original poems by john allen

about these poems...

I've always loved poetry. My first poems were written more than 30 years ago. Most of those old poems are gone now, probably for the better. For a long time, I wrote very little. I turned to poetry again to help me through a difficult time. It lets the emotions out. That can be both a blessing and a curse. In the end, I find it is cathartic. Now that I have started again, I will probably continue to write poems as long as I live.


just feels that way

My life didn't begin
the day I met you -
it just felt that way

My life didn't end
the day you died -
it just feels that way


fireflies in the moonlight...

happiness is hard to find
especially on a lonely night
it glimmers briefly, here and there
like fireflies in the moonlight

it always seems just out of reach
quickly fading out of sight
a brief flash, too soon gone
like fireflies in the moonlight


The poem above is one of my favorites. One night, I happened to see the full moon shining through the branches of a large evergreen tree in my yard and then noticed the glow of fireflies under the tree. As I was admiring the beauty of the scene the phrase 'fireflies in the moonlight' came to mind. I couldn't resist using it in a poem.

Note: The first set of poems were all written about the love of my life - Regina Owen Carter - may she rest in peace.

© copyright John Allen 2005

There is another version of the poem above on the short poems page with several other poems.

I hope you enjoy them.

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