Long Dismays Poems

Medieval Poems



Deor's Lament (Anglo Saxon poem, circa 10th century AD)
loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

Weland knew the agony of exile.
That indomitable smith was wracked by grief.
He endured countless troubles:
sorrows were his only companions
in his frozen...

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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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In our Physics Departments
our most salient awareness
grows
of those nature-spirit entities
most easily seen
and heard
and smelled
as animated and animating,
sometimes more,
sometimes less,
in our daily ritualistic lives
of solids
and liquids
and gases
and plasma
and bilateral neural pathways
of interdependent communication.

In our MetaPhysics Department,
still...

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Lament for the Makaris ("Lament for the Makers/Poets")
by William Dunbar [c. 1460-1530]
loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch
 
i who enjoyed good health and gladness
am overwhelmed now by life’s terrible sickness
and enfeebled with infirmity ...
how the...

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We try to raise our children with kind and generous traits that we hope become inherent…oftentimes forgetting how your children are also raising parents…

With that in mind, I shall yield my pen to the chid...

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John Audelay translations by Michael R. Burch. John Audelay was a medieval English poet who died circa 1426.

Dread of Death (excerpts)
by John Audelay
translation by Michael R. Burch

Lady, help! Jesu, mercy!
Timor mortis conturbat me. [The fear...

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What, but in this dismal life should appear
My hopes, my dreams, true love
All seem to fade
Into the distance I reach
My eyes begin to tear
My heart pierced through with loves wounding blade!

I sought the shelter of...

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Ancient Aliens


If humans from great apes evolved
   we would not look like this today,
      for not enough time was involved
to have developed us this way.

Did ancient aliens land...

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looking at the sky so blue, white distorted clouds,
all alone, nice and peaceful away from the crowds,

enjoying the silence, not being bothered, clouds rarely moving,
A gentle breeze pushing them on, cool and soothing,
 
swallows and...

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Mothers, We Salute You for Your:

Affirmation of God’s compassion through Your loving ways
Best to bring out the beauty from us by the Lord’s grace
Care with courage-cheerfulness midst crises’ rays
Dedication to do your duties’ demands despite...

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When you’re alone and afraid
Tears are falling like rain
Shadows are calling your name
Doubts make you feel so ashamed
It is then… during your worries
When you call out to the One who
Silences every uncertainty…
He hears your prayers...

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Praying
In the silence
Longing
For the kindness
Of a God who listens
And forever whispers
Of love that completes hearts
A love that brings hope and warmth
A love that is alive with joy
A love that sings light and shimmers
With inspiration discovered
On...

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Father,* I Salute You for Your:

Affirmation of God’s presence thru your fatherly ways
Best to bring out the utmost from me by the Lord’s grace
Care with courage-cheerfulness midst crises’ rays
Dedication to do your duties’ demands despite...

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The time of growth and change is done and past.
From thaw to frost activity prevailed, 
And change came often, often coming fast, 
Till finalizing Fall all toil curtailed.
With wintertime’s quiescence, come at last,
The old year’s...

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The year half gone, from now on, just enjoy each dawn-
so much has been lost, due to the cost virus tossed.
Just waiting around, then we found life grew confound-
all alone, end unknown, and bad news,...

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I thought of art,
As I viewed the visage…
Much I marveled the silent image
My passion is the skill type
Create in me a new beauty
Give my mind God and my hands a speck of your creativity
I discovered...

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Princess! The smile of your angel face may never depart. 
Sweetheart! wake up and give your day a fresh new start. 
Your beauty and charm God can no longer exalt. 
You are a precious queen,...

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Histories that we left behind, 
Spinning and whirling in my mind,
i thought you were a sign,
a sign that two hearts shall bind.

But indeed i was wrong,
on the day you let me go,
the wind sang the...

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I wish i had been born to you
I truly wish i had!
The only dream i want come true
is to see this wish sail safely through
Eternal seas harbouring endless decades
my destiny i seek enduring dismays...
I donot...

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A Beautiful woman
Sweet Voice, Hypnotizing eyes
Displays of smiles
Emotions of lies 
Life seems normal
No obvious dismays
Yet you have no idea about her life or necessary ways.
You would never know what story she has to tell
You would...

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When sometimes things are wrong
You wish there is some one you can hold 
When sometimes things gets complicated
You wish there are less mysteries to unfold

A wish to have a guiding star
To guide you right and...

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Blue, for love of the depressed days
	Underwater I live or die
	Nowhere can I really hide

Bewildered the water dismays
	Sky absorbs the winter hunger
	A floating bird doesn’t blunder

Sadness pulls me under and lays
	Casts spells of confusion bequeath
	Leaves...

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Heart pounding
Nervous feeling
Overwhelming
Deep breath to shake it
Cold chill slivers down fast

Beating against cage of heart
Cage of body
Cage of soul
Legs begging to run
Heart aching to be free
Truth to self 
aching to be seen

Sweet scent of dry...

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Who would sell that which they do not own?
Who kept quiet that truth not be known?
Who betrayed souls their faith now uncertain?
Who moved devils behind a secretive curtain?
Who empties His houses in the guise of...

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Solitary ornament resting in time and space
Distilled form with a timeless trace
A stilled life shuttered from the blight of endless days
Its comon veneer no rich outlay portrays
Its stature, dimensions would not invite a patron's gaze 
Devoid...

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