Long Greatness Poems
Long Greatness Poems. Below are the most popular long Greatness by PoetrySoup Members. You can search for long Greatness poems by poem length and keyword.
Tell me what does it mean to be free?
I find myself not free but locked up in a creation that desires... creation! Freedom is not just to move beyond the walls of confinement. The walls of confinement are not just of mortar, brick, iron or wood. These walls that confine this creation are more than just walls of flesh. These walls are walls of idealism and ignorance. These walls are reinforced not by bone and marrow. But, these walls are reinforced by the unknown. For if it was known then the freedom of this creation would pass beyond the strings of entanglement and would fly to the greatest height and to the lowest depth. This creation would endeavor to dream and create. This creation would move freely from realm to realm and would be a part of the greatness that created it...
The glass of images is just a mere reflection of creation. Images are reflected from the ice of hatred. Images are reflected from the heat of illusions. Images are created from pain, sorrow and defeat, and yet, images are created from victory.
How the heart is smothered in the sorrow of defeat... Yet, the mind soars as if freedom is the energy that propels the heaviest soul. Tell me again, what is freedom? Adventure is the glow that shines from lucid eyes not hindered by life taught.
Life taught? Walls are made from experience, from damage, from the hurt of another creation. A child. A new life. A beginning fresh and untouched by creation. Adventure seen through the eyes of a child... freedom from entanglement, freedom from illusion and images.
The prison begins it's walls of confinement as each day becomes weeks and months. The walls become stronger and impenetrable as the years go by and turn quietly into decades. Hardening of the mortar brings a numbness that reaches beyond the tenderness of kindness. This hardening grows colder as the eyes no longer are lucid. There is no fear in this state of prison... Nothing can tear down these walls of confinement. Nothing!
Yet a sparkle of remembrance goes unnoticed as a new life begins and thoughts of freedom start a crack in the walls of a hardened fortress. As a bubbling brook in spring cracks the ice of a cold winter, a heart begins once again to search for the freedom that will bring to life the adventure that no image of defeat or sorrow could ever again mire the soul...
Tell me... what is freedom?
Pernell Rodocker 8/19/13
KING ALFRED THE GREAT MODERN ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS
King Alfred the Great (c. 849-899), arguably the first great king of England, may have done more to lay the groundwork for English literacy and literature than any other English monarch. And he was quite the scholar himself, although there is no consensus that the following translations were primarily Alfred’s work. He could have done the translations himself; he could have overseen the work; or he may have commissioned the translations. No one really knows.
Alfred the Great undertook to translate “the most needful works for all men to know.” He wanted to succeed “both in war and in wisdom.” Alfred has also been credited with helping to develop a new English prose style.
The Meters of Boethius: Prelude or Verse Preface
attributed to King Alfred the Great, circa 880 AD
loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch
Thus begin the tales King Alfred taught us.
The great West Saxon ruler, in his cunning,
Understood the art of all songmen,
Revealed his great skill as a poet.
Keenly he longed for Saxons to craft such songs,
To make men merry with manifold amusements,
To ward away world-weariness with pleasing poems.
Alfred loved poetry for its art and power,
Longed for it to free men from both boredom and pride.
But the arrogant man, in his self-importance,
Pays little heed to wise words. Still I must speak,
Begin my singing, weave tales well-known
For attentive mortals. Hear me, if you will.
Boethius Lay I: The Goths
from King Alfred the Great's Meters of Boethius, circa 880 AD
loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch
Long ago the Goths left Scythia,
swarms of shieldmen streaming from the east,
two savage tribes tramping southward,
both growing in greatness year by year.
Under the rule of two remarkable kings,
Raedgod and Aleric, their people prospered.
Many Goths made it across the Alps,
intent on conquest, raging with war-lust.
Braying brazen battle-boasts, eager to attack
the awaiting Romans, their armor flashing,
stout shieldmen descended, waving war-banners
and slashing swords.
They intended to overrun Italy...
Keywords/Tags: Alfred the Great, Old English, Anglo-Saxon English, Boethius Translations, West Saxon, poet, poetry, art, power, pride, wise, wisdom, king, kings, leadership, war, battle, England, literature, words
I'm not sure how it all began,
When this soothsayer became heroic to some.
As he molded a story of greatness,
Against what our nation has now become.
Those that listened were mesmerized by his fable,
As he wove a tale of conspiracy and doubt.
Then his minions spread the veil of shadows,
To every corner with whispers they could shout.
Almost miraculously, this mirage became a leader,
Beginning a reign that some wish to forget.
But his actions won't be lost to history,
Since the aftermath lives on to regret.
Early on in his term of division, the
Tactics would erode basic trusts once held high.
Such that... we are a nation made up almost entirely of
Non-natives, yet that must stop, & he'll build a wall with lies.
Soon after, attacks were focused on the media,
As 'fake news' ran rampant in the press.
While the mouthpieces, such as, Hannity and Tucker,
Provided his message to the ignorant, more or less.
It wasn't long before this infection on credibility,
Attacked our very own intelligence community next.
Because ol' 45 would disparage the CIA & others,
Preferring Kim Jong and Putin's rhetoric and text.
Now to be fair, he did accomplish something...
A huge tax-cut that the wealthy endorsed.
So while the rich got richer, the melody sang loudly,
While the poverty of others was reinforced.
Throughout this one-term the primary focus,
Seemed to be undoing everything his predecessor had done.
Now while most of these efforts were negated,
The passionate pursuit gave himself, so much fun.
The ongoing hatred towards Obama and Hilary,
Was a constant theme in the Trump-laden White House.
Lending fuel to the fire of partisan politics, while
Staff and contemporaries posed quietly as a mouse.
The end of this pathetic term was filled with failure,
As dual impeachments and the lost election were to blame.
Followed by legal matters that consumed a nation,
As proud followers were jailed in his name.
Yet the MAGA minority spread far & wide to the horizon,
Where vocal women shamelessly sought his favor to gain.
So between Marjorie, Lauren, and Kari...
Their BDE chorus was tuned to deny any pain.
While conducting this orchestra of disaster,
A nation held hostage, sought truth in the wake.
To the point where regardless of convictions or pardons,
Our Constitution and democracy, will not be proven fake.
I'm not the greatest of all-times, but when I'm done,
I'll be an all time great in this lifetime of mine
Like the late great who came before my time
I will breed a new lifeline, that will breathe life like march of dimes
My story lines, will bring truth life; like troops who fight
Overseas, for rights of those who believe that death is life
Now that ain't right!
As the rich is getting richer, eating fillet me-non, while we barely feeding our appetite
Night after night
Survival has waged a war that gave us no choice but to battle and fight
Although, we'll be all right
They say we a dying breed, but that ain't right
Instead we're the light to a lying greed
That will enlighten life to a brand new seed
A man of God indeed
Freed from the Son that bleeds
Like the summer breeze
He's the sum that equals the amount of air I breathe
The air that please
A satisfaction like the birds and the bees
My word's words are the keys
That will fornicate with the mind and give birth to a seed
A seed of social change, that'll change our social economy
So shall our comradery
That will bring comfort to a struggling society
A synonym...similar to a civilization seeking for unity
Unifying the physics of theory
That seeks to explain the synopsis of a dying philosophy
Similar to the Cosby
X-cept my scrip-tic will speak more about our reality
Like life's calamity
And everything else in life that's destroying us systematically
However, I've discovered a system
That can mathematically destroy ignorancy
And turn our state of mind intellectually
I elect that He (God) selects me to be
And be that man who may lead this community
So that they (My Peoples) may commute with me
En-route to a destination, destine towards our destiny
Like we were destine to be
We were meant to be "Great" like the late great that came before we.
Because we are...
The reflection where perfection gave birth to the definition of greatness
Where great means Competent, Skilled, Well Informed, and Tremendous
Our potentials are endless
And only we not even the enemy can put an end to this
So it's time we put a stop to this
The biggest enemy of self
And that's envy and jelousness
Cause after this is Heaven or Hell and that's all there is
A promised made sealed with a kiss
Knowing this
Is the next best thing since "In the beginning"
In the first chapter of the first verse in Genesis!
The taste of joy, so crystal clear,
It’s the feeling of a soaring soul,
An escape from chains that take their toll.
Freedom, the right to be yourself,
To speak your mind and not just shelf,
To choose your path and your own way,
And live your life, day by day.
Freedom, the power to create,
To explore new worlds and innovate,
To make your mark on history's page,
And leave a legacy for every age.
Freedom, the promise of a better life,
A world without hate, fear, or strife,
Where all are equal, and none oppressed,
And love and peace forever blessed.
Freedom, the light that guides our hearts,
The dream that drives us to do our part,
To stand up tall and never cower,
And fight for freedom, every hour.
Freedom, the air we breathe,
The wind that blows, the river that flows,
The sun that shines, the bird that sings,
The world that is, and everything.
Freedom, the fire within,
The spirit that soars, the heart that beats,
The dream that lives, the hope that springs,
The will that drives, and everything.
Freedom, the gift of life,
The right to be, the choice to make,
The path to walk, the road to take,
The journey that shapes, and everything.
Freedom, the bond of love,
The peace that reigns, the joy that fills,
The kindness that gives, the mercy that heals,
The grace that saves, and everything.
Freedom, the call of destiny,
The purpose that calls, the mission that drives,
The legacy that leaves, the memory that survives,
The greatness that inspires, and everything.
Freedom, the promise of tomorrow,
The future that waits, the dawn that breaks,
The sky that opens, the horizon that takes,
The world that awaits, and everything.
Freedom, the anthem of the soul,
The song that sings, the voice that speaks,
The prayer that seeks, the faith that believes,
The truth that guides, and everything.
Freedom, the light of the world,
The torch that shines, the beacon that leads,
The symbol that stands, the flag that waves,
The spirit that lives, and everything.
Freedom, the spirit of humanity,
The essence that unites, the power that transforms,
The vision that inspires, the dream that informs,
The legacy that shapes, and everything.
So let us cherish this precious gift,
And let our spirits soar and lift,
For freedom is the hope that we all seek,
The future bright, and never bleak.
Learned so much know so little, feel in touch with the symbols
of the underground, profound insights into light and sound
i found, wisdom of a higher order, in the schism of the mind’s recorder.
What i’ve seen what i’ve heard about prying open the third.
I, said i’m not afraid to follow
Where the information goes my attention flows
Like the river-sky that nobody knows
Spinning round i found even deeper it goes.
Sometimes i wonder how i made it this far
Then i remember i’m an awesome examplar
Destined for greatness, reaching for stars
As visions of the future coincide with dreams of the past
i make sense of chaos, meaning of wonder
Not to let dualism tear me asunder, i cry
Why me, right here right now?
Is there any balance to be found?
In the world, dark as night light as day, listen to me when i say:
It’s OK. To let go of what you know is crucial to a brighter tomorrow.
Empty the cup, fill the heart, have a blank slate and restart
No fear, build it back up, shed a tear for your handywork
Formless like water i think you really ought to
Know what it’s like on the border between fire and ice
Yin and yang, see all things twice it’s a beautiful thang
To know eyes of gray see a bigger picture and the best of both worlds where lies will never get ya
Journey through the deep void, flying like an asteroid.
Annoyed. Ethereal like, a reality inside hidden in plain sight
Dismissed by academics, you know i just might
Have to lead a horse to water, force it to drink, if i could i’d take it to the brink
And the cutting edge of what it thinks, to diffuse, dissolve, and dismantle the bars, nets, and bonds
Holding in place illusions of waking life, stealing dreams as you sleep, intentional strife
Distracting, take no notice, center and ground, all ideas have value and virtue abound
Trust in the middle ground, flip a coin, take a leap
You never know what’s waiting round the corner, life is cheap
But time is short and is Love is brief so make the most of it
Make the right choice, despite the noise, hear the timid within
Use your voice, find your poise, be the spirit therein
Lead by example, a beacon for your peers
Chin up and throw away all the tears, negativity and doubts
Take Action. Be the change you want to see that’s what it’s all about.
© 2016 Ash: of the Grimshaw family – All Rights Reserved.
Have you ever asked yourself if your meant for something more
Do you ever find yourself searching
Although you never seem to figure out what it is your searching for
Do you trust those who you shouldn’t and doubt those who are true
Have you ever found yourself lost
And had no idea what to do
Have you ever ended up feeling overwhelmed and unable to catch a break
Do you ever find yourself gasping underneath fear
As you smile for them to see but your heart continues to ache
Have you ever wondered what you could have been had you made a different choice
Do you find yourself wishing you could go back
And make them hear your voice
Do you ever sit and imagine having an entirely different life
Have you found yourself daydreaming
And had a happy ever ending as a princes wife
Have you ever questioned if there was a god and why he lets you hurt so much
Do you ever find yourself second guessing everything
Do you ever feel so numb that you can’t feel the slightest touch
Do you ever think that somethings eventually gotta give
Have you ever cried without knowing why
Do you ever think this was not the life you were meant to live
Have you ever found yourself envious of those whom seem to have it all
Do you try to achieve greatness
Do you instead just sit there feeling small
Do you speak your mind or hide your feelings deep inside
Have you been honest
Or just like them you lied
Do you ever find yourself in competition for someone else’s love that seems impossible to achieve
Have you fallen in the shadows of someone else
Do you give up or just no longer believe
Do you ever feel so empty as if nobody sees your pain
Have you ever been pushed aside and ignored
Do you ever feel insane
Have you ever sat there without realizing hours had passed away
Do you ever feel alone
Have you tried to make them proud but they only had bad things to say
Have you ever prayed that god would rescue you from this hell
Do you think that he heard you
Were your prayers answered or next time should you yell
Have you ever witnessed a miracle which made it impossible to not believe in something more
Do you remember the warmth which accompanied it
Do you deserve to walk through heavens door
Have you ever felt so lost and afraid unsure of where to turn
Do you make the same mistakes
Or do you finally learn
Suddenly everybody was awaken by the strong tremors
of the early April's earthquake...walls falling all around them,
dust suffocating them as they ran out to the debris-covered streets;
with no slippers and shoes on their cold feet;
people of all ages with their robes and pajamas on...screaming,
running scared with horror-stricken faces, not wanting
to be buried alive and actually die in the rubble!
L'aquila, the mighty, has crumbled into the dust,
and by the dauntless spirit of its people, it must be rebuilt:
as it arose from destruction and returned to dazzle;
the earthquakes that preceded were unpredictable,
but this one was announced by a concerned scientist,
who warned of the disaster, but authorities ridiculed him and didn't heed
the warning, but rather called him an imbecile!
O L'aquila, unless your bells hadn't rung, not everyone could have been told!
This medieval town of L'Aquila was besieged by armies,
but they never conquered it and its invincibility angered its enemies;
now, it is crumbling, shaken by the fury of the inclement Nature;
devastation is seen everywhere: churches with a toppled bell tower
or cupola...castles and historic buildings heavily damaged;
corpses strewn along the dusty streets...people searching for survivors:
digging with their bare hands to save lives, and some are found alive!
O L'Aquila, highest eagle on this devastated hill, see all the tears shed!
A dog, limping and bleeding, seems lost among dusty stones and faces not so recognizable,
is he looking for his owner; and over two-hundred fifty bodies not yet excavated...
how can he find him? By Heaven's mercy, someone lead him to the piles of rubble,
to let him sniff in the spot where he is buried...hoping he'll be alive, not dead!
And why should everyone despair?...Isn't life worthier than those lost art treasures?
L'Aquila, the mighty, has crumbled into the dust and light is erased from the taciturn sky;
I weep like others, and my lamentation echoes in the doomed valley when peace was audible!
O L'aquila, more glory awaits you: arise from the ruins and your greatness won't fade away!
This poem is dedicated to the unfortunate people of L'aquila and those of the surrounding
villages that were devastated by the earthquake of early April.
Copyright 2009 by Andrew Crisci
An eight-pointed star
Shone in the night in summer
He came from above
Not belonging to the stars
Stranger to them all
Is above the zodiac
Plundering its fate
He is from the pure greatness
A door to the heavens
Sophia prepared the flesh
For she had regret
Sabaoth sent his great light
For he was wrathful
Barbelo sent her power
For she had wisdom
Jesus the man sent himself
For he had mercy
He was laid in a manger
No room in the inn
The world hated him so much
For it was darkness
And he blinded it with light
News reached the dead king
His hair was a lion’s mare
His body a snake
His eyes were bright lightning bolts
Ruler of darkness
His mother rejected him
As a bad disgrace
He summoned all the magi
The wise foreigners
Followers of the fire
To find this small child
As the Magi were dispatched
He thought to himself
“What is the power of him
Who was born this night
Who is higher than we are?
A drop from heaven?
Whom dragons brought to a cave?
Where a child was born?”
Those magi sailed the bright sand
Ignoring the cold
The star became a lighthouse
Which led to the child
And to shepherds in pure white
They gave three blessed gifts
Gold and frankincense and myrrh
As the king waited
In silence and solitude
He realized something
Filled with jealousy and wrath
He ordered his slaves
“Extinguish this divine light
Do what is needed!”
An angel from the great star
Told the glad Joseph
“Flee to the land of Egypt
With your wife and son
To escape the flood of death
To escape the plague
The hot fire and sulphur
That killed the mature
And now will murder the young”
And so the parents
Carrying the eternal
Fled to the bare land
All the little were murdered
Rivers of blood flowed
Loud cries of pain and mourning
Flowed out their mouths
With the king in vain glory
Saying “I am God
There is no other but me!”
The sands of time fell
And so, Mary and Joseph
Returned with Jesus
The baby pronounced three words
Whom none can utter
Lest they be killed by cold stones
With knowledge we say
“Out of a pure foreign air
The light bringer came
Those ones he chose for himself
He turned them to stars
To shine in the pleroma
The kingdom of light
Which the only door to it
Being the eight-pointed star.”
**Being in the Moment**
My mother believed in prayers more than my father did. My father preferred to tackle his problems with a flask of white rum, while I believed in the importance of being present in the moment. There are hidden compartments within us, my poetic friends. "Being in the moment" can serve as a helpful reminder if we understand it more expansively.
Perhaps it was true what someone said about dealing with situations as they arise. I refused to grieve for my dearly departed husband because past experiences had taught me to suppress my emotions. My lack of dispassion and willful stubbornness made me question my feelings:
Did I love him? Did I forgive him? Perhaps it was the disrespect that prevented me from doing so.
The truth is quite different. Forgiving an offense empowers the offended. It is to a man’s glory to overlook an offense (Proverbs 19:11). While I can’t change the past, I can learn from it. This wisdom might prevent me from walking through a fire like that again. I would look at his picture on my refrigerator and feel a mix of love and hate toward him. In that same moment, those emotions coexisted within me.
I yearned for companionship, craved to be held tightly throughout the night. If someone can fulfill needs for companionship, love, and intimacy, there’s a greater chance that the other person will fall in love again and again. But not me. You burn; you affect me deeply. I have invested so much and ended up the loser every time. Love seems elusive to me; instead, loneliness has become my captor.
I know that loneliness does not have to be the final word. Even when the world feels against me, I will shine through, like ancient wisdom. I lost the love of my life due to jealousy. He lost me because I loved him enough to let him go. I experienced a breakthrough; I had given up on loving a mortal again. I would rather be alone than live with someone and still feel lonely.
I am not programmed to fail or to tolerate foolishness. Call me stubborn, call me high and mighty, call me the new modern woman. I refuse to age as a failure but instead strive for greatness, relentlessly pursuing my happiness. I know I deserve this. The poet within knows it, too.
As my online followers watch my journey, they should go ahead and do their own thing—after all, life is too short for anything less.