Long Soured Poems

Unquotable quotes: The Janitor, Gardienne, Landlady, Housekeeper, Portero, the Sereno and the Hausgast – XXXI  Part One

Be they so named or not in these here parts, visions of shrieking furies with Gorgon heads and...

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In America June 14th equals flag day
and in Pennsylvania a federal holiday.

"...I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the republic for which it stands. One nation under god...

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Thrice the night—the day!—both fell to sleepless slumber,
But now in Spring, though yet again: The third was three in number. 

I sense a wince remind itself,
Of what it means to be,
Instead to beg for booked...

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It is getting to the place where free speech is no longer free in America.                    ...

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My momma was big on naps when I was a girl.
Until I was eight years old, she sent me to my room on summer afternoons.
It was probably because of the heat in the south,
The way...

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His was,
A kiss of promise
A kiss of challenge
A kiss of power
And a kiss of doom
Where our lips had met
He was a threat, a strident peril
And yet a strange safety,
To which I held such visions
To which...

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Sung to, You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch, (extended version).
KP

You’re a monster, Donny Dump.
Some biiig-time twiiisted clooown.
To no end, I could deride you,
are no depths you didn’t fall to,
no ineptness could elude you,
the bottom-feeders they...

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Regretting Cake Takes Two

Rachael looked sheepishly like a hawk in disguise claws clenched meticulous sharpened
yet hidden her sullen face pressing wrinkled no motion frosted lips the icing on the cake
It had meant to be such...

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"Imagination is as imagination does."
-- a poet of a truly handsome imagination

*   *   *

On every "Help! Oh, help! I'm in a Pickle!" Pickle Day,
Ms. Superhero Fancy one true super-duper fay
along with...

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I'm ashamed to say I was a grumpy pessimist, as some events soured me,
Just as some cherries stay sour, although lingering long on the cherry tree.

Although grumpy, I was rather happy, and I'd worked hard...

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One crying kid after another sat on Santa’s lap.
He tried to remain jolly while holding onto squirming, screaming, kicking and 
scratching children.
Those who did not cry had endless lists of toys and games they wanted...

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They act like a mate 
but their fake 
never give 
but take
Always running late 
expecting you to wait 
it’s never their mistake 
excuses that they make 

Quick to pass the blame 
a stain upon your...

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Her lips dripped with honey.
Bee's nuzzled lovingly under her chin, 
And crawled across her ethereal face. 
Smooth white silk, 
Marble floors. 
Gardens full of flowers. 
Her steps were as light as a feather,
Her voice was...

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My thoughts are blinking quickly deep in my brain. I’m happy you decided to join me, I’m so glad you came. If I didn’t pour my feelings out I think I’d go insane, well except...

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“But as I wandered through New York City
my hopes soured, and then began to sink,
people like livestock, herded this way and that,
endless laws...and good lord what a stink!

“Was beginning to fear there was no escape,
that...

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This is where my grief met Jeremiah's lamentations

OUR FATHER
As far as the east is from the west, that’s how far the Lord has removed our transgressions from us?
Why do I feel not far removed from...

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it was the sixties
we were young
we were going to change the world
spin it like a basketball on our finger
take the three point shot 
win the game
we had great leaders 
john, robert, martin...

the planet was singing...

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The bottle freedom cracks suddenly
I don't want a quarrel
Cos' I don't want  a duel

I don't want a quarrel
Cos' I don't want to pinch his toes

I don't want a quarrel
Cos' I might crack shell our...

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Rear view mirror

Objects, objectively put, are  closer  
than they  appear. But it doesn’t say it all. 
With the fair signs that spewed  forth once turning to
a slew of  pre-twitter ...

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Joseph Robinette Biden
now commander in chief yay
manning ship of state
tossing anchors aweigh
heavily pierced tattooed
donning sheepish pirate(s)
at heady roiling waterway
fending off trolling rapscallion
much more thrilling

than watching cabaret
January twenty first two thousand
twenty one marks his first full...

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by Mark Miller © 03/19/2014
Waiting beside the seaside absent who never arrives after graven payment-
Standing by Stan's shadow of ascent looks for loners promise repents,
Sullen watch golden sold feelings lost upon darken silhouette in trusted...

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My Power Story

As a child, I only saw 
the power of three,
my Mom, 
             my Dad 
      ...

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Segment 1



Under the moon I do the darkest of deeds,

To send another man to Heaven,

I pick his pocket.



As he ascends, I must pay my way

For the boatman.

Coins and locket.



It has been two years to the...

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COLD FACTS
Sip from the flask of your greed
The poison you drink is what you need
down inside internally you bleed
See these words where they lead

I am familiar with wounds and pain
Opened and oozing again and again
The...

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The path led to rose bushes cul de sac.
Early in the morning, we sat down to rest.
Dewdrops are still shining on the track.
At our feet, a swarm of ladybugs, deft. 
Petrichor arose as the July rains...

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