Long Vivien Poems

Renee Vivien Translations


Song
by Renée Vivien
loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

When the moon weeps,
illuminating flowers on the graves of the faithful,
my memories creep
back to you, wrapped in flightless wings.

It's getting late; soon we will sleep
(your eyes...

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“Nous nous sommes assises” (“We Sat Down”)
by Renee Vivien
loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

1.
Darling, we were like two exiles
bearing our desolate souls within us.

Dawn broke more revolting than any illness...

Neither of us knew the native...

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Leonore was disliked, cast aside and ignored,
her rage increased with bizarre behavior:
why couldn't she be the eternal and idolized Queen?
And envy grew towards the more successful thespians; 
her restlessness to do harm was a demon...

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WHEN I’M AN OLD LADY (many happy returns)

When I’m an old lady, I’ll live with my son,
To look after his mum is sure to be fun,
The joy it brings him, will thrill him to find,
He...

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FREE VERSE

I always write poetry in rhyme,
Some think it's a waste of time.
Why not try to write in prose?
Is the question they often pose.

I'll attempt to write in free verse,
No rhyming in prose is allowed.
It's...

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BUDGIE
I have a little budgie, his colour is white and blue,
I am teaching him to talk, so far his words are few.
He sits upon my finger, and lets me stroke his chest,
While telling him he’s...

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It was a unique time..
Glamourous era..
Class was king..
Elegance resonated through..
Filled with sophistication..
Classic, timeless, beauties..
In the airwaves..
The airwaves of Hollywood..

Vintage movies are meaningful..
A character is often inspired..
Inspiration allows meaning..
Movies touched the heart..
One's emotions left with feelings..
Feelings...

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ONE OF A KIND

Inspired by a bright idea
when a vision came to me.
It never had been done before,
to plant a chocolate tree.

I nurtured a cocoa bean,
in special soil it was planted.
Watering this bean every day,
in...

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Infinite Dot Universe: A Spoof

This rhyming poem was inspired by Arthur Vaso.
It's about a poetic form, and just so you know...
these lines are being written just as a silly spoof
because some of my poems can...

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BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

For my birthday celebration,
My husband Peter and I,
Wanted to give the pub a miss,
Instead a posh restaurant try.

I dolled up for the occasion,
In a shimmering gown of white.
I felt like a million dollars,
As we...

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THE BIKINI
I've decided to get into shape,
Though knowing I'll never be skinny,
Would just like to lose a few pounds,
So I could wear a bright red bikini

The way to lose weight, I'm told,
Is to join a...

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A WOMAN'S WORK
There's so much housework to be done,
Vacuum ,dust and sweeping the floors,
Washing the sheets, making the beds,
Do the ironing and other chores
.
Then I spy a mop and bucket
Leaning against the laundry wall,
Just waiting...

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REFLECTED IMAGE

I looked into a mirror
and then I smiled to see
A pleasant smiling image
reflecting back at me.

When I'd taken a closer look
my skin seemed young and clear,
not a blemish was in sight,
starting my day with...

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BETSY MEEK AND MILD

There was a cow called Betsy
She was gentle meek and mild.
A pretty coloured Jersey one,
Milked daily by a young child.

Betsy loved to feel the touch
Of the child's warm soft fingers,
Sending her into...

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Temptation

As I hurry to catch a train
I find I'm running late again.
I have five minutes that is all,
Before I hear the boarding call.

The station gate is open wide,
Waiting for me to step inside.
Even though I'm...

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The Dash of Life

      Between the time of birth and death,
      There's a tiny dash - so small.
      How we...

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LOVE MIGHT BE BLIND     (a true story, apart from last two lines of 7th verse)

'Love might be blind, but it's not deaf,'
Is what my dear husband has said.
By claiming my snoring...

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SANTA'S QUANDARY

Christmas time is drawing near
Which brings good cheer to you,
But Santa's in a quandary,
He doesn't know what to do.

The Government's made changes,
Must be politically correct
Different rules are set in place
There's some toys he can't...

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'TIL DEATH DO US PART

Their wedding was in a garden
it was a picture book sight
the groom, tall and handsome,
the bride, radiant in white.

Their future held much potential
vows were said from the heart
pledging their love to...

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DIFFERENCES
No 1

An old man sitting on a park bench
Reminiscing of days gone by,
Times he has travelled the world
And scenes that captured his eye.

So many wonderful memories,
Of friends he made now calls mate.
Nor does he have...

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MAMMOGRAM

The doctor sent me for a mammogram
He said it was the right thing to do.
'It's only a simple little check-up,
Making sure all's clear with you'.

Not aware of what lay ahead,
I was in for a dreadful...

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LOST MUSE

My poetry muse has left me,
I can't remember the week
when it crept away from me,
the outcome was looking bleak.

I tried to write a poem,
my thoughts were in a muddle,
and I was left bewildered
as words...

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MY CANARY
I had a sweet yellow canary,
who'd cheerful whistle all day long.
A tuneful happy little bird,
singing to me the sweetest song.

I named him after the great singer
Caruso; for the talent that he had.
His aria's like...

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A POET

To be a poet I never will be,
I've tried but it's sure not for me.
A poet needs to to be able to rhyme
Trying I struggled most of the time.

I was told a Thesaurus to...

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NEW YEAR 

Looking back at days gone by,
a New Year starts, the old one ends
I think of all the happy times
I've enjoyed because of friends.

New Year, a time for resolutions,
easy to make but hard to...

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