Long Lager Poems

Postcard 1
by Miklós Radnóti
written August 30, 1944
translated by Michael R. Burch
 
Out of Bulgaria, the great wild roar of the artillery thunders,
resounds on the mountain ridges, rebounds, then ebbs into silence
while here men, beasts, wagons...

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*Image of Many Meanings by KWC.

Likeness ssenekiL: Part 2

(HOMONYMS: Homophones & Homographs)

The batter's foul ball killed a fowl that later caused a foul odor.
After painting the room red, he then redd it up and read...

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THE GRIM REAPER (JUST ANOTHER DAY AT THE OFFICE) 

The Grim Reaper; again awakens from another well-earned day of sleep
From within the bowels of this cavernous earth, from his cave, so deep

His cloak and scythe;...

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World War II Poems and Holocaust Poems - III - Miklos Radnoti

Miklos Radnoti was one of the greatest of the Jewish Holocaust poets. He died on a Nazi death march, shot to death in cold...

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THE GRIM REAPER (JUST ANOTHER DAY AT THE OFFICE)

This Grim Reaper stirs from another well-earned day of heavenly sleep
From within the bowels of this cavernous earth, from his cave, so deep

His cloak and scythe, been...

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Bartender Oh Bartender
(a stout rendition of O Captain! My Captain!
Perfect rhythmic rhyme with tonic 
when the doth ale).

Mine eyes espy the glory per the ending 
of another work day beckon Baileys Irish Creme
with Absolut certainty...

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Allow me to go back and rewind our time as friends
When I promised myself I'd never let you or anyone in

Especially the stereotypical people in your community
Where I believed in your heart I'd have equal...

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You squealed with six-year-old delight as I wriggled from Hilda’s belly. 
I was a runt, the first of five pups who, with our eyes closed, all squirmed for lunch at the same time.

You screamed with...

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Letter to My Wife
by Miklos Radnoti
translated by Michael R. Burch

A poem written during the Holocaust in Lager Heidenau, in the mountains above Zagubica, August-September, 1944

Deep down in the darkness hell awaits--silent, mute.
Silence screams in my...

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GIVE A DOG A BAD NAME

I shouldn't have called my dog 'Todger'
Though it seemed pretty cool at the time
I didn't think it would hurt his feelings
And be honest, it isn't a crime.

We were really good...

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I awake each morning
With fresh hope
And tranquility;
I might go for a saunter
Down quiet London backstreets...
Soon my aimlessness
Depresses me,
And I realise
I'd been deceiving myself
As to my ability
To relax as others do.

I decided on a Special B
Before...

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life has it's ups and downs
it's highs and lows
with it comes a lot of crap
but what's most crappy?

Action speaks louder than words
now thats crap.
when you are in a mess 
and four men are set to...

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This is the best beer I've ever had. 
Yes, The best beer I've ever had. 
No beer is really bad, but 
This is the best beer I’ve ever had. 
 
Beer’s invention was accidental I’m told. 
Something about stored grain...

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“Truth isn’t truth,”
that’s what some Cap’n Obvious toady recently said

He was pissy mad, when his angry tears wet the bed

Lieutenant Rudy Brown-Nose 
a has-been sniffing the swine caboose breeze:
Loco breath wafting 
between sulfuric methane, ...

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Lot fwa-la, mo ti pe tann enn bann dimounn pe diskit lor Sikse.
Boukou ti pe esey definir seki sa ete.
Sakenn ti ena so version...
Ena ti pe dir sikse se kan zot gagn promosion.
Lot ti pe...

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I told my boss this was a job I didn’t relish
Reports so far deemed this Elfin war rather hellish.
Troops had crossed the border and entered the valley.
So far we didn’t have a death or injury...

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[Written last year, or perhaps the year before
But youtube was awash with parodies in a
Similar vein. Unless I didn’t look properly, I
Haven’t posted it before... so here you go...]

      ...

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6/8/21


Blood stained into lands being conquered
Blood on this can of Monster
Blood in the water
Blood pooling and congealing from all the slaughter
Blood hitting close to home,  when you got a squatter
Blood whether the weather turned...

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You squealed with six-year old delight as I wriggled from Hilda’s belly. 
I was a runt, the first of five pups who, with our eyes closed, all squirmed for lunch at the same.
You screamed with...

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We're grouped together ready to party 
just standing around waiting for the coach.
Not a stag do exactly, just us men.
Before you ask, it wasn't fancy dress.
A football Friday night out for a drink,
one or two,...

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sing a long now la la la la la
A thermometer dash through an eighteenth century painting is said to be as exciting as a needle sewing on a fifty foot blanket. But wearing shoes on...

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Leap off a Day

Leap off a day full of struggle and toil. 
Pleasure-power fuels freedom's few precious  
hours. Head for the cellar where solace is
found. Shoulder a way through the jostling crowd.
 
The thicket...

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LAUGHIN’ CRIMINALS

We run down the street to escape the local cops. 
I went into the liquor store with my mate Arnie – 
we looked around and spied that big fat gringo: 
together we said, “Give...

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You are dead now and I am sorry,
For all of the things you thought I should have been,
For all of the things you wanted me to be for you,
I hope that you feel your burden...

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Today i went to Iceland
The supermarket not the place
Trying to find a short queue
Turns into a race

Elderly lady at the back
Tries to jump the queue
Those further forward voice their anger
“Hey, we were here before you”

The...

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