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December 2023 Poetry Contest - $500 Cash Prize

December 2023 Poetry Contest - $500 Cash Prize

Published: December 6, 2023

December 2023 Poetry Contest Semi-finalists

These poems have been submitted to the December 2023 Poetry Contest. Below this list you will find the semi-finalist poems.

December 2023 Poetry Contest, First Prize $500 Cash!
Submission Deadline is December 31. CLOSED.
Semi-Finalists Published here through January 6th CLOSED.
Winner Announced: January 7th
The Winning Poem is - "Concrete Angel" by Jack Elliott Jr. Congratulations!

These poems have been submitted to the December 2023 Poetry Contest.

Pretend by Julie Wichterman
I Am A Victim by Rhonda G. Hitch
The Upshot Of Your Experiment by Rachel Khorashadi
I Dropped By This Morning by Robert L. Chisholm
Tea Alchemy by Ahlam B.Saga
Smile by Aaron R. Tercero-Lozano
I Hate by Raquel J. Lesser
Your Love, Soul Love by SincerelyCharliee
What The Princess Wanted by Kajari Agrawal
Lost In Emotion by Josephine Zavala-Florez
Love Is .... by Ilona M. Blake
Paint Me In Poetry by Carolyn V. June-Jackson
For My Dad by HelenKGW
The Man Upstairs by Rosalie B
My Shattered Soul by Dana L. Jordahl
Family Love, And Loss by Cheryl CMP
The Steward by Sylvia Stults
Seasons Of Grief by Belinda Stotler
I Promise by Rosemary Trujillo
The Law Of Nature by Philip Jorgenson
Special Rain Drops by Ken Brantley
It's All In The Eyes by Katy A. Brown
A Path To Somewhere by Sarah Jane E. Conklin
SHUT THE GATE MATE by Robert Entriken
It's Hard, Sometimes by Sierra S. Emrick
That's Just What Families Do by Don Hamaliuk
Mysterious Pain by Peggy Stewart
Concrete Angel by Seawolf
Inferno's Essence by Caleb Burphy
Our Love by Charles J. Booker
Hello, I Love You, Goodbye by Taylor Jones
The Wedding Gone Awry by Chase M. Testa
Heart Song by Keith Acker
Life Is A Medley by Robert L. Chisholm
Merry Christmas And Thanks For The Memories by Samuel Aragone
Alienated, And Cast Away, But Not Forever by Yair A. Friedman
The Greatest Race by Jeff Opperman
Winter Time by Pauline Faller
The Invitation by Doug W. Benson
Trapped Inside by Dedicated_mama
Don't Dance On The Cereal by Janet Eggen
Take Back Your Life by Tonya R. Zuber
The Purpose by Robert
The Search For Real Friends by Danielle Anglin
Little Joyful Motions by Ben J. Connolly
BOND Titles by Sandra Jebb
Stay On Your Road, Please by Mia A. Lambert
You, My Sun by Bistelle
No Refuge by Roger W. Sandmann
My Last Goodbye by Dustin Stegall
VIRGIN MARY by Raelene J. Elliss
A Letter To Santa by Ann D. Stevenson
STREET MAN by James C. Gordon
Last Night I Had A Dream by Michael A. Daigneault
Is Perception Reality??? by Robert C. Saunders
Goodbye Queen Of Hearts by Iola Zaan
Before And After by Chris Gallagher
At The End It Is One Another Story by Kalhari Kaluarachchi
The Cry Of The Monarch Butterfly by Carolyn V. June-Jackson
A Specular Christmas by Ann D. Stevenson
I Cry by Watyne Greer
Grandpa by Lisa Jessie
Glimpses by Keith Lewthwaite
Restless Nights by Jovarius A. Burton
The Bomb by Marie Matheny
Christmas Miracles To Believe by Marcia A. Newton
I Know I Saw Him by Regina M. Elliott
Saying Goodbye To My Brother by Karmalyw
9/11Attacks by Janelle Barker
THE FIRST BORN by Raelene J. Elliss
Let Loose Limits On Life by Vaneka J. Johnson
Thorns by Michelle Meece

The poems below have been selected as semi-finalists for the December 2023 Poetry Contest.

Our Editors determine the winning poem based on content, but you can let us know your top poems by rating, sharing, adding to your favorites and commenting on your favorite poems.

View our Previous Poetry Contest Winners

December 2023 Poetry Contest Semi-finalists

Seasons Of Grief
- By Belinda Stotler
- Published by Family Friend Poems February 2012 with permission of the Author.
My sister, Brenda, was my best friend and I loved her with my whole heart. She died suddenly at age 50 from a blood clot caused by emergency surgery that she should have never had to undergo. She died 3 days after my birthday on 11/09/2007 and I found her when I went to change her bandages. The shock and grief was unbearable at times, and I cried everyday the first year afterwards. I miss her and think of her every day. Poetry helped me and I hope my poem helps others.

in Grief Poems

Shall I wither and fall like an autumn leaf,
From this deep sorrow - from this painful grief?
How can I go on or find a way to be strong?
Will I ever again enjoy life's sweet song?

Shall I wither and fall like an autumn leaf,
From this deep sorrow - from this painful grief?
How can I go on or find a way to be strong?
Will I ever again enjoy life's sweet song?

Sometimes a warm memory sheds light in the dark
And eases the pain like the song of a Meadow Lark.
Then it flits away on silent wings and I'm alone;
Hungering for more of the light it had shone.

Shall grief's bitter cold sadness consume me,
Like a winter storm on the vast angry sea?
How can I fill the void and deep desperate need
To replant my heart with hope's lovely seed?

Then I look at a photo of your playful smiling face
And for a moment I escape to a serene happy place;
Remembering the laughter and all you would do,
Cherishing the honest, caring, loving spirit of you.

Shall spring's cheerful flowers bring life anew
And allow me to forget the agony of missing you?
Will spring's burst of new life bring fresh hope
And teach my grieving soul how to cope?

Sometimes I'll read a treasured card you had given me
And each word's special meaning makes me see,
The precious gift of love I was fortunate to receive,
And I realize you'd never want to see me grieve.

Shall summer's warm brilliant sun bring new light,
And free my anguished mind of its terrible plight?
Will its gentle breezes chase grief's dark clouds away,
And show me a clear path towards a better day?

When I visit the grave where you lie in eternal peace,
I know that death and heaven brought you release;
I try to envision your joy on that shore across the sea,
And, until I join you, that'll have to be enough for me.

For all the remaining seasons of my life on earth,
There'll be days I'll miss your merriment and mirth,
And sometimes I'll sadly long for all the yesterdays;
Missing our chats and your gentle understanding ways.

Yet, the lessons of kindness and love you taught me,
And the good things in life you've helped me to see;
Linger as lasting gifts that comfort and will sustain,
Until I journey to that peaceful shore and see you again.
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We, (humanity,) are facing an epidemic of loneliness. It is why there are so many heartbreaking stories of children, being lost to drugs and/or gang violence. When we see someone that we try...

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Mysterious Pain
- By Peggy Stewart
- Published by Family Friend Poems July 2011 with permission of the Author.
I have struggled with anxiety for many years. It is such an awful thing, and for people who don't have any idea what it is like, it is hard for them to understand. They think that you can just pull yourself out of it. One day I was so anxious and overwhelmed by these feelings, and I started to write. This is what came to me. For any of you who struggle with this, you are not alone. I hope that you will somehow learn to overcome it. Unfortunately, I have not, but I will never give up hope.

Poem About Anxiety Disorder

in Mental Illness Poems

With her head hung low
and nowhere to go,

she can't explain

With her head hung low
and nowhere to go,

she can't explain
this mysterious pain.

It comes on so fast.
How long will it last?

Her heart is just pounding; her head starts to spin.
Please go away; she does not want you in.

She's uncontrollably crying.
It feels like she's dying.

Her body is trembling; her hands start to shake.
She feels so helpless with this horrible ache.

Someone, please help her; make this go away.
She can't stand to feel this way one more day.

Someone, please help her; she's down on her knees.
She's scared and helpless and hopes no one sees.

With her head hung low,
not knowing where to go,

she tries to explain
this mysterious pain.
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No one understands what I am suffering from. My new doctor has decided I am taking a far too dangerous drug, so he is weaning me off. I must suffer again for the length of this weaning...

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Is Perception Reality?
- By Robert C. Saunders
- Published by Family Friend Poems January 1, 2024 with permission of the Author.
After losing my marriage, my business, and my finances during Covid I grew to despise who I was. Through lots of writing I came to realize that my story wasn't coming to an end, merely just starting a new chapter. This chapter of my life will be my redemption story!

in Change Poems

There's an old man I pass
Almost every single day
We don't share many words cause
We really don't have anything nice to say

There's an old man I pass
Almost every single day
We don't share many words cause
We really don't have anything nice to say

I look at him with disgust
He looks at me the same
Both of look at each other
With complete and utter shame

He is old and gray
Bags beneath his eyes
Wrinkles on his forehead
He tries to disguise

The neighbors tell me
He has a heart of gold
He's never done anything for me
Besides act ice cold

But today something happened
That hasn't in quite a while
He looked at me, I looked at him
We both shared a small smile

We both quickly looked away
Back to quiet enemies again
You may fool the rest of the neighborhood
I know who you really are and it isn't my friend

Who he is really is
Is getting clearer and clearer
Because he meets me every morning
While I stand at the mirror

He looks back at me
Still with total disgust and shame
I look back at him
With only myself to blame
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Stay On Your Road, Please
- By Mia A. Lambert
- Published by Family Friend Poems December 15, 2023 with permission of the Author.
I have a close family member who has a mental illness and tried taking her life several times. This poem is dedicated to her and all those who may be considering suicide to stop their pain. It is a reminder that there are better days ahead if they can just hang on for a while longer.

Poem For Anyone Thinking About Taking Their Own Life

in STOP Suicide Poems

When your friends unliked you on Facebook, and they all stopped taking your calls.
Strangers give you a nasty look, and your life's full of failures and falls.
When you'd rather just stay in your bed, go to sleep and never wake up.
And you'd rather be anyone else instead of this loser you've finally become.

When your friends unliked you on Facebook, and they all stopped taking your calls.
Strangers give you a nasty look, and your life's full of failures and falls.
When you'd rather just stay in your bed, go to sleep and never wake up.
And you'd rather be anyone else instead of this loser you've finally become.
When it seems that you're quite invisible, and no one gives you the time of day.
You're progressively more and more miserable, and you wish you could just fade away.
When your darkness is so overpowering, and your last ray of hope's down the drain.
You've decided to end it all, and give in to the suffering and pain.
Well hold on, wait a minute! You're too young to surrender just yet.
Now listen while I explain, my friend, about a future you haven't yet met.
A future where strange things can happen. Where lightning can strike anytime.
Where sadness gives way to happiness, and your future turns bright on a dime.
In the future, you might make a friend one day. One who's traveled the same roads as you.
That someone who likes you just as you are. Could be the best friend that you ever knew.
In the future, you might find your soulmate. The one who's the yang to your yin.
That person who makes your spirit soar. Takes you places where you've never been.
Imagine yourself in the future, if you can, when you're embraced by family and friends.
You've had a great life, but still you'll remember, these hard times when you almost gave in.
But anything can happen in the future, of course. You'll see dark skies, like everyone does.
But for now, you've just got to hang in there, and one day you'll step back in the sun.
So take hold of your life, find some joy, pat yourself on the back now and then.
But know that your road is a long one, so please, stay on it as long as you can.
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Grandpa
- By Lisa D. Jessie
- Published by Family Friend Poems July 2018 with permission of the Author.
We lost our grandson after birth in January 2018. He had a disease, and we knew we'd lose him. It affected his organs and took one of his legs. My husband has been struggling with this. In efforts to comfort him in any way I could, I wrote this poem for him. My husband's grandpa passed away many years ago, and he always says that he just wishes he had one more day with him. I know my husband knows that his grandfather is with his grandson in heaven, but he still struggles with this loss every single day.

The Loss Of A Grandson

in Baby Death Poems

Dear Grandpa,

I don't want you to worry about me.
This was the plan from the very first day.

Dear Grandpa,

I don't want you to worry about me.
This was the plan from the very first day.
God told me to trust him, you see,
To believe and trust his way.

When Mommy told you about me,
I saw that sadness in your eyes,
What to feel or how to be.
Yes, Grandpa, I heard your cries.

I know that this was hard for you,
And I saw you on your knees,
Praying for a miracle to come true.
Your heart was on your sleeve.

I heard you scream to Jesus why,
Blaming him for losing me.
I'll always be your grandson,
And my grandpa you'll always be.

I found comfort in your arms
And the love you had for me.
I'm not far from where you are.
In your heart I'll always be.

Heaven is really a peaceful place.
I'll meet you again one day.
Keep your faith and always pray.
Know Jesus and trust his way.

I felt you hold my hand that day
And say your I love you's.
Up here, Grandpa, I can run and play.
Close your eyes, you'll see me, too.

The day I left this life to be
In heaven with someone new.,
Not only Jesus Christ, you see.
I met your grandpa, too.
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This poem is sad. It’s very sad to lose someone, especially a child or grandchild, and things like that happen all the time. What makes it even sadder is being a mom, dad, grandpa, or...

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A Path To Somewhere
- By Sarah Jane E. Conklin
- Published by Family Friend Poems January 1, 2024 with permission of the Author.
A Path to Somewhere is a poem about gratefulness. This rhyming story is heartwarming, thought-provoking and timeless. Its concept is rooted in my childhood. Growing up in Newfoundland, Canada, blueberry picking was an annual Labour Day weekend excursion. At some point in our lives, we may lose our way. A Path to Somewhere reminds us that the core of our happiness is appreciating every experience that brings us joy.

To Be Grateful For All Things That Bring Us Joy

in Inspirational Poems

Along a path, there was a bush,
That grew in marshy ground.
Its branches thick and laden down,
With berries big and round.

Along a path, there was a bush,
That grew in marshy ground.
Its branches thick and laden down,
With berries big and round.

A boy with curiosity,
Was heedful of its root.
Then popped a berry in his mouth,
To taste the juicy fruit.

And oh that flavour made him smile,
That teeny tiny taste.
The sweetness in the juicy pulp,
Must not be lost in haste.

He laughed at all the berry juice,
That stained his fingertips.
Beneath his nails, and on his teeth,
Around his mouth and lips.

He wandered often through the path,
To taste the berries, sweet.
He'd cup his hands and fill them up,
Then savour as a treat.

The widening path developed ruts,
Each time that he passed through.
He filled his pails right to the brim,
Brushed off the bugs and view.

The berries grew back just the same,
But carelessly were picked.
The boy would hardly taste them now,
His fingers barely licked.

He snatched and grabbed with buckets full,
He'd leave the branches bare.
He never thought about a day,
The bush would not be there.

He always had somewhere to go,
The beaten path misused.
The berry bush now overlooked,
Its leaves were often bruised.
Its tender roots at times exposed,
Downtrodden and abused.

An early winter held its grip,
With ice and heavy snow.
The berry bush turned very frail,
Perhaps too weak to grow.

Its damaged limbs were breaking down,
The frost had caused decay.
Recovery would take some care
And love, along the way.

The boy matured into a man,
With children of his own.
They trudged through the neglected path,
To where the bush had grown.

To his dismay the berry bush
Was weakened and so small.
Had tattered leaves and broken limbs--
No berries there at all.

His roots exposed, and now deposed,
His heart began to call.

And at that moment he knew well,
That he had gone astray.
And things may come, and things may go,
That's life's impartial way.

Together, they would heal the bush,
They plucked and pruned and weeded.
They tended to its every need,
They nurtured, fed, and seeded.

When spring returned, green leaves appeared,
He saw the bush rebound.
Soon poking through around its base,
An offshoot could be found!

When time allowed, the man returned
To taste the berries, sweet.
But only picked the berries that
He needed, or could eat.
He'd cup his hands and fill them up,
Then savour as a treat.

Awakened by his gratitude,
And mem'ries of child play.
Was grateful for the many things
That lead him there that day.
For family, skies, and butterflies,
--A berry bush buffet.

The tended path now guiding him,
To where he's meant to be.
Another bush was flourishing,
Profoundly he could see,
That things will come, and things will go,
And things will go unseen.
A berry bush unearthed his path,
To Somewhere else
-- And in between.
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Don't Dance On The Cereal
- By Janet Eggen
- Published by Family Friend Poems January 1, 2024 with permission of the Author.
I wrote this poem when in response to my daughter, I heard myself saying, "Don't Dance on the Cereal!" I laughed thinking it was such a strange thing to say to someone. Regretfully, I lost her to an accident when she was 23 years old and the memory of that day and this poem always brings a smile and warms my heart as I recall a happier time.

My Two Year-old Daughter

in Funny Family Poems

She takes the breakfast cereal, and throws it on the floor
And does a little soft shoe, while Raggedy yells, "Encore!"
Teddy Bear gets a bath each day inside the toilet bowl.
Destroying me and half the house must surely be her goal!

She takes the breakfast cereal, and throws it on the floor
And does a little soft shoe, while Raggedy yells, "Encore!"
Teddy Bear gets a bath each day inside the toilet bowl.
Destroying me and half the house must surely be her goal!
I tell her that she's precious...she says, "No, I'm a brat!"
I ask who'd dare to say it? She says, "you mommy said that."
I yell, "Sit down!" while in the car, "you'll fall if I stop short!"
"Then stop long mommy." she answers...How's that for a retort?
It's hard to bring up children, or so I'm always told.
But I'm being raised by Tracy and she's only 2 years old.
And still I love her madly. She's my light, my pride, my joy.
And yet I keep on wondering, "Do I dare try for a boy?"
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Lost In Emotion
- By Josephine Zavala-Florez
- Published by Family Friend Poems April 2018 with permission of the Author.
This is about a period in my life when I felt discouraged and frustrated. I was complaining and feeling ungrateful. But after much prayer and being honest with God, these poetic words took form in my heart, and I believe they were inspired by the Holy Spirit. I was comforted and my strength was renewed. Praise God. He is Awesome!

God Is Aware Of Our Circumstances

in Faith Poems

Sometimes I feel lost in a maze of emotions,
where every direction feels like a dead-end street.
I feel so alone in my search for an answer
that I start to blame God for not meeting my needs.

Sometimes I feel lost in a maze of emotions,
where every direction feels like a dead-end street.
I feel so alone in my search for an answer
that I start to blame God for not meeting my needs.

But God never promised that life would be easy,
for trials will come in different forms.
But He did promise that He would never forsake us
and that we can still have peace in the midst of the storm.

God's love runs deeper than the deepest ocean,
but He is not altered by the moods that we bring.
For every problem, He has a solution.
He is consistently working behind the scenes.

So whenever you feel like you're losing the battle
and you want to just bow your head in defeat,
remember, with God you are always the winner,
for with Him by your side, you will never be beat!
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This poem is the same as my feelings. Almost every day I ask myself why I must face all these trials. I have been tired of life, but I realize God has a plan for me and for everybody. I have...

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Concrete Angel
- By Jack Elliott Jr.
- Published by Family Friend Poems January 1, 2024 with permission of the Author.
As a young sailor I met this young woman in New York city. Many years have passed and yet I still can still hear her sighs and taste her lips. Always I will ponder her fate.

An Indelible Impression

in Long Distance Poems

There on the streets of Manhattan
Beneath the cold neon light
You were the soul of my affections
And all with the world seemed right

There on the streets of Manhattan
Beneath the cold neon light
You were the soul of my affections
And all with the world seemed right

The wind was singing of your beauty
The snow caressed you as it fell
You were the road that lay before me
But where it led no one could tell

The city seemed to fall silent
Beneath a blanket of white
And you looked just like an Angel
Standing in Times Square that night

You took me to see the high lights
Of the city you loved so much
You took me dancing in the Village
And taught me the pleasure of your touch

At repose in your apartment
My head spinning with the wine
I pulled you closer to me
And you whispered you were mine

You looked just like an Angel
With neon light in your hair
And you smelled just like heaven
With alabaster skin laid bare

I lay awake in the darkness
And I listened to you breathe
And you looked just like an Angel
As you lay there next to me

Strawberry hair covered your pillow
And freckles covered your nose
When I kissed you on your fingertips
It made you wriggle your toes

There on that island
Cast of mortar, stone and steel
My world moved in slow motion
And the night seemed surreal

I said you were my Concrete Angel
Because of where you lived
You asked me for my heart
But I didn't have one to give

It was time for me to leave
And the snow had turned to rain
And you looked just like an Angel
As we headed for the train

We made the drive in silence
Neither could find any words to say
You rested your head on my shoulder
My feet had turned to clay

There were no words in parting
Neither wanted to say goodbye
And you looked just like an Angel
Just as you started to cry

Raindrops on your eye lashes
Your mascara had started to run
And you looked just like an Angel
Whose world had come undone

Our hands pressed against the glass
Our souls screaming to be heard
So much emotion welled up inside
But neither could say a word

You were a dancer at a club downtown
And I was a sailor who couldn't stay
And you looked just like an Angel
As you watched the train pull away

I have touched the face of Heaven
And felt the warmth of her glow
I held my Angel close to me
And then I let her go

Where have all of the good years gone
One by one they slipped away
Did all of your dreams come true
Or did life get in the way

So many times I've thought of you
And how things might have been
With an Angel by my side
No broken heart to mend

There is an Angel in Manhattan
She lives high up in the clouds
Away from the city streets
Above the maddening crowds
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Pat, I was absolutely thrilled to read your comment. Such a compliment from a poet with your talent is far more than I could have ever hoped for. It is so very good to know that you are...

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For My Dad
- By Helen K. Grandison-Whyte
- Published by Family Friend Poems January 1, 2024 with permission of the Author.
My Father has been sick for a few years now. We are the point where all we can do is wait and love him. So I wrote my feelings down. My Father has always been my whole world. Life without him is unimaginable, but life is often doing the unimaginable.

This Poem Is For My Dad

in Father Poems

I sit here and wait. I wait for your chest to rise; I wait for you to open your eyes. I lay in bed and wait to hear... to hear that door open and Mum calmly come out, because that means you didn't bow out. I watch you smile, to hell with the pain, your spirit lifts when you see us all together again.

I know you're in pain, it's a struggle every day, I know the goodbye that hangs in the air, but my heart isn't ready for the break that's waiting there. I try not to get stuck on what's to come, I don't want to grieve early, let's just have some rum. Let's laugh at the past, and live in the now, create new memories while time allows.

I sit here and wait. I wait for your chest to rise; I wait for you to open your eyes. I lay in bed and wait to hear... to hear that door open and Mum calmly come out, because that means you didn't bow out. I watch you smile, to hell with the pain, your spirit lifts when you see us all together again.

I know you're in pain, it's a struggle every day, I know the goodbye that hangs in the air, but my heart isn't ready for the break that's waiting there. I try not to get stuck on what's to come, I don't want to grieve early, let's just have some rum. Let's laugh at the past, and live in the now, create new memories while time allows.

I'm getting married soon, how joyous that'll be, I really hope you'll be there to see.... To see the man that loves me fiercely, my new protector, God bless him really! He's made me his and will hold my hand just as you did when I was young. I'll be alright Dad; you can trust that truth. We will make you proud everyday through.

So, rest a while and help me plan. No matter what, you'll be right there when.... when I walk that isle, when I say I do... no matter what, my whole life I'll see you.
But when you go, wait for me there, I'll meet you at the gate, with soft sunlight dancing in your hair. We will sing and laugh and hug once more, and walk through heaven, at peace forevermore.
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This poem really touched me, and I am a twelve-year old girl! I don't know what's going on now, if he's still fighting or not, but I just want to tell you that you can always pray and God...

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The Invitation
- By Doug W Benson
- Published by Family Friend Poems December 15, 2023 with permission of the Author.
I hope this poem resonates with you as it has me. I feel nature is constantly inviting me and everyone to "Come, Come..." and connect through each of our senses.

Poem Accepting Nature's Invitation

in Beauty of Nature Poems

Come, Come and feel crisp air anew
As respirations burn
Discover bark, tall grass and dew
That only touch can learn

Come, Come and feel crisp air anew
As respirations burn
Discover bark, tall grass and dew
That only touch can learn

Come, Come and see life's tapestry
Of colors every shade
From mossy stones, feathers, leaves,
To those that time has made

Come, Come and hear the peaceful stream
Whence raging rivers start
Then on to thunderous harmony
That waterfalls impart

Come, Come and taste the banquet lain
Prepared by Mother Earth
Your pallet ne'er will be the same
Where sweet and bitter birth

Come, Come and smell the fragrant scents
That fill all space and time
Majestic auras represent
A calming fleur divine

Yes, Come and spend some time with me
I vow you won't forget
For all your senses here will be
Renewed without regret
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A lovely feeling of freshness and the healing senses of nature. Best wishes, Ann

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Take Back Your Life
- By Tonya R. Zuber
- Published by Family Friend Poems January 1, 2024 with permission of the Author.
I use rhythm & rhyme to encourage people to break from their addictions. I wrote this poem for my brothers, both of whom battled substance abuse. Tragically, they lost those fights.
I know it's not easy. I understand the battle and while words aren't enough, I want you to know you're not alone. You are worthy. You are strong. You can do it. I wish you the courage to fight your battles.
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You Are Not Alone

in Addiction Poems

Do you know those drugs
Will never outlast
The tug of war you play
With the pain from your past

Do you know those drugs
Will never outlast
The tug of war you play
With the pain from your past

You're fighting your battles
On all the wrong levels
And doing street drugs
Won't help to beat that devil

Just because I don't do
Drugs like you do
Doesn't mean I can't understand
The struggles you go through

I don't know what it's like
To battle with addiction everyday
Or how it feels to walk around
Needing to get high all day

What I do know about
Is the Demons you fight
Battling your own self
In your head all night

I know exactly what it's like
To be trapped In your own mind
Stumbling, falling
Running as if you're blind.

Walking through your life
Full of resentment and regret
That always leaves you feeling
So emotionally upset

You have to seek help
With what you're battling inside
Because you can't swim alone
Against your own tide

Your trials your trauma
And all your tears
Will not hold you back
Anymore this year

So be the person
You were meant to be
And do this all
While being completely clean

Say goodbye
To the turmoil and strife
And make this the year
You take back your life!
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Thorns
- By Michelle Meece
- Published by Family Friend Poems December 1, 2023 with permission of the Author.
This poem was about realizing the pattern of my own weakness and allowing myself to be manipulated over and over again, investing my worth in someone who didn't value my love.

Searching For A Way Out Of Manipulation

in Betrayal Poems

My body melts like sugar when
I'm wrapped up in your arms
I flow just like the river
after a raging summer storm.

My body melts like sugar when
I'm wrapped up in your arms
I flow just like the river
after a raging summer storm.

And no matter what direction I take
the path is always the same
I end up tossed in waves of confusion
swallowed up in an ocean of pain.

The dams I build around my heart,
you always seep your way through
I've got to find the shore
that separates me from you.

My heart craves a love like paradise,
we are constant war
Just like enemies in a battle
not worth fighting for.

I drank your poisoned water
like I was dying of thirst
Swallowing up your lies,
eyes blind, falling in head first.

I let you trap me on an island
surrounded by broken dreams
All this time I was overlooking the forest,
focusing on one tree.

I should've tossed you in the fire
the second you gave me thorns
Instead I let you turn me cold
when you should've kept me warm.
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It's Hard, Sometimes
- By Sierra S. Emrick
- Published by Family Friend Poems January 1, 2024 with permission of the Author.
Struggling with burnout, I find life can become monotonous and difficult, everyday feeling the same as I dread it. Though I try to remind myself that it's okay, things do get better on this rollercoaster of life.

Life Is Difficult, And That's Okay

in Poems about Life Struggles

Getting up in mornings for my usual day,
Though I really I just sit and think and lay,
It's hard, sometimes.

Getting up in mornings for my usual day,
Though I really I just sit and think and lay,
It's hard, sometimes.

My thoughts are cloudy and full of worries,
I shake my head, I'm late, I hurry,
It's hard, sometimes.

Work all day, home late at night,
I go to my room so I'm out of sight,
It's hard, sometimes.

I'm silent, burnt out, now just a shell,
I remind myself that this isn't my Hell, but
It's hard, sometimes.

Just for a moment I have some time,
Yet catching up with friends feels like a crime,
It's hard, sometimes.

Breathe, be gentle, it's alright for a break,
Never hurts to remember it's not a piece of cake,
It's hard, sometimes.

My mind finally steady, I now hear myself say,
It's okay, it's okay that
It's hard sometimes.
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It's All In The Eyes
- By Katy A. Brown
- Published by Family Friend Poems January 1, 2024 with permission of the Author.
Someone's eyes hold their entire past. Even when you have let go of your past, your eyes will always hold the truth.

Someone's Eyes Can Tell A Story

in Life Lesson Poems

A picture says a thousand words; a smile can too.
A laugh can tell you a lot, as well...
but to hide behind those things is quite easy to do.

A picture says a thousand words; a smile can too.
A laugh can tell you a lot, as well...
but to hide behind those things is quite easy to do.

For it's easy to say when asked "I'm perfectly fine, why?"
Fake smiles, and forced laughs... But on the inside, you cry.

I had become quite an expert;
at hiding scars and holding tears.
Misery can become like a drug,
Gratefully, I've been sober for years.

But I hold no regrets in this heart of mine, for I learned something quite valuable along the way.
It's almost kind of like a superpower... having the strength to let the past float away.

Maybe a smile can tell you a lot.
Some may believe that a picture tells no lies.
But if you really wish to know the story? I'm telling you darling, it's all in the eyes.
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No Refuge
- By Roger W. Sandmann
- Published by Family Friend Poems January 1, 2024 with permission of the Author.
The worst time of my life. Poetry was my only outlet, the only thing that kept me alive.

The Death Of My Wife

in Wife Death Poems

As the shower tried to wash away
the dust and grime of the day
my grief ran down my face as well
my cries were muted as the tears fell

As the shower tried to wash away
the dust and grime of the day
my grief ran down my face as well
my cries were muted as the tears fell
this is my spot where I can mourn alone
where I try and try forever to atone
for every wrong I ever committed
hoping and praying I'll be acquitted
I relive that day as images flash by
and as the water flows I silently cry
the flashbacks come in waves of pain
they surround me but never find the drain
and just as surely as the water can drown
the suffering can also pull me down
for there is no rescuer here to save me
and from this torrent I shall never be free
as I leave the shower my body is bathed
but my shattered soul is completely unfazed
there's no amount of scrubbing that can mend
this crushing torment that has no end
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That's Just What Families Do
- By Don W Hamaliuk
- Published by Family Friend Poems January 1, 2024 with permission of the Author.
I have 5 siblings who have strong opinions on almost everything and when we get together it gets loud and respectfully humorous. Most of the humor I keep replaying in my head because I want to, but the criticisms tend to come along with it sometimes. I really don't mind it all and this is what the poem is trying to communicate to the reader.

Constant Family Communication

in Loving Poems about Family

My whole family will keep talking deep inside my head
It's hard to pay attention to everything that's said
They're yelling out their criticism and it's not one by one
Or their grumbling disapproval for something I have done

My whole family will keep talking deep inside my head
It's hard to pay attention to everything that's said
They're yelling out their criticism and it's not one by one
Or their grumbling disapproval for something I have done

A mind-boggling family gathering, it's loud and so confusing
I'm just catching bits and pieces both serious and amusing
They're addressing all my issues but they're going way too fast
It's disturbing and intimidating like a haunting from my past

But I like to have them with me, if only in my head
Deciphering their perspective for everything that's said
After all, they are my family and they aren't holding back
And I'm probably up inside their head with my own attack

At times it is disturbing what we allow into our thoughts
Confusing destructive criticism with occasional enlightening shots
But I like my family's feedback, it's such an honest point of view
So, I'll let them keep on talking. That's just what families do
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Glimpses
- By Keith Lewthwaite
- Published by Family Friend Poems January 1, 2024 with permission of the Author.
After being diagnosed with a disease that has no cure, I wrote this poem during a period of reflection. Everything seemed to be old and aged. But when I used my mind's eye, I could catch glimpses of the girl I first fell in love with. They were only glimpses but they brought back precious memories of fifty years past.

Glimpses Of A Remembered Love

in Wife Poems

Early morning sun
Dull light through the window
A shadow crosses her face
I catch a glimpse

Early morning sun
Dull light through the window
A shadow crosses her face
I catch a glimpse
A face I once loved
The shadow moves
Her face changes
Now old, lined with age

Walking in the woods
Dappled light plays tricks
She turns her head
Again, a glimpse
A face I once adored
My old heart beats faster
Dark clouds rolls in
Now a careworn look

At home, the power is off
We light the candles
Dancing silhouettes
For a second, I catch a glimpse
A face so young
The dance changes
Her face changes
Now not so young

I open a drawer
Lift out a box
Blow away the dust
Old photos tumble in a pile
One by one I turn them over
I recognise a face
It's more than a glimpse
I fall in love again
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Having lost my husband almost exactly a year ago, I was incredibly touched by this poem. Especially as we too were married for well over 50 years. I look at photos on my photo frame all the...

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Hello, I Love You, Goodbye
- By Taylor Jones
- Published by Family Friend Poems January 1, 2024 with permission of the Author.
I have always struggled with mental illness. Pretty much everyone struggles with something. I think that everyone has missing pieces and gaps that need to be filled. My mental illness affects my daily life and religious beliefs. If your focus isn't on the person and their well-being, then what are you trying to fix? Everyone has worth because they are a person, not because of anything they say or do, especially not something out of their control that they are born with or into.

Broken People Are Still People

in Mental Illness Poems

hello, I love you, goodbye.
Sometimes I wonder why I try.

most days seem the same;

hello, I love you, goodbye.
Sometimes I wonder why I try.

most days seem the same;
others still seem to cause some pain.

I tell you I'm happy
but it's hardly the truth;
it's just easier for me to say to you.

I seem fine on the outside,
but inside, it worse -
always wondering about my ride in the hearse.

you tell me I'm fine,
I tell you, look harder.

my worth doesn't come from being someone's daughter.

you see, we all have struggles, no matter our age,
and while others are trying to pick up our pieces -
they drop some, we lose some, everything freezes.

so please, look closely when treading the ground -
there's pieces of people scattered around.

Now, I'm not trying to blame or
cause any trouble,
I'm just stepping outside
my own little bubble...

I'll always be here for you,
out among the rubble.
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Your Love, Soul Love
- By Charliee Diaz
- Published by Family Friend Poems August 2022 with permission of the Author.
Poem About Finding Your Soulmate

in True Love Poems

You don't compare to others from before.
I've always wanted someone to just love me more.

No one has ever loved me like you have before.

You don't compare to others from before.
I've always wanted someone to just love me more.

No one has ever loved me like you have before.
They usually just don't want to deal with me anymore.

And as I sit here comparing you to the people in my past,
I realize your love is not something I can contrast.

Because your love is something that should never be tainted.
Your love is a masterpiece that deserves to be painted,

Painted on canvases in museums galore,
Cherished and loved for everyone to adore.

Because while your love can't be compared to another,
It should actually be held to that of wonder.

The love of a friend and especially a soulmate
Is something that is much more than great.

It bypasses all the others,
Puts them to shame and leaves them in the gutters.

Because love of a soulmate is such a beautiful gift,
And it comes on so suddenly; it comes on so swift.

It's beautiful and uplifting and something to cherish,
Something that you should truly relish.

I know it sounds like I'm describing a lover,
But if you look deeper, there's something more you'll discover.

While a lover is there and satisfies your needs,
A soulmate knows your soul and how it bleeds.

So, of course, you won't compare to others from before,
You are someone who's worth much more.

No one has ever loved me like you have before.
Your soul and my soul recognize each other and so much more.
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1 - 20 of 25

December 2023 Poetry Contest - $500 Cash Prize

December 2023 Poetry Contest Semi-finalists

After losing my marriage, my business, and my finances during Covid I grew to despise who I was. Through lots of writing I came to realize that my story wasn't coming to an end, merely just starting a new chapter. This chapter of my life will be my redemption story!

I have a close family member who has a mental illness and tried taking her life several times. This poem is dedicated to her and all those who may be considering suicide to stop their pain. It is a reminder that there are better days ahead if they can just hang on for a while longer.

As a young sailor I met this young woman in New York city. Many years have passed and yet I still can still hear her sighs and taste her lips. Always I will ponder her fate.

My Father has been sick for a few years now. We are the point where all we can do is wait and love him. So I wrote my feelings down. My Father has always been my whole world. Life without him is unimaginable, but life is often doing the unimaginable.

I hope this poem resonates with you as it has me. I feel nature is constantly inviting me and everyone to "Come, Come..." and connect through each of our senses.

This poem was about realizing the pattern of my own weakness and allowing myself to be manipulated over and over again, investing my worth in someone who didn't value my love.

Struggling with burnout, I find life can become monotonous and difficult, everyday feeling the same as I dread it. Though I try to remind myself that it's okay, things do get better on this rollercoaster of life.

Someone's eyes hold their entire past. Even when you have let go of your past, your eyes will always hold the truth.

The worst time of my life. Poetry was my only outlet, the only thing that kept me alive.