Long Circle of life Poems

Salat Days
by Michael R. Burch 

(dedicated to my grandfather, Paul Ray Burch Sr.)

I remember how my grandfather used to pick poke salat ...
though first, usually, he’d stretch back in the front porch swing,
dangling his long...

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Conditions were harsh out in Kansas,
For the children and Sarah and Paul.
Neighbors and friends packed up and were gone;
Headed west they could hear fortune's call.
Never sure year to year of the harvest,
So their talents were...

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Huge fluffy clouds began to form over 
Sanibel Island as the salted gulf splashed 
against the rocks around the lighthouse 
coastal waters rose up as a calming coolness 
carried this gentle warm breeze over to...

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V. "The Great Collective Awakening"

Aren't we the true definitive problem,
     not just astray-
     malignant corporations…
Or unresponsive governments ?
We are faulted; consumers 
     telling...

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Baby birds tweet as their long skinny necks stretch towards blind faith. Somewhat frantically; newly born; next to dead; fragile existence; protected with life. Regurgitation from the same embodied mouth that an egg came from....

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Grief is so unimaginable painful it cant be explained,
To lose someone you love so much is unfeigned,
Once grief comes knocking at your front door, 
Entering your life, It doesn't plan to stay as a guest
In...

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It seems like just the other day
Our pup, Shadrack, did pass away;
And altho’ they never seemed like friends,
My old cat, Jorg, knew Shad had met
   his untimely end.

He mourned his loss every day
And...

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What a busy day it was today, hospitals needing extra
Staff as the pandemic increases in rate, numbers and deaths,
My desk is cluttered, a challenge as two of our
Recruitment staff are off sick, one with Covid.
I’m...

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In the Congolese Jungle three men are training for a mission.
They train to detain and disarm poachers.
They hope this will be the conclusion of their efforts.
They also train for a formidable alternative.
Poachers are opportunistic and...

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"Jealousy is just insecurity masked."
     ~Serena Mott

"If you use your words as a weapon, then  as a weapon, I'll shed no tears."
     ~"Words as a Weapon"...

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It was just an ordinary maze of a day unlike so many others

An array of multitude hanging from intersections of fortune

Aberrations cul-de-sacs opposites shadows cautious anticipation

Tentative expectations inspiration expiration holding their breath

Tim was aware that...

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To my dearest Grandma  

> *Allocasuarina luehmannii, known as one of the strongest trees in the world, symbolizes the strength, resilience, and enduring bond I share with my grandmother. Just as this tree withstands...

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Disposable But Undesirable

In the cycle of life, everything has a price…
From a cute gargling little baby born to life…
To an aged adult all silver haired and wise…
Thus for the lucky ones, this is a circle...

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The Tree

Through the foggy mist of a new day dawning
Appears a huge tree, awaiting the birth of another winter morning.

All that remains is its bare branches stretching toward the sky
And an old abandoned nest, left...

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It had only been a few days
Still unfamiliar with my grief, (it was my first time, you see...)
I was such a novice to the proper routine
Of condolences, phone calls, and flowers
Pity in the air, ...a...

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same same
we pray everyday 
for change 
we voted for it 
we dreamed as we 
believe we are in 
change 
whenever there is 
a change of power
we rejoice for change
yet it same same 
same thing after...

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The hawk flies high upon the sky his dinner there to seek.
      His home the woods along the river- now subdivisions complete.
      But he’s not...

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Egnehenots – of earth and stone

Chief elder – most wise upon the Salisbury Plain
     an old man . . .  loved deeply
     revered father of the...

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Remembering when
Perched high above on rocky crags
Cliffs weathered by times handprints
I saw far and wide to distant shores
Tendrils of desire radiating outwards

Riding the briny mist 
Being carried by the breath of the ocean, my constant...

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One tick closer to midnight
Grab on and hold on tight 
Is this not the ride you were looking for
Yet here you are wanting more
Turbulent times up ahead
I'd Probably , be better off dead
That is something...

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She whispers, “Can you feel the love tonight?” 
“Yes, we all fall in love sometimes”, I said.
“It looks like someone saved my life tonight,
Don’t let the sun go down on me” I pled.

“Yes, we all...

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The story I have to tell- was told long ago to me, 
About the creation of the Potawatomi Nation; 
In the beginning the Creator made Anishabe, 
And the Creator told Anishabe to name all of...

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Cancer took from me
Many, many years ago
My best and most cherished friend...

And over the years
It didn't stop just there
It has taken members of my family
It has taken lovers
It has taken many other friends.

It has been...

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Dream

My mirrored reflection silently speaks

You honor me with your vulnerability
Your scars of life
Your unhealed wounds of betrayal

Dream journals tattoo your body
Your open arms of desire call to me

With eyes closed I sense
Whispers of your silky...

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I was born a child of The Lord of The Jungle
I was loved, the apple of His eye, His joy in a bundle
He had a great plan for me as His child in His circle...

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