Poems From the Porch 11

Welcome

Thank you for visiting my porch once again. If this is your first time pull up a chair and get comfortable as we share some poetry requested by, and written for, your fellow hubbers.

These prompts were quite diverse and both fun and challenging for me to write, Thank you to all those who made requests. I hope you are pleased with what I came up with.

Pamela Ogelsby

"As many are enjoying autumn leaves right now that might be a good topic if you haven't done that lately."

Thanks for the request, Pamela. No, I haven't written a poem about autumn leaves recently, so here is one.

No king has a throne more beautiful than a bench covered with the autumn leaves!

— Mehmet Murat ildan

Autumn Leaves Are Falling

Autumn creeps upon us before we even know,

and warns us to prepare for the coming winter snow.

The days are getting shorter and the nights are growing long,

and the song-birds cease the singing of their early morning song.

The leaves begin to wither and change colour on the trees,

then fall like playful children as they dance upon the breeze.

The browns and reds and yellows are all joyous to the eye,

no less lovely than a rainbow in a blue but misty sky.

Despite the changing weather and the bare boughs on the trees,

a coloured carpet on the ground is a lovely sight to see.

Some may rue the summer’s passing and approaching winter chill,

but, fall’s always been my favourite and I think it always will.

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Bill Holland

".my request.....cricket the sport. :) Maybe I'll learn how to play the game through your poetry."

Bill, this was the toughest request yet. I would need to write a whole series of hubs just on cricket to tell you everything about the game. It is easy enough to play but much harder to describe all the rules and intricacies in a poem.

I sleep the whole day after breakfast to get in shape for the game.

— Chris Gale, West Indian Cricketer

The Sport of Cricket

When the football season’s finished

The Aussie winter’s been and gone,

It’s cricket that takes over

As the sport that’s number one.

The ball is cork, bound tight with string,

Inside a leather case.

The bat has a handle made of cane

And willow wood for the base.

The wickets are three wooden stumps

Which are set in a straight line,

On top of these are set the bails,

All made of ash or pine.

Its rules are difficult to list

Within a poem, no doubt,

But one teams goal is to score runs,

And the other, get them out.

The bowler tries to hit the stumps

And so dislodge the bails.

This will make the batsman out,

But sometimes this scheme fails.

The batsman can also be out

If the ball is not hit sound

And a fieldsman catches it.

Before it hits the ground.

Cricket is played on a pitch

With wickets at each end.

The batsmen run between them.

Each team has eleven men.

If the batsmen hit a boundary

They aren’t required to run.

If it hits the fence it counts as four,

If it clears it that’s six runs.

There are six balls in an over

And then the bowlers change,

Throwing from the other end.

I guess that may sound strange.

There are different forms of cricket,

Test matches, one-days too,

20 overs for each side.

It depends on what form suits you.

A test match can go on for days,

Usually three or more.

The team victorious at the end

Will have the highest score.

There are many terms that sound quite strange,

Like “googly,” “duck,” and “slips,”

“Silly mid-off,” “out of crease,”

Or bowled “leg before wicket.” (LBW)

Cricket’s quite a complex sport,

Much more than first appears,

It’s history in England dating back

More than 400 years.

This was quite a challenge

To describe it in a rhyme.

There’s so much more I could have wrote,

But I just don’t have time.

Lori Colbo

"I'd love to hear a poem about a poet crafting a poem."

OK, Lori. Your wish is my command. Here is the poem you requested.

Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words.

— Robert Frost

How a Poet Crafts a Poem

How does a poet craft a poem?

That’s a question often posed.

How many syllables per line?

Or if it’s rhyme or prose.

There are many types of poetry,

Some have strict rhyme or form

Like haiku, sonnets, limericks,

But now free-verse is norm.

I don’t have one set method

That I use to craft a verse,

But I always choose the subject

And think about it first.

Eventually an idea forms,

Then I decide how to proceed.

Most times I choose to make it rhyme,

My preference I concede.

Sometimes the words will flow at will,

I barely have to think.

They just appear upon the page

As though by magic ink.

If I am writing free-verse,

From which I often shrink,

The poetry still has to flow.

That’s harder than you think.

Other times I may decide

To borrow from the best.

I’ll use a form and rhyme scheme

Of a poem that’s passed the test.

I’ve used the style of Kipling,

A.B. Paterson, and Poe,

Sometimes Henry Lawson,

And others I don’t know.

But, mostly I just write the words

Whichever way they fall,

Then maybe rearrange some lines

Before the curtain call.

Nithya Venkat

"I love oak trees. Please can you write about an oak tree, I would love to read it."

Thanks for the request, Nithya. Oak trees are much loved. I have written a poem about them before, but here is one especially for you.

An oak tree and a rosebush grew, Young and green together, Talking the talk of growing things- Wind and water and weather. And while the rosebush sweetly bloomed The oak tree grew so high That now it spoke of newer things- Eagles, mountain peaks and sky. "I guess you think you're pretty great," The rose was heard to cry, Screaming as loud as it possibly could To the treetop in the sky. "And now you have no time for flower talk, Now that you've grown so tall." "It's not so much that I've grown,"

— Shel Silverstein

The Majestic Oak

The oak tree stands so tall and proud,

Majestic in its size.

Strength, morale, and knowledge

It is thought to symbolize.

The oak’s a living legend

That’s growth is slow but sure,

With a life-affirming status

Throughout the world’s folklore.

A symbol for the great god Zeus

In Greek mythology,

An oak may live 300 years,

Much more than you and me.

So, every time you see an oak

Bow down to it in awe.

It may be here when you are gone,

And was for many years before.

Next Week's Poetry Requests

Well, that's it for another edition of Poems From the Porch. Thank you for reading, and don't forget, all requests are welcome.

Next week's requests/suggestions are from:

Lawrence Hebb

Shauna L Bowling

Rosina S Khan

Tiyasha Maitra

© 2019 John Hansen

Comments

John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on June 13, 2020:

Hi Mark, always great to see you visit the porch. I am glad I could enlighten you a little on the sport of cricket. Cheers.

Mark Tulin from Long Beach, California on June 13, 2020:

Had no idea how cricket worked until I read your poem, John. You make it sound fun.

Robert Sacchi on June 12, 2020:

You're welcome.

John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on June 02, 2020:

Thank you for reading and commenting Robert. I have never written a poem about cricket either.

Robert Sacchi on June 02, 2020:

Impressive. I've never read a poem about cricket before. Well done.

John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on March 09, 2020:

Thank you for those kind words, Dumas. Greatly appreciated.

Demas W Jasper from Today's America and The World Beyond on March 09, 2020:

Oh, what a grateful following, and deservedly so!

John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on January 05, 2020:

Thank you Lawrence. Good to see you on the porch. Oaks are amazing trees. Imagine them beginning life as tiny corns. Presently we are safe from fires as the major ones are in the south but we still have had no rain so I expect they will return to this area soon. Happy New Year.

Lawrence Hebb from Hamilton, New Zealand on January 05, 2020:

John

The poem about the Oak was really special. The symbol for the county Im from in the UK is the acorn which the poem reminded me of.

Blessings for the new year.

Hoping you are safe from the fires.

Lawrence

John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on December 11, 2019:

Hi Brenda. Yep, cricket is a tough one to explain to someone who has never seen he game played. I am sure the old oaks could tell some stories.

BRENDA ARLEDGE from Washington Court House on December 11, 2019:

Wonderful work as always John.

So glad it is still going strong...it gives me something to read and learn.

Cricket? Guess i will need to watch a game to totally grasp it.

The old oak tree...i wish it could talk and tell me what it has seen.

Great write.

John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on December 06, 2019:

Hi Crezyl. Thank you for reading and appreciating these poems.

John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on December 06, 2019:

Haha Chris....beware the flying wickets! Seriously, thanks for taking the time to read and comment. I got your suggested subject and have added it to my list...which is actually growing shorter and shorter. Maybe I am writing too many poems each week.

Crezyl from Philippines on December 06, 2019:

Beautiful poems❤❤ amazing work.

Chris Mills from Traverse City, MI on December 06, 2019:

Wow, that was quite a week for you. I like them all. I really do. But Cricket...it is so obvious that you all stole this idea from American baseball. (Waiting for various items of cricket sports equipment to come flying at me). I'm working on an idea for a poem from you.

John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on December 03, 2019:

Hello Lori, glad to hear that we approach writing in the same way, and that you enjoyed the 'cricket" poem. I loved that quote as well.

lambservant on December 03, 2019:

I thank you for the poem I requested. It soundls like we work the same way. I was highly impressed with the cricket poem, especially because it was such a challenge. I love your series.

My favorite quote here: No king has a throne more beautiful than a bench covered with the autumn leaves!

— Mehmet Murat ildan

John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on December 03, 2019:

Thank you for following this series, Rasma. Yes, oak trees are one of God’s true wonders.

Gypsy Rose Lee on December 03, 2019:

Another wonderful set of poems. I particularly loved the oak tree since oaks are among my favorites.

John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on December 01, 2019:

Thank you Mark. Your visit is always appreciated. Gotta love cricket.

Mark Tulin from Long Beach, California on December 01, 2019:

A wonderful collection of poetry, John I especially liked your poetic description of Cricket.

John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on December 01, 2019:

Thank you Shyron. What an honour it would be to have you read some of them at the poet society’s meeting.

Shyron E Shenko from Texas on December 01, 2019:

Beautiful poems, I love them all and I will read some at the senior center poet society's meeting.

Thanks John and Blessings always.

John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on November 29, 2019:

Sara, thank you for taking the time to read these poems and for your generous comment. The words fall much more easily for some topics than others but i am glad it seems effortless.

Sara Sarwar Riaz from Michigan, USA on November 28, 2019:

Loved reading your poetry. I am thoroughly amazed at how effortlessly the words and verses fell around some suggested notions, to evolve into individualized and beautiful pieces of perception.

You are a truly gifted writer.

John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on November 28, 2019:

Hi Li-Jen. Yes, it is hard to believe this series is still going. I am happy you like that line and also learn new things from reading my poetry. Have a great day.

Li-Jen Hew on November 28, 2019:

Hi Jodah, wow you've reached the 11th series! There's so many interesting things to learn. I like the line "no less lovely than a rainbow in a blue but misty sky", to describe autumn leaves. Cool to know that an oak is predicted to live for 300 years, according to Greek mythology. We can read your poems and then look at something in a new light or have a fresh perspective. Thanks for sharing!

John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on November 27, 2019:

Thank you, Eric. I only just saw your comment. For some reason, it had been marked as "spam."

John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on November 27, 2019:

Thank you, Lynne. Yes, cricket needs to be watched quite a bit to be understood. Oak trees are great.

Lynne Samuel from Malaysia on November 27, 2019:

Excellent! I don't understand cricket but I love the poem. The oak tree one is just grand, wish I could see one in real life.

John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on November 27, 2019:

Thank you manatita, I appreciate that. Yes, I think you could ask five poets and get five different answers to how they craft a poem. Blessings.

manatita44 from london on November 27, 2019:

You are doing a masterful job, jodah. I thought 'How a Poet Craft's a Poem' was harder to do than the 'cricket' poem, but you have done justice to them all. Hari Om!

John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on November 26, 2019:

Ah Liz, someone from the UK who appreciates cricket. Thanks for visiting again, and for the kind comment. I am sure I will eventually get a request that I just can’t do. Time will tell I guess.

John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on November 26, 2019:

Thanks for visiting the porch again Shauna. It is always good to see you. Yes cricket is difficult to describe to those who have never watched it but I did my best. Glad you enjoyed the others. Cheers.

Liz Westwood from UK on November 26, 2019:

Cricket is my favourite. You have done a great job explaining it. But the other three are great too. I am beginning to think that there is no limit to your poetic creativity on any subject.

Shauna L Bowling from Central Florida on November 26, 2019:

This was a fun porch visit, John. I have to admit, I didn't understand the cricket poem, but that's because I've never seen the game played.

I love Autumn Leaves and Majestic Oak. Your words are vivid and flow well. I especially appreciate your poem about writing poetry. I was curious about your process because poetry seems to come so easily for you. The end result is always a success!

John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on November 26, 2019:

Thank you once again for your kind comment Nikki, and for following the series.

Nikki Khan from London on November 26, 2019:

Some great poems again from the Porch. I loved reading all of them, John. Thanks for sharing with us.

John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on November 25, 2019:

Great idea MsDora, get Bill to watch a game of cricket with you. The West Indies have always been one of the most entertaining teams to watch...players like Garfield Sobers, Chris Gale, Curtley Ambrose etc. who better than to explain he rules than yourself.

Thank you for the kind comment, and glad you enjoyed all these poems.

Dora Weithers from The Caribbean on November 25, 2019:

Today's poems are phenomenal. Autumn is also my favorite season thought I just wrote an article on winter. As for cricket, Bill and I can watch a game together; I can tutor him. You did an awesome job there, for sure. Fantastic job on the other two poems as well. You hit them all out of the ballpark.

John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on November 24, 2019:

So glad you enjoyed the oak tree poem, Nithya. I had to throw in the Shel Silverstein quote as well. He is one of my favourites.

Nithya Venkat from Dubai on November 24, 2019:

Thank you for writing such a beautiful poem about the oak tree, I enjoyed reading. I am a fan of Shel Silverstein, thank you for sharing his work too. Loved the other poems too.

John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on November 24, 2019:

Hi Ruby, yes, I am a sports lover too and as a matter of fact tennis is one of my favourites. Roger Federer is one of the greatest. Ok, a poem about tennis coming up.

John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on November 24, 2019:

Hey Linda, I can be very convincing when I try. For us here, Autumn isn't so bad because we don't have freezing winters to look forward to. I enjoy the weather of spring and autumn equally, but you have to admit autumn leaves are lovely. Thanks for your kind words.

Ruby Jean Richert from Southern Illinois on November 24, 2019:

As usual, I enjoyed reading each one. My favorite is The Oak Tree. I am into several sports, my favorite is tennis. I could sit and watch Rodger Federer all day. I wonder if you would write a poem about tennis? Thank you.

Linda Lum from Washington State, USA on November 24, 2019:

John, Autumn is my least favorite season, but you've almost convinced me to give it another try. I've never seen a cricket match, but I've heard they can go on for days (or so it seems). Is there any topic you CAN'T do? Another great collection. You've found your niche.

John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on November 24, 2019:

Thank you, Clive. I really appreciate that.

John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on November 24, 2019:

Thank you Flourish. Yes, I am glad I started it to. I am enjoying the challenge and variety of poetry I get to write.

Clive Williams from Jamaica on November 24, 2019:

I love your poems, especially the Autumn leaves. Beautiful

Elaina Baker from USA on November 24, 2019:

What a wide array of requests! I love the variety. This column is such a success. I’m so glad you started it.

John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on November 24, 2019:

It is great to read that you were pleased with my response to your request “cricket”, Bill. That certainly tested me. Yes, I hope you get a chance to watch it more often. There are some very funny videos on You Tube regarding cricket fights, fielding etc.as well.

John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on November 24, 2019:

Thank you for the generous comment Elijah. Oh, I don’t think I just stick to one subject either. All of these are on very different topics and I learn something new writing each one. I also write articles, essays, and short fiction for some variety. Hope to see you next time.

John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on November 24, 2019:

Devika, your comments are always so encouraging. I am happy you like Autumn Leaves, and yes, having lived in South Africa you would know cricket.

Bill Holland from Olympia, WA on November 24, 2019:

A brilliant effort to do the impossible, John! Thanks so much. I was looking forward to this all week and you did not disappoint. Wonderful! I really do have to make an attempt to watch this game more often.

Elijah A Alexander Jr from Washington DC on November 24, 2019:

Wow, John, such talent makes me almost jealous, but I'm not because I don't devote much time to only one subject since because such devotion doesn't allow for recognizing how all subjects fit together. Yet, I have to solute you for your talent.

Thanks for sharing them and I hope to be here to read what you've written next time.

Devika Primić from Dubrovnik, Croatia on November 24, 2019:

Hi John Autumn leaves are beautiful in its form and color. Well, I do have an idea of cricket. You have created a great art poems here and continue to write your best. I enjoyed reading your finest work as this is too.

John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on November 24, 2019:

Thank you Peggy. Who doesn’t enjoy the autumn leaf display? I bet that was a great trip.

John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on November 24, 2019:

So glad you enjoyed the autumn leaves and majestic oak poems, Pamela. Thank you.

Eric Dierker from Spring Valley, CA. U.S.A. on November 24, 2019:

OK I tried to decide which one the best. Well that was a big fat loss. It might be about writing poetry.

Thanks friend.

John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on November 24, 2019:

Rosina, thank you for that very generous comment. I appreciate your support. Look forward for your poem next week.

Peggy Woods from Houston, Texas on November 24, 2019:

The last trip I made to the Midwest was specifically chosen in order to see the magnificent autumn leaves in their full glory. Each of your poems made for enjoyable reading. Keep it up!

Pamela Oglesby from Sunny Florida on November 24, 2019:

John, thank you so much for the poem about the beautiful autumn leaves. I have planned many trips over the years knowing I will have the pleasure of seeing autumn leaves at their finest.

I enjoyed all of the poems today, as always. I particularly like the majestic oak poem. I don't know much about cricket, but I learned a little of information through your poem.

Rosina S Khan on November 24, 2019:

A great collection of marvelous poems, John! I must appreciate that you have transformed yourself into a thriving and expert poet over the years. Keep the series of poems flowing based on the requests of fellow hubbers.