Misnomers

The name implies inadequate size,
And indeed, many shrimp are quite small.
But a jumbo shrimp is in no way a wimp-
Why call it a shrimp at all?

And a fairy shrimph is perceived as a nymph,
'Cause it's delicate, lovely, and frail.
But a fairy it's not-no wand has it got,
And no fairy's equipped with a tail!

poem by Yen Cress
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Salute to an American Soldier

I salute you, Soldier!
You are doing a job I cannot do
To protect
The values I treasure
And the beautiful land
I call Home.

There are things worth fighting for-
Important things
Like freedom
And justice
And the right to live
In safety
In the way one chooses
In the place one chooses.

There are things worse than war-
Terrible things
Like oppression
And unbridled power

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poem by Yen Cress
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The Song of the Lark (Pantoum)

Alone, alone, I listened to a song,
The lovely, floating warble of a lark.
I heard the notes come drifting, clear and strong,
Until the daylight faded into dark.

The lovely, floating warble of a lark-
Its melody caressed my troubled soul
Until the daylight faded into dark
And velvet night concealed the gentle knoll.

Its melody caressed my troubled soul
While yet I lingered, charmed by peace and grace,
And velvet night concealed the gentle knoll
Before I left that sweet, enchanted place.

While yet I lingered, charmed by peace and grace,
I memorized each shimmering, silvery tone,
Before I left that sweet, enchanted place-
Then I was once again alone, alone.

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poem by Yen Cress
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The Fair Sisters of Law

Some say the Lady Justice binds her eyes
To fairly judge, impartiality
The trait that makes her truly fair and wise.
Oblivious of nationality,
Financial status, creed, or social class-
Whatever makes a woman, man, or child
Distinct from any other in the mass-
The Lady is not easily beguiled.
The law, the facts, the testimony true,
The witnesses' descriptions, line by line,
And learned counselors, who try to woo
That Lady with demeanor palatine,
Are all she knows: These with her scales she weighs.
Accused, the prison's prey is brought to court
To wait for Justice, with her shrouded gaze,
To lift her scales and measure truth's report.
If Lady Justice finds one faultless still
Of doing wrong, of breaching legal walls,
The sound of freedom's chimes will send a thrill
Through watchers gathered in the hallowed halls.

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poem by Yen Cress
Added by Poetry Lover
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