quatrain with chain rhyme
The edge of the sunset dissolves
into the horizon. The day's candle
dies, yet fires light the sky once more;
once more, as rioters take patrol.
Dog days rattle with restless resolve -
darkness hinders the search for a handle
on the violence the rest of us abhor.
Some abhor the absence of control.
She hums lullabies to right the wrong.
Lady Liberty's torch still burns dimly
as citizens at home pray for peace.
Peace's torch battles hatred's hammer.
Mundane moments mimic the lady's song
with feral chants for "justice" so grimly
uttered by those paid to disable police,
police who serve despite cruel clamor.
September 21, 2020
dedicated to the memory of Kenneth Parrott
In this clear space
Watch love embrace
Words in a code
Tell secret mode
Will beyond thrill
Now offers feel
Code beyond maze
Mode of sure craze
Grace firms the touch
More hides in much
If you can see
What yet may be
Come with pure grace
That love may trace
Time in brisk run
Now shapes each pun
Dare breathe clear wit
Where all things fit
Time in sure time
Strings each chain rhyme
Leon Enriquez
25 May 2018
Hamlet Place, ACT
three vignettes in chain rhyme
alternate title: What Love Has Won
I
By accident
with no ulterior motive...
On the trip west,
her husband succumbed to the grave;
love took her in.
Sans sacrament
death's plea had rendered a votive
her care addressed.
Vowing aid, John became her slave
love took her in.
II
Two lively boys
and she obviously pregnant
John left the train.
Finding a suitable homestead,
love took them on.
Shared peace and joys,
In time, he lost any remnant
of his own gain
only for the oath aforesaid,
Love took them on.
III
His home, the barn,
he tamed the boys' energy well.
She cooked their meals,
and soon her expectation brought
another son.
I spin this yarn
knowing you'll complete what I tell
as your heart feels,
as your mind gives birth to the thought
what has love won?
written: April 11, 2018
chain rhyme
Disciples wept
in mass anxiety
pioneering death in the sea unknown.
Their Master slept.
Hearts were afraid on Galilee,
facing it seemed His lack of care.
Up from the deep, He spoke relief,
storm was doomed, "Wind and Waves, be still. "
~~~~~
Their Master wept
in dismal piety
volunteering sin's full debt to atone.
Disciples slept
while He prayed in Gethsemane,
bracing for clear death and despair.
Friends fall asleep. Broken with grief,
He resumed, "Father God, Your will."