Glenn Stok

Rhyme and Reason in Poetry

Mindful insight
Mindful thoughts in poetry
Photo by Ben White. Unsplash License.
I prefer writing poetry that rhymes, which you'll find here among my various poems below. I also focus on the emotional aspects of life with mindful insight. So, my dual emphasis on rhyme and reason is inherent within my poetry.

Life in the Absence of a Loving Partner

Couple on bicycles
Companionship is crucial to emotional health.
Image by Gerd Altmann. Pixabay License.
This poetic story discusses the necessity for a meaningful human connection.

An emotional connection, once vivid and clear,
Now I walk alone, with a silent tear.

For love and companionship had its place,
I now navigate life in this empty space.

A partnership that made my heart resound.
An emotional connection was once so profound.

In the absence of a loving partner’s grace,
The memory remains of a romantic embrace.

Independence is a gift I’ve come to know.
But I yearn for love where hearts can glow.

In solitude, I have strength ingrained,
Yet the echo of your love can’t be restrained.

Loneliness casts a bittersweet shadow,
While being alone is quite shallow.

A meaningful connection is what I miss,
The tender moments and the sweetest kiss.

In the absence of your love so kind,
Navigating life alone is a challenging grind.

I have fond memories of romantic bliss,
It’s a partnership I’d never dismiss.

The lack of a loving partner may be hard to bear,
It involves a life of total despair.

Though life without love may be tough,
I’ve learned solitude, but that’s not enough.





We’re Sailing Through the Universe Very Much Alive

It’s the life we lead
Relating to life’s experiences as we sail along
Image by Joe Plenio. Pixabay License.
With this poem, I draw attention to life’s uncertainties, conveying a convincing message that we have control over our feelings as we sail along — navigating through life’s experiences.

We are sailing through the universe
On a ship of life feeling vigorous.

Although our life is short
I have something special to report.

While we are on this journey
Our lives are a wonderful medley.

We discover endless experiences,
Some of which are inconveniences.

But once in a while, we become involved
With something much more resolved.

These are the times when life is joyful.
And for a moment, we forget when it’s painful.

Our involvements are plentiful
Since we are very resourceful.

And even when we encounter challenges
We have the ability to avoid the damages.

It takes some ingenuity.
But sometimes, we get fortuity.

It may not happen as often as we would like.
But the power is within our psyche.

When we put our minds to it,
Our spirits will be uplifted.

We can apply many strategies
With the help of existing technologies.

We just need to overcome discouragements
And focus on our positive developments.

The result could be encouraging.
Especially if no one is interfering.

But when we hear opposing opinions
We can set our own conditions.

Ignore the negativity.
It only creates instability.

It’s the life we lead as we sail on this ship.
And we need to remember it’s not a round-trip.





I Continue to Plan for the Future the Older I Get

Envisioning the Future
Envisioning the Future | Image by Gerd Altmann. Pixabay License.
The older I get with the awareness death is approaching sooner than later, I continue to plan for the future nevertheless. This poetic story is inspirational with encouraging verses.

In my seventies and not yet dead,
I imagine years of growth are still ahead.

Getting older as the years go by,
With each passing day, I still reach for the sky,

Encouraging myself to dream with desire,
For a meaningful life, I never tire.

With an appreciation for each day that I’m blessed to see,
I find inspiration for more, as I strive to be me.

I am still growing with anticipation in my heart,
Since I always find endeavors with a new start.

I chase my dreams with all my might,
With a vision of the future, both healthy and bright.

The choices I make shape the life I pursue.
Yet, I’m mindful of the consequences, too.

I’ve made mistakes with things I needed to try.
But they were merely lessons to abide by.

With a healthy perspective, I persist with emotion,
To embrace the future with hope and devotion.

The older I get with awareness the end is approaching,
I continue to plan for the future without self-reproaching.

One day, it may be too late, so I cherish each moment.
Don’t take life for granted — it’s a precious bestowment.

Keep building a future as if it will never end.
We can always begin again with a new trend.





We Move On With Our Lives as God Watches Over Us

Our lives progress through each day and night
Our lives progress through each day and night.
Image by Stefan Keller. Pixabay License.
I created this poem by examining this image I found on Pixabay. Every aspect of it produced a rhyming thought in my mind that quickly turned into this poem.

As time passes quickly with all its might,
Our lives progress through each day and night.

We search for the truth all over the world,
Chasing the path where we are all hurled.

We follow one another some of the time.
Although some hills are hard to climb.

At other times we are on our own,
But it’s challenging when we are all alone.

We need to trust our desire to succeed.
It’s our vision of a healthy future, indeed.

Around each mountain and beyond the stars,
We build a life worth living with our memoirs.

No matter what we discover for our destiny,
We are extremely aware of its complexity.

We shouldn’t complain or make a fuss,
Because we know God watches over us.





My Shadow Never Finds Me

Man walking with his shadow
Walking in the woods with my shadow.
(I created this image with Kittl.com)
I’m an avid hiker, and this poem came to me one day when I was strolling in the woods on a sunny day. My shadow disappeared as I passed under the shade of the trees. But it returned to find me once the sun showed through. With that experience, the words of this poem suddenly materialized in my mind, and I quickly typed a draft of it into my phone.

My shadow follows wherever I go.
It stays with me when I walk fast or slow.

It has no fear of being found.
It’s always there when I turn around.

And sometimes, it precedes me along the path,
Pointing the way through the woods in a flash.

That’s when I follow it with great interest
To find where it leads me, farthest or nearest.

My shadow often vanishes under the shade of the trees.
And it would leave me alone, with my fantasies.

It even disappears permanently from my view
On cloudy days, when I await its next debut.

I envision my shadow in all kinds of weather.
But it goes missing for many reasons, whatever.

So, I should forget my shadow, and walk with a friend.
My shadow may never find me anyway, in the end.

And better yet, it’s best to walk with a mate.
Because that’s someone to whom I can relate.





Life Is Like a Game of Chess

Playing the game of chess
Making decisions is similar in life as in chess.
Photo by Jeshoots. Unsplash License.
We need well-detailed strategies to achieve our goals. The game of chess has similar characteristics in terms of how to get there. So, I wrote this poem to show how chess has the same issues as real life.

Many people go through life handling every daily affair
Without considering their long-term plan is going nowhere.

We need to concentrate on making decisions.
Always willing to make revisions.

We need to look ahead to plan our future.
Doing that, our life will go much smoother.

It’s the same with the game of chess.
Planning ahead will bring success.

The best strategy is to plan ahead several moves.
And with that method, our triumph improves.

That same approach is valuable in real-life situations too.
Learning to do that works well without much ballyhoo.

We plan our career, choose our partner and decide to get married or not.
But if we just drift without thinking ahead, we might find ourselves in a bad spot.

We decide to settle down and buy a home or just rent.
Whatever we do, it’s a lifetime commitment.

Hey, we even choose our friends!
And how we do that all depends.

Our social life develops with each move.
And when done right, we feel in the groove.

All those decisions are based on feelings and desires.
Making it work the best is knowing what it requires.

Each move we make can be demonized.
But closed doors lead to better choices when the future is realized.

It’s crucial to imagine each step in one’s mind
To develop a vision of a future that’s divine.

That could help make progress without distress.
It’s just like playing a game of chess.

The future will eventually happen!
How we get there requires action.





The Wisdom of Your Dreams

Dreaming of your destiny
Dreaming of your destiny
Image by Cdd20. Pixabay License.
Poetry can be a line of thought with wisdom and reasoning. It can bring the reader to a better place or suggest something unexpected. I wrote this poem in light of that thinking.

You’ve had dreams of a future when you were young.
You’ve had dreams of desire that were never done.

You started strong with plans achieved day to day.
But as time went on, daily life got in the way.

Time has a way of taking a toll on everyone
As age creeps up before our dreams are done.

Your destiny becomes clear
When all your friends disappear.

We never know when our time will come.
So it’s crucial to put faith in affairs begun.

Appreciate every minute you’ve been blessed.
And make best use of the time you have left.

Continue endeavors that lead to your dreams,
And work faithfully to that goal by any means.





A Figment of Our Dreams: It’s Only Pseudo-Reality

A Figment of Our Dreams
Pseudo-Reality | Image by Charnchai Saeheng. Pixabay License.
I created this poem based on the impressions that came to my mind as examined the above image I found on Pixabay. It’s amazing how an unassuming image can prompt our brain for so much creativity.

Ideas flow through our conscious mind,
Viewing delightful animals and superb mankind.

Nature, with beautiful flowers and trees,
Definitely brings feelings of joy in all degrees.

Fantasy consumes our innermost thoughts,
While thinking of bridges to cut across.

As we emerge in a new world of our dreams,
We consider its likelihood by any means.

It’s full of desires that we never let go.
So we maintain the hope, and go with the flow.

And sometimes things get weird,
And the worst is what we feared.

The world may not be real as it floats over the clouds
With horses and racoons, and even some cows.

None of it makes sense since it’s only make-believe.
But despite all that, it’s what we conceive.

Our thoughts go in all directions, aside from reality.
And our visions of glory are no guarantee.

It’s only a pseudo-reality
For you and me.





True Love Can’t Be Disguised

An analysis of the feeling of love
An analysis of the feeling of love.
Image by Alice Bitencourt. Pixabay License.
I've written many essays online about the trials and tribulations of relationships. Applying the same effort with poetry is a challenge I relish. Therefore, my vision turns to inspiration, such as with this poem.

Can the pretense of love be a disguise?
That is a question to surmise.

Pretending to be in love without the feeling
Can leave an emotional scar that is nonhealing.

It can’t be kept secret when truly in love.
For it is something always dreamed of.

The feeling is so emotional that it becomes all-consuming!
Although, at times, it can become especially amusing.

Nevertheless, true love requires active participation.
And both partners must feel part of the equation.

There may be a time when love seems to dissipate.
But when the feeling is real, we can always anticipate.


All it takes is commitment when you don’t want to let it go.
True love can’t be concealed for long when you know.

So, it’s never a disguise requiring concealment.
True love among partners is a feeling of congealment.


When the feeling of love is real


Preparing for a Stand-Up Comedy Gig

Comedy Club
Comedy Club | Photo by Danny Howe. Unsplash License.
Although I had never experienced a similar endeavor of presenting a comedy gig, that didn't stop me from imagining the emotions involved. So, by putting my mind to it, I envisioned the feelings enough to write this poem about it.

When considering to give a 45-minute comedy performance,
Preparing to make it entertaining is of the greatest importance.

I’ll be ready to give my audience pleasure with my wit,
For a comedy club show with a humorous skit.

The material needs to be put together
To be presented in all kinds of weather.

With a well-developed gig and proper wardrobe,
Fear of a meltdown is quite unlikely, I hope.

Oh, but my nerves, they twist and twine,
As I contemplate the grand design.

My lines I’ll need to recollect,
Or else receive disrespect.

Will they laugh and clap or sit in silence?
The method for success is indeed a science.

Appearing on stage with the spotlight on me.
I’ll give it my all and have the courage not to flee.

The determination to create a meaningful flow
Will be highly rewarded once we begin the show.

Eliciting laughter from strangers in a crowded room,
While speaking feverishly in the microphone boom.

I’ll poke fun at daily life,
And follow up with its strife.

And while I speak my lines, I know I must try
To excel with humor and reach for the sky.

I’ll remember to be on my best behavior
As I strive to be an entertainer.

A comedian provides enjoyment for the audience,
Especially with a well-versed routine full of ambiance.

Looking forward to joking and laughter, I’ll stand tall,
Preparing for showtime, to give my very best for all.

With each punchline, I’ll try to be clever,
To bring smiles and memories that last forever.

And when the audience prepares to leave,
I’ll have one last joke up my sleeve.






More Poetry for You

 



Related Reading




I believe in humans Tee Shirt