Long Watered down Poems

With my Uyghur poetry translations I am trying to build awareness of the plight of Uyghur poets who are being sent to Chinese "reeducation" concentration camps.

Elegy
by Perhat Tursun
loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

Asylum seekers, will...

Read More

I was really impressed and refreshed                             ...

Read More

The Grim Reaper, stirs from another well earned day of heavenly sleep
From within the bowels of this cavernous earth, from his cave so deep

His cloak and scythe, been cast to one side in an unceremonious...

Read More

His Version of Mail It

Please don’t question yourself, please don’t give me a second thought, who am I to live in your mind after all of the turmoil I brought?
Believe me you don’t want to...

Read More

Wham Bam not even a thank you ma’am, was I hit by a Mack truck or slapped in the face where I stand?
The severity of it, but to you a job well done, the patting...

Read More

(His Version of Somber)

Even in the light of day no light can penetrate me, the darkness seeps out of my soul and it consumes me
I have no light to shine on me, that was taken...

Read More

You’re Going to Be Missed
It’s been so long…
Since I’ve sang a song
About you, of course – my Love…
You fluttered into my mind like a lovely dove
I have nothing left of you…if only you knew
I hung...

Read More

An age old tradition has gone viral in the sky, Santa is moving around in his three piece gown carrying I don’t know what in his burnt out sleigh;   gift I supposed? Three...

Read More

"Dead Crush"



Oh uplift me woman
if we were to have a 
conversation would 
bees fly out of your mouth
or just mewling, simpering 
watered-down honey
not so pristine, just soft
and somewhat 
ingratiatingly tainted
you ply uplifting
romantic notions
like an air...

Read More

Talk is Cheap - Battle Rap

Yo, Ima outcheek you… gimme that mic,
I’m lethal, a viper ready to strike;
and it ain’t gonna be pretty – not ladylike.
Just gotta tell you straight up like it is…
Dude, you...

Read More

Malignant gangrenous political cancer
corrupts, festers, and poisons United States,
thus opposition cannot wait,
especially since Gospel in accordance

with feeble minded Donald Trump
implemented wrought ugly trait,
particularly obliteration, sans progressive
human rights legislation

more or less pronounced positive
in every L ionized...

Read More

Our Supreme Court
Just allowed corporations free rein,
Unlimited power to effect our popular elections.
This regardless of,
Where stockholders may live or stay,
Corrupting the whole process of our Reps selections.

What this means to you,
Is the next Representative you'll...

Read More

What clears the thoughts of grief? 
Will it ever release me out if this confounded chamber of no relief?

With a sour taste of pride,
Your castle has been watered down
Will I ever find myself a thrilling bride?
My...

Read More

Born May of '75 in Adelaide, South Australia
given the sweet name Denise, life had thrown hard at her from birth
always giving it everything, smiled at the cracks so it brings the laughter 
But, as life...

Read More

Zotëri Count Dracula
is a terrible, Transylvanian host
Mister Tarantula Fangs serves watered down pâté:
Fermented, sour liver compost

I know, 
because my Planet Terror peep Tarantino
said so

Vladdie’s batty bandë
campy lip sync way too much on the fly
Playing air...

Read More

Malignant gangrenous political cancer
     corrupts, festers, and poisons United States,
     thus opposition cannot wait,
especially since Gospel in accordance

     with feeble minded Donald Trump
...

Read More

Most hosts set out the good liquor until their guests starting getting drunk
and then they commence to serving the watered down and inferior junk
but when Jesus turned that sacred water into a fine wine
the guests...

Read More

We throw away everything
We produce too much
We damage the earth 
We do ourselves a great harm 

A wasteful society we are
We use up and pollute
Sparing no thought for tomorrow

Earth is a bountiful place
It can meet...

Read More

hanging in the air
humidity’s heaviness . . .
the river’s slow crawl


On the Mississippi lies the beautiful little city where I once lived. How many times I trudged up inclined streets; or leaning forward, red-faced and...

Read More

How can you say the things
that make me want to scream?
How can you hear the words
that make me want to cry?

Why does my life
feel like a constant cliche
and why are you
content to care
about a creature...

Read More

DESTROYING the KID

It’s about time you came around.
I have waited long with my pants dropped down.
Did you say, “CHICKEN!" Mmm, I love chicken.
My favorite comes in white meat.
My fingers I'm still licking.
I read your slam...

Read More

Crucibles of tattered thorns intrests silenece of feverish scorns. Watered down rivers of loosely washed words woven which wander for weakening tranquility. Cascading into the pantheon of precipitating poet promises never finding grounds of solidity....

Read More

Everyone who ever kicked me while I was down, is about to get tortured now
Ice Cube never melted, so why Would I be watered down?
Sorry but I can't look at Adele as anything but a...

Read More

Zotëri Count Dracula
is a terrible, Transylvanian host
Mister Tarantula Fangs serves watered down
fermented, sour liver compost

I know 
because my Planet Terror peep Tarantino
said so

Vladdie’s batty bandë
campy lip sync way too much on the fly
Playing air guitar...

Read More

when the sun finally shines its last hot beams of
annoying rays down upon the slimy suntan-lotion-saturated 
bodies &
the convertibles get taken back in the garages &
the vast groups of lame ass motorcyclists who drive only...

Read More