Long Primrose Poems

"Barefoot in the Bushfires of the Vanities"



Heat rises slowly to rapture flames licking and teasing
Blue Ghostgums to stretch and crack wide open
as Fire spreads molten sweet sap bleeding burgundy all over 
amber gold wild bush...

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The year has finally yawned and turned       
Upon a half-revealed shoulder.
A vibrancy, intrinsic to a reemerging 
Enforcement of the strengthening light, 
In its deliberate and unconcerned   ...

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I used to be obsessed with fashion, caring far too much about clothes,
Like the sun whenever he's coming and going, is striking vanity's pose.

I lavished absurdly upon my wardrobe, in excess of what was practical,
Like...

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I so adored late hours. I was what you would call a night owl,
As fireflies seldom appear, until creamy moon is on the prowl.

I loved the quiet and peacefulness, and staring at a big moon,
Just...

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I loved the cool, blue-green seas, and was most at home on crystal water,
As earth, forever in the pale glow of a moon, looks fondly to its daughter.

I had always been a strong swimmer, for...

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I met Primrose as two of four unacquainted friends who were lurking around in a young widow’s house,
Doing whatever we could to help the children, and the mama get ready for their daddy’s funeral.
The four...

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Professed, nonwarranted kinfolk attest upon the secret florist
Herald stewards, forbear! Striplings, go not to entice the fawn’s forest 
Yonder snowy peaks, betwixt pearls, radiates the pinkest amethyst
Amidst, thy gently sloping curves, hymns of harmony praise...

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is everyone from Barking  Barking mad?
Does everyone In Lambeth do the Lambeth walk?
Is Leicester Square In Leicester?
Is The Elephant And Castle a place where they hide Elephants?
Is Oxford Street in Oxford?
And Paddington a bear?
Highgate...

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Pixie within the pink
let me swirl your tyranny into the high-octaved melody of my earliest endurance
Right as the clock ticked to six, the creaking sound of my mother’s war cry made me bury myself under...

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On reflection, I find myself within these walls for having played the game of mans false testimony, I chose to take the blame. I asked a great teacher, one of so many, to share with...

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I was a passionate, aspiring musician, striving quite hard to be a success;
As nature lovers try hard to succeed, at living where pretty flowers press.

Rosy days teemed with activity and planning, bold plans of runaway...

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These are modern English translations of ancient Middle English poems. 


The Maiden Lay in the Wilds
circa the 14th century
loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

The maiden in the moor lay,
in the moor lay;
seven nights full,
seven nights...

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Five miles of neatly spaced suckered palm planted 
Bustling promenade,
Not withstanding a provincial cafe-culture 
Of restaurants and exciting little bars,
Enhance upon regal elegance of the crammed hotels
Regency period style facades;
Their fashionable shadows slowly lifting and...

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I was a vivacious, aroma loving barista, laboring midnights in a coffee shop,
Offering tasty drinks to fellow night owls, while others dreamed of lollipops.

My work was so pleasant and suited me, for I was enamored...

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        Black boxes atop a vintage shelf
            adorned with dust of opinions groan.
    ...

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They have come for your funeral 
Their looks belie ‘their hearts
 When you needed them 
Their backs turned on you 
Now shamelessly and hypocritically
 They drag those sacrilegious legs 
To   profane your ...

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WORKSHOP POEM: GRAND TOUR TO FAIRYLAND


Sprinkled-rainbow clouds reign above the skies,
peeping yellow in-between wrinkled pillars 
shine like bulbs to crash the net of fog
attached to curve hands of green Cathedrals.

A carpet of bluebells and daffodils
covers...

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My brother, John, was older than me; and I had ever looked up to him,
As a golden sun seems always with you, but comes and goes at whim.

My brother, John, taught me to roller skate,...

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As the apologetic sun
melts in hibiscus vase
of pastel-peach 
horizons and peels off
those pristine pigments 
of egoistic elegance, 
sailing upon 
aquamarine foam
of vanilla waves ~
where dignity
unveils a clemency
within catharsis, 
I dare to surrender
towards the 
pink-teal blends...

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I was a classic 1957 Chevrolet Bel-Air, in mint condition, admiral and white.
My owner had other beautiful, classic cars, like stars sparkling into twilight.

My owner loved his old cars, saying 'they don't make them like...

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The Forest

The forest never 
asks where it is
it always knows the way
be like the forest
You'll find me in the forest 
Beneath the silver birch tree
With ribs in weaves of primrose
And stomach in knots of heather
What...

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Miss Muffet was a girl of thirteen, filled with youth's beauty and charm;
And a love of vibrant life zealous, like eager, vivid thunder of blue alarm.

She was a fine student, pert and popular; like the...

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Mary Fletcher was prime minister in olde England, like fondest memory,
Of days when the twilight stood still, with silver moon, floating on sea.

Mary Fletcher was capable and caring, to the country's great benefit;
Like spring rains...

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"All day I think about it, then at night I say it.
Where did I come from, and what am I supposed to be doing?
I have no idea.
My soul is from elsewhere, I'm sure of that,
And...

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Johnny MacAlister was six-years-old, young enough still for wishes,
Baby sister, Rosie, was all of three, all giggling and adorable kisses.

With fond, indulgent parents, the family was content in their home,
In a town, sleepy in sunlit...

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