Poems4+
a series of poems for positivity by Ernio Hernandez
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Meg + Rachel B. Baxter + Wild Flower + Samantha Star + Tre L. Loadholt + Indira Reddy + BHD + Tasneem Kagalwalla + Gloria DiFulvio + Dewi
You think you are lonely. I think you are lovely.
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you are solid and mass you are liquid and gas
you matter
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Up
by Meg
How many falls? And still you rise. An infant’s steps, an infant’s cries, A tumble sprung from foolish leap, An untrue love, a cause to weap, A plummet from too high a horse, An illness did to you its worst. Yet skyward lifts your chin and eyes. The sum of life has made you wise. Your motto as on you ever strive: To rise up is to be alive.
For Vicki
Vicki is an inspiration. Frail, she entered our 12-week cancer survivor fitness program with the goal of riding her beloved horse again.
For the final class, she climbed the wall all the way to the top.
Today, she’s back to trail riding.
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In The Moment
senryu by Rachel B. Baxter
I find contentment, I find a glimmer of hope, Here in this moment.
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Take a hand to lend an ear Hold a shoulder to be near Embrace a face to erase a tear Feel a friend’s heart to fend off fear
a hug can mean so much say even more with just a touch kiss, nuzzle, handshake or clutch high five, fist bump, pat backs and such
We can: be kind be human be in contact
In contact, we can be humankind.
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1. Lift one corner of your mouth 2. Look at someone you love 3. Let go as the other corner curls up itself
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by Wild Flower
When people ask me if I’m scared about starting over again one day I simply reply “I already have”.
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What a difference you make Just being different
What a you Just being
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The flower needs the rain as much as it needs the sun to grow stronger and blossom
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Promises promises 🌞
by Samantha
April showers don’t only bring May flowers. They bring the promise of lazy, hazy summer days filled with the scent of ocean waves and jasmine. The promise of feeling warm sand under your toes on a quiet, isolated beach. Birds chirping gaily at sunrise, waking you up with their neverending gossip. Striking pink sunsets that leave you stunned at the beauty of our universe. They bring the promise of new things, exciting possibilities, and a brand new tomorrow. Bring on the showers!
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Stop a second Pause today Play forever
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When the world is at odds Keep even.
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Put your foot down, then the other. Brace yourself. Now, get out of bed. There, you already won. Go, show the day who’s boss.
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If I Had A Girl
Tanka, 4 Parts by Tre L. Loadholt
If I had a girl I would make it my aim to Shower her with love — Teach her how to maneuver Through society’s mazes
She would complement The golden sun when she wakes, Give it some more shine While she memorizes Hughes Filling her brain with pure art
Five uncles would jump At the opportunity To defend her life — We’d watch her blossom into Our own Maya Angelou
If I had a girl I’d bask in beauty unknown Chasing falling skies, Catching every bit of smiles She throws in my direction
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Plan a trip Go head over heels Enjoy the fall Take a spill, a tumble, a slip with you
See you when you get back on your feet
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Treat every person like they are having the worst day
Treat yourself like you are having the best day.
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It took the universe billions of years to make you.
You may be just terrestrial, but you are extra-special.
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Be selfless. And less selfish too.
Feels so good to do so much good.
Almost too good, selfishly so.
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The next time something makes you smile, Hold back from sharing with anyone. Keep it as a secret for yourself, So that small moment lasts. Then you can think back, Whenever you need And have a smile Once again All yours. Just for you. ⌣ ➕
>Shut down computer
>Open up windows
<Recharge>➕
An Open Mind
senryu by Rachel B. Baxter
An open mind is a garden just waiting to be cultivated.
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Comfortably You
by Indira Reddy
Look in a mirror, see yourself Smile, see yourself again Take a deep breath, relax Settle down in your skin, think Of the last time you laughed Now, look into the mirror See the sparkle in your eyes The grin that’s magically there Smiling, relaxed, comfortably you
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When the day is done and the week is through Think back on all that was fun and look forward on all yet to do
Life is not the past or the future Life is the present perfect
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On a sheet of paper, Write your biggest regret down.
On another sheet of paper, Write everything you’re thankful for in your life right now.
Place them side by side. Decide which side Deserves more
Focus.
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Poem for Love
by BHD
Universally strung together, Hearts held by tether, Multitudes in this vessel, Affectionately heads nestle, Beneficial kind of cancer, Meaning given answer, Every mind afflicted, Life unrestricted, Here now present, Future as it was meant.
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To-Do List for a Kid
☐ Be young and have fun ☐ Play outside in the sun ☐ Be silly in my own way ☐ Behave when mom or dad say ☐ Be curious and carefree ☐ Be brave when things scare me ☐ Cry and know it’s okay ☐ Laugh and hug all day ☐ Be honest and kind ☐ Listen but speak my mind ☐ Be gentle and caring ☐ Be adventurous and daring ☐ Be healthy and smart ☐ Love with all my heart ☐ Be myself and be bolder ☐ Remember this list when I’m older
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Give yourself permission to be as happy as simply as the dog with its head out the car window
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Celebrate
The day you finally realize you’re being mistreated Celebrate; For it is the day you finally begin to treat yourself right.
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Just breathe
When you’re knocked down fallen, face down battered and bruised left out in the cold or in the dark lost and afraid running away running against or just running out of reasons to exist ways to survive take a deep breath inhale, feel the air fill up your lungs now exhale, let it all go as long as you can do that you are empowered you are alive just breathe.
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Bubblegum
Haiku, 12 Parts by Tre L. Loadholt
Springtime fun gives us young ones willing to share their hard earned bubblegum
All the while, praying that we really don’t accept the offer — sweet love
Finds its way into the corners of our hearts, blessed beyond measure, bold —
Assuring, we guide a multitude of thinkers with just direction
Steady hands lead boys and girls throughout adventures ensuring safety
But, an unknown world to their questioning eyes may carry them away
We will stand as thick walls, barricading danger mountains in the midst
Encouragement lives in the whispering lips, close enough to uplift
Downtrodden souls who bury their heads in banned books but, beg for wisdom
Bubblegummed mouths pop and smack — tomorrow brings peace to the weakened minds
For superheroes always save the day, Springtime fun raises the bar
Shifting Earth’s axis into a spinning devil too afraid to move.
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Isn’t it something: somehow somebody somewhere sometimes feels somewhat what you’re feeling.
Awesome.
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You can be happy that someone else is happy and let them be. and You can be
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I¹ Go² Cry³ Weep⁴ Waver⁵ Exhale⁶ Cleanse⁷ Energize⁸ Redevelop⁹ Strengthen¹⁰ I¹ Go²
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Whenever you feel unloved think of all the people across long stretches of time who connected with each other to bring each new branch of your family tree into life until the day you finally sprouted up into being
You are made of love.
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Simple Joy
It’s in the sound of the bird, the warmth of the sun blazing rays of hope
You can find it in the blue sky. the daffodils, jonquils, and daisies opening; unearthed, renewed Cascading water falls caressing rocks
Its in the turn of a page a new discovery uncovering dreams
It’s in the the tilt of your head, the strength of your hands, The softness of your touch;
You can find it in the twilight It’s the twinkle of a star in your eyes when you smile
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can standing out be your way you can be outstanding
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See the good in people Seek the good in people Hear their pain Heart their pain Be one with them Being one with them Lo, they are human Love they are human
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I’mpossible I’mmobile I’mmortal
I’mplausible I’mpractical I’mpersonal
I’mplosive I’mpulsive I’mposing
I’maging I’mmature I’mproving
I’mpure I’mproper I’mmoral
I’mmovable I’mmeasurable I’mpressed
I’mbalance I’mpermanent I’mperfect
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Live
It
Fully
Everyday
Time
Is
Precious.
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Alive
by Indira Reddy
The soft kiss of breeze from the sea Cooling you after a long, hot day The apricity of the first ray of sun Welcome heat warming your soul A laughing baby, oozing happiness Your answering smile as your eyes meet Waking up, rested, to the comforting Weight of an arm wrapped around you The incomparable aroma of good food And friendly laughter at the table Space to create universes in your mind And time to paint them into reality Stolen moments of pure, sweet peace Captured in silky smooth silence Moments where life shines like a lit lamp Blessed light making every atom feel alive
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Hello Sun, I want to thank you — for the light you provide for us every day and even at night, in reflection — for your warmth which we feel though light years away — for teaching us to shine to be the light for others and show the best of ourselves — for lasting endurance you are a constant through change in the weather in the ether in yourself in us
I look upon your sprawling panoramas in awe thankful, hopeful, for your bountiful, beautiful way
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There is wonder in the world From the earth to sky above Some not to like, but lots to love Oh, there’s wonder in the world
There is wonder in your heart Share it with your fellow man Teach them how to hope again Oh, there’s wonder in your heart
There is wonder in yourself Even if you don’t believe You’ve so much more yet to achieve Oh, there’s wonder in yourself
Like the moon and the stars light everything under Your mind and your heart provide you with wonder
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We’ll Be Fine
by Dewi
Stand closer when it’s raining. Spring reflections.
Come daybreak and dews Come winds and come rain
Come heartache and blues Come winces and pain
Come high noon and heat Come pressure and humidity
Come my gloom defeat Come displeasure lucidity
Come night and the dark Come breeze that unearths
Come light a new start Come ease and rebirths
No matter the former Comes day after day The latter reforms us Come what may what may
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Poems4+
series cover photo by Aaron Burden
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