February 2018 Showcase For, And Often " By ", P H Members…......[ Poems Collected From Willing And (Sometimes) Un-Willing Poets; For Your Reading Enjoyment ] Poem by Bri Edwards

I have been spending time in PH's ' Members' area, sampling...........the poets there.
And I've found a surprisingly-large number of fine poems, though SOME are....just "fair".
Since February's ‘short' and time on my mate's computer is truly, .... unfortunately, FINITE,
I'll start today to put this ‘show' together.I hope you'll find some....poems are ‘dynamite'!

I'll start off with a poem by a poet many of you may have met, at times.....in the showcases.
Bharati Nayak, from India, writes in Odia language and English.Of her.....accent are no traces.
Then I'll follow with 6 or 7 poems by 6 or 7 poets who I, Bri Edwards, .....on PH, have "just met".
If more PH poets (I'm more familiar with) send me poems to use, I'll use...... some or all, you bet!

BUT, if no more offers** are made by poets, I may have to ‘break down'.....and offer some of mine!
With that as a warning, I now begin to hear footsteps, as YOU and YOU......and YOU (all) get in line.


(January.21.2018) bri edwards aka (in the ‘Real World') brian e. whitaker

bri :)
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** "OFFERS" are made to me by sending, in a PH message, .....[preferably with the PH page LINK(s) included]....your poem(s) for my consideration.I use ONE poem per poet.They are usually already on PH but NOT always.

They may be old, new, OR in-between. Any topic is acceptable, …IF I accept it! I favor ones not-too-long for a showcase, .....unless you don't mind me only using an EXCERPT(s) .

I always list the poets' names and poems' titles, and (if available) the ‘partial links'**** to the poems.Ask if you need more information.

Please send the poems AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN CAREFULLY PROOFREAD FOR "typos" etc.! ! !

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PLEASE NOTE WELL:

****see Poet's Notes below the showcase for my explanation of how to turn a ‘partial link' into a ‘whole link' to access poem pages of individual poems.

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THE POETS NAMES AND THEIR POEM TITLES AND 'partial LINKS':



a …..BHARATI NAYAK; title: Selfie

‘partial link': /poem/selfie-14/
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b....POETIC JAE; title: Dodged A Bullet

'partial link': /poem/dodged-a-bullet-2/
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c....NICOLE D'SETTEMI; title: As I Sit Here And Rot

'partial link': /poem/as-i-sit-here-and-rot/

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d....MIKE BARRETT; title: My Child

'partial link': /poem/my-child-54/

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e... C. ALBERT ANDREWS; title: This Street Life

'partial link': /poem/this-street-life/

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f... BRI EDWARDS; title: Finger- Licking Bad

'partial link': /poem/finger-licking-bad-bad-tastes-oddities-eccentricities/

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g... DAVID WHALEN; title: Resolutions 2018

'partial link': /poem/resolutions-2018/

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h...LARRY SCHRECKENGOST; title: An Unlikely Pair

'partial link': /poem/an-unlikely-pair/

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i...SAVITA TYAGI

title: Live In A World Of Strife And Still Think Of It As One Family

'partial link': /poem/live-in-a-world-of-strife-and-still-think-of-it-as-one-family/

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j...AKHTAR JAWAD

title: When I Kissed And When I Could Not

'partial link': /poem/when-i-kissed-and-when-i-could-not/

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k. LOKE KOK YEE

title: What Shall I Write

'partial link': /poem/what-shall-i-write-3/

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l. JAMES MCLAIN[formerly known as "Is It Poetry" on PoemHunter

title: Final Destination

'partial link': /poem/final-destination-18/

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THE POEMS: [[ALL POEMS I USE HAVE AT LEAST ONE COMMENT FROM ME ON THE POEM'S PAGE.]]



a. SELFIE

'partial link'****: /poem/selfie-14/


Selfie - by Bharati Nayak

I selfie
To capture my image
Capture with me
My loved ones
My surroundings
The tree, temple, palace and sea


To capture
Who are
With me at the moment
As the moment
Will slip away
In the next moment
It will be past.
The tree will not come back
To me where I reclined
In that moment
For support
Got the shade
Got the cool oxygen
I want to capture
The flower
Whose fragrance and beauty
Enchanted me
I want to capture
The beauty of the birds
Who fly making a 'V' sign under
The clouds so dark
I want to capture with me
The blue waves of the sea
The waves that rise and fall
With my emotions
I want to hold
In my camera
The cool moon
The warm sun
The green grass
The mother earth
Everything I love
Seen and unseen
And wait to see and hold
All the blessings of God.

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b. DODGED A BULLET

'partial link': /poem/dodged-a-bullet-2/


Dodged A Bullet - by Poetic Jae

I thought I dodged a bullet
And I was free and clear
But as I look around
Things become crystal clear
No physical wounds
But inside I'm bleeding
My eyes are dry
Yet my mind is pleading
For the pain to go away

I dodged a bullet
Or so I thought
I was unprepared
For the emotions it brought
My heart and my mind
Can't seem to agree
Left alone
To pick up the debris
Of my life

I dodged a bullet
or did I?
I lie awake at night
willing myself not to cry
my appetite has vanished
I don't want to get out of bed
I can't stop the images
replaying in my head
causing more pain

I didn't dodge a bullet
I stepped right in its path
stared it in the face
and waited for the aftermath
I didn't pull the trigger
but I sure didn't move
feeling as though
I had something to prove
by accepting the blow

I was hit with a bullet
that I saw coming all along

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c. AS I SIT HERE AND ROT

'partial link': /poem/as-i-sit-here-and-rot/


As I Sit Here And Rot - by Nicole D'Settemi

I cannot stop these cravings
I just really want to shoot it
Oh, yes, I know the truth
Oh yes I fu*king blew it

I'm not sure where to turn
Or how to possibly hide it
I'm completely addicted now
And, I need not deny it

Everything has paused
It's like life has suddenly stopped
And I'm stuck craving this sh*t
As I sit here and rot

I cannot shake these feelings
Of being out of control
I cannot seem to retain
All that the Devil stole

I'm frightened now,
You son of a bitch!
Oh God, how I'm pained...
JESUS CHRIST, how I itch!

My skin it is throbbing
My heart it beats slow
Yet, I feel as if I'm on fire
As if I could explode!

Go away-
Stop invading my mind PLEASE
I run and I hide
But, you always seem to find me!

You are there all the time
Day in through the night
This must be the battle
And, I am losing this fight!

Yet, I do not give in
Or at least I won't give up NOW
But, I'm heading straight for danger
If I don't GET UP NOW!

You are warping my thoughts
You are fu*king with my vision
With all your sick fine-tuning
And, excellent precision

It isn't over, though
And, I will continue to fight
On I will continue
Because, for me-I know what is right!

I'll fight for those people
That say that they care
And, I'll kill all the useless
Those who did dare

Dared to help add to
This Lost Poisoned Soul
Dared to be heartless
And, apathetic and cold

It is my turn now
To be the thief
And, they will feel sorrow
And, anger, and grief

So ROT IN PIECES
AS YOU DO DROP DEAD
It's over now-
Why, I've taken your head!

I've won, I'm clean
I'm fresh, I'm new
And, you're dead, you're ugly
You're gone
You're you.

Yes, YOU.

© Copyright 2007 Nicole D'Settemi /StarvingArtista

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d. MY CHILD

partial link: /poem/my-child-54/


My Child - by Mike Barrett

There was a time
Or there will be
When love will come
Your way -
And you'll not know
Just what to do
Or how you should behave.

There was a time
Or there will be
When love will stir
Your heart -
When you'll
Reach out
And take the one
That brought that joy
To you.

But there are risks,
As with all things,
That time will turn the tide
And what thought love
Will die the death
And you'll be hurt inside.

In knowing this
Before you start
You'll have a better chance
To linger long in love's embrace
And love it while it lasts.

If it should die
As time goes by
Don't languish in the past -
We grow at different rates my child
And first loves rarely last -
Our first love rarely lasts!

© M. Barrett - all rights reserved

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Poet's Notes: (partial)
This poem was written late 2002, early 2003. It was written one night after my daughter came home in tears (yet again) after having had a disagreement with her boyfriend.
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e. THIS STREET LIFE

'partial link': /poem/this-street-life/


THIS STREET LIFE

Young woman!
I‘ve never seen you here before,
This inspires me even more.

I'm not as old, as I may seem
But for years, that's how it's been

You see that woman on that bench?
Her first few years, made so much sense.

Today I know, she does regret
The situation, she did not address.

I‘m sure that you would not like
To take a chance at this street life.

Many men and women too,
Walked this street just like you.

They believed, that it was right,
To sleep by day and work at night.


But just after their first big bite,
Their second slice, was not as nice.

Now back to what I said before,
I need to tell you, something more.

In life they're things, we do ignore,
But some mistakes we just can't cure
So!
If you could just prevent this plight
Your future, would be so much bright.

At your age, you may not know
The seeds you are, about to sow

Even though it may not show,
The survival rate, is very low
Now!
I may not know you good enough
But let me add, this friendly touch
This street life it's way too rough.

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Poet's Notes:
This poem was written just after I overheard a conversation, between a middle age man and a teenage girl, one Friday night while working in the streets of downtown Toronto.
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Bri's Note: Albert lists his occupation as"Law enforcement" on PH.
Also, I, Bri, corrected some minor typos.I have done this for others poems also. :)
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f. FINGER-LICKING BAD

'partial link': /poem/finger-licking-bad-bad-tastes-oddities-eccentricities/


Finger-Licking Bad... [bad 'Tastes'; Oddities; Eccentricities] - by Bri Edwards

Would you ever wear a striped shirt with green paisley pants?
If I did, I'm sure there'd be no end...to the critics' rants.
Imagine a man with a shaved head...., but only on one side.
If he were hitchhiking, would you stop to give HIM a ride?

Would you give a panhandler wearing a mink coat even a dime?
I'd bet most of you readers would....not give her the time!
And if the waiter set in front of you a fish still wiggling in sauce,
I'll bet a few of you readers......, your cookies would surely toss.

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Poet's Notes:
Some of these images come to mind from things i have seen in my life. 'Tossing cookies'
means vomiting/throwing up/losing stomach contents through mouth. yuk!
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g.RESOLUTIONS 2018

'partial link': /poem/resolutions-2018/


Resolutions 2018 - by David Whalen

This Year It's all about me

I'll use sleight of hand
Be all smoke and mirrors
Confess everything
Reveal nothing at all

I'll be all misdirection
In the way the cards fall
Be honestly devious
Mischievous and raw

I resolve to be all stuff and nonsense
Don't trust me one bit
I'll aspire to be lascivious
And really be lovin' it

I'm gonna' gain as much weight as I can
Eat bacon for breakfast, lunch and dinner
Gonna' gobble sugar (as much as I can stand)
Not gonna' care anymore about gettin' thinner

This year is gonna' be all about me
I'll not have many more I fear
And If nothin' else…It's gonna be
A very happy New Year

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Poet's Notes:
This one's all about me!
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h.AN UNLIKELY PAIR

'partial link': /poem/an-unlikely-pair/


An Unlikely Pair - by Larry Schreckengost

We had a dachshund who loved digging holes
Seldom have we seen him without mud on his nose
He must be related to some breed of mole
The dog and I each had our established roll
Digging and filling until the dinner bell tolls

Under the windmill, at the back of our farm
Lives a fussy old groundhog with one broken arm
She lives in a burrow that keeps her quite warm
Bouquets of wildflowers bring her home charm

Our heads we did scratch
Till the answer was hatched
We thought this pair perfectly matched

The old groundhog worried her arm was too sore
Then sighed, What will happen to me If I can't dig anymore
Madam please, We have the perfect dog for this chore
All he needs is a small space on your floor

It's been forever since we've tripped in a hole
Or walked around the yard doing damage control
Occasionally we see them digging on the hill
'Neath the old windmill amid wild dill

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i. LIVE IN A WORLD OF STRIFE AND STILL THINK OF IT AS ONE FAMILY

'partial link': /poem/live-in-a-world-of-strife-and-still-think-of-it-as-one-family/



Live In A World Of Strife And Still Think Of It As One Family! - by Savita Tyagi

How can we adapt to this mysterious principle
Of oneness of universe,
So widely spoken by all leaders in religion
As well as in politics and economics?
Spoken on all social levels
But never believed to be followed.
Really what were our ancients thinking?
Live in a world of strife and still think of it as one family!
So I ponder on it and this is what I stumble upon!

We all expect fights to happen in family
And we expect all to make it up
Simply because it is a family.
Like a river, identity of family is of a continuous change
And so are worldly relationships.
So when you think of world wars
And peace treaties among our leaders
Think of a fight broken among family members
Of greater hierarchy!
Few crack members of family insinuate fight
And the world goes topsy-turvy!
Sooner or later they come to their senses
And talk about peace and
Go on living as leaders of world peace!
But not before millions are made
Homeless and orphaned or
Buried in nameless graves!

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j.WHEN I KISSED AND WHEN I COULD NOT

'partial link': /poem/when-i-kissed-and-when-i-could-not/


When I Kissed And When I Could Not - by Akhtar Jawad

Recollecting the unforgettable moments
fragrance I still feel but the colors I have lost.
I remember a birthday party
enjoying the humors of your fourth birthday
as you were born on 29th of February
though you were appealing and exciting from all sides
your long silky shining hairs,
your breasts like buds slowly blossoming in a flower
your round arms restless to come around a neck
the petals of your lips excited to open
and to be kissed by a bumblebee,
on your sweet teen birthday
a funny fact
I saw only four candles on your birthday cake
though you were a perfect sweet sixteen.
but I saw sixteen intact candles yet to delight
a few in a sunny day
and a few in a moonlit night.
I thought leaving the rest for someone else
at least I can lit the candle of your lips.
When you pleased me with a dance
In my maiden life a virgin romance!
I dragged you in a lonely corner
and I lit the first candle,
on 29th of February,1964.
Your silent but naughty eyes I read
a friendly write
I could lit only one candle
and I should leave the rest
for one who is not merely a friend
someone more handsome
and more deserving for you.
Alas! I never knew
that was a parting kiss!
Now on 29th of February,2016
I am again dancing with you
I can read the write
of your sobers eyes,
"You should not extinguish
the first candle you lit
fifty-one years ago.
I am not only a mother
but a grandmother as well."
My leap year baby,
I know you are now a graceful lady.
Yet, I love both the birthdays
when I kissed
and,
when I could not.

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Bri's Note: I say there is at least one 'typo' in the poem, but I've decided to leave it as Akhtar presents it.If anyone wishes to know my other thoughts on the poem, they need only to go to see what I left on the poem's page.
bri :)
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k. WHAT SHALL I WRITE

'partial link': /poem/what-shall-i-write-3/


What Shall I Write - by Loke Kok yee

What shall I write
‘Ere the restless sun unveils the morn
With vapours still o'er a placid lake

While pale moonbeams on lilies adorn
The drifting mist slowly turns opaque
Some roses anxious with buds unborn
And drowsy blossoms yet to awake

What shall I write
When golden sunrays begin to smile
And the lake shimmers with ripples made

The gentle breeze which had eased erewhile
Brings life to shadows lost in the shade
Then freshen wind bear scents to beguile
As life resumes through the verdant glade

What shall I write
When the scorching sun sits up on high
And the lake gloomy in stifling heat

If the wayward wind does not pass by
Then all creatures will in haste retreat
While those able like a butterfly
Are faced with wilting flowers to greet

What shall I write
When the tired sun calls it a day
And the lake tranquil as twilight falls

Soon hopeful shadows will fade away
As the blushing moon has yet to call
While nightlife hesitates in dismay
All pursuits then grind down to a crawl

What shall I write
When the timid moon reclaims the night
And the lake bestirs as wavelets ride

While shadowy shapes sail through in flight
The whispering wind with trees confide
And creatures guided by all but sight
Leaves all to luck and fate to decide

What shall I write
With such splendour gifted to delight
Will I be able to turn the tide?
There must be something that I can write
With rhythm and rhyme to coincide
In solitude will my thoughts ignite
And with eloquence through pages glide

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l. FINAL DESTINATION

'partial link': /poem/final-destination-18/


Final Destination - by James McLain [formerly known as 'Is It Poetry' on PoemHunter]

Before there was,
What is today the past was not
The future is.
Tomorrow formed from former
Dreams,
In sleep most have forgot.

The rift in space and time not seen
Not yet,
Around beneath my head.
I lived and breathed before you were
And self aware.

Yet when I slept, I dreamt of you and
Where we met before.
To go and be as once again to dream
That dream no more.

The mist the dawn has changed the night's
We're warm,
The day's were long and they were cold.
Your final destination,
Is the place you were before in dreams
I'm certain this you know.


Copyright © James McLain | Year Posted 2018

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Bri's Notes:I have made corrections of some spellings
and some of James's use of apostrophes from James's original.
If I am 'wrong', the errors are mine!I do this to some poems.
I did (incorrectly)change "dreamt" to "dreampt" for a while,
but changed it back after realizing MY ERROR! ! !
I do NOT 'correct' "British" spellings to "American spellings",
IF I notice them.:)
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Thus endeth my/our February 2018 showcase.That means it is ended!

Thanks for joining as a contributor, reader, and/or maybe even a commenter on the showcase page OR the page(s) of individual poems.

bri :)

******See you in March? Actually, I may be away from a computer for much of March, so I may start and finish March's showcase earlier than usual.******




bri :)
****see Poet's Notes below the showcase for my explanation of how to turn a ‘partial link' into a ‘whole link' to access poem pages of individual poems.