Long Ceaselessly Poems

Watching wan moonlight
illuminate tree limbs,
my heart also brims,
overflowing with autumn.
—Ono no Komachi, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

As I slept in isolation
my desired beloved appeared to me; 
therefore, dreams have become my reality
and consolation. 
—Ono...

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As I slept in isolation
my desired beloved appeared to me; 
therefore, dreams have become my reality
and consolation. 
—Ono no Komachi, translation by Michael R. Burch

Submit to you—is that what you advise? 
The way the ripples...

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ETERNAL RECURRENCE*


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“I am certain that I have been here as I am now a thousand times before and
 I hope to return a thousand times after.”  GOETHE 
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1.

Once upon a time, 
The Lord...

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My teacher died.
   
   His lungs failed him.

He taught me that the lungs
harbor grief.

   His lungs are gone.
My grief has only just arrived.


   He used his lungs...

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This is my translation of Rainer Maria Rilke's second elegy from his Duino Elegies, which he began composing at Duino Castle in 1912. 

Second Elegy
by Rainer Maria Rilke
loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch 

Every angel...

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I feel honored, and flattered to acquaint myself (a married youthful looking sexagenarian solitudinarian from southeastern Montgomery County, Pennsylvania), yet feel awkward at jump/kick starting a rapport.

Literate lettered latitudinarian looms larger than life

Presents the following...

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Pasha Acremodios grew greedy,
discontented with the domain he dominated,
so he turned covetous eyes toward Farabia,
sending his soldiers to seize this ripened plum

Spoiling for a fight and fighting for spoils,
his army swept across Farabia
like a bloody...

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Literate lettered latitudinarian

Presents the following slapdash
higglety-pigglety bupkis, whereby reader
experiences being mentally hogtied
perusing pseudo poetic perambulation
devoid of sense and sensibility
welcoming character assassination
concerning pride of yours truly,
who merely strung together
words sharing "arian"

as their last five letters
for no...

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What is it to dwell in the realm of melancholy? Is it merely a cloak of desolation that we wear, or rather a wave of sorrow that engulfs us, rendering us incapable of envisioning a...

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O, September, I feel the subtle scents of dandelion days melting into oblivion,
Like spring waterfalls of delirious diamonds collapsing into the abyss of memory,
While sentimental sapphire memories flow among clouds of color-blind cruelty,
Revealing how the...

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Abounding in gratitude 
my heart bursts out delightful praises
worshipfully testifying ---
 “God has blessed me this 2021.” 

January’s thanksgiving glow 
greeted me with peace and hope
to surmount quarantine hurdles, propping my zest---
declaring “Thus saith the...

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As frothing wakes unveil a racing tide 
a frontal surge unleashed intended taunt,
‘twas but a strafe to lead the prey outside
then strike a blow amidst the faring jaunt.
To draw first blood, then front them with...

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Filthy and foul I found you, 
garnished in grime, 
drenched in dust,
polluted in your own putrid blood,
orphaned, alone, helpless.
Pity overtook me to love, 
to cleanse you of your stench, 
to let you live.

As you came...

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Oh, Age, my wise counselor,
My faithful friend, my ally
From the moment, I was born at that specific year
You and I inseparable have remained throughout space and time
Holding always hands as years were parading before our...

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Rumi Verse: The universe is not outside of you. Look inside yourself, everything that you want you already are.
             ______________________________________

Phenotype-inherited flaw chimera
fantasy flurry...

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“Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him...

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These are my modern English translations of the ancient Japanese poems (waka/tanka) of Ono no Komachi…

"It's over!"
Your words drizzle like dismal rains,
bringing tears,
as I wilt with my years.
—Ono no Komachi, translation by Michael R. Burch

The...

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rain hitting the asphalt, the cracking concrete, water weaving
its way down the overpass. Residents cover up with plastic,
a conflagration of yellow light on garbage bags
hitting tree tops, branches, leaves old and new. Boughs
sagging with the...

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On July 15, 2010, my wife, Teri, and I took our younger daughter, Isabel, to the doctor for a regular checkup. She was nine months old and appeared to be in perfect health. Her first...

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1.
Age my loving friend,
From the instant, I was born at that specific time
You and I inseparable remained
Holding hands as years have been passing slowly one 
After the other 

2. 
We were never separated,
Although when young,...

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Beginning with what it is not
Being certainly not transience we can slot

Calling a spade a spade
Love not an exchange or trade
‘I love you provided you reciprocate’
‘If your look is not endearing, my love will abate’

Moving...

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Segun my child! My son!
Soon, the cock will crow at dawn
And the east will showcase the sun
Soon, you will leave my home, 
To found your own
With words of wisdom, you won’t be alone.
Like a mini-skirt,...

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-For Justin Bordner’s contest


I long worshiped heartbreak,
From afar, often, though through the lenses, ceaselessly…
I drew ribbons in the midnight sky with the silken trinkets of sorrow
Riding in the dark with the sound of our silent...

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The idea of a living constitution
has the same forensic indeterminacy
as a committed dream.

I am content to trust this dream to the end
to have it fill my cup of hope all day and night.
I am content...

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Conflict
 
The priest ran
Scared to raise 
An ignorant army

On a darkling plain
Loading guns
With dummy

Faith. The froth
Rose arrogantly
In the test

Tube.  They heard
Eyes shut and saw
Ears plugged,

Contorted faces
Expecting the explosion
Any moment.

Slowly
Very slowly the froth
Spilled over

Leaving behind—would
The...

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