Long Relent Poems

Epitaph for a Palestinian Child
by Michael R. Burch

I lived as best I could, and then I died.
Be careful where you step: the grave is wide.



Autumn Conundrum
by Michael R. Burch

It's not that every leaf must finally...

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Villanelles

The villanelle is a poetic form based on repetition, with a double refrain. 



Villanelle: The Divide
by Michael R. Burch

The sea was not salt the first tide...
was man born to sorrow that first day, 
with the...

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Athenian Epitaphs

Mariner, do not ask whose tomb this may be,
but go with good fortune: I wish you a kinder sea.
—Michael R. Burch, after Plato

Does my soul abide in heaven, or hell?
Only the sea gulls
in their...

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Disability, Illness and Fundamentalism

My brother died of Cystic Fibrosis, 
When I was twelve and he fourteen, 
It took away his ambitions, 
To study at Oxford - the pipe organ’s steam. 

I understand being born with...

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A Vain Word
by Michael R. Burch

Oleanders at dawn preen extravagant whorls
as I read in leaves’ Sanskrit brief moments remaining
till sunset implodes, till the moon strands grey pearls
under moss-stubbled oaks, full of whispers, complaining
to the darkening...

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Date:  May  2051

Damian CJ Adonis and Kyon watched
As did family and other relatives did
Also, while quite many new players
Replaced other younger players
That needed a break. CJ  announced 
The new players on the...

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_ a symphonic, folk rock, blues song
1.
I'm an old man looking
For the lost, best parts of me.
I'm an old man looking
For the lost, best parts of me.
I'm looking in the places
Where the people say love...

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The Legacy of Ain't Barbie
By Franklin Price
03/23/2022

“Ain't Barbie” was her handle, Barbara Price her married name
She was my wife, for most my life, this is how she played the game
Her roots were from the North...

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Well I know it's been forever and you didn't know what to do
Fear no more your philosopher is back with his clerihew
Who will be now name victim of this wonderfully silly form
Probably himself and anyone...

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The Edges of Rhyme 

I wrote the playbook, watching what they took 
While the earth shook I could not look 
In the direction of the Big Book 
Like a fish caught on a nasty hook...

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When I was a boy I wanted to be Martin Luther King,
For his life sings of the strength of unconditional love,
Which can only come from above,
But when I became a man, I gave myself to...

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The three enigmas of Turandot

The well of souls run deep in fabled lands of old.
Of China's ancient dynasty and the lost Great Tartary, 
a ballad of love and loss that must be told.

The Emperor's daughter,...

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In Marshside Lea, there stood a tree, old in trunk and bough
'Twas long ago, this tale, although, it may still stand there now
And in its shade, the young sheep played as often did young lambs
Whilst...

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These are poems about Ann Rutledge and her romantic relationship with Abraham Lincoln. 

Winter Thoughts of Ann Rutledge
by Michael R. Burch

Winter was not easy,
nor would the spring return.
I knew you by your absence,
as men are...

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By Stanley Collymore

Never speak ill of the dead we’re constantly and solemnly
exhorted regardless of who they are or the life that
they freely chose to live, as they’re no longer
around, is the lame and unconvincing excuse
that’s...

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I sat and scanned the massive world that I alone would reign. 
To me, a kingdom, large and long, yes…this was my domain.

Where I was King and Lord of all the land that I would...

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"Morning time to rise and shine."
The two mothers started their
Own chant "MORNING TIME 
THE MOTHERS SAID 
CHILDREN GET OUT OF BED."
The kids protested throwing 
The Covers over their heads.
The women began threatening 
Them, Saying, "do...

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People are wandering around the town
With their heads pointing to the clouds
People are wandering about the town
Looking like fearful clowns
Nasty men with hard backs 
Are walking about the park 
Harassing the women in the boiling...

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CONVERSION

1
Everyday is a test, no rest, a contest, put up my best, I confess
Hardwired and tired, flawed with mud and mire, no liar but on fire
I will connect, will not fret but you can bet...

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Into the woods we ventured, where darkness began to encircle us,
Their ancient murmurs mingling with the forest’s ominous chorus.
A chilling breeze, as if the very breath of the woods sighed,
Veiled in tempestuous clouds, the stars...

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So I wrote again. This took longer than it should have. Only fair to warn you, this is a long one.

SHANGRI-LA

Prologue

The village gates stood, like old men stand

Worn with age and bent by time

Rust had...

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dreams …

diaphanous …
mysteries of the mind
that will never find an answer
fluid and dynamic
beyond our affect or sense …
personally,
I remember only a couple from my childhood
rather nondescript …
and early adulthood was par -
mostly confused jargon
fueled by...

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(continued from 'Son of Amattai - 1 of 2')

in the belly of the fish
Then Jonah prayed unto the Lord, his God,
Deep from the belly of leviathan.
“I cried out to you, Lord, in my distress,
For I...

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Humus me? My vegetated chokes ingest!
(jokes all in jest)

Hard to believe, I orange in a lee
started life as barely visible speck!

Just in the course of healthy growing
season, this former minute nearly
microscopic entity developed into
quite pleasing...

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As aspiration seeks to take its toll,
your mass flotilla salvaged sons of war.
‘Twas but a feat the angels will extol
though Satan’s army rallies at your door.
Your youthful fit have vowed to serve the Crown.
They muster...

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