Long Jackdaws Poems

Heat Lightening
by Michael R. Burch

Each night beneath the elms, we never knew
which lights beyond dark hills might stall, advance,
then lurch into strange headbeams tilted up
like searchlights seeking contact in the distance . . .

Quiescent unions...

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the field is given a name
battles are about where they disappear
the ones that walk away 
      don't know where the hell they are

       ...

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the field is given a name
battles are about where they disappear
the ones that walk away 
      don't know where the hell they are

       ...

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There … 
It was
dark. England, 
set down,  and stretched out 
for miles, 
and days 
without end
Far afield her quondam spirit,
But forever sprawling
Beneath 

Discouraging clouds 
with unbroken tears 
that washed out …
cricket games 
and pigeon...

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They came as dawn's fresh light fell upon the land.   
With their hard hats and high viz jackets.   
Busy men clamour and plot,   
Measure and scratch,   
Cigarette...

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a day we went round in cycles until our senses cracked open
our eyes into the vangogh
greens birched our ears smacked by seabirds gulls
gobbing off perchpolluted in our nostrils the toxic bay
and ozonescent that seaweed belches...

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Thankyou

The obnoxiously indifference of a turtle hair do in a queue is reprehensible really. It never fails to amaze how many swans can actually fit onto a conveyor belt and glide. Motionless static should never...

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A twelve and a half foot mongoose on a train could be likened to a twelvemonth tail of a tram whose movements of splash could be a beef tuning a banjo or a bamboo style...

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How beautiful the sounds, sights of nature

In the distance alarm call of a cuckoo,

beautiful sound of summer Tanager

Blackbirds hopping around getting in a stew,

Acrobatics of swallows, swifts, Martins,

Crows of the carrion, rooks, jackdaws, Raven

Cooing of...

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THE GATHERING OF THE JACKDAWS . . . 

Twice a day the Jackdaws gather in their thousands in that same old tree 
It is as if they only gather just for a good old natter...

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In brooding dusk they gather from the East
Arrive in twos and threes upon the trees.
Autumn beeches, now devoid of leaves,
Begin to darken as the branches heave
And teem with animated rooks.

And jackdaws too, all jockeying for...

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Some pondered ways
to pep-up the pulpit and pew,
but disinterest and ennui won the day.
The clergy went away to get help
and never came back.

Eventually, thunder and sleet
cracked stone, spire, and gable;
neglect, and the cold winds of...

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Some pondered ways
to pep-up the pulpit and pew,
but disinterest and ennui won the day.
The clergy went away to get help
and never came back.

Eventually, thunder and sleet
cracked stone, spire, and gable;
neglect, and the cold winds of...

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Against all odds
I live to breath-in the daylight
that filters through dark curtains.

The green plant (grown from seed)
is still sleeping.
I forgot what kind it is, it has no name
but against all odds
it flourishes in a dream-like...

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Her soul is pure solitude 
A home where trees meets 
The granite fists of mountain Gods 
Her eyes burn of near enlightenment 
Of the cyclic nature of humanity's truth 

She blesses the rain, the fog...

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THE ARDINGLY JACKDAWS
The jackdaws know from prudent aviation
As they scan the land for real estate that's prime
In touch with best of value in location
The venerable old schools pass test of time
While feral doves and hawks...

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I can see it now 
Through the dismal mist 
Pass the sorrowful heather. 
With it's impotent beige bloom 
Mossy fungal stone 
Strangled by ivy contagion. 

Up above, 
Jackdaws seeking justice 
Squabble and  shreik. 
Each...

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Here I am happy and silly,
Garden; and windows are white,
Red swan of sunset is swimming
quietly on pond in delight.

How do you do, golden silence,
Birch puts on water its shade,
Jackdaws on roof without guidance 
have their...

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Ways to pep up the pulpit and pew,
gave way to ennui.
The clergy went away to get help
and never came back.

Eventually, thundering sky's cracked 
stone, spire, and gable;
neglect and cold winds
nibbled at sculptured arch and buttress.

Where...

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Beyond Nut Wood where Jester Bird –
Gambols among the hedge,
Where daffodils are bowing
Their golden crowne’d heads,
Where regimented corn shoots
Form their military lines,
And rooks and jackdaws take their fill –
Whilst farmers head is blind;
A joyous spring...

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