Category Archives: family

A Poem for Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

Posted on 7 April, 2020 by PoetJanstie

~~~~~ “Any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.” ~ John Donne (1572-1631) from Meditation XVII  ~~~~~ My grandpa is quite old, … Continue reading →

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Posted in children, family, Iambic Pentameter, poem, poetry | Tagged | Leave a comment

One of A Kind

Posted on 19 March, 2018 by PoetJanstie

Is she the last of a generation …? Continue reading →

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Posted in Art, Death, Elegy, family, Free Verse, poem, poetry | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

A Sonnet for Leila

Posted on 6 March, 2017 by PoetJanstie

The narrow path that sometimes seems too longdim crescent moon in deeply dark night skyand have they ever made you feel the throngof voices in your head that ask you whybut never seem to show the way to bethe touch … Continue reading →

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Posted in children, family, Hope, Love, poem, poetry, Sonnet, Wonder | Leave a comment

Comment for Kole

Posted on 3 January, 2017 by PoetJanstie

Never expecting too much of life Is like preparing to be surprised. When all it throws at you is bad news, it comes good! Then you popped your head above the parapet to say Hello, it’s me, I’m here! Where’s … Continue reading →

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Posted in children, family, Free Verse, Love, poem, poetry, political, wisdom, Wonder | Leave a comment

Little Big Man

Posted on 31 July, 2015 by PoetJanstie

(for Samuel Leon Anstie) This fragile earth, on which we so depend is strewn with evidence that life portends a choreography of happenstance. Your shoes were made for your own special dance. Then you appeared and shone the warmest light; … Continue reading →

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Posted in children, family, Love, melancholy, poetry, Religious, sadness | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

The Major

Posted on 18 June, 2015 by PoetJanstie

On the night before the battle,
a letter to his wife still wets the eyes
and we shed tears two hundred years on. Continue reading →

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Posted in courage, Death, family, poetry | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

But You

Posted on 14 February, 2015 by PoetJanstie

(for Barbara) There couldn’t be, there could never be anyone so flawed and yet pluperfect any other being, so dissonant, yet in harmony with an Earth full of strife, yet bursting with life full of hope, and love, and integrity and … Continue reading →

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Posted in family, Free Verse, Love, nostalgia, poem, poetry, Wonder | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

These Stones

Posted on 18 February, 2014 by PoetJanstie

These Stones. – A poem to commemorate how war penetrates all aspects of human life, in all corners of our world, however remote … over at The Bardo Group

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Posted in cosmos, Death, emotion, family, Fear, nature, nostalgia, poem, poetry, War, Wonder | Leave a comment

A Dog’s Life

Posted on 1 May, 2013 by PoetJanstie

(for Jazz) Your soft and furry skin was like a prize that felt as if it were a therapy, reward for when we were too short of time to pander to your young demands, and yet you never once gave … Continue reading →

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Posted in age, animals, Blank Verse, Death, family, Love, melancholy, poem, poetry, sadness | 32 Comments

The Secrets of Life

Posted on 21 January, 2013 by PoetJanstie

The riptide pulled and weighed us down, swimming in our shoals. It bent us in our will to win, oh weary, sorry souls. Oh tiresome, terrifying days when scholars moved to preach that all of Christendom was ours, but always … Continue reading →

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Posted in Ballad, experience, family, Fear, Heroes, Hope, Love, poem, poetry, wisdom | 38 Comments