Long Flexed Poems

Rumors
How we arrived at where we are
By Franklin Price
05/03/2020

By now you've heard the rumors
How Covid-19 came to Earth
How it did not come here naturally 
How Wuhan, China gave it birth

Maybe aided by our government
To make...

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Now we along one of hard rims are brought;
And a thin spray on the  brook is fixed, 
So shield to rims and water is begot.

As Flemings, Cadsand and Bruges bewixt,
Fearing the high waves pouncing...

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Within the frame a sepia scene
a dusty porch   a rickety chair   
the fabric of your dusky face creased
with ceaseless sunbaked woes
your old pair of getaway feet gives 
a different walk of...

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Mud and leather
dirt and nerve
bloodied laughter
collision to serve,
distance, drive and demolition
battle axe ambition in the wild air
muscle and mind joined in steeled instinct, 
a stitched pigskin ball, the grail of the Fall
to fumble it means...

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WITHIN THE BRIGHTEST NIGHT (Part 11)

He placed the flower back in the middle of the floor. He walked back over to the door. There was a handle on the other side.
I'll open it.

He lifted the...

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WITHIN THE BRIGHTEST NIGHT (Part 11)

He placed the flower back in the middle of the floor. He walked back over to the door. There was a handle on the other side.
I'll open it.

He lifted the...

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The Circus Fat Man

This unusual man is truly a real sight to see as
“The Circus Fat Man” for a local Cajun circus.

He takes a sense of definite pride in being known
by this distinctive moniker, while...

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A Daniel, Come to Judgment!

Before I give my judgment in this case,
my custom is to have the plaintiff read
aloud, before the other party, face to face

the statute law that’s pertinent.  The screed,
Miss Gentileschi, starts...

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My sweet child
My daughter
Be on guard
Be on guard of the man
Who plays on your heartstrings…
Not with flirtatious smile
Nor with flexed muscles
Not with devouring eyes
Nor with intellectual prowess
Or clothes so fine

No, these you can resist
You can...

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PART I
The Joy of a birth, his own shine penetrating his eyes,
The new out born fruit of a long spend love,
Her hands rubbing against her red shiny chin,
Her legs crossed, the beauty that sings till...

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Warning - Mature.

Sweet night, a blanket made from scented space - holds this would-be poet in its arms.

Tightly - yet with care.  Caring - yet with passion.  Smiles her heart.  Trembles her...

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Written: May 12, 2025, for contest Sponsored by: Kai Michael Neumann

Quote: “Set yourself on fire and seek those who fan your flame.” By Rumi
           ...

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Not long ago when the summers seemed warmer and the winters were whiter. When the trees grew crown of leaves bright, a transparent green. Then tossed them to the ground for a little while. In...

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Early in the morning
as the sun began to rise
as the birds began to wake 
and fly into the sky
soaring high above her head
in the misty morning dew
while the rivers trickle onward
to greet the day anew.
she...

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Two old men. That’s all; not much to look at.
Their frail, broken shadows shrunk against the sunny morning
Brightness slowly searching its way through gnarled branches
Overhead, and crisscrossing the red and black pieces
Upon their welcoming checkerboard.

I...

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A fist clenched, face muscles flexed on pinched cheeks, huge sinews appeared on his neck,
The veins in his arms were like twisted lengths of blue rope and his eyes bulged in his anger,
His brother lay...

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The muscles flexed like wings for flight
I saw fell down from heaven like light
The trees shook
Off their callous demure, grew gold green
My masked look
Came where adoration feathered preen
The cold pride that risked my life
The risks...

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TWO OLD GODS

Two old men.
That’s all; not much to look at.
Their frail, broken shadows shrunk against the sunny morning
Brightness slowly searching its way through gnarled branches
Overhead, and crisscrossing the red and black pieces
Upon their welcoming...

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slam it to me punk you think you’re so cool
this bald headed old fart will take you to school
you think you’re the first generation to revolt
if you read a history book you’d know that’s a...

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I was thinking
It would be different
Seems familiarity breeds contrition.
All I get from you is competition;
You used to listen, now you are always contrite;
At all cost, you wanted to be right,
While I wanted to be effective.

We...

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The black-as-widow’s-weeds night of endless stars 
was so cold...
cruel as temperature 
plunged its frigid fingers feeling through my being
fondling my heart and soul without mercy
molesting me - taunting my will to live
and just when I...

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Guided by instinct pure and noble
I would  brave the sea and all the trouble 
Over the waters I would sail , 
leaving no mark , no trail 
Except in maps of leather where x...

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Is it not enough that you’ve hung me beside
myself from your fraying rope - tendered by 

graying wooden clips with rubber fingers?
Must we really soak on dry until we are sepia

toned under-developed photographs, left on...

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Graves
Shall open
Up to accept
Your elemental flame
Corpses shall
Wish to embrace
Tha living
And capture tha
Physical
To hold & batter
To make scattered
Across
Tha mind scape
To tear down
All visions
To make
False all predictions
Piece apart all
Prophesies
To shatter our
Call to wisdom
Quake this path
To shake
"HIS" knowledge
Of...

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(To commemorate the final flight of the Space Shuttle Discovery)

A majestic bird flared for a picture perfect landing on this historic day.
Its tires gently kissed the welcoming earth in a magnificent display!
With 39 missions and...

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