Long Oud Poems

Sonnets XLII-LI

Distances
by Michael R. Burch

Moonbeams on water?
the reflected light
of a halcyon star
now drowning in night...
So your memories are.

Footprints on beaches
now flooding with water;
the small, broken ribcage
of some primitive slaughter...
So near, yet so far.



A Surfeit of...

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MODERN SONNETS I

I prefer the original definition of the sonnet as a “little song” of indeterminate form and length. These modern sonnets vary from more-or-less traditional to free verse.


Maker, Fakir, Curer
by Michael R. Burch

A poem...

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LOVE POEMS IV by Michael R. Burch

These are love poems by Michael R. Burch: original poems and translations about love, passion, desire, lust, sex, dating, romance, relationships and marriage. 



She Was Very Strange, and Beautiful
by...

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Oi be nowt but an auld country hick,
we a liddle bit of gall, an a lotta stick.
Oi baint niver afeared to speak me mind,
nor critizise folks harshly iffen Oi find
zummit I don’t loik.  Tis...

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CloUdmisty for Me
cloudscape hold space
                            ...

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Written: June 16, 2025, for contest Sponsored by: Unseeking Seeker

Line of inquiry: track where lies the fulcrum of the fragrance of a rose, then likewise find within your soul.


When swinging, grapes fall off the vine,
It...

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“being mistook we burnt the book
thoughts rest, we dwell in our heart’s nest
touched by spirit, our body shook
by God’s light blest as we undressed” ~ Unseeking Seeker

As the sky dissolves remnants
 of scripted dogma,
to uncloak...

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O' poets switch off all senses but one
as you enter this arena of aroma
as I nose out the world's perfumes
to boost thy nasal stamina.

A dainty phial of perfume is indeed
a perfect and preferred present
It's the...

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Under the sky that dissolves dogmas like the wind does sand,
A canopy of empathy unfolds like an ancient tapestry,
Embroidered with clarity and illuminated by pure integrity,
Entangled in the fine threads of unknown transcendence.
I listen as...

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THE AL-ANDALUS QUARTET

THE AL-ANDALUS QUARTET: PART ONE
GIBRALTAR / DJEBEL-TARIQ   711 AD / 92 AH

In the eyes of the hawk
Djebel Musa to Djebel Tariq
is the tactical distance across the
turbulent waters where the blue
Mediterranean meets...

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Corona, Corana
Why do you scare us so?
Scare so many of us; why?
Corana, Corana
I have heard that name before
Seen smoke; drained the bottle
Corona, Corona
I have met the big c
Like a rock; hitting hard
Corona; Corona
I have met...

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Riotous revellers' laughter drifts up from their apricot lit late night haunts, four cafes are notoriously avoided venues for overindulgent consumption of alcohol. 

 Across the street, from my thirtieth floor apartment window, remote portrait...

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Heavenly, holy, high
Incredibly indestructible…
God’s calling* for me is great with His gracious grandeur
Heralding His great help; hoisting my faith’s hope!

Championing compassion of the Lord to the core
Assuring me His affirmation-authority
Loud is His calling for me...

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F orever dreaming of mountains
E verest towering them all
E ven in daydreams I picture
L ong legged eager strides as I climb
I mpressive trails that are winding
N owhere to go but up and up
G ear in...

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A magnificent flower or a beautiful tree are plants of different breed. You’ll smell their scent float in the air as you inhale to breathe.

An attractive smell is natures spell on every man or beast....

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THIS PERSON WHO IS HE IN MY HOUSE
WHY DON'T ARISE IN MY JARGON-ED   NAME 
MY SOUL IN DESPAIR
I HAVE AN INHUMAN INVENTATION TO THIS AMALGAMATING AUDIENCE
OF ARSON
SKELETON 'S ARE IN ADMISSION, THE GHOST...

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L aying down on a porch full of dreams,
O n a land full of hope,
N eed to get on my grind.
E mpty cabinets,
L onely pots and pans.
Y ellow dust caving the counter.

   ...

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Redolence
by Michael R. Burch

Now darkness ponds upon the violet hills;
cicadas sing; the tall elms gently sway;
and night bends near, a deepening shade of gray;
the bass concerto of a bullfrog fills
what silence there once was; globed...

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Harry has lived with us the entire eight years.
We did not know that agreeing to keep his shoes here was a big deal.
One day my husband said “I am throwing these oud!”
“We promised his widow!”...

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Sabashtain Berlusconi made his
Presence Known
the Chant of
Pactolus the Magnificent
roar every where
He wore the strap of Honor
from
the Pergerus of Digulance'
the sacred beast of the fields
and the Gold from the 
Pactolus.
He is said to
be the Uncrowned Champion
of...

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She walks where day and night entwine,
A whispered breeze through aging pine,
With eyes that hold the fading light,
And secrets born from end of night.

A veil of roses, oud, and rain,
A kiss of warmth, a touch...

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D-o bequeath to future generations, 
A-ll the lessons of yesterday; 
N-ovember twenty-second morn 
I-s learning with Wednesday. 
E-arnestly bequeath to future generations, 
L-eaving to them the faith and love; 
L-et them live with firm hope...

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