Long Willow tree 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...

Read More

There was a glimpse of time unknown to man
The things none may ever describe
All wrapped within this wall of thoughts
For if a moment of my thoughts are clear
They are not my thoughts at all
Never again...

Read More

Sweet Rose of Virtue
by William Dunbar (c. 1460-1530)
loose translation/modernization/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

after William Dunbar

Sweet rose of virtue and of gentleness,
delightful lily of youthful wantonness,
richest in bounty and in beauty clear
and in every virtue that...

Read More

The night sky was dark but for the beam of light that glared through the trees before them as they walked into the woods.  Joulupukki and Lumi were careful not to get to close...

Read More

The Council room, back on the fifth floor of the Keep, was quite busy upon their arrival.  They stood just outside of the door waiting for the councilman to complete the business at hand...

Read More

I don't know how it started

But it's an annual event

But I don't think that an egg hunt

Is the best way to present

The story of our saviour

Chocolate eggs you go and find

I don't think that's the...

Read More

Two days passed without event before the ceremony to re-inter Joulupukki's parents began.  Because of where it was being held, the number of elves to participate had to be limited.  With the last...

Read More

Traveling shoes on got on my traveling shoes traveling shoes yall got on my traveling shoes I can travel now got on my traveling shoes can travel yall got on my traveling shoes traveling shoes...

Read More

As Joulupukki was talking, Seileach used his own magic to probe the tree,
     “Ah, very interesting,” was his response.  “Yes, by all means lead the way.”
The three of them made...

Read More

Young James Pruitt was an ordinary boy;
he grew up in an ordinary town.
But set a spell, and I’ll tell a tale
of how some not-so-ordinary things went down.

See, James was a good boy; he did his...

Read More

Lament for the Makaris ("Lament for the Makers/Poets")
by William Dunbar [c. 1460-1530]
loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch
 
i who enjoyed good health and gladness
am overwhelmed now by life’s terrible sickness
and enfeebled with infirmity ...
how the...

Read More

Song from Aella: Under the Willow Tree, or, Minstrel's Song
by Thomas Chatterton, age 17 or younger
modernization/translation by Michael R. Burch

MYNSTRELLES SONGE ("MINSTREL'S SONG")

O! sing unto my roundelay,
O! drop the briny tear with me,
Dance no more...

Read More

Canvas is heavy, full of lovely thought
to place a young maiden beneath a willow tree
maybe beside a quaint pool where seasons wrought.
The youthful maiden known to others as Marie,
trapped hearts of many callow gents' curiosity
sending...

Read More

Wallow and vacant...
Not at all significant...
Feeling so breathless
I’m feeling oh so worthless
Depthless distress...

I express hopelessness
Swallow this pill of reality
Deep down, a bottomless body
Looked at by everybody
Everyday, weighed down
By an upside down frown 
Everyday, weighed down
By...

Read More

~FAMOUS LAST LINE CONTEST EXAMPLE~


ORIGINAL POEM

Before the rain fell and the sky's rainbow set the scenery, I had a day that will never cease my mind. The center of my core fell into a creek...

Read More

Establishing  Establishments   In My Life
   
                        ...

Read More

A Perfect Day to Learn 

We took our late lunch in a wooden cabin at the foot of the mountain where exotic foods in sumptuous meal were served. I enjoyed immensely the fried fish and...

Read More

with midnight dreams we dance
unyielding, i stir unwilling to awaken
incessantly seeking
You

like virgin wings of the monarch, your shape gently unfolds
i clutch the edges of slumber
aware in my wakening you will be gone
Again

you have come before,...

Read More

In Search of 50 Names(couplets alphabetized for ease of footnoting the names)

A) A tom cat sits in heather nearby a willow tree.
Rose and jasmine fill the air. A billy goat I see.

B) 50 words that...

Read More

I walk into the AYA studio, apprehensive as I have never taken a dance class.
"Come on it!" Suzette, our dance master says. On the wall behind her there is a giant Moose wearing a pink...

Read More

I have this odd feeling that has been buried in my bosom
I feel as if someone is in danger and as numb as a drum
I know for a fact that you won't ever let me...

Read More

Take my hand and let me lead you
Let your strong hand be pliant 
In my soft and tiny one
Let me lead you

Enjoy the journey
Knowing my heart is a true compass
The map to my hidden treasure...

Read More

In her twilight years, Pixie Dust, a soul so like my own.

Jeanne McGee heart hears the waves of poems that live beyond every gate.

After the party, Andrea Dietrich, when sky turned nonchalant, changed those dirty...

Read More

I remember when it rained outside my window 
I remember our laughing fits, sweeping away the sorrow
I hope that your dreams come true tonight
I cope with the pain in my heart of might 

Can't you...

Read More

Old Man Looking Back



Lone figure in the distance looking back from a tall hill
Shades of something familiar that gave me a cold chill

A look , a stand , something strangely calm about the man
Even the...

Read More