Poems by Iris Elizabeth Sankey-Lewis

Poems by Iris Elizabeth Sankey-Lewis

SIMPLICITY

To add to the joy of another Means it is good with your soul to share To subtract from one’s fears Is to lay transparent their inner strength To multiply blessings Means we’re honest, humorous students and teachers

To divide any burden Is to dissolve the foe, and awaken the friend in us.

SOMETHING OR SOMEONE PHENOMENAL

When where you are today Is better than yesterday, Something or someone phenomenal hears you. When haters hate you But your kindness stays true, Something or someone phenomenal touches you. When the devil comes luring But you set him fleeing, Something or someone phenomenal guides you. When you’re calm amidst any storm While others seem alarmed, Something or someone phenomenal buffers you. When your wealth is with features Other than dollars, Something or someone phenomenal provides for you. WHY I WRITE

I write to be seasoned with sharp taste of spice I write to improve my view of us, left and right I write to sift through sound and sense I write because writing has been my loyal friend I write to find my voice in dew of freshness I write because writing beckons thoughtfulness I write to see everything the naked eye fails to show me I write to unearth gems waiting within me I write because with stillness, it’s therapy so free I write to learn to live, and to share the joys I feel from writing I write, so that my inner lamp with oil won’t flicker dim

Poems by Iris Elizabeth Sankey-Lewis

POETRY OF ART SURPASSES WORDS

Painters become artists at their canvas. They won’t paint to drown out the world They won’t paint with wavering soul Their ears, their eyes become friends inspiring Dancers who love to dance feel live more fully. They won’t dance the dance of loneliness They won’t dance the dance of drowsiness Their ears, their eyes become friends they believe in Singers sing because music flows from their hearts. They won’t sing songs suppressing joy They won’t sing songs making them coy Their ears, their eyes become friends with blessings Drummers drum on anything, anywhere, anytime. They won’t drum to chase frustration They won’t drum, calling condemnation Their ears, their eyes become friends that lead to the Master The painter, the dancer, the singer, and drummer understood The poetry of art surpasses words. The natural rhythm of innocent humorous hearts is art.

432 PARK IN NEW YORK

432 Park in New York Haunts the masses night and day Each cardinal view shows phallus palace Belonging to those, ultra famous? Such joystick of the rich Belongs to a one-legged giant You’ll see Gulliver’s thumb up Some say it’s “freedom-from-poor-people” tower 432 Park in New York Could be mid-finger of a financial foe A sore pinkie A matchstick of the one percent A rectal thermometer A giant chopstick A maypole sans ribbons The pencil tower 432 Park in New York Is toothpick award And that too, is final.

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