Poetry and Creative Writing for All

Karen Smith

	Karen Smith won our Top 5 Poems of the Month Online Competition - February 2006

As a child I enjoyed reading poetry and I have been writing for about 18 months now. Writing is a brilliant way of exploring emotions and can be a great comforter during difficult times.

I have joined the poetry forum and have met some fantastic people who all enjoy sharing poetry.

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Stolen by Time

No longer do you know my name,
To you I am not here.
The memories of yester year
Are gone, replaced by fear.

You were my rock when I was small,
A giant amongst men.
You were a father figure who
Was Grandad now and then.

But age then seized your love of life.
A thief with no relent.
And in an instant we were gone
With no plea for consent.

We are simply strangers now,
Just names that you once knew.
It’s Christmas soon and we shall see
A shell that once was you.

You sit and stare as all around
The strangers come and go.
Confusion, fear and uncertainty
Emotions freely flow.

But wait one mo, a flashback shines
From deep within your soul
And for one fleeting moment
I see the man, time stole.

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Against All Odds

As waves crash o’er the busy shore
The sea exhales a mighty roar.
It rushes in to swallow all
And steal the children as they fall.
It shows no mercy as it plunders 
The lives of people dragged down under.
It shows no pity to those gone
And charges on, its work not done.
And as the waters quickly rise
Each life becomes a lottery prize
The people start to fight the wave
They hold on tight and hold on brave.
But slowly then the waters slow.
Its path is run, no-where to go.
Survivors search for kith and kin
Amongst the turmoil they are in.
Just faintly they can hear the cries 
Of people who did win the prize.
Who fought and won a victory
Against all odds, against the sea.

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Be Warned 

I’m coming, I’m searching
I’ll find you and win
‘I’ll huff and I’ll puff
‘Til I blow your house in!’

I’m seeking, I’m hunting
I’m gaining in strength
And then when I’ve found you
I’ll plunder at length!

Destroying and razing
I’ll show you my wrath
I’ll make this land shudder 
And turn sea to froth.

I’ll show you no mercy
I’ll give no relent
Just anger, frustration
Despair and torment.

I’m biding my time ‘fore
D-day doth commence
Surrender, relinquish
You have no defence.

My path you’ve been watching
My journey you’ve seen
You know where I’m heading
Discern where I’ve been.

I’m here now, I’m ready
The battle’s begun
I’m thrashing, I’m howling
No stop ‘til I’m done.

Where are you? Who warned you?
You’ve run from my ire
Disgraced, disappointed
No choice but retire.

So this time you beat me
With gadgets and mind
But next time I’ll win so
Be warned, humankind!

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The Angel

Tinsel, turkey, gifts to share
We all gather, you’re not there
Sweets and chocolate fill our plate
Are you coming, are you late?

Music, laughter, wine and song
Waiting, searching, through the throng
Tummy’s aching, much to eat
Standing empty, one last seat.

Snow is falling, sledging fun
Still my waiting is not done
Candles flicker, church bells chime
Lonely feelings pass the time.

Carols ring and angels fly
Tears now falling, mustn’t cry
Childhood memories fill the air
Times when you were surely there.

Night time falls on Christmas Day
A festive star lights up the way
An angel watches from above
You’re here at last, I send my love.

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The Dark Side

Leave him alone, now let him be
Release your grip and set him free
Remove the demons from his veins
And halt the tremors and the pains.
You must look for another host
His will is done, his soul a ghost
He has no strength, he cannot fight 
And for him there’s no end in sight
So now I’m making you MY foe
And I WILL send you back below
For hell to keep you deep within
But I promise you, you’ll NOT take him!

Reply

But now I have him in my grasp
You’ll not remove him from my clasp
I’ll keep him, fill him with my hate
I am too strong, I am too great
I will not stop until I win
And he is just a host for sin
You cannot stop me in my quest
I do not sleep, but you must rest
And when you do I’ll take some more
And make him evil to the core
And then I’ll show my evil grin
And I promise you, I WILL take him!

Reply

I have a weapon within my chest
And unlike me it WILL NOT rest
And you will not triumph this time
So I will end your age of crime 
I’ll flood his veins with all my love
And call for help from those above
We’ll banish you from in his soul
And drag him back from your dark hole
For love can win above all other
And evil it will crush and smother
‘Til you are gone back deep within
And he is mine, now free from sin.

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I Send My Wish

We’ve grown as friends o’er recent years
We’ve shared some laughs and shared some tears
We’ve watched each others children grow
And picked each other up when low.

We’ve shared the pains of recent years
And helped each other face our fears
And now you’re dealt your biggest trial
To face an illness so hostile.

So my one wish I send your way
To help you hold this foe at bay
I wish for God to take your pain
And give you back your life again.

You’ve suffered loss of mum and son
And each time when the grief is done
Life’s thrown at you another test
A test of strength, a proof request.

So my one wish I send your way
To help you hold this foe at bay
I wish for God to take your pain
And give you back your life again.

They say the good are tested well
And each time you have won, excelled
So surely you have earned the right
To win this battle, end this fight.

My greatest wish I send your way
To help you hold this foe at bay
I wish for God to take your pain
And give you back your life again.

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Submission Guidelines: Poems of no more than 30 lines in length each will be considered.