Long Crag 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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Whoever might with just free words beside
Speak of the blood and in full too of sores
Which I saw now, with a narration wide?

Any speech will sure fail to open doors
To our sermon and for the...

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A dawning twilight's me. Oh, joy. Oh, what a joy. This day. Oh, what a day. A breath bestills my eyes and I, e'er slight, a deeper breath that reopened them and myself to a...

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IS THIS...?             Poem 8/17/

Written for Jim Eslinger , 37-year anniversary

What are these specks we must trudge over, 
Transplanting ourselves from one wilderness to
Another?...

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Dawn's Embrace:
Adret: Dawn paints the face of giants,
Where sunlight warms and shadows dance.
Aiguille: Fingers pierce the azure sky,
A challenge whispered, sharp and high.

Earth's Whispers: 
Dome: Molten heart, now cold and grand,
A silent testament to time's...

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In the valley 
I'm down on my haunches 
with the tall grass whispering around me,
enveloped like I was wrapped in a blanket
I listen to the mournful dirges 
of my scattered brothers and sisters
filling the skies...

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Jeremiah did not hesitate,
he drew one up into his sights.
His Kentucky fired in dawn’s glow
caught a redcoat, dead-to-rights.

The others charged, sabers drawn,
so Jerermiah fled into the near forest.
Hiding and quickly reloading his gun,
the British charged...

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Such sweet fragrance
though solitary bloom
abiding dreams in ruin
of unapt hopes to be hewn 

Through soil cracked 
and parched by thirst
reluctant tears fell harder
upon a seed of lingering hurt

Yet hope like sunlight warmed
under canopy of night
an...

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My Beloved is lofty 
              and exalted
his throne sets in the crag
          ...

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one day as a boy, I went down to the sea
clambered o'er rocks way out to the bluff
stopping to search in a tide pool for shells
senses awakened by strong, briny smells
warming, the zephyr was gentle...

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Schooled in hard knock sufferance... -
soulful scribe matt er fact - seeks solemn sanctuary

Despite always pledging
allegiance to the flag
academic performance traced, narrated,
graphed... unfavorable zigzag

vertical lined spikes across
x-axis and y-axis displayed
dramatically sharper increased crag
when promoted one...

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American Indian, Nightshades, Moonshadows And Howling Wolf

Thirsty for red moon, its sacred beams and eternal pull
howling-out to speak to this dark and blind world, without fear;
Your echoes enter, soulful bones of insightful red man
birthing growing...

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...Burke grabbed Aura and they both ran out,
riding double on his trusty horse.
The word raced quickly through the town,
a posse was formed, as a matter of course.
So Burke pushed his mount, more and more.
They couldn’t...

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Written: April 1st  For Legend Silent One contest

Rumi Quote: Don't be satisfied with stories, how things have gone with others. Unfold your own myth.

          ...

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Love is some thing i entreat 
Of which without it my eyes are in  the murk of picket -eye lids,
 It is a Croft on which our spirits  first grub
To then be able...

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A glorious sunset in an opening
Never before seen.  Miles from nowhere.
Dimming iridescent sunset.
The forest shines light to the East
Eyes can't adjust to the shadows of the West.
The light of the day led to this...

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I could grow roses, and collect their nectar,
For newly wedded pairs’ perfume.
Or lilies, the Persian young lovers would secretly present their bashful beloveds.
Or could process the early-ripening fallen apple,
Foreigners would slowly have
Seeing the fiery sun...

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Having found great joy in giving I gave.
$25,000.00 anonymously shared.
What poor soul would this bequest save?
Who would thank God that someone cared?

I prayed for an answer and the wisdom to know.
To whom in the world...

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Mountains, rising beasts
Touching the azure heavens, skies
Alive with wisps of clouds, snowy
White breaths of peacefulness
Slowly floating, waiting 
For the moment, the time
When they carry the dreams
Into the horizon, seeking serenity
That is alive, like the sunlight
Reflecting...

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At noon we sat down under a large old oak tree on a wild hillside with masses of rocks,
The day was very warm and I took off my knapsack and rested by the foot of...

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P.O.E.m 2012

I.
---

Peitro is barely three years old
Eleonora, his great-grandmother, eighty-three
And yet, they are the closest of friends
Carrying on and laughing in the library but
Even the studious patrons don't stare in scold

Over in the children's section...

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Fixed atop the crag, she stands with sapphire eyes that pierce the foggy gloom
I toss her raven locks about and whisper softly through the intoxicating silk
Gooseflesh rises on smooth, alabaster flesh as I turn again...

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Once upon a time,
In the depths of my mind,
I was transported.

Alone in a barren valley,
Desolate and bare,
No visible life.

I look up through the heat haze,
Gasp at arid air,
Search the horizon.

On top of a rocky crag
I...

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I saddle my faithful horse, King, for another day on the trail.
My dog, Duke, is anxious to go, I can tell by the wag of his tail!
The soothing sound of creaking leather is music to...

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