Long Gladdened Poems

Medieval Poem V

A Proverb from Winfred's Time
anonymous Old English poem, circa 757-786
loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

1.
The procrastinator puts off purpose,
never initiates anything marvelous,
never succeeds, and dies alone.

2.
The late-deed-doer delays glory-striving,
never indulges daring dreams,
never succeeds,...

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Winter Awakens My Care
anonymous Middle English poem, circa 1300
loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

Winter awakens all my care
as leafless trees grow bare.
For now my sighs are fraught
whenever it enters my thought:
regarding this world's joy,
how everything...

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Translations of the Oldest English Rhyming Poems

The Rhymed Poem aka The Rhyming Poem aka The Riming Poem
Old English/Anglo-Saxon poem from the Exeter Book, circa 990 AD
loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

(excerpt)
He who granted me life...

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Our lusty voice was in the tramp of narrow, winding,
     Scree-littered, deep-rutted roads;     
 Ravens, uttering guttural croaks, slow-wheeling above      
 ...

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The Rhymed Poem aka The Rhyming Poem and The Riming Poem
Old English Poem (i.e., Anglo-Saxon Poem) from the Exeter Book, ca. 990 AD
loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

He who granted me life created this sun
and...

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The Rhymed Poem aka The Rhyming Poem and The Riming Poem - Part II
anonymous Old English Poem from the Exeter Book, circa 990 AD
loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

He who granted me life created this...

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I feel as lame as a whale without its fins to swim in fine waters
Blue blasphemy break a spirit of slumberless insanity that rips up my poetic loves, likes, unlikes and hates
Debates on TV…flee from...

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Circumstances
Poem
Lionel Derbyshire

Circumstances leaves you few A chances.
No nick, no pick, no give me more.
Just a little sauce.
No custard tart.
You in shoestring circumstance
It's rough-and-tumble
In the orphan grumble.

All I can stitch together in memory is my big...

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It was probably three weeks ago
when I sent my dog outside,
he had all of his business to do,
then he’d come in for the night.
I busied myself cooking dinner,
it was late, already dark,
Ripper would have time...

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Roses and Sunbeams


Her scent wafts alongside her and sinks into my heart;
For I have become fixated, by a desire for her touch.
She was glorious and overpowering, from the very start;
I am hooked and addicted to...

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HEY! IT'S CHRISTMAS 

Kere si mesi, odun de. 
Odun olola.

A season of remembrance. 

Eliciting avid memories of our deliverance. 
Evoking the thoughts and purpose of His birth.

A season of love. 

Into a sinful world, a...

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"When festive seasons come, I can't but slip into memories of the time I lived with my parents making me feel that unlike photographs, memories never fade and into their faces framed and hung on...

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The vividness of the dazzling tones
of an Autumn's landscape is alluring,
making the beeches gleam when it rains;
it has captured me into the realm of fantasy,    
as I am taken onto a road...

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"Though passing through sad and sombre times, let us be gladdened by the joy and peace Xmas brings"- by Poet

She felt the kicks, this time more intense
A mother’s primal instinct told her thus;
‘Can travel no...

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A woman’s spirit hovers
above an inert body that is hers.
She sees the surgeons cutting
and then sees their frantic efforts
as they try to bring her back to life.
She had died and yet is able
to describe exactly...

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During my poetical career I had never received a trophy,
I exploded with joy when I received it by first class...
"Enjoy your reward!" read a note signed by Laura Mckenzie;
and this first prize is my achievement...

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Since I began my poetical journey, Mister Guest has been my inspiration.
To emulate this extraordinary poet has ever been my motivation.
He had that rare ability to portray the ordinary wonders of every-day life;
Impish children, the...

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Devastated and delirious

Feeling so suicidal
feeling so devastated
devastated and destroyed
devastated and ravaged
ravaged and ruined
ravaged and wasted
wasted and inconsolable
wasted and brokenhearted
brokenhearted and afflicted
brokenhearted and grieving
grieving and mournful
grieving and anguished
anguished and in despair
anguished and despondent
despondent and dejected
despondent and...

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I shall never all this earth survey, nor acquire the leisure that I seek..
But if I take it day by day and keep the breeze upon my cheek;
Who knows… I just may.
I shall never all...

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Hands around your waist, passionate lips 
willing to explore each and all urges 
that arouse feelings of pure sensibility, 
always consider passioning an act of intimacy...
something that God blesses and considers holy; 
darling, never be...

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We have come to the
" feast" 
At jungle, to dance
to tunes 
Of music of our
time, and now, 
Leaving the arena
for others, 
Returning with
cheering heart. 

Gladdened by our
worth 
Our shoulder laid
with arrogant pride 
As it was...

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Knifed through with tales of lost unknowing
Is a frost-thorned wilderness
Where memories are cold winds blowing
Their song, a writ of ice-scarred shards
Jagged, the times  they reflect
Of shattered dreams, and hopes, and scenes
Once strong, now pale...

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I went away for just three days
Though three days were too many
It feels like something missing
From my heart
and
From my soul
My spirit oh so empty
I’m no longer feeling whole

Each day I walk beside her
And...

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26 April 2024 7:51 PM

It is in the music it is in the wind
A certain sound that resonates forever and again

A little melody sweet and serene 
that lingers in the heart unseen

The ears can not...

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Winds
raged as 
fires glowed in
small frowzy shacks
that strange Georgia eve an angel was born.

The sky proclaimed that lives would re-arrange;
with Joy’s first cry,
the tempest
changed to
calm.

Warm 
Zephyr -
spring magic -
arrived with Joy.
Her laughter was kindling for...

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