Long Hector Poems

Prose Poems

Something
by Michael R. Burch

Something inescapable is lost?lost like a pale vapor curling up into shafts of moonlight, vanishing in a gust of wind toward an expanse of stars immeasurable and void. Something uncapturable is...

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VIII

In the minds fixed eye I see five newly discovered graves,              
Headless lions sat atop an impregnable "Triumphal Gate";   ...

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.Now here's a short story of Lou,
Who spent a whole day at the zoo.
And while he was there,
He met a fine pair,
Of friendly and beautiful gnus.

Next he went to the camel enclosure,
Where one, made the...

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Achilles, Bloody Battles, Death's Black Hand As Was Fated
Part Three, (the Conclusion)

Dawn, bright rays fell upon Achilles and his band
exiting ship, Greek sandals felt soft Trojan sands
with mighty magnificent Greek pride in courageous hearts
each seeking...

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freedom day 
(april the 27th 1994)


far too many brave compatriots died

and

flooding rivers of tears were cried

far too many families ripped apart

with

daggers cutting into their heart

the pain is felt still deep today
on this glorious sun-splashed South...

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In Love's Embrace This Soul Shall Flourish
(Collaboration Nicola Byrne and Robert Lindley)


“Beloved, forgive my reservations, for dismay has taken hold;
Though thy love has cast infinite smiles upon a jaded grimace,
I am bound by poisoned notions,...

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Black lives matter. Me too.
Not my president. Give peace a chance.
Luck runs out. I like immigrants. 
Power must be challenged by power. 

Equal and opposite reactions.
God is the answer. Love is the answer.
Walk on the...

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Alfredo always abhorred angry approaches
After an amigo accosted after an argument
And, afterward, Alfredo abstained arguing,

Because blackening bruises betrayed blather
Berniccio blindly behaved better, bravely
Becoming brotherly before blasting bullies!

Carefully commandeering calmer Carlos,
Claiming cool comradeship courageously
Communicated clever candid...

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"50 Words for Poe: The Dolphin"  



Like Christmas 
all come at once
So too, to the 5th Dimension 
a motley crew had arrived
They were all now
One Flew Over the Cuckoo Nest
comfortably ensconced 
all behaving like...

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I wish I could immerse myself 
in the pages of history, time, 
and deep reflection...letting go 
of everything I think I know 
and give myself another chance 
to clarify my perceptions and beliefs
in the river...

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Surrender to sleep at last! What a misery, keeping watch all night, wide awake. Soon you’ll succumb to sleep and escape all your troubles. Sleep. — Homer, translation by Michael R. Burch

Passage home? Impossible! Surely...

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Homer translations

Surrender to sleep at last! What an ordeal, keeping watch all night, wide awake. Soon you’ll succumb to sleep and escape all your troubles. Sleep. — Homer, translation by Michael R. Burch

Passage home? Impossible!...

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Our Mate Charlie Brummell
Yes mate we went a droving back in nineteen fifty eight, 
The drovers cook was pretty rough, he couldn`t wash a plate. 
Hector he was fifty two, when he burnt our damper...

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OK  Let’s get started, huh?
Well, ladies and gentlemen, on this sad occasion, it is my painful duty to welcome 
You all to the farewell meeting convened in honour of our beloved Uncle Hector. 
We...

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EDDIE MARS AND THE SOLAR WINDS

The biggest band in Lisburn and fronted by Eddie Mars
A guy who could play anything, on his collection of guitars
On vocals, Charlie Venus, who was the joker in the pack
He...

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What have you done with my beau, I want take it to the show. What have you done with my beau, it time for you to go. What have you done with my beau; I...

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If you don’t support gun rights,
there’s something wrong with you,
if you don’t support gun rights,
you’re evil through and through,
if you don’t support gun rights,
then you can go get screwed,
if you don’t support gun rights,
there’s something...

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  Captain Waller  & Perth

The Japanese navy they came south,
Invaded Indonesia, in 1942
Cruiser Perth of 6 inch guns,
Captain Hector Waller was to choose her,  

De Ruyter, Java , Perth and the ...

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(Dedication: For Michael Zachary, my son)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



Sense this knowing: can the blind see?
Homer still sings fond tragedy.


Troy was a thought where siege was laid,
A war well fought as heroes paid.


Love and hate doomed to mortal rage,
Ten...

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(continued from PART  ONE)


Why I’ve seen him countless times, regurgitate old dog faeces onto fresh bread  
And listened  to his quiet voice exhorting me to do the same. 
This fly was a...

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THE SILENT SPECTER
 By Roy Merritt

He knew not when it arrived and trespassed upon his door
And though it never spoke to him he knew what it came for
He knew why that callous countenance came upon...

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Appointment to have organ removed by robot-assisted surgeon.
Air-conditioned, no mosquitoes in the OR. When you arrive
You'll remove all your clothes. Naked before the ladies, nurses
Who have seen it all before. Mainly remember you're not unique.
Think...

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The farm was nestled deep in the country,
down a dusty road was a lovely house and barn;
where horses ran and jumped in a meadow beyond,
and fat cows mooed and chickens clucked, and
a rooster welcomed each...

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An Epic Woman  

Woman tell me your thoughts
Shall I be the fool and you the teacher?
Am I your Adonis, or do you see a toad.
Chivalry demands that I am your knight without reward,
For my...

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Continuation from previous poem

We reached the footer of a castle steep,
Seven times by walls encircled very tall,
Defended by a river hard to leap.

We overpassed it as hard ground at all;
Through seven doors I entered with...

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