Sailing the tropics of loneliness
as the moon sails the sea of night
with only stars to guide me
and dreams ‘til you’re beside me
it’s destiny and the future’s looking bright
walking the deserts of emptiness
as the sun burns the sands of time
I bless the day you found me
now I want your arms around me
c’est la vie you are the reason to my rhyme
they say no one cares but I do
these days no one shares but I do
it’s not their affair to have faith in prayer
or believe in love but I do
I do speak my mind and I come through
I follow my heart and I do love you
Summertime in the tropics
my favorite season of the year
no more school, no more chores
just temperatures knocking ninety degrees
sun rays and liquid sunshine
riding the pores of my skin
splashed in Coppertone oil
and a cone of coconut ice cream
melting my gums
while sitting on a dry towel
on a tropical beach whose currents
are shouting out my name in thin air
picking up a twig to draw my name
on the coral encrusted sand dunes
We are happier, under the Tropics,
In a smaller cargo ship,
Who goes towards Mozambique,
Happier than rue de la république ;
We are happier under the Tropics,
How old is the captain then?
He could be your stepfather,
He saw the Philippines
Did he read, Jean Giono?
In his cozy small cabin?
In a smaller cargo ship,
Who goes towards Mozambique,
We are happier, under the Tropics
NB inspired by the commercial port
Completely unrestrained, sun drenched and yummy,
Tasting of the tropics, flavors so tender,
Falling from the coconut tree to greet my tummy,
Great amounts of fiber found in each bite….
Scrumptious like the mango, cashew and cherry
And, just like these – they aren’t nuts at all,
Instead, they’re a drupe, fleshy and a little harry,
The coconut palm is the national tree of the Maldives.
Coconut trees can bring 180 coconuts per yield,
Such a delicacy should be mentioned as quite tasty,
They bring so much sweetness to those who’ve peeled,
Despite those who thought coconuts were afflicted with a curse.
Though I didn’t realize the wonders of this flavor,
Now I know what it means to use coconut oil -
Feel the marvels of this amazingly beneficial savor,
Enjoyable in so many ways I can’t even illustrate.
Coconuts are more than just nuts that fall from the tree,
They pour out wonders in oil, butter and beverages,
Lasting long enough to prove that, to some degree,
Their charms make hearts flutter with appreciation for the drupe!
Awaiting rain pours
Arid lands seek God's goodness*
Alarmed midst warm breeze
Ailing for green grass carpet
Aim now for harvest venture.
*Psalm 52:1 … The goodness of God endureth continually.
feathered fernery
paradisiacal pose ~
tropical très chic
Huddled together
Around fire place we draw nigh
To combat coldness attacks...
Singing joyous hymns
Grateful to God* for love’s warmth
Exempting us from Winter**.
*1Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
*We live in the Tropics, yet our family resides in the one of the coldest provinces in the country.
January 14, 2022
2nd place, "Winter Sedoka" Poetry Writing Contest
Sponsored by Charles Messina; judged on 1/25/2023.
Watching travelogs about the tropics
I yearn for the warm sunny beaches
Don't get me wrong I still love Canada
But miss those gentle summer breezes
The fresh sea air drifting across the water
Soft and exhilarating sun on my skin
Heaven like feeling matched by my mind
Always accompanied by a grin
Too old now to expect things to change
Will forever be an unfulfilled dream
But I can still dream about the tropics
Still can till I finally run out of steam
Summer of blazing sun’s delight
offers good health and wellness flight
smiting intense heat wave blight.
Season for nature-trip leisure
mountain treks devoid of pressure
while sweating out with pleasure.
Tropic’s Summer sizzles with zest
vacation bliss and bonding nest
in warm hugs of loved ones blest.
As parched land parcels thirst for rain
humid air wafts bestowment gain
God grants golden harvest* grain.
Proverbs 10:5 He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.
January 21, 2021
1st place, "ALL YOURS (Feb 5)" Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Brian Strand; judged on 2/6/2021.
If You Come to San Miguel
by Michael R. Burch
If you come to San Miguel
before the orchids fall,
we might stroll through lengthening shadows
those deserted streets
where love first bloomed ...
You might buy the same cheap musk
from that mud-spattered stall
where with furtive eyes the vendor
watched his fragrant wares
perfume your breasts ...
Where lean men mend tattered nets,
disgruntled sea gulls chide;
we might find that cafetucho
where through grimy panes
sunset implodes ...
Where tall cranes spin canvassed loads,
the strange anhingas glide.
Green brine laps splintered moorings,
rusted iron chains grind,
weighed and anchored in the past,
held fast by luminescent tides ...
Should you come to San Miguel?
Let love decide.
Published by Romantics Quarterly, Poetry Life & Times and Muddy River Poetry Review
a butterfly fish
winged fins and colorful too
dazzling the tropics
“Winter” in the tropics... wow, indeed great!
Great with God’s love*, warm of excellent rate
Binding hearts around great care
Beyond great kinship’s welfare
Blessed family of great reunion-trait.
*Jude 1:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
January 11, 2019
2nd place, "Same Word Winter Limerick" Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Charles Messina; judged on 1/14/2019.
Refreshing soft breezes blow – unfrozen little streams flow.
Carols sung open air; temperature’s not very hard to bear.
Midnight: the church bell rings, oh! The Christmas Mass begins.
Happy family visiting at noon – dressed anew: in blue, gold, red or maroon.
Christmas cakes baking in the oven – little birds echo carols in the garden.
Getting ready since Advent – with pretty decorations, heaven sent.
Busy streets with endless bustle – bags filled with Christmas shopping that rustle.
Love, joy and peace cultivated: as anger, fear and grudges vanish, irritated.
For more than a month, talking one topic – this is what’s Christmas, in the tropics.
Tropical haiku
Abundant rainfall
Sways fragrant blooms with warm breeze
Blazing sun whole year
27/09/2018
heaven’s rain showers
vanquish humidity’s wrath…
great harvest*-bounty!
*Jeremiah 5:24 ...The LORD our God, ... giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest.
September 25, 2018
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