Poetry and Prose for any season

[Tyr-Ziu Saxnot]

Old Man Looking Back

Lone figure in the distance looking back from a tall hill
Shades of something familiar that gave me a cold chill

A look , a stand , something strangely calm about the man
Even the sky at his back set the stage like an ordered plan

A trancelike state suddenly seized total control of me!
Then it's voice I could both hear and so clearly see

Look back old man, it voiced with such controlling air
Tingles sped up my back and crackled loudly in my hair

Such mellow and measured speaking with a reassuring calm
Raising both hands he showed a big red star on each palm

These are time marks that send me years forward and back
So many thousands of such journeys, I've even lost track

Stare deeply into one in my left palm , you go back to see
Life you lived , the young , very shy youth you used to be

To return just look intently to the red star on the right
Your mind, body and soul will return in the flash of white

Without any hesitation I did as he told me to act and do
Away in a flash of brilliant white light I quickly flew

Back to the boy fishing lazily under familiar Willow tree
Shocked to see the happy little boy was none other than me!

I then remembered that so lucky day, caught a fish so very big
On a cut cane pole so slender and not much bigger than a twig

Next a flash snatched me to another sweeter place and time
At the local store Mary and I bought two cones for a dime

The bright glow of adoration and baby love on her angel face
Brought a stream of joy for that reflection, time and place

Another flash and light sent me into my young married life
Days of contentment , sweet bliss , love of my first wife

She suddenly walked so gracefuly into that large living room
Glowing like the majestic beauty of fair rose in full bloom

Before I could speak to her , my beloved, away I again flew
A clear voice loudly calling out , return now, I mean you!

Back swiftly to the smiling old man, resting on the tall hill
Then I saw his face clearly, O' what a marvelous great thrill

Looking right at me was my smiling so very much older face
Then in a flash it vanished , gone forever without a trace!

Next I found myself looking again at the very distant hilltop
A voice booms out, look forward young man and do not ever stop!

Tyr, 06-09-2014

[Tyr-Ziu Saxnot]

Says so much about our society today!!!
A great poet, written long ago.--Tyr

CARL SANDBURG

Carl August Sandburg (January 6, 1878 – July 22, 1967) was an American writer and editor best known for poetry. He won three Pulitzer Prizes, two for his poetry and one for his biography of Abraham Lincoln. H. L. Mencken called Sandburg "indubitably an American in every pulse-beat". Sandburg was born in the three-room cottage at 313 East Third Street in Galesburg, Illinois, to Clara Mathilda (née Anderson) and August Sandberg, both of Swedish ancestry. He adopted the nickname "Charles" or "Charlie" in elementary school, at about the same time, he and his two oldest siblings changed the spelling of their last name to "Sandburg". Sandburg died of natural causes in 1967; his ashes were interred under "Remembrance Rock", a granite boulder located behind his birth house.



EXCERPT FROM THE PEOPLE YES

The people yes

The people will live on.

The learning and blundering people will live on.

They will be tricked and sold and again sold

And go back to the nourishing earth for rootholds,

The people so peculiar in renewal and comeback,

You can't laugh off their capacity to take it.

The mammoth rests between his cyclonic dramas.



The people so often sleepy, weary, enigmatic,

is a vast huddle with many units saying:

"I earn my living.

I make enough to get by

and it takes all my time.

If I had more time

I could do more for myself

and maybe for others.

I could read and study

and talk things over

and find out about things.

It takes time.

I wish I had the time."



The people is a tragic and comic two-face: hero and hoodlum:

phantom and gorilla twisting to moan with a gargoyle mouth:

"They buy me and sell me...it's a game...sometime I'll

break loose..."



Once having marched

Over the margins of animal necessity,

Over the grim line of sheer subsistence

Then man came

To the deeper rituals of his bones,

To the lights lighter than any bones,

To the time for thinking things over,

To the dance, the song, the story,

Or the hours given over to dreaming,

Once having so marched.



Between the finite limitations of the five senses

and the endless yearnings of man for the beyond

the people hold to the humdrum bidding of work and food

while reaching out when it comes their way

for lights beyond the prison of the five senses,

for keepsakes lasting beyond any hunger or death.

This reaching is alive.

The panderers and liars have violated and smutted it.

Yet this reaching is alive yet

for lights and keepsakes.



The people know the salt of the sea

and the strength of the winds

lashing the corners of the earth.

The people take the earth

as a tomb of rest and a cradle of hope.

Who else speaks for the Family of Man?

They are in tune and step

with constellations of universal law.

The people is a polychrome,

a spectrum and a prism

held in a moving monolith,

a console organ of changing themes,

a clavilux of color poems

wherein the sea offers fog

and the fog moves off in rain

and the labrador sunset shortens

to a nocturne of clear stars

serene over the shot spray

of northern lights.



The steel mill sky is alive.

The fire breaks white and zigzag

shot on a gun-metal gloaming.

Man is a long time coming.

Man will yet win.

Brother may yet line up with brother:



This old anvil laughs at many broken hammers.

There are men who can't be bought.

The fireborn are at home in fire.

The stars make no noise,

You can't hinder the wind from blowing.

Time is a great teacher.

Who can live without hope?



In the darkness with a great bundle of grief

the people march.

In the night, and overhead a shovel of stars for keeps, the people

march:

"Where to? what next?"

[Tyr-Ziu Saxnot]

One Day's Magic

Gifted was the magic of words given to me
a sword to cut with or defend as I see
Weapon for good or even evil should I choose
in either I may still cry and sadly lose

Yet should I be insightful and choose good
all may not turn out well but O' it should
Cutting and slicing useful acts to defend
those we love , care for and so 'oft befriend

No great righteous spirit has been gifted
a heavy burden given not one gayly lifted
A price , for seeing and then daring to act
a duty to truth and a crusade based upon facts

One day's magic seems so great a fantastic gift
that is until it's true burden cuts in so swift!

Tyr , 06-20-2014.

written for Freddie's contest, One Day's Magic.
A truly great idea for a contest....

A burden that would crush any person having it,
for man alone can never ever use such power. It would
corrupt his soul and lead to his very destruction IMHO.

[Tyr-Ziu Saxnot]

Flowers of the Curious Mind

Sent were flowers of the curious mind
following echoes of Cantu's muse
No curses , words grossly unkind
insults hidden deeply in clever ruse!

Dare not stab sweet music of mortal man
with deeds sordidly played tho' sweet
Transgress not Nature's surviving plan
with arrogant contempt born of defeat!

Embrace life's melody as a lost friend
dancing within it's tune so fine
Live, live gloriously until life's end
drink, drink richly of it's finest wine!

Tyr, aka Robert Lindley

This and 21 of my other poems have placed in the win column in the contests entered in so far.

[Tyr-Ziu Saxnot]

Wrote this tonight for a contest.

A Mountain Step


Slowly came the morning's sharp edge
staggering with a foot off the ledge
high breeze tempts the longing fate
fed by gusts of such ravenous hate

Looking down shifts the wishful step
perhaps a dream and one merely slept
on a mountain so very high and serene
seeing death unfold in a horrid dream

As the shadows raced over the rocks
life jumped up and gave waking knocks
cold fear soon gained the upper hand
sanity returned to the heart of man

Sun peeked around the soft white clouds
Village below rang out with noisy crowds

Robert J. Lindley, 06-26-2014

[Tyr-Ziu Saxnot]

Give Thanks and Stand Firm

Should your high hopes be so cruelly lost
smashed so savagely by that very fickle fate
Do not give up your precious life to be tossed
upon heaps and dark mounds of festering hate

When your heart feels the thrust of such shame
steel your resolve to a defiant, heroic stand
Defend life and the honor of your family name
with every step taken upon this earthy land

If your spirit gets low think of a mountain tall
send your soul to rest upon it's highest peak
Ignore the slurs and taunts of those so very small
consider the evil for which they so proudly speak

In great triumph soon you will so richly turn
as that wicked vermin flee back to their master
Consider now the reward in which they will burn
thanking God's grace you avoided such a disaster

Should your high hopes so faithfuly be restored
give eternal blessed thanks to our sweet Lord!

Robert J. Lindley 06-28-2014

[Tyr-Ziu Saxnot]

Uplifting

A warm smile always beats a cold hard frown
gather in that joy bring sweetness on down
Give a positive thought to your worries and cares
imagine billion dollar company you have shares

When distress rears it's massively ugly head
pull those silk covers up and sleep late in bed!
Wake at noon to lay about in comfort all day
imagine a boom and your stock sweetly pays

A warm smile always beats the chill of despair
be a million dollar baby without a single care
Travel the world over in your huge new yacht
relishing in the massive, massive wealth you got

A frown spoils the heart and slashes at love
keep your soul bright and your spirit soaring above!

Robert Lindley 06/28/2014

Sponsor, Elly Wouterse
Encore - anonymous positive , uplifting new sonnet
1 original, for this contest, new written poem about something
beautiful.....
Only the poetry form , sonnet, is acceptable.
Date.
No names

[Tyr-Ziu Saxnot]

A new sonnet, one that proves Karma bites.. Taken from this man's past life...

Lies And Sad Eyes

Your huge eyes appear bright, blue and so sad
why after all the those rich men you have had?
There was that guy that owned a jewelry store
he gave you so much yet you stole so much more!

There was the dude that owned nine car lots
he figured you out after I showed your spots
Other cat's parents left him massive wealth
you took all he had and ruined his health!

Your big eyes now appear swollen and so very red
Told you I'd endure and torment your silly head
Now you cry and moan for riches you think your due
Life is about family and love yet you haven't a clue!

I gave my all and you refused to ever learn to love
Karma bites you and rewards me blessings from above!

Robert Lindley, 06 -29-2014

[Tyr-Ziu Saxnot]

The Rare Moment


Sitting here enjoying the hard cascading rain
streams pouring down the very clear window pane

Thoughts streaming around the light in my head
still groggy a bit from a late rise from my bed

Awaiting the hot coffee that will singe my brain
like that sweet victory over hurt, a precious pain

Sitting here enjoying this most precious morn
so very happily pleased my wonderful son was born!

Robert J. Lindley, 06-28-2014

Don't you just love it when life says, " hey life is good,
enjoy your gifts and give thanks" ?
When that happens so often we just soak in the moment but
this time I interrupted mine to offer a short write....

[Tyr-Ziu Saxnot]

Musings , Wishes and Life


The Fire burneth while our world turneth
yet the rose still holds it's red bloom

The mighty Oaks stand majestic and tall
while man's glory hardly rates a call

The cold Wind bloweth so surely we know
angels bleach the whiteness in the snow

The Forest lives to give beauty and art
wildlife and earthly souls stand far apart

The Sky singeth and the sweet earth reflects
Natures beauty opposite man's many defects

The Soul endures and stays the greatest test
that prove kindness and love serve us best

Robert J. Lindley, 06-26-2014

[Tyr-Ziu Saxnot]

So far at my new Poetry site these are my results for 9 weeks.
As of now I have 29 top ten wins out of 36 contests completed.
9 first place wins, 7 second place wins, 4 third place wins,
3 fourth place wins, 3 sixth place wins, 1 nineth place win
and 2 tenth place wins.
Of the 7 entries that did not place in the top ten winners category
I received 5 honorable mentions..
Competition there is very tough because every contest
that I've entered had 3 or 4 published poets entered (several that had
more than one poetry book published) and
a few had contests had more than that.
So it appears I do have some small measure of talent in this endeavor.
I now have had published online two of my poems.
At these sites that sought me out....

Check out the beautiful artwork that Sheri at poetryandbeyond.net created just for the featured poem!

http://whispersinthewind333.blogspot...l#comment-form

http://www.poetryandbeyond.net/2014/...ert-j-lindley/

This is my record at my home site , PoetrySoup.com

Total Community Points: 21445

# Poems Posted 220
# Unique Comments Made * 995
# Blog Comments Made 52
# Member Contest Entered 53
# Top 10 Finishes in 36 contests judged 29
# Times You Are a Fav Poet 10
# Blog Posts 0
# Contest Sponsored 0

We cache this page, so you may not see the points updated for a
few hours or longer. However, you should see the updates by the
next day.

[Drummond]

So far at my new Poetry site these are my results for 9 weeks.
As of now I have 29 top ten wins out of 36 contests completed.
9 first place wins, 7 second place wins, 4 third place wins,
3 fourth place wins, 3 sixth place wins, 1 nineth place win
and 2 tenth place wins.
Of the 7 entries that did not place in the top ten winners category
I received 5 honorable mentions..
Competition there is very tough because every contest
that I've entered had 3 or 4 published poets entered (several that had
more than one poetry book published) and
a few had contests had more than that.
So it appears I do have some small measure of talent in this endeavor.
I now have had published online two of my poems.
At these sites that sought me out....

Check out the beautiful artwork that Sheri at poetryandbeyond.net created just for the featured poem!

http://whispersinthewind333.blogspot...l#comment-form

http://www.poetryandbeyond.net/2014/...ert-j-lindley/

This is my record at my home site , PoetrySoup.com

Total Community Points: 21445

# Poems Posted 220
# Unique Comments Made * 995
# Blog Comments Made 52
# Member Contest Entered 53
# Top 10 Finishes in 36 contests judged 29
# Times You Are a Fav Poet 10
# Blog Posts 0
# Contest Sponsored 0

We cache this page, so you may not see the points updated for a
few hours or longer. However, you should see the updates by the
next day.

[Tyr-Ziu Saxnot]

A Soldier Remembers


In this evil world a few old men do still truly tell
the battles, gory losses and places their buddies fell
Painting the scenes of such sad and terrible fates
adding in the bloody details , names and sad dates

The old soldiers that lived on to love yet again
rarely ever forget the passing of cherished friend
So often said with a choked chuckle and hearty laugh
citing some other funny deed or terrible little gaffe
To highlight the humanity of that loved and departed soul
a remembrance, a statement so others may yet know

The life and times of a "beloved brother" and "comrade"
that did his very best and gave all he ever had!
To stand his brothers and defend his beloved nation
preserve freedom and gift life to a future generation!

Robert J. Lindley 07-13-2014

Dedicated to ALL soldiers and ALL heroes , fallen
and living!

[Tyr-Ziu Saxnot]

I got busy and wrote another one today.
I have plans for both as competition pieces.-Tyr
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A Soul's Fight

The soul faces what the stoutest heart dares not to speak
dark spirits that make our knees wobble and voices squeak
Battering rams plunging in rhythm against castle's gate
shadow voices accusing and promising such a ghastly fate!

As the last rays of Sun's golden light creep slowly away
the invisible servants of the Dark Lord arise to play
With each darkening hour so very much stronger they grow
sharpening claws, teeth and screeching everywhere they go!

When the sound of the house clock striking at midnight
serves to cheer them on to ever greater songs of fright
Draw your courage blade and cut deeply into that horde
make them feel the pain and slash of truth's best sword!

Cut out the great fear they carry around to use to seed
the horrors and scary thoughts sent to make you plead
Loudly announce as you send their defeated asses to hell
this is courage and truth ringing freedom's liberty bell!

Robert J. Lindley 07-13-2014

[Tyr-Ziu Saxnot]

About To Hang..

A brave warrior had fought with might
sent many defeated to the gates of Hell
Far outnumbered had lost a great fight
dragged away from the bloody spot he fell!

Imprison in enemy land he stood defiant
refusing all pleas that he join that band
In true honor he refused to be compliant
cursing all while shaking his one free hand!

Before his captors bound he stood in chains
he cursed all his enemies with deepest rage
His heart was aching not from bleeding pains
rather more from lost liberties of a past age!

Bound to a stout and very massive old tree
lost, imprisoned and without future hope
Choosing defiant curses rather than broken plea
awaiting the large crowd and a hanging rope!

No tears , for he a warrior was never afraid
of Hell's intensely darkened inviting gaze
Life spent , a short future therein laid
past glories now just a distant, murky haze!

Asked are you afraid of what now awaits
he angrily spat upon the hardened ground
I'll see you all at Hell's first ironclad gate
where anguished screams make not a sound!

Robert J. Lindley

Rewritten, 07-14-2014
I recalled more of this poem written so many decades ago.
I now have added in the missing parts...
Rewritten for a contest...