Long Cloudless Poems

Sonnets XXXIII-XLI

The Folly of Wisdom
by Michael R. Burch

She is wise in the way that children are wise,
looking at me with such knowing, grave eyes
I must bend down to her to understand.
But she only smiles, and...

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Today, catching sight of the mallards
crying over Lake Iware:
Must I too vanish into the clouds?
—Prince Otsu translation by Michael R. Burch  

This world—
to what may we compare it?
To autumn fields
lying darkening at dusk
illuminated by...

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"The Swoon Hypothesis" - Part 2



Arimathea stands next to you and I on the deck, soon we are back in Nazareth, you press into my palm, 
“A very rare Dubunni coin” you say - on...

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I went again today ... to that place, the allurement overwhelming ... the one
we called "ours" so tritely, "mine" before you, "mine" again now, (tho' others
have doubtless staked claimed - ages before and since). I...

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MODERN SONNETS II

I prefer the original definition of the sonnet as a “little song” of indeterminate form and length. These modern sonnets vary from more-or-less traditional to free verse.



In Praise of Meter
by Michael R. Burch

The...

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He awoke to the sound of lightly crunching ice.  As he opened his eyes the boy stood looking at him, then with one fluid motion he stepped forward and stretched out his hand, 
...

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In the intimate interlace of free will and fate, in the ultimate interplay of time and place, and with the consummate checkmate of my human dignity, all that is.. is over in the stormy, swarming...

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If you spill your secrets to the breeze,
Don't blame the wind for laying them to light.
Once said, words are disclosed, even to trees.
And claim peace in the leaves that rustle and fight.
Whispered tales of a...

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Kindly stick to digging pineapples in the future as magic dust particles can really only spring up in defense patterns. And is it really wise to deal cards in a high tide. Deliver not an...

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Feeding the soul glimpses of grace,
Treasured hope and lasting light, feelings
Forever penetrating the soul who knows…
Love is like the most beautiful star, glowing
Always showing its intentions, bound by emotions
Yet colored in hues of the most...

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October Rain

Is it
simply a case of precipitation,
moist warm air condensation or
are they God’s tears showering us with love,
as rain washes away our sorrows,
in the hope of brighter tomorrows.

Gloomy grey skies conceal a shy sun
with murky...

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(alternately titled: Typical daily mindset today – 
July 17th, 2020)

The following words
mostly unredacted, nevertheless finessed
for curbed poetic/prosaic appeal
lock, stock and barrel
codify, and edify (hoopfully not mortify)
any reader unbeknownst and/or familiar
with unsteady state of yours truly,
(an...

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Oh that Lily, she the epitome of a  
Golden Child as I watched her
Exuding effortless grace, a liquid-silver baton—  
a Haddon Heights Garnett.  
a Blazing Comet /  
enchanting /  
popular...

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*Situated in the south-western region of Mauritius, a dream island in the Indian Ocean.

Written on 9 November 2023


                 ...

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The Sinai Rose finch, oblivious to the commotion in the nearby city, busily gathered dry grass and floral fodder to repair her nest, disturbed by a human behemoth, snatching the thorny brambles which hid the...

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"Tears, grief, memories and tributes of respect. "

                          ...

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music    
             music
                 ...

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He was there in the beginning
and through the eternal ending.

He'd scattered his seed 'cross numerous worlds.
They flourished.
They perished.
Flora, fauna, innumerable forms,
aeons of evolutionary warfare.
Extermination of the unfit
without the mercy of design.
Quadrillions of cadavers
paving a road...

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this barren page, screaming, crying
	yelling through the winds,
		inviting me to begin again,
always, to just begin
	again and again, tempting my pen
tempting me to just begin, begin
	A G A I N

this infertile soil, empty page – white...

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University midterm periods bring early mornings charged with energy drinks and espresso shots. Evenings are spent trading quizlets in Bass Library or in late night cram sessions in the common room. After several days of...

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Psalm 27:14 Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.

When the moon is riding the ebony skies,
Hallucinating stardust, laughing like the distance
Isn’t echoed...

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Song of Solomon 4:6 (KJV) “Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, I will get me to the mountain of myrrh, and to the hill of frankincense.”


The shadow of a smile,
reflecting hope, joy,...

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Reflecting on the joy that comes
From listening to the heart, the soul
The One who brings everlasting peace
And a love that reaches through grief
Breathing a caress across the emotions
Whispering comfort to heal and console
Coloring feelings in...

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ISLAND HOPPING
by

JOHN M. ARRIBAS


My first day of community service at Glen Oaks
Assigned to spend time with a few elderly folks
Spotted an old gentleman staring out into space
Weathered beaten hands and a sun etched face
How are...

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You said you liked
my simple poems,
well here’s one,
no flowery thoughts
or images to share,
nor assonance 
or dissonance,
not even a rhyme,
just simple words
and thoughts and

emotions…

(selfish emotions).

I would be surprised
if you read them 
anymore, anyway.

Yes, again, 
it’s that...

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