Long Worlds apart Poems

Villanelles

The villanelle is a poetic form based on repetition, with a double refrain. 



Villanelle: The Divide
by Michael R. Burch

The sea was not salt the first tide...
was man born to sorrow that first day, 
with the...

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At Tintagel
by Michael R. Burch

That night, 
at Tintagel, 
there was darkness such as man had never seen...
darkness and treachery, 
and the unholy thundering of the sea...

In his arms, 
who is to say how much she...

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Throughout my life, God has been very good to me.
For several weeks, through my wife, I had heard                 ...

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Dear January.

I don't deny that there are days of beauty;
days of temperate tones and warm blue skies.
I don't think I'm confused; so allow me a bit of muse.

Perhaps it's me and my shortsightedness,
but when I'm...

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How plain it looks in morning sun
I hold it by the window's light, and palm it once again
It stirs my heart with tenderness, now fondly mixed with memories
A rock as smooth, as silk, as glass…,...

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At The End Of The Day
This is simply my pessimistic observation of the ways of the world; A conundrum timeless, if you will.
At the end of the day, do we really know, does time stand...

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The  Giant  Who Became A Monster


So long ago, it had been slowly but surely tucked away.
Though reluctantly at first, it was clearly packed away to stay.
This giant once had a hold on me,...

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great expectations
anticipated in the 
poetic heart 
Havisham delivered
all and more for love, 
a separate unseen thief, 
tore the others’ worlds apart

webs like ectoplasm
from underneath a rock
scurrying swiftly out of sight
wrapped tight around a child
dressed in...

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He was not green not green at all
Trim and slim he was rather tall
His skin was more of a reddish-brown
His hair was pitch black with a pointed crown

Pleasant enough of a fellow I suppose
We notice...

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I last saw him at our oldest sister's funeral.                          ...

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'Being decisive and confident' are powerful assets, but "I don't know" is asinine. Whole hearted and half hearted people are not half, but whole worlds apart.         ...

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I awoke this morning
To a brand new day
The sun was shining
Neighbourhood children played
 
Then i heard on the news
That made my hair stand on end
The Reapers elves
To our world they descend
 
Dressed in black
These creatures...

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I met you once before, 
But you were all on fire. 
We passed on the Spanish stairs, 
Couldn't you take me any higher? 
Well who are you? 
What do you want from me? 
I'm not...

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I met the most amazing woman today
So pretty, such a looker all the way
Everything about her had me reacting 
In the most sensual ways
So interesting to talk with 
I hope she wants to stay
Her personality...

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Wanting, to be noticed at a glance!
Needing, to feel like you actually exist                      ...

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Thank God, I was born, 
in a world of hate, 
and in a world of scorn, 
in a world that shares the earth’s beating heart, 
and a world that’s drifting, several worlds apart. 

Thank God,...

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In the depths of Van Gogh's starry night,
A passion burned, and a soul took flight.
Colours swirled in a cosmic dance,
His paintbrush, his fervent romance.

Michelangelo with marble white,
Carved life from stone, a glorious sight.
David emerged with...

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10/31/22


I've weathered rough storms
Always high and drunk or
Trying to have love form
I was once torn
All this B.S. occurs out my front door
You've woken up the beast, now you're done for
You've no idea what's in store
Just...

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"Heather"

such a tumultuous quiet discourse
crochet hooked and thinking on wheels,
the wrong turns, sometimes thoughts move
to the recalcitrant one, another tumultuous heart,
mixed feelings like heavy storm clouds move 
towards the vociferous missing one, 
who looks on...

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Going Towards the Unknown   

Zabra, a Spanish vessel sailing around Africa to
Yemen by the Red Sea.  A sense of 
xenophilia was felt among the mainland Yemen people on our arrival. They are
worlds...

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In the tapestry of turmoil, World War 3 unfolds,
Yemen, America, Palestine—stories of war retold.
Hamas and Israel dance on a contentious stage,
Nations entwined in a conflict that fuels rage.
South Africa intervenes, with a knowing heart,
A history...

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Moonbeams tease
                                 ...

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Feeling alone as if my soul were ripped in to, and made to scour the Earth searching desperately to fill this void. 

No matter even in a crowded room always feeling as though the nearest...

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We met on February the twelfth, (1998), smitten by her, that was I                      ...

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The sandy beach, castles in the sand, high and low tides.                        ...

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