Long Chorales Poems

Poems about the Coronavirus I


yet another iffy coronavirus haiku #1
by michael r. burch

plagued by the Plague
i plague the goldfish
with my verse



yet another iffy coronavirus haiku #2
by michael r. burch

sunflowers
hang their heads
embarrassed by their coronas

I wrote...

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Epitaph for a Palestinian Child
by Michael R. Burch

I lived as best I could, and then I died.
Be careful where you step: the grave is wide.

This poem has also been titled "Epitaph for a Child of...

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These are peace poems, prayer poems, hymns and lullabies I have written for family, friends and the world over the years ...

Peace Prayer
by Michael R. Burch

for Jim Dunlap

Be calm.
Be still.
Be silent, content.

Be one with the...

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Poems about the Coronavirus II


This World's Joy
(anonymous Middle English lyric, circa early 14th century AD)
loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

Winter awakens all my care
as leafless trees grow bare.
For now my sighs are fraught
whenever it enters...

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Here We Shall Remain
by Tawfiq Zayyad
loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

Like twenty impossibilities
in Lydda, Ramla and Galilee ...
here we shall remain.

Like brick walls braced against your chests;
lodged in your throats
like shards of glass
or prickly cactus...

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First they came for the Muslims

after Martin Niemoller

First they came for the Muslims
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Muslim.

Then they came for the homosexuals
and I did not speak out
because I was...

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Dream of Infinity
by Michael R. Burch

Have you tasted the bitterness of tears of despair?
Have you watched the sun sink through such pale, balmless air
that your soul sought its shell like a crab on a beach,
then...

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Cleansings
by Michael R. Burch

Walk here among the walking specters. Learn
inhuman patience. Flesh can only cleave
to bone this tightly if their hearts believe
that God is good, and never mind the Urn.

A lentil and a bean might...

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Sweet Rose of Virtue
by William Dunbar (c. 1460-1530)
loose translation/modernization/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

after William Dunbar

Sweet rose of virtue and of gentleness,
delightful lily of youthful wantonness,
richest in bounty and in beauty clear
and in every virtue that...

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PRINCESS DIANA POEMS

Fairest Diana: an Epitaph for Princess Diana
by Michael R. Burch

Fairest Diana, princess of dreams,
born to be loved and yet distant and lone,
why did you linger?so solemn, so lovely?
an orchid ablaze in a crevice...

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These are poems for Ukraine and Ukrainians. 

We Are Here
by Michael R. Burch

“We are here.” – Volodymyr Zelensky

We are here. Were are here.
And we won’t disappear.
We are here. We are here. We are here.

We are...

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These are prayer poems by Michael R. Burch, along with a few hymns. There are also poems on the subject of God and religion—Christianity in particular. 



I Pray Tonight
by Michael R. Burch

I pray tonight
the starry...

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Song Lyrics I

"We Came Together" was written as song lyrics for New Zealand composer David Hamilton.

Song Lyrics: We Came Together
by Michael R. Burch

We came together – people of two lands
so unalike, at first, we hardly...

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.                                  ...

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Dear Sir Thomas:

Angels 
never fly 
too far away.
Cherubs
are 
pious messengers 
cloaked in 
ribbed-serpentine
streamers;
bathing 
themselves
in a bemused 
shower
of rainbow-lit
banderoles.

Stifled 
in an unseen
internal silence -
a clandestine court 
of guardians;
our private angels,
unassumingly,
fold their 
winged extremities
and gloriously 
chant messianic
chorales...

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// This is my tribute to the many blessings that music brings to our
lives. I know many of you share this enthusiasm and gratitude. //

Appreciating an amazing artform: allegro, andante, or adagio -
Bach, Beethoven, Brahms:...

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Written: January 17, 2024
                          _________________________________

Delphic melodies on
elysian breeze
lustral chorales in...

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The Last Sacrifice



It plays a piano Grande 
Spiraling
Tones twist soft twistings relentless 
Chimes fluent rolling scarlet scales
Tinkling sacred chorales
From cherubim fingers
Plucked petaled folden harps

Of the ballerina swans mute vocals
I know to her return
I succumb
To the...

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Some are clearly Buddhist,
they sing not much, but drone
and chant, they do not flaunt.

Some are brightly painted egos,
their songs bootie-calls from empty nests
where they preen melodically rampant.

Others strain both throats and tongues
bend a tune to...

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CHRISTMAS IS…

A time for family,
Festivities and joy.
Anticipation for
Each girl and boy.

A time to relax,
Catch up on rest.
Eat much that will put
Suit sizes to the test.

Music will sound
In many locales.
Jubilation from choirs
And professional chorales.


Some will celebrate
The...

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My choir director
                    is a painter
    a music stand her easel
  ...

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Oracle 
  psalmic 
    on 
      elysium 
          winds
        ...

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Ubiquitous sun
consuming through icy shadows
amidst winter chorus

Delphic paean on elysian winds
lustral chorales in
amber chronicles

Slowly sung, it's a lullaby of dreams
with moonlight charms
lulling you to sleep

I need to remember this night
the light we ignite within
shedding our...

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Hush now three days yet to past.
My grandmother joy was fulfilled with laughter.
The Christmas spirit was upon us once again.
The tree is surrounded with presents and chorales sing door-to-door.
The occurrence of Christmas would be wonderful.

The...

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Cheers to Christmas, 
A Joyous Season’s nigh.
Cheers to hot & spicy wassail
Keeping Christmas Spirits high.

Cheers to our Fellow Man.
Best wishes, one & all!
Cheers to Christmas carols,
Chorales of bells chime “Deck the Halls”! 

Cheers to hanging...

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