Long Traveler Poems

The Original Sin: Rhyming Haiku!
 
Haiku
should never rhyme:
it’s a crime!
-Michael R. Burch
 
The herons stand,
sentry-like, at attention ...
rigid observers of some unknown command.
-Michael R. Burch
 
Late
fall;
all
the golden leaves turn black underfoot:
soot
-Michael R. Burch
 
Dry leaf...

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Zen Death Haiku

Brittle cicada shell,
little did I know
you were my life!
—Shuho, translation by Michael R. Burch

Returning
as it came,
this naked worm.
—Shidoken, translation by Michael R. Burch

As dew glistens
on a lotus leaf,
so too I soon must vanish.
—Shinsui,...

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Chinese Poets: English Translations II

These are modern English translations of poems by the Chinese poets Tzu Yeh, Lin Huiyin, Xu Zhimo and Huang E. These are poems about love, passion and beauty. 


Tzu Yeh (circa...

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The Field
by Rumi 
loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

Far beyond sermons of right and wrong there's a sunlit field. 
I'll meet you there. 
When the soul lazes in such lush grass 
the world is too...

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Birdsong
by Rumi
loose translation by Michael R. Burch

Birdsong relieves
my deepest griefs:
now I'm just as ecstatic as they,
but with nothing to say!
Please universe,
rehearse
your poetry
through me!



I choose to love you in silence
by Rumi
loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

I...

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For a few coins Melord, I'll tell a story of two that met in this place, 
and here you can take your rest, and leave sumpter to graze in the tall grass.

I payed the old...

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This whip is a relic of war
an instrument of severe education, 
come now Avia, look how lovely and vulgar,
it is essential for you to appreciate it's intention,
feel it's supple weight, the simple fright,
I use jasmine...

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For the past thirty seven years, living for me was knowing that I do not know
I have been yearning for what I do not have a name for
The knowledge of the presence of this nameless,...

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In the silky night, dotted with mystery,
Where the moon's thread weaves shadows on the paths,
The heart, a thin garment, a flash in the ether,
Listens as the time from the hourglass seeps away,
And its rhythm, a...

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Last Night 
by Faiz Ahmed Faiz
translation by Michael R. Burch

Last night, your memory stole into my heart
as spring sweeps uninvited through barren gardens
as morning breezes revive dormant deserts
as a patient suddenly feels better for no...

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The strong gust of wind was cut off from its source; a frigid early spring blast that swept across a lofty mountain range, high above British Columbia.

It then encircled one of the lesser peaks and...

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I was touring the lovely countryside, once on a golden Saturday,
Lost within the raptures, of languid summertime's scenic display.

And I came into the vicinity, of a beautiful historic old home,
So being curious and interested, inside...

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"Arrogance, a harmful disease,
                               ...

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After the wife made a suggestion about what to write about...

I decided to title my piece
a concatenation of a few different notions
incorporating fictional romance
alluding to myself and spouse
in conjunction with hybridization
stemming from vague references
to tried...

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It was the time before the celebration on Saint Peter’s day, when the noble page took a fine white scroll and was glad upon his way.
For a bird had whispered in this good page’s ear...

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I was in my backyard sunning, while lost in warm daydreams,
Enjoying red raspberries, while listening to the birds sing.

Lying on afternoon chaise, in the golden midst of hot July,
As I watched mauve butterflies, and lazy...

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A traveler dwelling among refreshing springs
The busied day was drawing a close
Evening dishes clamored loudly to sing
Outside my door a whipping wind blows

Working to rest a goodnight rest
Again I hear that whipping wind that blows
But...

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(Brian Johnston speaks to Lora Colon)  

Getting older don't you wonder 
What your life is all about? 
Wages earned don't leap to haunt me 
Like my dreams of fighting trout - 
Lightning flash and...

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Sometimes I think I should just run and hide
And become somebody else
Leave all of my troubles and worries behind
But you can’t run and hide from yourself

Sometimes I think I hear voices in my head
And see...

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Circa February 12th, 2122 ~ 10:30 PM

Equals twenty one thirty 22:30 military time
future time traveler looks back one century ago,
oceanic waterways overladen with green slime,
yours truly attempted crafting id est feeble rhyme
far from madding crowd,...

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(Day 1)

"O Wise Raven, Sage of the Skies, tell me what you have seen from your perch set on high."

"Mortal Man, I feel no compulsion to reveal to you that which I have witnessed with...

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The following words are of wisdom in prose
I tried to be careful in what words I chose
They are my own interpretations
With some small poetic alterations

When you look upon another human being
Don’t be fooled by what...

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I do not chase what is destined for me,
for I have felt what it's like to pursue a dream that dissolves on the horizon,
leaving only unfulfilled longings and deep silences,
like a song lost in the...

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Future time traveler looks back one century ago

The following poem tweaked 
courtesy original author who crafted
literary endeavor some couple years ago.

Now circa August 20th, 2122, 
or 1930 military time,
yours truly attempted 
drafting id est feeble...

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Through a wooded thick in a forest of New England,
There exists a secret circus called the Craft of Ringland.

Meandering through a meadow one night before the forest's mouth,
I heard a melody humming in the wind...

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