Long Well matched Poems

Medieval Poems



Deor's Lament (Anglo Saxon poem, circa 10th century AD)
loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

Weland knew the agony of exile.
That indomitable smith was wracked by grief.
He endured countless troubles:
sorrows were his only companions
in his frozen...

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I never cared to do the dangerous things, and liked to play it safe,
But the strict bonds of ordinariness, can oftentimes start to chafe.

I always preferred to cover my bets, for I hated the idea...

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I was an accomplished librarian, who took pleasure from written words,
As opera singers find their pleasure, in the halls where music is heard.

I was well matched to such absorbing work, knowing it was worthwhile,
Like stars...

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Interpreting mine Poetry

Similar to scrutinizing
an abstract painting,
this author begetting, canvassing
entreating... obscure words dumbfounding
readers (himself included), he eludes
(shading tree fore rest)
clear cut discerning,
yet oft times his woods
garner reviews raving
esoteric word choice,

how mind boggling
to this logophile despite
more...

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"The Wife's Lament" or "The Wife's Complaint" is an Old English/Anglo Saxon poem found in the Exeter Book, which has been dated to 960-990 AD, making it the oldest English poetry anthology. "The Wife's Lament"...

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Interpreting Poetry (mine)

Similar to scrutinizing
an abstract painting,
this author begetting
obscure words dumbfounding
readers, he eludes
(no shade tree fore rest)
clear cut discerning,
yet oft times his words

garner reviews raving
esoteric word choice,
how mind boggling
to this logophile despite
more than one reading
brow...

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Clearing Out Old Growth
 
Last week I cleared some old growth, ‘parting’ (1) planted in my yard,
An Avocado tree you’d grown from ‘pit’ of eaten fruit.
Tree’s color for your living space! But pots do limit...

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I sat outside at end of day and watched the night close in.
A year had come; a year had gone, since death came for my friend.
The sadness so well known by now crept softly to...

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I’d kissed at least one boy by age fourteen.
Disappointment was the taste it left.
Although it was short, it was far from sweet.
In contrast, my second kiss was lengthy.
Its honey lingered in my mouth all night.

Oh,...

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cute love, destiny, devotion, i love you, imagery, lust, word play


OH OUR CUPID!  ©

Oh try to blight the course of this errand
It will only award an ‘undying’ sickness 
Turning the disheartened into ‘love-sick’ fools...

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When Summer starts her transitory reign, 
King Sun, her beau, has steadily ascended, 
brightening a sky that, for a time, 
shall be his lovely mistress’ domain. 

He reaches out his welcoming warm rays 
across the...

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"The Forest, The Lot and The Carpetbagger"

In the middle
of it all, in 
The Forest,
I was asked
by a soothsayer
to choose 
a number

1, 2 or 3. 

I said 
in all sincerity,
“that’s a bad number, 3.
someone always feels
left...

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Ode to Fanny 

Her start in life was rather poor
with wastrel parents, ones to abhor
She avoided living in the gutter
Earning enough for her bread and butter

Her break in life came rather later 
Before, bigamy and...

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I had an offer to play a game of scrabble online
There was no chatting in the room to give me a sign
about whom my worthy opponent could possibly be
but we were well matched by the...

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Though my lips are known to stutter when I talk
And my heart is known to flutter when I gawk
For your love and love alone I would be great
Just to reach you in my catatonic state

Oh...

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He sleeps soundly
 not a sigh, murmur or stir,
while restless in my dreams
 I toss and turn unheard
to find him in his comfort zone
 still and unawares
that I am here.

When morning comes
 he doesn't wake
as...

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This fleshly body of yours you torture me with
Swinging my head in oscillation of your catwalk
Those lips sticking in the atmosphere with lipstick
Just soon they will be decay decomposing under the grave
Those darling daring eyes...

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APPASSIONATO

He made overtures to her,
With the time-honoured chat-up line,
“We could make sweet music together;
I want to make you mine.”

She conducted herself quite cautiously;
Remained composed and calm.
A duet might be pleasant;
And he certainly had charm.

But she...

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THE      UGLIES

He stood slouched and dirty and hopeless
She was desperately  cigaretteless
They were breedless but together
Uglified in a natural way altogether
Uglicity personified
Their mothers would be horrified

No homes, no money, just...

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This redneck is fixin' to go dancin'
You reckon we get gussied up and go?
I'll be a high flutin' and a prancin'
Is the honky-tonk puttin' on a show?

Shall I wear my fanciest clod hoppers?
Shall I phone...

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Our city is three restaurants, a roller rink, and a rundown dorm. We fly over red brick roads on truck beds and the squeaky wheels of shopping carts. Don't ask where we got them. Nothing...

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Fingernails begin to grow
When babies are in utero
And keep on growing ‘til we die
Though some appear to death-defy.

A person’s nails can help reveal
Why someone’s lacking in appeal;
For those not clean or way too long
Will advertise...

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The air is furtive for fighter's stance
Pacing around the mat, casting bully's glance

Opponents clutch shoulder to shoulder
Flying initial surge of violent lust-
But the well matched counter aggression

Soon it is wrestle and advance
Forward hip momentum to...

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