Monthly Archives: May 2023

Nature’s Lesson of Love

Upon yonder meadow, where whispers breeze,
I contemplate possessions, those few degrees.

For all that I claim, in worldly possession,
Pales in the light of heartfelt affection.

No trinkets of gold nor fortunes untold,
Can match the treasures within my heart’s hold.

Nature’s beauty and love’s tender embrace,
Transcend earthly gains, in ethereal grace.

The sparrows that sing with melodious voice,
Remind me of love that makes my heart rejoice.

No vast riches compare to their sweet refrain,
Their songs, my solace, erasing all pain.

In verdant valleys and on mountains high,
I find solace in nature’s gentle sigh.

The wealth of a sunset, a vibrant hue,
Outshines all earthly possessions, so few.

For what I truly own is not of this earth,
But a love that’s boundless, a priceless rebirth.

In words I shall pen, this truth I will tell,
Love’s essence, the riches in which I dwell.

So, let me surrender all worldly gain,
And cherish the love that forever remains.

In the spirit of Wordsworth, I now confess,
Love’s the only possession I truly possess.

:: 05.14.2023 ::

Poet’s Notes

The poem begins with a serene scene set upon a meadow, where the persona contemplates their possessions with a sense of introspection. The use of the phrase “whispers breeze” evokes a gentle and soothing atmosphere, contributing to the overall tranquil tone of the poem.

The central theme of the poem revolves around the insignificance of material possessions when compared to the power of heartfelt affection and love. The persona acknowledges that worldly possessions pale in comparison to the depth of emotional connections and genuine love.

The poet employs contrasting imagery by juxtaposing “trinkets of gold” and “fortunes untold” with the treasures held within the heart. This contrast emphasizes the belief that the true riches lie within one’s emotional experiences and connections.

Nature plays a significant role in the poem, symbolizing a source of solace and beauty. The sparrows with their melodious voices serve as a reminder of the love that brings joy and erases pain. This imagery of the natural world, specifically the verdant valleys and mountains, reinforces the idea that nature offers solace and a deeper connection to the self.

The poem utilizes vivid descriptions and visual imagery to create a sense of ethereal grace and transcendence. The wealth of a vibrant sunset, described with the phrase “a vibrant hue,” surpasses any earthly possessions in its beauty and significance.

The persona then asserts that their true ownership lies beyond the material realm, in a love that is boundless and offers a rebirth of the soul. The act of penning these words expresses this poet’s desire to convey the truth of love’s essence as the ultimate riches.

The concluding lines emphasize the willingness to surrender worldly gains and embrace the enduring nature of love. The poet acknowledges the influence of the Romantic poet William Wordsworth, positioning themselves in his tradition. This reference aligns the poem with the Romantic era’s emphasis on the natural world and the power of human emotions.

Overall, this poem, written in a reflective and contemplative tone, celebrates the value of love, emotional connections, and the beauty of the natural world while challenging the significance of material possessions. It invites readers to embrace the intangible riches that reside in the realm of heartfelt affection.


)…THIN &

(
)…thin &       sometimes     –> t ALL     pouring hourglass rains   Oh All!<– she’s all within my mind orSome-suchSilly paIN___it’s  killing me!   & the silverRain falls upon eloquence  with logic — ties me up and arrests me!

Oh, see! Will-be-was chasing Ever Is  in plankTime /set aside mind\  and beachDREAM with green waves of lapping licking
seaTongues : my possessions were causing suspicion so i placed them all upon a raft and set sail to Dream it’s not over:
when the world Ends it is the flatEarth theory \how lovely it could be // seeing deflated memories inside a coffin are ever actually good for funeral folks doing a fine job making thoughts more alive than they’ve ever been.

:: 02-26-2017 ::rev: 08.09.2020

Poet’s Notes:

The poem plays with the themes of time, mortality, reality, and the human perception of these concepts. This is most clearly seen in lines such as “Will-be-was chasing Ever Is in plankTime”, “when the world Ends”, and the reference to the “flatEarth theory”. These lines suggest a critique or contemplation of human understanding of time and existence, and perhaps a tension between what is perceived or believed and what is reality.

The phrase “pouring hourglass rains” presents time as a physical, even overwhelming force, while “she’s all within my mind orSome-suchSilly paIN___it’s killing me!” introduces a personal, emotional element. This could suggest a struggle with mental anguish or heartache, which is consuming the speaker’s thoughts and affecting their perception of time.

The poem uses unconventional syntax and formatting (like “/set aside mind” and “\how lovely it could be //”) to disrupt traditional reading patterns, which may reflect the disorientation and confusion associated with confronting complex existential questions. The phrase “beachDREAM with green waves of lapping licking seaTongues” evokes a surreal, dreamlike state, reinforcing the theme of altered perception.

In the final lines, “seeing deflated memories inside a coffin are ever actually good for funeral folks doing a fine job making thoughts more alive than they’ve ever been”, the speaker seems to suggest that the end of life (or perhaps the end of a period or experience) can provide a new perspective, making memories and thoughts more vivid or meaningful. This could be interpreted as a commentary on the human tendency to value and romanticize the past or what has been lost.

The overall tone of the poem is ambiguous and introspective, reflecting the speaker’s internal struggle to reconcile their emotions and perceptions with the reality of time, existence, and loss. While it’s complex and somewhat challenging to decipher, its use of vivid, surreal imagery and innovative syntax make it a thought-provoking exploration of human consciousness and the nature of reality.


INTRUSIONS OF NATURE

In a cascade of light, like melted wax,
It strayed, mischievous and free-spirited,
Across her smiling lips (I watched intently),
Then found solace upon her bosom, a midge on a rose.

I pressed kisses upon her lovely ankles,
And in response, her laughter erupted,
Melodious and sweet, with vibrant notes,
Her laughter, like cut glass, sparkling and clear.

Her dainty feet sought refuge in her skirts,
As if to say, “That’s enough, no further,”
Yet she relented, allowing the moment to unfold,
Her laughter offering no true reproach.

Her vulnerable eyes danced beneath my lips,
Gently caressing, a tender application.
She tossed her head back in mock despair,
“Really, Monsieur,” she playfully exclaimed.

And then, with a kiss upon her breast,
I met her challenge, provoking laughter anew,
That laughter, signaling consent and readiness,
She stood there, nearly undressed, and resolute.

Outside, brazen trees leaned against the panes,
Their leaves intruding, curious and near,
Snooping upon our intimate affair,
So close, too close, invading our privacy here.

:: 05.13.2023 ::


Eclipse of Existence

I dreamed a dream, but was it such a dream?

The sun’s bright flame was quenched, and every star
drifted in endless darkness without aim,
rayless, pathless, and the cold earth afar
swung blindly in the moonless void of space.
morning came and went, but brought no day,

And all men, awed by the dread despair,
Forgot their passions in this desolate fray.
All hearts grew cold, and turned to selfish prayer
For light to break this endless night of doom.

By watchfires they lived, while thrones and kings
Burnt as beacons, while huts and homes consumed.
Cities fell, and people gathered in rings
Around their blazing hearths to meet their fate,
Happy those who lived in the volcano’s light,

For all the world held naught but fear and hate.
Forests burned, and hour by hour, the night
Fell, fading all in its ebon embrace.
Men’s faces, lit by flickering firelight,

Wore an eerie, otherworldly face.

Some wept, others laughed in desperate grace.
And all around, the world descended to the dust.
Birds fluttered, beasts trembled in mortal fear,
And serpents hissed, but to no avail, for they must

Perish by the hand of those they once held dear.
War, which for a moment seemed to be no more,
Returned to glut itself upon the land,
Feasting upon blood and sullenly keeping score,

As all love fled from the earth’s barren strand.
Famine reigned, and every living thing
Fed upon the flesh of the dying and the dead,
Until bones and flesh alike were but a thing

Forgotten by time and all that lay ahead.
Even dogs attacked their masters in their need,
And yet one remained faithful to the last,
Guarding his master’s body, and with no heed

For his own hunger, he held off the ghastly cast
Of beasts and men, until at last he died,
Uttering a pitiful and desolate cry,
Licking the hand of the one who never replied.

The crowd grew famished, and yet only two survived,
Two enemies, who met beside an altar-place,
Gathering holy things for an unholy rite,
Scraping feeble ashes with skeleton hands and face,

And breathing their last breath to create a light
That mocked them both, until they saw each other’s plight,
And in their horror, they died, unknowing of the other’s name,
For famine had left them with only their mutual hideousness and shame.

The world was void, lifeless, and stark,
A chaos of hard clay, without tree or herb,
River, lake, or ocean, all motionless and dark,
And ships lay rotting on a stagnant sea, without a word.

Masts fell down piecemeal, without a sound,
And waves lay still, and tides were in their graves.
The moon had died, and the winds lay unbound,
As clouds perished, leaving nothing to save

The world from darkness, for she was the universe,
And in her shroud of night, nothing was left to curse.

:: 05.10.1992 ::


A Chance of Nature and Amusement

THE procession slowly moved in just-
ly attire; A COPHINUS occasioned
by wooden wheels
& solid beasts with a faire
amoretic group of ladies
joking about sprouting third
legs; but beast or not it left some
mouths agape ~
as others watering
& finally to his resting place
the elderly one was put to peace!

Poet’s Notes:

I would begin by noting the powerful use of imagery in this poem. The opening lines immediately draw the reader into a scene of solemnity and dignity, as a procession moves slowly by in appropriate attire. The use of the word “COPHINUS” adds a sense of antiquity and tradition to the scene, while the reference to wooden wheels and solid beasts suggests a sense of weight and gravitas.

The juxtaposition of this dignified scene with the humorous image of the ladies joking about sprouting third legs creates a sense of playfulness and irreverence, adding depth and complexity to the poem. The image of mouths agape and watering creates a sense of contrast between the solemnity of the occasion and the natural human response to beauty and desire.

The final lines of the poem bring a sense of closure and resolution, as the elderly one is laid to rest. There is a sense of finality and acceptance, as well as a recognition of the cycle of life and death. The use of the phrase “put to peace” suggests a sense of release and a return to a state of calm.

Overall, this poem demonstrates a keen awareness of the power of language to create vivid images and evoke complex emotions. The use of imagery and wordplay adds depth and nuance to the poem, while the underlying themes of tradition and mortality lend a sense of universality to the work. As a poet laureate, I would recognize this poem as a masterful example of the art of poetry.


The War Drums Shake

O, the heroes fought for honor and for life,
With swords and shields, they clashed in epic strife,
A struggle for power, an ancient lore,
As armies faced each other, ready for war.

The land was torn, with darkness all around,
Death and destruction, the only sounds,
The sky was blackened, with thunder and rain,
As both sides fought, with both victory and pain.

But amidst the chaos, a hero did arise,
With a sword in hand, and fire in his eyes,
He charged into battle, with resolve so fierce,
And fought for his people, with courage unperished.

The battle raged on, with no end in sight,
As both sides fought with all their might,
But with a final blow, the hero prevailed,
And the darkness fled, as the light prevailed.

The people rejoiced, and the hero was hailed,
As the savior of their land, the one who prevailed,
And though the battle was over, the scars remained,
A reminder of the price of freedom gained.

And so the story lives on, of the battle of undying mortals
of heroes who fought, and the ones who fell before,
It’s a tale of bravery, and the cost of war,
A reminder that freedom comes at a great, great cost.

:: 05.08.2023 ::


Lost In the Desert Sun

I’m suffocating in the heat – this desert sun
is killing me

I’m searching for some kind of shade but all
around me it’s the same

Drowned in the sun, can’t find my way
Lost in the heat, I can’t escape
Burning alive, I’m fading away
Drowned in the sun, day after day

My throat is dry, my lips are cracked
I’m crawling on this endless track
My skin is turning red and sore
I can’t take it anymore

Drowned in my pain, can’t find my way
Lost in the heat, I can’t escape
Burning alive, I’m fading away
Drowned in the heart, day after day

I need some water, I need some shade
I need some shelter from this endless blaze
But all around me there’s just sand
I’m stuck in this burning wasteland

Drowned in the soul, can’t find my way
Lost in the heat, I can’t escape
Burning alive, I’m fading away
Drowned in this life, day after day

I’m drowning in the sun, can’t you see?
This heat is taking everything from me
I need to find a way to survive
Before I’m lost forever in this endless light.

:: 05.07.2023 ::


Marsh Marigold

A melting clock dripping into a pool of clear tears,
stinging like saltwater drops shed by sad children.
A towering sun assaulted by the whiteness of women’s bodies,
as if they were melting into the skies as distorted forms within dreams.

i need no sympathy. The wind blows ~~ upon this cold night.

A mass of silk and lilies, cascading like several rainbows of color
and patterns colliding overlaping like abstract paintings
We all carry on like nothing really matters /no need no sympathy
A lone figure defending a wall, with colors and shapes of surroundings
melting and morphing into fantastical forms that defy logic.

Angels dancing within dizzying swirls of light and shadows, with their wings
transforming into fluid and organic shapes that blend into the surreal landscape.

Sometimes, yes, sometimes I wish I have had no body at all.

A golden current flowing with dark, tired arms that move with cool and calm rhythms,
while colors of surroundings blend into a vibrant green.
Oh moma, i fear the dark spaces and my skin glows with unknown energy!

A somber figure standing beneath a canopy of blue sky, surrounded by curtains
that transform into arches and hills that meld into the abstract landscape.
Oh, the glistening surface holds such surreal bubbles!
A liquid of deep, pale gold blankets the beds made by fate:

The little girls’ green and faded dresses morph into willows,
from which birds without reins flee, into the vast unknown.
Purer than gold, a yellow eyelid blinks with warmth,
marsh marigold – a symbol of your married faith, O Bride! –

At the stroke of noon, from its dull mirror, jealousy rises
As the rose-colored sphere glows with love: gray heat fills the sky.

:: 05.07.2023 ::

Analysis:

The first stanza presents a series of surreal images, including a melting clock, clear tears, and distorted forms. These images suggest a sense of timelessness and fluidity, as well as a feeling of sadness or loss. The second stanza introduces the idea of abstraction and the blending of colors and patterns, which creates a sense of chaos and confusion.

The third stanza presents the idea of angels and their wings, which transform into fluid and organic shapes that blend into the surreal landscape. This image suggests a sense of freedom and transcendence, as well as a feeling of disorientation and uncertainty.

The fourth stanza introduces the idea of fear and unknown energy, which creates a sense of tension and unease. The fifth stanza presents a somber figure standing beneath a canopy of blue sky, surrounded by curtains that transform into arches and hills that meld into the abstract landscape. This image suggests a sense of isolation and introspection, as well as a feeling of wonder and beauty.

The sixth stanza presents the idea of a golden current flowing with dark, tired arms that move with cool and calm rhythms, while colors of surroundings blend into a vibrant green. This image suggests a sense of renewal and growth, as well as a feeling of harmony and balance.

The seventh stanza introduces the idea of fate and its mysterious workings, which creates a sense of uncertainty and awe. The final stanza presents the image of a marsh marigold, which symbolizes married faith and suggests a sense of hope and commitment.

Overall, “Marsh Marigold” is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that uses rich and evocative language to explore a range of complex themes and emotions.


I Should Love Then I Shall Die

A heart once filled with love and hope,
Now lays shattered, broken and alone,
The pain and sadness, it cannot cope,
For all that’s left is a heart of stone.

Lost love, the death of a loving heart,
The tears fall like raindrops in the dark,
The memories of what once was,
Now only echoes of a love lost.

Once a light shone bright and true,
In this heart that beat for you,
But now it’s gone, forevermore,
Leaving behind an empty core.

Lost love, the death of a loving heart,
The tears fall like raindrops in the dark,
The memories of what once was,
Now only echoes of a love lost.

The pain, it cuts so deep inside,
A wound that time cannot hide,
The love that once filled this heart,
Now torn apart, forever to depart.

Lost love, the death of a loving heart,
The tears fall like raindrops in the dark,
The memories of what once was,
Now only echoes of a love lost.

As this heart beats its final breath,
It knows that love can bring both life and death,
And though it may never love again,
It will always remember what it once had been.

:: 05.03.2023 ::


Eliza Shivered

Amidst the silver gleam of lunar grace, by the nightingale’s melodious sigh,
A tale of twilight’s embrace, in the realm of dreams, does lie.

Upon an olden, timeworn estate, Whose walls whispered secrets deep,
A figure wandered, cloaked in fate, as twilight’s lullabies did seep.

A heart, once vibrant, now subdued, by the memory of love’s sweet touch,
Could bear no more the weight, accrued, a lament, that echoed much.

Her phantom form, a gentle light, an apparition in the dusk,
eyes that shimmered, stars in flight, a memory, now turned to husk.

The melody, by Mozart played, weaved through halls, a soothing balm,
as the figure roamed, in darkness swayed, and longed for words, a healing calm.

“Eliza,” he whispered, in tender grief, as the shadows waltzed, in harmony,
“Is this my fate, a life so brief, Yet bound by your memory?”

A rustle stirred, a gentle coo, resonating through the haze,
He shivered, as the music grew, and gazed upon the moonlit rays.

There, nestled, with a tender air, a nightingale, dark and sleek,
Sang a tune, a melody rare, “Infinity,” it seemed to speak.

A spell was cast, a love-sick heart, held by the nightingale’s serenade,
Forever entwined, a work of art, in the embrace of twilight’s shade.

Thus lingers still, that tender verse, of love and loss, entwined,
where twilight’s songs, like moonbeams, disperse, in the depths of the dreaming mind.

:: 05.03.2023 ::

Poet’s Notes:

The poem tells a haunting tale of love, loss, and longing set against the backdrop of an old, mysterious estate. It is imbued with a sense of melancholy, invoking the image of a protagonist who wanders through the mansion, mourning a lost love.

The opening lines establish the ethereal setting of the poem, with the silver gleam of lunar grace and the nightingale’s melodious sigh setting the stage for a tale that unfolds within the realm of dreams. The imagery in the poem is rich and evocative, painting a vivid picture of the old estate and the figure wandering its halls.

The protagonist is described as once having a vibrant heart, now subdued by the memory of a love long gone. The pain of this loss is so great that it has become a lament echoing throughout the mansion. This lost love is embodied by the phantom form of a woman, her eyes shimmering like stars, her memory haunting the protagonist like a fading apparition.

The poem incorporates the romantic music of Mozart as a soothing balm that weaves through the halls of the estate, a counterpoint to the darkness that surrounds the protagonist. This music brings a sense of yearning for a healing calm, but the protagonist is still bound by the memory of his love, Eliza.

As the poem unfolds, a nightingale appears, symbolizing the tender, bittersweet nature of love and loss. The nightingale sings a rare melody, “Infinity,” reflecting the eternal nature of the protagonist’s feelings. This encounter casts a spell over the protagonist’s heart, which is held captive by the nightingale’s serenade.

In the end, the poem concludes with the notion that the tender verse of love and loss, like the twilight’s songs and moonbeams, lingers in the depths of the dreaming mind. The poem captures the essence of the human experience, exploring themes of love, longing, and the power of memory, all against the backdrop of a hauntingly beautiful, dreamlike setting.