Long Dionysus Poems

Sonnets LII-LX

The Endeavors of Lips
by Michael R. Burch

How sweet the endeavors of lips: to speak
of the heights of those pleasures which left us weak
in love’s strangely lit beds, where the cold springs creak:
for there is...

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A Vain Word
by Michael R. Burch

Oleanders at dawn preen extravagant whorls
as I read in leaves’ Sanskrit brief moments remaining
till sunset implodes, till the moon strands grey pearls
under moss-stubbled oaks, full of whispers, complaining
to the darkening...

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Please Michelle Obama...
can you save American democracy?

I highly hugely grant 
Barack Hussein belated kudos
what with his wizardesses 
in tow wrought wonders 
to one nation analogous 
while an under dog
sweeping in like... 
It's a Bird... It's...

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The East Meets West Philosophy Association
had their annual 2020 conference in Rio,
when and where anything multiculturally lusty
is more likely to happen,
especially between sunset
and sunrise.

Coincidentally
and existentially
and phenomenologically
and ecologically
and ethologically
and epistemologically,
and astrologically,
and metaphorically,
it was necessarily
and sufficiently
and justly
and...

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 Translation of Eric Mottram’s A Faithful Private - 1 by T. Wignesan

                      ...

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Mayst tell them, though they leave a sacred land,
Where every inch with rich conception spanned,
With diligence, in Hades mayst they find
A path that to Elysian Fields doth wind.

So many burdens, all the Earth now mars;
So...

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V

Indeed, it is so far, far, far back where last I
Stood in sight of all her unnerving ambiguities...          
This overstated manner inborn of an innate
And intimidating...

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The Room of the Unrequited
By Roger White
    That evening, stillness permeated the lavender-scented room.  Dusk crept through the windows
smudged by oily fingers, The day’s twilight left a dull umbra on wall...

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Orion was the son of Neptune (EA). A handsome giant and a mighty hunter. Orion loved Merope, the daughter of Denopion, King of Chios, and sought her in marriage. He cleared the island of wild...

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A GLIMPSE OF HERITAGE

To Visit the past, is to understand your future.

The storm was moving away, the noise no longer pounding,
Sky turned blue from dark, thunder abating, hail disappearing,
I took refuge under a bridge during...

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Written: May 09, 2024

                               ...

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Victory at the Hippodrome

They were hiding their stalls out of sight near the race course at Olympia

No signs but everyone knew where they were under cover of dubious propriety

On track for instant wealth and gratification...

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Sappho Translations IX


Sappho, fragment 17
translation by Michael R. Burch

Hear me, Queen Hera, as your delightful festival nears,
you to whom the sons of Atreus performed vows,
those dazzling kings who did such amazing things,
first at Troy, then...

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These are my modern English translations of ancient Greek epigrams by Anacreon from the Anacreontea. 

Here he lies in state tonight: great is his Monument!
Yet Ares cares not, neither does War relent.
—Anacreon, loose translation/interpretation by...

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Hymn to Aphrodite
by Sappho
loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

Immortal Aphrodite, throned in splendor!
Wile-weaving daughter of Zeus, enchantress and beguiler!
I implore you, dread mistress, discipline me no longer
with such vigor!

But come to me once again in...

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Far from having a nascent thought that envelops my rabid self,
Like inside of an accurate Swiss watch that had been given -
A present to presidents and diplomats from the 70’s era,
Memories in the kaleidoscope of...

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Zorba was a friend of mine
momentum of lunacy shine
insane shrieking lunacy
to venture to an exotic island.
Let's be free; snip the strap.

sardonic heart phratry man
Shamans are ritzy ladies!
at the maximum load level
a stampede of race cars
Eternity...

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In Nineteen ninety-six, our son and wife, Majors
In US Army, moved to Izmir, their new base.
As usual, whatever place they were assigned, 
We flew to visit them as well as dear grandkids.
So off we went...

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I am a dare-dreamer, a mask wearer
a soul bare-r (but not always my own); a word-weaver. 
I pull at thoughts like strings. Strings of cobwebs
and cirrus, frayed dungarees and threadbare memories 
until I warp and...

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If my poetry moves you to witness to stranger
Just know that I'm touched that you're "sharing my ride,"
For the fact is that giving can be fraught with danger,
But those that it calls feel much warmer...

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Written: January 26, 2025, for contest Sponsored by: Sara Jama
Quote by Geoffrey Chaucer "Time and tide wait for no man,"
               ...

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Fair Dionysus, friend to all that’s small,
Rememberest thou 'divinity' at all?
Amidst thy congress here with drunks and whores,
Does any finer thing escape their roars?
The greater beauty lies in greater thought:
So, bless the seeker, not the...

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My friends, it is a dismal thing
At such an hour to pound and ring!
Let others shiver if they must,
I shall not greet a sky of rust!
Let first the air be half so warm
As in this...

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The drum, the drum, the Druid in the East
The daylight shattering the glass of night
Behold the mead and cake that form the feast
Behold the glorious blessing of the light


The blazing gorse flames yellow on the...

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Plutonium ensures growth.
More Plutonium, more growths.

Fewer bombs increase the risk of unemployment.
More bombs increase the risk of employment.

Bombs for peace.
More bombs, more pieces.

Bombs to profit this nation.
More bombs, more profits.

Bombs bring potential enemies to the...

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