Long Ish Poems

Epigrams by Michael R. Burch

If brevity is the soul of wit
then brevity and levity 
are the whole of it.
—Michael R. Burch

To write an epigram, cram.
If you lack wit, scram!
—Michael R. Burch

Conformists of a feather
flock together.
—Michael...

Read More

I wanted to write
 The best slavery poem   ever written—
Perhaps win a Pulitzer or Faulkner. 

I had every intention of conforming 
To the standards 
Of modern verse and composition, 
Lyrics fluidly written, 
Perfect...

Read More

Good boy gone bad enters the stage with a spotlight overhead, despite being misunderstood in my ghetto neighborhood

The lonely applause celebrates in my cracked, corrupted, and crazed cranium
I exaggerate too much and so too much,...

Read More

Wise Elders are patient,
fully embrace non-violent communication
and health care
of climates and landscapes,
persons,
places,
things,
plants
and planet,
hopes
and dreams
rebuilding positive faith.

Wise Elders non-violently listen
for karmic grace of love
sometimes overflowing.

If Wise Revolutionaries for change,
clearing murky swamps,
then Wise Elder non-violent evolutionaries
toward peace
restoring...

Read More

One seat back from where I sat in almost every class was where this wimpy, red-haired nerd, I’d hated from the start,
Made a point of sitting, thinking - if he played it right - because...

Read More

Written in summer of 1976.


I used to eat my lunch with groups
of businessmen from Campbell Soups.

We drank a drink at lunch each day
Of Coca-Cola mixed with hay

And talked of pending corporate plans
And willow-haired orangutans.

I spent...

Read More

Frankly bewildered…
I find life so absurd
Your serenity shines on
God, I want to be like your son

Why was I pushed in the margins?
Is it because of my abominable sins?
I threw them all away long ago…
Into garbage...

Read More

During finals week, I’d spent days on various reports and papers, scribbling in the margins of notes and books, checking facts, revising flashcards and prepping with friends. I’ve an unshakable faith in plodding persistence.
We were...

Read More

Troop ships loading, crowded docks
Mums and sisters waving off
Go with keepsakes, golden locks
Some men hug while many doff

Eric, soldier single stands
Beryl, lonesome widow cares
Many kissing holding hands
Eric stands and Beryl dares

Bump the soldier, make excuse
Apologizing...

Read More

Wobbly I stood and wobbly I remain -

The sole  of my Soul untested and untried

Not trusting the firmament on which its stability stands.

So I must reach.




For a kind hand, a rock to assuage my...

Read More

There was this boy that I once knew 
So handsome, so sweet.
And with just one touch from him I swear I'd get so weak.
He would tell me I was beautiful, and he always made me...

Read More

Sex Hex
by Michael R. Burch

Love’s full of cute paradoxes
(and highly acute poxes).



Love
by Michael R. Burch

Love is either wholly folly,
or fully holy.



Nun Fun Undone
by Michael R. Burch

Abbesses'
recesses
are not for excesses!



Here and Hereafter
by Michael R. Burch

Life’s saving...

Read More

The worst of the bright-cracks have passed.
The tumultiest of the bucketiest of the rains have proved not to last.
The cat has chirp-purred his way into a damp-fur snuggle.
    It’s Price is Right...

Read More

I babysit the daughter (Ivy) of a doctor at the hospital where I volunteer, accumulating ‘clinical hours’ for my med school applications. According to my mom, the purpose of my current existence is to get...

Read More

born two days 
after ole Punxsutawney i.e. the Doctor Phil - 
of woodchucks Latin Name = Marmota Monax 
nest resembled Rastafarian hair weave, 
which creature rattled with ire and peeveishness, 

when rudely roused from his...

Read More

"Brothers In Arms"

Brothers in Arms are many things

Brothers in Arms are maybe but also
Not what you think

Brothers in Arms are many things

Brothers in Arms are maybe but also
Exactly what you think

Brothers in Arms are many...

Read More

The doctors and nurses in the Emergency Room prepared themselves for the 
longest night of the year – New Year’s Eve going into New Years day.

As morbid as it may be, they even had a...

Read More

as a child
the amazement with little things,
the wrapper on the present,
(instead of the present itself)
shiny objects & furry fuzzies,
all brought with them an
enjoyment which couldn’t be held onto---
crumbling brittle &
swiftly falling through the hands with...

Read More

Shana Aubrey Harris born two days after ole Punxsutawney 
   i.e. the Doctor Phil - 
   of woodchucks Latin Name = Marmota Monax nest 
   resembled a Rastafarian hair...

Read More

I climbed staircase up and up,
my boots were clicking on the floor,
I could hear the laugh of a broken lift
as I wheezed, pulling back the door.

But what was this? Some giant mess,
the hall was filled...

Read More

By day you work the fence, you’re out stretching the wire.
By night you read of Grace and stare into the fire.

Come morning you fix a breakfast to last you all day.
Come evening your supper is...

Read More

Lisa’s dad has a visitor from out of town - a “very important man.” He came early. He was dressed casually, in slacks, and a jacket over a mock-turtleneck. He was genial, behind tortoiseshell glasses,...

Read More

How I Got Rich and What Happened Then

I used to eat my lunch with groups
of businessman from Campbell's Soups.

We drank a drink at lunch each day
Of Coca-Cola mixed with hay

And talked of pending corporate plans
And...

Read More

I just so happen to know
This girl by the name of Victoria
One of my better friends, a better-than-ever friend
Ever since scraping my knee on the playground
In 2nd grade, sweet little Victoria came to my aid
And...

Read More

You tell me you don't hate me but 
then when I try to protect you, warn 
you, you shun me. 
I don't know how you say you love 
someone, then turn around and 
treat them...

Read More