Creative Writing by Robert Stanhope - ROBERT STANHOPE

ROBERT STANHOPE

Ferris Wheel

10/9/2023

By Robert Stanhope

A day at the fair,
a day away from my office chair,
the aroma of fried food in the air,
rides left, right, and everywhere,

The bumper cars and the Tilt-a-Whirl,
my head spins like a squirrel
when I see the Merry-go-round, a fair pearl,
but it's the Ferris wheel I want to ride with my girl,

Spinning round and round and round,
the crown jewel of fair days is found,
from our seat up high we can see all around,
as we sit close and celebrate the love we found,

Through years, we've shared many fair days,
looking back and above as we stargaze,
recalling days gone by sure does amaze,
now we have grandkids that enjoy fair days.

Ferris wheel

Ferris wheel photo captured at the Manatee County Fair in Palmetto, Florida by Robert Stanhope

Lost One

4/27/2023

By Robert Stanhope

I am the lost one,
On a journey to find me,
Footprints are my past.

Photo by Robert Stanhope

Photo by Robert Stanhope
Location: Hardee Lakes County Park, Bowling Green, Florida

Cities Never Sleep

4/25/2022

By Robert Stanhope

Cities never sleep,
they nap,
one ear and one eye
open to sounds
of an alley cat squabble,
of a city bus's brakes squeal,
of a loudmouth shouting
out his window
on a hot summer night,
as steam rises
from the urban underbelly,
a pressure cooker.

City Lights

Before the World Changed

4/13/2021

By Robert Stanhope

I remember days,
visiting family,
drinks with friends,
live music,
dining out,
travel -
the good times,
before the world changed,
before the walls went up,
before the masks concealed,
my smile,
now a frown,
what I'd give for normal,
my joy freed
from trapped sighs.

Mask photo by Mylene

Photo by Myléne

Walk With Me

4/9/2021

By Robert Stanhope

Walk with me today
as the sun rises above
to light our journey.

Walk at Sunrise by Robert Stanhope

We Bloom

4/7/2021

By Robert Stanhope

Green thumb in my home,
not on either of my hands,
with my wife, love is grown,
delicate as life rises up
from a fertile foundation,
we continue to bloom.

Rose photo by Uliana Pinto

Photo by Uliana Pinto.

Flow of Freedom

4/6/2021

By Robert Stanhope

Reach for the river
full of diamonds glittering
over dark waters,

He knows you will come
swim in the enticing shine
to drown away sins,

To be born again
in the blessed flow of freedom,
bathed clean of evil.

Manatee River photo by Robert Stanhope

Soured

4/2/2021

By Robert Stanhope

Flavored denials
taste like soured promises,
bitter to swallow.

Sour face photo by Ryan McGuire

Photo by Ryan McGuire

Circus Comes to Town

3/17/2021

A weepy frown
on a happy clown,
what could be more scary,
definitely not a big smile
on a weeping clown
named Laughing Larry,
my emotions
don't clown around
with a clown in town,
I prefer a circus
with a bearded lady
named Hairy Mary.

Circus photo

Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay

Dream of Flying

6/7/2018

By Robert Stanhope

While chasing my dreams
I sometimes get lost,
I sometimes get confused
Between fiction and fairyland

Some days I’m drowning,
Some days I swim,
And, last night I tripped on a cloud
When I tried to fly

I have real dreams
Of creating these worlds
That I can visit on vacation
To take a break from a break

Sometimes my dedication
Is simple procrastination
Or a fear of rejection
When my words become publication

In my dreams there’s no rejection
Not even the giggling fairies
Pass judgment on the guy
That still doesn’t believe he can fly.