Ruined: A poem by pete marshall

Ruined

a poem by pete marshall

Walls were built, bards would sing,

rendered words, hardened seams,

rotting beams, timbered dreams,

weed's that grew a wondrous green.

Stones that spoke of many tales,

weathered shrines, holy grail’s,

cracks beneath a plastered veil

lost beyond entangled trails.

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I wrote this poem for this weeks One Shoot Sunday, but also felt that it should be aired today. I would like to say a big thank you to each and everyone of you that has been part of One Stop Poetry, cheers Pete

Today is One Shoot Sunday and this stunning image is provided by accomplished photographer Neil Alexander.

Today is One Shoot Sunday, which see's both Adam & Chris wave goodbye. Today has also seen Claudia leave. Earlier this week Brian waved his goodbyes, as I yesterday. Today is a sad day.

The Shoemaker

The Shoemaker

by pete marshall

I carve the shape of trodden souls,

fastened tight to harden skin,

mallet’s wait for hearts to pound,

for Elf’s to come and roam within.

I’ve lived this life from boy to man

in tangled doubts with callused hands

that stitch the threads of spinners charm,

alone I work, this tranquil calm,

that knows no life thus what I am

a cobbler slaved to work the tan

who hides the loss of wasted years,

who cuts the cloth with sharpened shears.

Yet light will filter deep within

to reach upon this battered stool,

Elf’s will come each darkened night

and  work the minds of bitter fools.

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One Shoot Sunday provides a wonderful interview and picture prompt challenge inspired by Rob Hanson, who is accredited to the wonderful image above.

Sun, Sea & Sirens: A Poem by Pete Marshall

Sun, Sea & Sirens

by pete marshall

Her silken skin, a shoulder strap

slipped to show a hint of pink,

her thighs that sung a lilting tune

a sirens call where dreams would sink.

Too long I spent just looking past 

hidden from a shaded view,

where waters lapped a flowing beat

of dreams that floated on the blue.

Tousled thoughts & ruffled hair

beyond the beach her longing stare

behind the cool, abrasive wall

the lust of man, the wanting fool.

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Today's One Shoot Sunday is a choice of 5 wonderful images by James Rainsford. I took option 5...

Love Thy Neighbour: A Poem by Pete Marshall

Love Thy Neighbour

by pete marshall

I stared behind a wooden fence

that hid my face from neighbours eyes,

where in my house my love was spent

as dreams would take me back outside.

I stared upon the gap between

that caught my eye, her whitened thighs,

I saw her jump and hoped the hem

would lift up high and gently rise.

A sultry voice and bright red shoes

that danced a beat of wicked lies,

a sirens call on errant runs

where love would hide & I’d oblige.

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Today's wonderful image is by photographer Lauren Randolph, who's interview and picture prompt have formed this weeks One Shot Sunday, at One Stop Poetry

I was 10 in '77

I was 10 in ‘77

by Pete Marshall

I was 10 in ‘77

when first I felt the force

of hardened fists from wayward scum

that pinned me down in makeshift courts

I was 10 in ‘77

when first I heard an iron lung

that breathed in deep and rasped for breath

as grandpa’s life was finely hung

I was dead in ‘77

until they came and filled the screen

and gave me hope to live each day

amongst the stars and laser beams

I was 10 in ‘77

when  faith would come into my life

and gave me strength to fight the dark

that gripped my mind throughout the night

I was 10 in ‘77

the age my boy is now

when sci-fi scenes and school boy dreams

caused visual sensual wow

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This is my poem for the One Shoot Sunday picture prompt, image by JackAZ Photography

Within His Realm: A Poem by Pete Marshall

Within His Realm

a poem by Pete Marshall

H.G. Wells would sit upon

a swivel chair and ponder on

a World at War with Time Machines

where Halo Reached beyond his dreams.

And in the cellar far below

a Martian searched, an amber glow,

as rain would fall and wet the ground

revealing Man whose footsteps found

the Shape of Things within this barn

where years would pass and come to harm

and Sleepers Woke to tell their tales

as Orson spoke a Country wailed.

Whilst Man would walk upon the Moon

Begotten Stars saw purple blooms

which led to where the flowers grow

upon the isle of Dr Moreau

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This is my poem for One Shoot Sunday, at One Stop Poetry. The amazing image is taken by Sean McCormick, who has been featured today

Forever in Blue Jean's

Forever in Blue Jeans

Poverty pinched on denim jeans

that sat above her hard earned shoes 

and he’s the boy from up the hill

where social heights will sing the blues

She works the line from 9-5

whilst daddy pays his college fees

yet money’s tight and honey talks

and love is found  inside her jeans

He stole a kiss behind the shack

where beers will flow too easily

and spoilt kids with far too much

will take a hint of ecstasy

But love was found within the shade

where hearts would melt on shabby walls

and there they kissed in shadowed light

as denim jeans were lost with fools

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This is my poem for the One Shoot Sunday Picture Prompt. The amazing photograph has been taken by Katherine Forbes who's wonderful interview can also be read at One Stop Poetry

My Coney Island Baby

My Coney Island Baby

Hedonistic summer dreams 

within this sandscape world

Crazy Feeling's rising high

and tricks with Charley's Girl

Parasols that hide our shame

for She’s My Best Friend’s pearl

sequinned lace, her painted face

and Kicks that made us whirl

His Gift was she or maybe me

Oooohhh Baby take this pain

in summers heat where lovers meet

they play their heady games

Nobodys Business on this beach

androgynous dreams were maybe

A fluttered fan, a soft held hand

my Coney Island Baby…….

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The wonderful image is taken by Danielle Kelly and simply titled "Coney Island". It is featured today on One Shoot Sunday, part of One Stop Poetry, and forms their picture prompt. Check out the amazing interview with Danielle Kelly whilst you are there too.

Bedlam

Bedlam

Echo’s follow fallen souls

who drift and glide within a tomb

and arrows point to show the way

of paths that lead to darkened rooms

The corridors hold the chill of air

and darkness wait’s in perished dreams

light that flows through broken glass

and life that ends in heightened screams

Dampness spreads across the floor

and creeps upon the tiled walls

where those who once had come for hope

but died as life’s forgotten fools

This poem was inspired by the wonderful image "The Arrow Shot" by Claudio Mufarrege, who has been featured at One Shoot Sunday...check out his amazing photography and join in with the picture prompt

Homeless: A Poem by Pete Marshall

Homeless

by Pete Marshall

Water soaks through shredded news

That’s wrapped around a hungry heart

And as I walk in heelless shoes

I wonder forth around the park.

The nights are cold and days are long

My mind replay’s where I went wrong

And rain will soak and wash my tears

Where strength resolves to show no fear.

And last nights meal was found in bins

Of salad tossed in throw out things

And smokes are found upon the floor

The stubbed out tabs I barter for.

The children stare as mums walk past

A school runs joy a nervous laugh

That sees no soul as thoughts are cast

Their eyes look down and cross the path.

My callused hands and grubby nails

Grip plastic bags that hold my life

And heelless shoes pace endless trails

That tread beyond this bitter plight.

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This poem has been written for the One Shoot Sunday picture prompt challenge

image courtesy http://www.flickr.com/photos/pedrosimoes7/3148834712/

A Moment Framed: By Pete Marshall

A Moment Framed

by Pete Marshall

This lonely place within my mind

Reflects upon the clouding sky

As fossils lay across the beach 

And rock pools filled with shallow life

The black that flows across the bay

That shades the sun and paints the grey

That holds my mind in withered frame

That wants no more to play your games

I walk across the rocky path

Where seaweed lays in scattered death

I hear the crash of coming waves

And welcome them to take my breath

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This piece has been written for the One Shoot Sunday Picture Prompt Challenge

Caged.....A Poem by Pete Marshall

Caged

A Poem by Pete Marshall

And through this glass you stare at me

yet what I see is nothing new

A person framed for one short time

who looks at me in solitude

Who wants to see me in the wilds

and run the plains like fathers do

that sees me in this small, cramped place

yet comes to see me at the zoo….

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This poem is for the One Shoot Sunday picture prompt challenge by those great guys and girls over at One Stop Poetry

Eye, Eye Cap'n: A Poem By Pete Marshall

Eye, Eye Cap'n:

 A Poem By Pete Marshall

The seas would lap upon the hull

and gently wash their starboard bow

the sails were rolled into the boom

and winds too far to journey now

They stood in line alone in berth

A breeze would rattle empty masks

the sailors gone in town to dance

as captains sample rum from casks

But from the shore a man would watch

as pirates stroked their silent oars

between their teeth clenched sharpened blades

and on his shoulder a blue macaw…

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this is my poem inspired by the above image, taken by Adam Dustus, for the One Shoot Sunday picture prompt & photo feedback