Adornments Poems

He said "Give me one last kiss. A way to say goodbye. I know you want to."
But I am no one's last supper. I will not serve the last feast to the one who crucified me.
God didn't create me to...Read More

It’s Twine Time!

(to Alvin Cash)

It’s twine time!
ooh, ah, ooh, ah, ooh, ah! 
It’s time to twine, baby!
Time to forget about it all!
The latest lollipop disasters, 
The catastrophes dressed in nude attire,
The latest bristlecone attacks 
Manufactured with iced fear, 
Riveted with...Read More

EXODUS AT THE LAKE
my exodus offers two paths that diverge
This is my lake, not Thoreau’s Pond
One path hugs the water to Cash Trail
The other that tugs at my heart
Will wander among old Maryland trees
I heard their voices calling to me:
Loblollies,...Read More

Silent like the night all Christmas day,
Normal adornments simply scarce,
No Natal dinner this year,
Just a sandwich and wine,
Can't revel to feast.
I'll shed a tear
In recall,
Years now
Gone.
Rest
My love.
Always in
My heart never
Forgotten, I'll heed
Your advice, be merry.
Invited to my daughter 
Deck the...Read More

Near Sainthood
by Mirza Ghalib
translation by Kanu V. Prajapati and Michael R. Burch

On the subject of mystic philosophy, Ghalib,
your words might have seemed deeply profound
and we might have pronounced you a saint...
if only we hadn't found
you drunk
as a skunk!


Ghazal
by Mirza Ghalib
translation...Read More

Translations by Michael R. Burch

Last Night 
Faiz Ahmed Faiz

Last night, your memory stole into my heart
as spring sweeps uninvited through barren gardens
as morning breezes revive dormant deserts
as a patient suddenly feels better for no apparent reason

Strange Currents
Amir Khusrow

O Khusrow, the...Read More

such class
such grace
a lady of glamour
gold adornments
fit for a queen
gilded slippers at her feet
exotic as a mystical perfume
parading her culture
with flare and dignity
an ambassador
a diplomat
an empress
a goddess



posted on September 20, 2019...Read More

Irene....My Mother and I.

I cannot believe I am her daughter!
She always dressed in the very best taste.
Very little jewelry, conservative
dresses, no slacks, are you kidding?
A white-gloved perfect lady,she.

Hats she wore yes, exquisite ones.
Never a babushka on her coiffure.
Boots,too, my Mother...Read More

In the morning they file out of it all crisp, clean, neat, voiceless.
Dressed in plaid uniforms, white socks, a variety of jazzy shoes, not speaking.
Hair fixed in a variety of “look at me” ways, with yarn, bows, beads and boxes.
Okay,...Read More

I am not sure how I accidentally stumbled upon the world of Steampunk,
But it is a combination of lace, leather, and metals, and a little bit funk.
It magically and freely fits people, cats, and dogs with machinery and gears.
Encourages unusual...Read More

Just noticed for the very first time
My hairline is definitely receding
My crowning glory, my silvery dome
My time here is short I'm conceding

If I ever wind up as Mr. Cue Ball Man
It's my time to close up shop
Basically, it'll be over,...Read More

It’s Christmas every day at the Goodwill donation door
Where there’s so much Christmas to be given to the poor!  
Where the wreaths and trees pile up in a monument to excess
Next to trophies, fine china, and bourgeois marks of...Read More

The hardest mineral hung around her neck,
you sat drinking cocktails on a polished deck;
the ghost stood in the corner, just couldn't afford
to keep up with adornments from my sweet lord.

He wished that he could have 'bought' her time,
but knew it...Read More

Dance, Ladies, dance!—
By the light of lanterns.
Let your red skirts swirl
Like the tops of carousels—
Candy-apple red.

Dance, Children, dance!
With your glowing adornments—
Rainbow blue and green—
Firefly green.

The scent of gardenias
Wafts from urban gardens—
Gardenias and radishes.
The night air breathes magic;
The block has been...Read More

I am not here to impress you
Even though your eyes you undress 
No adornments or fakery
For nature has blessed me
With strong heart , clear thoughts
Walking with stealth
Even though you may detest me.
I am a force of nature
No one can test...Read More

Is a strategy a slam of a door? Or another noise?

Will you just please look over there...
No no not there.....
There......
Right in front of you....
Now come on please calm down
For I am not speaking to you from under a table nor...Read More

Leave your adornments out.
Admonish fluff to flee,
Carried away from sight. 
Anneal your true meaning,
Never more concealing
Intention, with detours
Confounding what you say.

------------------------
15 April 2017...Read More

In the corner dark and glum, 
Extant off-casts lie plonked there, 
To fill in the space
Knick-knacks, old wedding presents, 
ornaments and filler-inners
Round and globular, bits and pieces, 
Hide the harsh mangles and tangles
When walls at right angles collide
Vases on pedestals,...Read More

Winter morning light filters through lace curtains,
Reaches down, spills onto the corner kitchen sink,
Through east and south facing windows.
The glass jar, the scrub brush and pad in plastic butter dish,
A down-turned, empty yogurt container,
The pink plastic rinse pan
Keep company around...Read More

White Magic 

In our uninhibited exuberance for the beauties of Mother Nature;
We sometimes seem to forget the strength of nature’s dark force.
Peel back the layers of beauty only to discover a sinister black magic,
Hidden amid the divine adornments nature draws...Read More

A proud tree, outstretched toward the heavens,
A prideful tree, crowned with golden leaves.
Boasting of its beauty since the days of Eve.
But a wicked winter is going to blow.


O beautiful tree, where now is your glory?
Your many adornments fall to the...Read More

Without adornments it seems quite bare
Exposed as an item and seen very clear
Without protection some are seen vulnerable
Living in fear never comfortable
Without comment it is factual truth
Investigated thoroughly by many a sleuth
Without devices it's unassisted vision
Raising questions of exact precision
In...Read More

An apple apparatus in a washing up bowl can be tedious, cranky, and generally opinionated. But three or more slices of bread in a toaster can pleasantly remove items of non agile thoughts from any atmosphere. If a fragrant bap...Read More

Stone set unblemished unworked faces create hardship floors on which to sip out of rock puddles. Such luxury. In a fine art landscape one must always wear clicking heels. And one must always lift ones head and toss one's bowl...Read More

Mosquito menace
Dengue and Zika;
Fever inoculates

~~~~~~~~~


Rainy weather
Stay indoors;
Talk to myself

~~~~~~~~~


Dusk dark drowns
Eyes strain to see;
Sudden light blinds

~~~~~~~~~


Sexy brisk walk
Lady of the night;
Stuff of dreams

~~~~~~~~~


By kerb side fringe
Strange gathering;
Motley persuasions

~~~~~~~~~


Ancient occupation
Red light district;
Pleasure parade

~~~~~~~~~


Exotic night fare
Moonlit sonata;
Rapture awaits

~~~~~~~~~


Caution sign:
High tension wire;
Do not...Read More