Long Tofu Poems

Doggerel II: Doggerel about Doggerel, or, More Nonsense Verse

The Board
by Michael R. Burch

Accessible rhyme is never good.
The penalty is understood:
soft titters from dark board rooms where
the businessmen paste on their hair
and, Walter Mitties, woo the...

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Was this a bold  endeavour or worst-case high risk plot?
 In one sense I was caught between two poles apart  concerns.
One must never underestimate indeed trivialise a devilish 
difficult decision.
A decision that may...

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(There’s a song for this: ‘Confessions’ by Sudan Archives)

I remember it like it was yesterday (it was yesterday).

I arrived on a cool (42°f), blindingly sunny New Haven afternoon. It was as if they’d opened up...

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Ten slices of pure marmalade plus two years of misted Karmapa bread equals? Oh do hurry up. The sum is easy. Oh ok then try another. Twelve custard tarts divided by an in between feathered...

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It's still in the 4am world and I've woken up
Though it's light outside (it's closer to 5 really)
This part of the night feels like it belongs only to me, where my thoughts could land and...

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I'm a Tree Huggin', Soy Chuggin',
I won't eat no meat
I'm a vegan of convenience,
Still, there's leather on my feet
I don't believe in lots of things
I'll protest and attack
But you won't find me out in front
'Cause...

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The Stop & Shop strike v. Game of Thrones. 
In Game what’s not made plain
is the condition of the people
compared with warriors and queens.
There’s no mention of land-clearance, tree-felling, 
pruning, chopping, digging, hoeing, 
weeding, branding,...

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LIGHT VERSE AND NONSENSE VERSE IV

Anti-Vegan Manifesto
by Michael R. Burch

Let us
avoid lettuce,
sincerely,
and also celery!


Rising Fall
by Michael R. Burch

after Keats

Seasons of mellow fruitfulness
collect at last into mist
some brisk wind will dismiss ...

Where, indeed, are the showers...

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If music had taste yours would be tofu
Fills you up, but unsatisfying to chew
Let me tell you what I don't want,
Not the same ole same,
Get-stuck-in-your-head-drive-you-insane-music
If I hear another Swift super-hit I swear I'm gonna lose...

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the Yuguang Island is quiet and peaceful 
the sunset tower made from the washed up woodwork and string
along the coast of Tainan elicits a sense of awe and beauty 
the colorful sky, the waves on...

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After all these many carnivore years
You can call it guilt or you can call it fear
I've made up my mind to decide
I'm going vegan this November time

So I broke down hard and read some books
Heard...

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While the waves lash the shores and splash in soft music

The dishes we serve here in this Golden Grain restaurant

Emanate aroma into the nostrils a pungent sweet exclusive

Have you visited this earlier too or how...

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Alber’s Tamale Pie, Australian Meat Pie, Apple Pie, Amish Country Strawberry Pie,  
Bacon Pie, Bean Pie, Boston Cream Pie, Butterfinger Pie, Banana Cream Pie, Blueberry Pie, 
Chicken Pot Pie, Crunchy Carmel Apple Pie, Chocolate...

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After all these many carnivore years
You can call it guilt or you can call it fear
I've made up my mind to decide
I'm going vegan this November time

So I broke down hard and read some books
Heard...

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After all these many carnivore years
You can call it guilt or you can call it fear
I've made up my mind to decide
I'm going vegan this November time

So I broke down hard and read some books
Heard...

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If you want to keep 
             your expanding 
              ...

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She’s making sandwiches for
When she gets hungry on the way
She didn’t sleep well last night
Because she was excited for today

And she’s on the bus this morning
That’s now leaving for Johor
She said needs a vacation
Before her...

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If I had never meet you
I wouldn’t know what true love meant
I didn’t know the meaning of happiness
For my lonely life was just content

Never knowing the magic of romance
And to hear some one say I...

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If I had never meet you
I wouldn’t know what true love meant
I didn't know the meaning of happiness
my lonely life was just content

Never knowing the magic of romance
And to hear some one say I love...

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If I had never meet you
I wouldn’t know what true love meant
I didn't know the meaning of happiness
my lonely life was just content

Never knowing the magic of romance
And to hear some one say I love...

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To Your Health

I read an article that said laughing's good for you
It strengthens the heart muscle, it's something you should do
It made me think about my health and all the things I see
That I should...

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The sparkle in your eyes,
The glow of your skin
The beauty of your face
And your nose and chin

The way you look at me
 The glasses that you wear
The naughtiness in your smile,
and your wicked  stare.

The...

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Ain't no wonder we're baffled about eatin' - ever'thing is taboo.
We're deluged by self-appointed gurus toutin' their points uv view.
Can't they desist and find somethin' more productive to do?
They can eat their tofu and water...

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I call her on the telephone
 She didn’t pick up the call
 Been studying all night 
 Fell asleep didn’t hear it at all
 
 She been working very hard
 Wants to make her mother...

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Did I ever talk about my changing moods?
They dive off a cliff - I don't believe there's any diagnosis required unless anyone wants to certify that I'm human

Where was I five minutes ago?
Where will I...

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