Michael Burch Poet Rhyme

Let all those love, who never loved before

Let all those love, who never loved before.
Let those who always loved, love all the more.
—ancient Latin saying, translation by Michael R. Burch

***

I swear to God
by Mansur Hallaj
translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

I swear to God, the sun never rose nor set
without Your love being mingled with my breath;
nor have I ever confided in anyone
except when communing with You.

***

Excerpt from “Loneliness”
by Rainer Maria Rilke
translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

Being alone and apart is like the rain
ascending at evening from alien plains:
from lonely plateaus, unseen and unsought, it climbs
toward heaven, its sublime ancient home,
and only, when fallen, pities the city.

***

Dream Song of the Thunders
Chippewa saying
translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

Sometimes I bemoan my “plight”
when all the while the wind bears me
across the immense sky.

***

Sand Creek River
author unknown
translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

“They have hidden our hearts under a dark blanket. 
Beneath a newborn moon that died young, we once slept without fear.
Then came a general of twenty years with blue eyes and the same-colored jacket.
A general of twenty years, the son of a storm. 
Now a silver dollar lies at the bottom of Sand Creek.

Our warriors were too far away, on the track of the bison,
As that distant music became ever stronger.
I closed my eyes three times,
But opening them, found myself still there.
I asked my grandfather if it was just a dream.
My grandfather said, 'Yes,
For sometimes the fish sing on the bottom of Sand Creek.'

My dream became so strong the blood poured from my nose.
Lightning in one ear, the other in paradise. 
Small tears, then larger and larger, welled
As the white snow flourished with red stars.
Now children lie sleeping in their Sand Creek bed.

When the sun raised its head between the shoulders of the night, 
there were only dogs, smoke and toppled teepees. 
I shot an arrow into the sky to make it breathe.
I shot an arrow into the wind to make it bleed. 
The third arrow rests at the bottom of Sand Creek.

They have hidden our hearts under a dark blanket.
Beneath a newborn moon that died young, we once slept without fear.
Then came a general of twenty years with blue eyes and the same-colored jacket.
A general of twenty years, the son of a storm.
Now children lie sleeping at the bottom of Sand Creek.”

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment