Long Harden Poems

MODERN SONNETS I

I prefer the original definition of the sonnet as a “little song” of indeterminate form and length. These modern sonnets vary from more-or-less traditional to free verse.


Maker, Fakir, Curer
by Michael R. Burch

A poem...

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“The Scorpion’s Touch”

Under glass
the sound cuts out sharp
just like under water
and we run out of breath 
like insects running around 
frantically out of time
we are magnified 
in our tight enclosures

internally observed
the external turns away
two heart...

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Thou, O king, hast made a decree, 
that every man that shall hear the
sound of the cornet, flute, harp,
sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, 
and all kinds of musick, shall fall
down and worship the golden image:
And whoso...

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I have not penned a verse for many months because I have many things
That are undone, I have not penned a verse for months because the mornings have me on the run. Here I am...

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"Skinwalker"


That one’s mind 
is like a scene from Chagall
dreams flow like blood bleeds
across the cortex page curtain call
an audience with the silent speakeasy 
cerebellum with its swift
matter-of-factness 
logically guides the fingers 
to dance across keys...

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beginning to lose her patience; 
short-tempered quite frequently no one knows, for she goes unnoticed
not one has seen the flame once so small for now its a blazing and raging fire within. she remains silent....

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A DARKEN TALE  
ONCE UPONE A TIME IN A LAND FAR BEYOND THE REACH OF GOD’S  
GOLDEN SKY 
THE DEMONS OF MY SOUL ARE CLUTTERING AROUND THIS  
COLD AND DARK ROOM PATIENTLY...

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My sweet mother of pearl struck a ruby eyed reef. 
Then quickly sank into the deep, just shy of the cay of life. 
Don't remember much about her,
Daddy never had much to say... about the...

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{"-Every second of my life in which I cherish, So that I will never burden myself with the thought of you, I try so hard to cope with the idea of straying yourself away from...

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Yet Africa is
expected to fall in
line 
With speed and
alacrity 
Or be headed back to
Europe 
For much deserved
censure
And sanitization in
the heart
Of brutish Europe!
Have we not seen
them in action
At Treblinka and
Auschwitz, brother
With their atomic
bombs in Hiroshima
With their...

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Do not date a poet because 
Everyone would think he paint you
With his endless packs of words.
You may likely be the jerk he write,
A Poet has unnatural affection for you;
He write and snore while sleeping.
He...

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There are things in my life of which I'm not proud
But my letting friends down tops the list, 
I guess I could let my mind walk in a cloud	
But the friends that I've lost are...

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“You play on my every weakness from my past, 
As a heart-wrenched spirit of truth caresses your comrades
They are perturbed as you are by the magnificent light,
To challenge your heart, is to render the fight…”

A...

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Awaking blithe each morning,
with eyes upon the World,
I wonder, are we mourning
with ebon flags unfurled –
or are they but a warning,
some draped like snakes and curled,
stray stars and stripes adorning,
sent from the netherworld.

I wander through...

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Beat model, the truth

I just defeated a temptation see
Deal was soo good but then I thot o revelation
Fought it to the ground like a superpower nation
Stillitroselikeaboxerthrowingthrowingpunchesinmydirection
My goodness

		And Jehova’s my witness
It is hard be-in a righteous...

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I know you want to appear tough
You want to pull off cool
Being a strong macho man
That’s part of the unspoken rule

I know you act so indifferent
When you see me passing by
But when I happen to...

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(1.)
Into Days And Nights Of Writing Accolades To Poetic Titans True

Then Hope gave sweetest promise. Of Love's new open hand,
There under moonlit oaks, truth's goddess smiled and sighed.
But Life overruled such benevolent a reward. No...

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For Old Star-Gazer Master Khayyam – a name like Shakespeare’s for “some” other giants – Part Two


                  ...

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Forever, our love lingers in the air all around -
The smell of fresh paint lingers in my nose, in the air.
Crisp sheets lay smooth untouched with hospital corners.
I dreamt I held you in our bed.
A...

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Canadian Ocean Gate


O beauteous land of mirth and Glee! 
O land of falls and seas and lakes!
Which shadows row in horrid nights
Which sorrow in Thee circulate
O start of mystic Nile gate
In which Thy goddess contemplates

Which...

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I could see stars everywhere, 
In every foggy corner, 
In the twinkling of their eyes
The exchange of goods, services, money
Some grateful and well-intentioned, others listless
Cold and accusatory 
Selfish and scared
I saw their lights come and...

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I remember the night I first tasted sweet love.
Joining a boy for that magical, first time,
Under the glimmer of our own, fat moon,
Next to a silvery lake, sampling the divine.

We explored and shared the ultimate...

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The words I give you are sound
They have been my comfort
They have been my companion
This is Protocol never be anxious 
Be Slow to speak and quick to listen
And when in doubt, wait and think about...

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The words I give you are sound
They have been my comfort
They have been my companion
This is Protocol never be anxious 
Be Slow to speak and quick to listen
And when in doubt, wait and think about...

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"Hello, can you hear me?"
"Yes, I can hear you. Speak forth to my ears."
"Now drop your ears to my mouth and hear, brother"
"Ok, here they are"
" I have been betrayed at the backyard and only...

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