Long Oration Poems

Come Down
by Michael R. Burch

for Harold Bloom

Come down, O, come down
from your high mountain tower.
How coldly the wind blows,
how late this chill hour ...

and I cannot wait
for a meteor shower
to show you the time
must be...

Read More

What Good Are Our Tears?
by Michael R. Burch

What good are our tears?
They will not spare the dying their anguish.
What good is our concern
to a child sick of living, waiting to perish?

What good, the warm benevolence...

Read More

Juvenilia: Early Poems VIII

These are early poems of mine, written in my teens as a high school and college student. 

Moon Lake
by Michael R. Burch

Starlit recorder of summer nights,
what magic spell bewitches you?
They say that...

Read More

These are poems about starlight and moonlight, moons and stars, dreams and visions, illuminations and intimations …



Will There Be Starlight
by Michael R. Burch 

Will there be starlight
tonight
while she gathers
damask
and lilac
and sweet-scented heathers?

And will she find...

Read More

Their mere weapon was their forbidden courage, hands barren with  no armaments, no ammunitions, marching towards the proud valley of death, dedication born from their sempiternal dreams of a free land. 

Their bare weapon...

Read More

After the flame had come here for news
When to my duke right seemed time and too place,
In such a way I heard him to diffuse:

“You two who are in the same fire space,
If with you...

Read More

A spinning world globe just set off the center of its axis pole,
Welcome to the mad-mad Hatter’s topsy-turvy upside down
Wonderland, just another inside out hole where bunnies ware
Waist coats and fancy pocket watches!
Empty tea cups,...

Read More

In Full Flight Her Soul Departed


To free my heart of all that haunted me
Told I, these my tidings.
... On a summer's dawn,
Fresh from our orisons, we wandered forth
To greet the waking of the meadow flowers
And...

Read More

I’d extend an invitation
to all in the congregation
through this speech of inspiration
which is quite a compilation
yet I expect no adulation
and no gest of adoration
for in my own estimation
it’s a trifle occupation
clearing out the obfuscation
of a...

Read More

SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL & UPLIFTING – PRAISE, WORSHIP, & PRAYER
There is no reason to be down and out.
     The sun still shines in the sky when raindrops.
Smile now because this is your...

Read More

Moon Lake
by Michael R. Burch

Starlit recorder of summer nights,
what magic spell bewitches you?
They say that all lovers love first in the dark...
Is it true?
Is it true?
Is it true?

Starry-eyed seer of all that appears
and all that...

Read More

Yes indeed, their inhibitions have been freed;
they knew the public in this republic,
They knew them well and our bent towards hell,
They made up a bill while drinking their swill,
to destroy a nation by charm of...

Read More

I Pledge Allegiance
a solemn vow of obedience, from the earliest age of grievance,
when found deliverance, one people, united against tyranny and intolerance,
become the model of democracy and toleration

To The Flag
the symbol of once colonization come...

Read More

Kinshala = 
                 It is not merely a question
          ...

Read More

Mr. Webster defines "impatience" as a dislike for anything causin' delay.
Alas, my paucity of patience I am reminded of each and every day!
'Tis a subject upon which the Lord and I are in constant consultation.
Lord,...

Read More

The king was incandescent,
In the brocades and creped damasks,
His knights and his attendants 
All surrounded his gilt throne.

A multitude was gathered,
For the seasonal oration,
Warming sons and fathers
By his sure and sovereign tone.

The king was still...

Read More

A small desire like a spark, I do not know lit from where,
Frenzy of becoming an orator in me did flair;
I watched often, like blackbirds, seldom shutting my eye-lids,
Each speech of great orators, staying solid...

Read More

A crazy old man once told me,
“Heaven is made of the things you give away.”
It appeared he was next in line for heaven
as he had next to nothing left to give.
We shared a cup of...

Read More

A Passel of People Participated from all Portions of the nation.
The Purpose - To Promulgate the Pickle Pickers and Packers Association!
Parsimonious President Dill Presented a Pretty Powerful oration,
To Pitch a Passionate Plan for their Prestigiious...

Read More

We all have one
one of our very own
there is no need to share
no sulking because we think that we were not given enough
no guilt because we think that we were given too much
we do not...

Read More

'Oh do move on, Summer - it's time for a change
I've so many seasonal chores to arrange!
Whilst you, my dear sister can laze in the sun,
For me there are serious tasks to be done.
I have...

Read More

Lord! Why is it some folks consider it their solemn obligation,
To render unto me the details of their every operation?
No matter whence I go, I go with the expectation,
That about someone's operation I'll suffer an...

Read More

LOVE THEM ALIVE...

I write with hot passionate streams rushing down my cheeks. 
Have you taken out time however minuscule
To contemplate the Romeo and Juliet that set your life's stage
You ever paused to ponder the mystery...

Read More

The truth may not be
what it seems,
when wry words
penetrate innocent
minds and classic
flora
like sweet hemlock,
waits with a secret agenda.
 “A labyrinth of schizophrenic
evil of a mind
about to begin”

Take the Pyramids of Egypt
a wondrous sight for all,
who...

Read More

What does being Australian mean
It seems there’s no answer now that’s clean
There have been different people over years
That have come to the land some in tears

The First Australians walked onto the land
Through Southeast Asia in...

Read More