Long Sylvan Poems

Native American Translations

Cherokee Travelers' Blessing I
loose translation by Michael R. Burch

I will extract the thorns from your feet.
For yet a little while, we will walk life's sunlit paths together.
I will love you like my own...

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Juvenilia: Early Poems XI

Myth
by Michael R. Burch

after the sprung rhythm of Dylan Thomas

Here the recalcitrant wind
sighs with grievance and remorse
over fields of wayward gorse
and thistle-throttled lanes.

And she is the myth of the scythed wheat
hewn and...

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Salat Days
by Michael R. Burch 

(dedicated to my grandfather, Paul Ray Burch Sr.)

I remember how my grandfather used to pick poke salat ...
though first, usually, he’d stretch back in the front porch swing,
dangling his long...

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Over harvested fields —

I walk beneath the fading afterglow
of a forgotten lantern   a path worn
by wanderers older than the scroll of Zeno
its damp salve seeping through my coat
into my bones

Fog an Erebian curtain...

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On reflection, a shining  mirror lays my core ethos bear,
inkling etched on mien can’t escape deep probing,
tilted jaw, gleaming eyes, vivacious aspect,
express an ardent quest for exponential flourish,
in this life of mine, and its...

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   Aided by the wind, 
entities take flight like prismatic colors- 
talismanning chanced direction 
"of watering misfit eye", 
looking for a new place 
to touchdown...

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OCTOBER TALE
Go south and follow the sun’s traverse
As it heads t’ward Capricorn
When days and nights are in equipoise
And slight chills happily born

Go beyond the wide stream where Siegfried roved
Past the dark forest’s sylvan span
You then...

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I would have sought some beautiful retreat,
Remote from cities and the din of men, ~
Some tranquil shore where lake and forest meet
By limpid stream or flower-lit, sylvan glen,
And would have reared, where non could e'er...

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Dream Song of the Thunders
Chippewa saying
translation by Michael R. Burch

Sometimes I bemoan my “plight”
when all the while
the wind bears me across the immense sky.


What is life?
The flash of a firefly.
The breath of the winter buffalo.
The...

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Crazy Horse's Naming Vision
by Michael R. Burch

Earthbound,
and yet I now fly
through these clouds that are aimlessly drifting...
so high
that no sound
echoing by
below where the mountains are lifting
the sky
can be heard.

Like a bird,
but not meek,
like a hawk...

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King Cephissus lured Liriope
.  To bathe and frolic in his stream
   Entrapping her she lost all hope
   His favours now she must redeem 
   Her ardent struggles came...

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Scribal notions these, and oh so sorrowful,
But, despite their seeming poignance they are not additionally puissant, no. 
I have seem them, wrapped in warmed and moist leaves:
No, not the leaves as pages of books, as...

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Truth... Is It true?

From somewhere lost atween stolen time
Some things left forgotten was remembered
Darkness moaning for lights to shine
Indefinite yet enticing to have feelings desired

Once was love I see… ever once was love in reality
I...

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An After Another

Of a misguided soul in a misguided time
Misfortune is to arise, simply and only simply
Yet, I’m in doubt whether learnt have I to entwine
To resolve any misguidance as willingly as surely

Each passing day,...

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When I appear there Nature seems to 
Dance and dance and dance, 
When I disappear she is prone to 
Weep and weep and weep. 

Withdraws all clouds from sky to set a 
Splendid scenery, 
So...

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The Defiance

I feel this night to be stolen from me
This endless night when I’m sitting lone
Day by day, the ever quest is ever harder to see
Of a life to belong never mine… to own

From several...

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“Dwellers of the Ancients, is all be seeking The Fallen atop?
Well… be advised and turn back for to entertain he will not
It's been far too long since mortals have come before our sight
And above all,...

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Copyright 2014 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Poetic Lyrics By Thomas Lam Hsi


THERE IS ONLY ONE TRUE GOD...THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY...WHO ALONE CAN
SAVE FROM Satan...who plays 'all' roles...the devil...the 'Lord Jesus'...
the 'Father'...the 'Holy Spirit'...all 'Other Gods'...and 'alien gods'...HE...THE
LORD...

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Belladonna blue.
Scenes in a mystery, do.
Hope, need ye accrue?

Indeed! Heart, why bleed?
Lead? Others or ye? Be! Sea;
Four seasons; change? Strange...

Cold core, darkest door?
Ancient lore, forgotten shore?
Anything for sure?

Weathervane, point! Taut.
Stretching out without a doubt?
Shout? Pout?...

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Old Mountain tales of love spin 
     'neath dawn's blush,
Elderberries, purple ink drop pearls 
     drawing me nigh.
Ah! Her laughter just like a honeybee’s dance 
 ...

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Black –

darkness pitches, naked witches, almond moon of hallowed season
crossing stitches, dogs and bitches dance entranced for wicked reason
powdered sulphur matting hair, licking dirt and twitching praises
sanctify the night in pain, evil stirs and sickness...

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A Willow Once Pondered



As I lay beneath this willow tree, cresting the banks of a nearby creek.
Its budding branches swaying to natures whispered symphony, with a floral scent on a gentle breeze.
 Lilac, and jasmine...

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In origin, all form in chaos lay:
One wilderness of warped and seething spray.
Thus, intermixed lay Earth and Sky and Sea,
Until a cooling calm let order be.
Cool crystallized, the Earth and Sea didst fall
Beneath the Sky,...

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Brains in this group were graded according to a binary system. 
1 winner  0 as in loser.
A hypnotic mantra often - 
 “Winner, loser, hopeless chooser.”
There were even signs such as a straight finger...

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!!!CAVEAT LECTOR!!! This one's a bit naughty, dear readers...

You've heard of Snow White
And the story reported
Of the seven wee dudes
With whom she consorted.
Well, here's the actual skinny
On what really occurred,
Just another example
Of how stories get...

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