Articles by Glenn Stok
I prefer writing poetry that rhymes, which is what you'll find here among my various poems below. I also tend to focus on the emotional aspects of life with mindful insight. So, my dual emphasis of rhyme and reason is inherent within my poetry.
Poetry provides a means for expressing emotion.
Creative writers can be poets with their devotion.
A poem can be written in rhyme or prose.
What develops can be substantial — who knows?
A poem with thoughtful ideas has many applications.
Poets offer readers significant views of life’s situations.
Readers can feel empathy for the life of the poet.
Especially when the poem includes a vision to show it.
Metaphors give an intensified impression.
The use of it is left to the poet’s discretion.
Exploring the nuances of words is a crucial task worth pursuing.
It helps poets provide value for ideas readers are construing.
Mindful reflection stems from the title and written matter.
It has the most impact when evoked by the latter.
Writing poetry can be therapeutic with its self-expression.
It especially could help with feelings of depression.
When reading poetry with its unique arrangement,
It holds one’s attention and encourages engagement.
The beauty of poetry, with its rhythm and imagery,
Brings warmth and compassion through its delivery.
A poet can be a dreamer, fantasist, or philosopher.
And can even represent a composer or astronomer.
Poems can deliver wisdom and share experiences.
They allow for random thoughts and meaningful variances.
A poet’s stanzas can circle the heart.
That’s what I consider to be the best part.
So, if you are developing a mindful introspection
You’re definitely going in the proper direction.
Poetry comes in all forms of expression.
We read every line to absorb its impressions.
Poets struggle to make their verses rhyme,
Although poems don’t need to all the time.
Its prose can be structured in many different ways.
And when one reads it, they’ll understand each phrase.
The trick is to concentrate on the story being told.
There are no limits for the imagination to behold.
Sometimes, meaningful stanzas are misunderstood,
And the reader needs to look deeper under the hood.
Inspiration and insightfulness arise from the narrative.
Bringing awareness to the reader is truly imperative.
Enjoyment is realized as one continues to read.
Amusing visions emerge without the need to plead.
Sometimes, a poem can make an impact
As long as the reader does not overreact.
When reading poetry with hope and determination,
Readers should not be kept in frustration.
So, I hope you found it helpful reading my stanzas.
It’s neither here nor there, under these circumstances.
If nothing else, since you made it this far,
I know what a loyal reader you are.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
If you enjoy my rhyme and reason, you might enjoy my other poems conveying my humorous side. These are published in "Bouncin’ and Behavin’ Poems," a publication on Medium.
Imagine if segments of time repeat due to some instability in the space-time continuum, causing it to lack reliability. This poem is an analysis of such an issue.
This is an amusing satirical and educational essay through poetry. I had fun writing this poem. It turned out to be an educational piece besides all the satire.
This is an amusing story written in poetic narrative with a pedagogical approach. Learn something new while enjoying the rhyming story.
Life sure has its hardships for an egg throughout the seasons. Nevertheless, Humpty endures it — for he has his reasons.
The significance of the horrors shall be told as the October weather turns cold with an eerie chill and the demons and goblins have their sinister thrill.