'll prosper more in 2017
‘God's willing' there may be more love
There may be more world peace
There may be safer living place
For all of God's people to live
Despite of colour, despite of race
There is space … the world is wide
With places to find and to hide
With faith in God we won't slide
For He shall plant our feet
Just where He will guide
Come now everyone
Join with me, give thanks
For the coming year 2017
To families, friends, and folks
Openly say Happy New Year
When it comes.

(All rights reserved, by the author)

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8 - by Lynn W. Petty


A Glint Of Gold

Manila Bay, Philippines 1944.

'Object in the water dead
Ahead, Sir, ' came the bow-watch
Report.
'Right rudder one degree.'
'Right rudder one degree, aye, Sir.'
'Stop all engines.'
'All engines stopped, Captain.'

By momentum, we glided
Past the object to our portside.
Floating, faceless,
Dressed in navy dungarees,
His torn body drifted by.

I had seen death before.
I gave little wonder
Until, between the fish feeding
On his flesh,
I saw a glint of gold
Reflecting from his wedding
Ring.
'All engines ahead two.'
'All engines ahead two, aye, Sir.'

I wonder now,
Does she still wonder
Too?

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Bri's Notes: I assume this refers to an incident during the Allied forces' efforts to liberate the Philippines from the Japanese (1944-45) . Which country's (or countries') boat and body are spoken of.....is a mystery to me.

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7 - by Jacques Prévert (1900-1977) [translated, French to English, by PH's Eugene Levich]


Chanson

What day is it today
We are all the days
My friend
We are all of life
My love
We love each other and we live
We live and we love each other
And we don't know what life is
And we don't know what the day is
And we don't know what life is.

Chanson

Quel jour sommes-nous
Nous sommes tous les jours
Mon amie
Nous sommes toute la vie
Mon amour
Nous nous aimons et nous vivons
Nous vivons et nous nous aimons
Et nous ne savons pas ce que c'est que la vie
Et nous ne savons pas ce que c'est que le jour
Et nous ne savons pas ce que c'est que l'amour.

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6 - by Loke Kok Yee


A Country in Distress

The year had passed and we suffered not the haze
Across the seas, the forests had ceased to raze
Nature celebrates with spring throughout the year
Life recuperates unhindered with skies clear
Yet our founding fathers are crying in their graves

The monsoon came, leaving no tears in its wake
The rivers took the flow; the banks did not break
Even the water snake did not lose his way
And the little fishes were not swept astray
Yet our founding fathers are crying in their graves

The forest lush and green, never did turn brown
Luxuriantly clad with flowers on their crown
Their fragrance wafted far with a gentle breeze
Briefly lift the spirit in a fleeting tease
Yet our founding fathers are crying in their graves

Lilies on the lakeside argues with the wind
Petals breaking off for new life to begin
The future looks bright with nature in delight
The wheel of being turns even in the night
Yet our founding fathers are crying in their graves

Birds are busy nesting with plenty to share
The heavens had been kind and nought for to care
Just a wary eye to keep out of harm's way
While mother earth flaunts her bountiful display
Yet our founding fathers are crying in their graves

Denizens of the night quietly moved by
Their presence unknown but for a plaintive cry
Contented silence broken by a mating call
Serenity reigns as drifting clouds enthral**
Yet our founding fathers are crying in their graves

Calamities of nature we hardly see
Never was there an earthquake, and ne'er will be
A country truly blessed which none can deny
Then politicians came and carved out the pie
So our founding fathers are crying in their graves

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**Bri's Notes: I don't yet find this poem in the author's list of poems on PH. that is ok, but now I can't leave a poem comment.: (Also: i thought 'enthral' was ok, but it is underlined in red, and Google 'says' 2 'l's.

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5 - by Beach Girl


Whispers In The Forest

Vast grey skies of weeping clouds
Blanketed the earth
Voluptuous
And ponderous
As weighty as my heart

Misting lightly, icy drops
Danced upon my cheek
Shivering slightly
Walking softly
The forest I embraced

Sudden gusts woke sleeping pines
Who whispered out my name
Oh lonely one,
With eyes of green
Come stay a while with us

And tossed their fragrant furls of cones
That scattered round my feet
Their gifts bestowed
With kind intent
Upon the sweet damp earth

Then rustling, whirling, chattering leaves
Spoke of tales and legends
Of mysteries
And memories
Of dark and silent secrets

How broken limbs and hollowed logs
Had died with no regrets
And now adorned
The forest floor
Like sculptured works of art

An old oak tree now beckoned
To sit beneath her bows
I huddled down
Crouched at her feet
As winds began to howl

My heart did break from loneliness
As snow fell from above
Then biting cold
Swept o'er my soul
Like ice-tipped wings of doves

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4 - by Bri Edwards


Eat, Drink, And Be Mary! .... [gender 'Change'; Humor/Humour; 'In The News']

If 'Caitlyn' Jenner*** can do it, then so can I.
She's stopped being 'Bruce' …. after sixty years …. of a 'lie'.
So now I'LL no longer be, on PH, 'Bri'; I'll be 'Mary' …..,
though [unless I shave my arms & legs] I'll still be 'Hairy'.

But in tribute to my years as Bri, and for some clarity,
I'll call myself Mary-aka-Bri, but I beg: 'Give NO …. charity! '

Of course my pockets are NOT full of cash; I'm only Mary.
Unlike Caitlyn, my pockets are empty of cash …., VERY.
So no surgery I'm planning and I'll wear no designer clothes.
I'll still stand to pee, but my wife owns dresses; I may wear THOSE.

I'll probably shave my beard every day; I've not done THAT in years.
And I may wear lip gloss and some mascara, AND hang rings … from my ears.


(June 14, 2015)

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***Bri's Notes: [from Wikipedia]

Caitlyn Marie Jenner, formerly known as Bruce Jenner, is an American
television personality and retired Olympic gold medal-winning decathlete.

Jenner has six children from marriages to ex-wives. She has been called the most
famous openly transgender woman in the world.
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3 - by Savita Tyagi


Flash Thought ll

The world was availed to me
I put my heart and soul in it
Thinking it is mine
It took my heart and soul
And disappeared.
*******
There is freedom in being alone
Loneliness is a curse upon that freedom
Like death few will relish it
To have a partner
Give a bit of your self.
*******
Life is like silent waters
High or low tides of time
Create waves in ocean
A wise sailor enjoys equally
Thrill or tranquility.

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2 - by Della Perry


Rehearsal

It's okay, I can screw up, didn't you know son,
This is just a rehearsal, I can make mistakes
And cock up, cause next time I'm reborn
I'll have learnt from them
A lovely life will then be had.
So, don't worry, smile son,
Life is a rehearsal
For the big finale.
I will be the leading lady
You can be the leading man.
The opening night could be a sell out!

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1 - by Brian Johnston


Each Day Is A New Gift

Sure each day is a gift, be it happy or sad,
It's potentially promise of what's best in life,
If it thrills to the bone, if it cuts like a knife,
If you find a new friend, if you lose a comrade.

It's the chance it will rain, that the flooding will cease,
That the failing will prosper, successful will share,
That true faith will prove blessing, that science not err,
That the faithful find answers, the wounded find peace.

When a kindness to stranger finds its own reward,
It's perhaps not the time to pat self on the back?
Should you really assume that you're on the right track,
Rush to check yourself out of soul's hospital ward.

When a passing car strikes a pedestrian down
And an oncoming car hits the poor man again...
As both cars leave the scene, please don't just count to ten,
Wash your hands of this act, let your heart be a clown!

Don't let evil take over, help love find its voice!
Should your pain be the measure of friend's true intent
Or your own rash assumptions prove evil was meant?
For a humane perspective is always your choice!

Does our God truly love when He asks us to serve?
Tell me where is real life without His gift of soul?
If His children are hungry, why offer them coal?
If all glory is His, why not trust He'll preserve?

(December 19,2016)

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NOW: IF you have read your 'fill' from the treats above, please consider going to Section B of January 2017's showcase [when it's ready! ].

Bri :)