Long Xvi Poems

Sonnets X-XVI


Archaischer Torso Apollos (“Archaic Torso of Apollo”)
by Rainer Maria Rilke
loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

We cannot know the beheaded god
nor his eyes' forfeited visions. But still
the figure's trunk glows with the strange vitality
of a...

Read More

Already I reached the place where heard the sound
Of falling water in the circle next
Suchlike the rumble done by hives around,

When three spirits together changed their treks,
Running, out of  an horde just passing there
Under...

Read More

April 9th, 2024 would be ninety fifth birthday poem for dearly departed papa

The following words crafted soon after the soul of me daddy set adrift into the empyrean realm joining the rank and file of...

Read More

Resistance On The Iberian Peninsula

“Liberté, égalité, fraternité (Liberty, Equality, Fraternity),”
Scream French revolutionists as they guillotine monarchists heads, 1
Then crown Napoleon Bonaparte Emperor of France, 2
Who commands the French forces in wars raged across Europe.

The Grande...

Read More

MICHELANGELO: Modern English Translations

Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475-1564) is considered by many experts to be the greatest artist and sculptor of all time. These are modern English translations of his poems and epigrams by Michael R. Burch.



SONNET:...

Read More

Greetings to each of you my dearly beloved brothers and sisters. Please read these seventeen blessings rendered for you in God's grace:

I. May God’s love for the new year grant you joy and inspiration overcoming...

Read More

April 9th, 2025 birthday poem for dearly departed papa

Elysian fields long since embraced dada's soul
which rocketed into aerospace
(courtesy General Electric satellite)
just a tad shy of 
fifty four plus months ago,
nevertheless melancholia
still plucks mine heart strings.

Mine...

Read More

The time was 11:05. Damian 
Made the essential announcement 
"HAKIM the time is now 11:05
We will leave this place at 11:15am.
That's 10 minutes from now.
So use the toilet, do everything 
You need to do for...

Read More

                      I
 Remember when days were long
   and all de children do...

Read More

Fretfully aching to feel fit as a fiddle

After experiencing a severe,
albeit violent near lethal bout
of irritable bowel syndrome
(yesterday night August 30th, 2023)
triggered courtesy dulcolax caplets plus 
healthy portion of lentils,
I (a beatle browed, foo fighting,...

Read More

Early Poems XVI

The Beautiful People
by Michael R. Burch

They are the beautiful people,
and their shadows dance through the valleys of the moon
to the listless strains of an ancient tune.

Oh, no ... please don't touch them,
for their...

Read More

His name is Joseph Ratzinger, the new pope Benedict XVI,
Installed as the two hundred sixty-fifth pope since foundation;
he’s a staunch defender of orthodox Catholic doctrine;
he’s German, an accomplished polyglot and theologian,
a good friend with sincerity...

Read More

III.
diamond sky
climbing up into
the mountain,
collecting the
scattered spoils of 
temptation; seeking 
rest from raising 
the green wood
roots of trees,

these broken kingdoms
will also perish, like 
collections of antique skin
to be buried
in the garden
of wonder
(alongside the urns 
containing...

Read More

You may have heard the 3rd class would dance
and many among them did not stand a chance
to be rescued out of the tragic Titanic disaster
but have you heard more of their heroic pastor

Who in 1912,...

Read More

Unquotable quotes Friends – XVI

Can friends also be lovers ; not certainly under covers.
Can friends do one another harm and stay calm ; not unless they have lost their sense of alarm.
Can you make a...

Read More

XVI: Who was wrong...

Who was wrong I cannot say
But often keep pondering day after day
Thoughts to which attention I shouldn't pay
But the heart simply won't be at bay

Wonder who was right, both if at all
But...

Read More

There are hungry mouths
in every country of this planet,
and everyone should help with little or much;
how can we stand see them suffer, and helpelessly die on their beds?



North America the wealthiest nation, which God bountifully...

Read More

vi. etching, detailing (ala fresco),
vii. plus trimming living room ceiling,
viii. shingling (while fiddling) on the roof,
ix. tiling the kitchen floor,
x. building a cistern for brethren,
xi. wood paneling many rooms,
xii. building custom made toy chest,
xiii. stringing...

Read More

A wizard, not a wisher can
do magic with his powers,
if all were wizards...
wishes would be non-existent.

And like ordinary, simple people...
I will make my three wishes today,
but they are not for myself at all:
they are for...

Read More

Overweight law enforcement official:
Whopper
Copper

Nickname for a rather pudgy Charles Dickens Character:
Whopper
Copper

Overweight Janitor:
Whopper 
Mopper

Big fat lie:
Whopper
Whopper

Lockjaw:
Chopper
Stopper

Highway Patrolman pulling over a Hell’s Angel:
Chopper
Stopper
 
Louis XVI banned the Guillotine and thus was nicknamed the Great and Royal:
Chopper
Stopper

Church secretary...

Read More

Athletes jog on Victory Field,
I join them to test my endurance,
but underneath the bleachers kids smoke weed;
are these the bright young men of our future,
who will be the backbone of our Nation? 


Drivers converse on...

Read More

The Pope Benedict XVI chants, " Pater Noster " with a voice not so grand
while distracting himself by gazing at God's outstretched hand
that Michelangelo painted so well
on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.


This is a...

Read More

Unsolicited feedback
across rock of ages woke
beguiling ghostly busty spectre
courtesy Marie-Antoinette,
(i.e. bride of France's arty choke
King Louis XVI) bespoke

let him eat cake, and (sic)
send back the bloody bloke,
aye suddenly begot idea rye
Jack Corner of zee desk
didst...

Read More

*Reserata Carcerem XLV*

Sassy sword ere was bruised blitzkrieg;
tainted torment taunting torn spree -
'n la-de-da lust 'n' rust'c rage was sh' draped;
doleful elysian -sworn swig sh' craved.

E'en adawed sh' grit cum bounty bliss;
athwart threw her lusty...

Read More

Thoughts how they fade from white to gray,
and the memories we made, 
                      ...

Read More