Category Archives: Poetry

Life, Love, People and God

My book: Life, Love, People and God is available on Amazon.com. Click here to order a copy It is comprised of poetry and essays written over the past fifty years by myself, a lifelong student of parliamentary procedure and political … Continue reading

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Song: A New Lyric for “America the Beautiful”

O beautiful for stony heights, From whence to see our land. With Constitution, Bill of Rights Kept safely close at hand. America! America! Has all your glory past? Shall tyranny, not liberty, Reign over us at last? O beautiful for … Continue reading

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Poem: Remembering Copake at Iguaçu

When I was young I saw a waterfall A single stream into a crystal pool For twenty feet or more There in the water childlike lovers play The scent of pine is heavy in the air Its pungent sweetness carried … Continue reading

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Poem: I Killed a Fish Today

I killed a fish today. This flounder, so alive. Caught at the end of day. Upon my butcher’s block, He struggled to survive. So beautiful, and proud. My knife against his head, Apologized aloud. Then quickly as I could, Made … Continue reading

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Here’s to the Guys that got Married Three Times

Here’s to the guys that got married three times They should have known better but didn’t. They paid a high price for all of their crimes, Well meaning, forbidden, or hidden. Here’s to the guys that got married three times … Continue reading

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No Stanky Cheese for Christmas

No stanky cheese for Christmas My good wife said to me. No Camembert, no Limburger, No pungent, agèd brie. At this year’s Christmas table Such “cheese” shall have no place Among the meats and roots and greens Its smell is … Continue reading

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The Host of Heaven Views with Open Mouth

The host of heaven views with open mouth. Shocked and appalled at every lurid scene. Each good intention tragically gone south Each careless word both frivolous or mean. How desperate and how rapid was his fall! But, then the Blood … Continue reading

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Created Male & Female

ugly worthless man Beautiful Priceless Woman harbinger of death Custodian of Life builder of towers Creator of Homes master of men Mother of Children waging war Harboring Hope hating and remembering Loving and Forgiving comforted and Comforter Protected and protector … Continue reading

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Sonnet: Things That Were to Be

Once I dreamt of things that were to be But now can only dream of things that were Sweet escapades designed to passion stir From next to next I wandered wild and free Once I gazed upon horizons vast Where … Continue reading

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Song: Once I’d Had Love

Once I’d had love, I had to have it all the time, The years when I was in my prime, To do without it was a crime. Life with-out love, You know it isn’t worth a dime, Or even just … Continue reading

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Poem: To Choose Between the Two

Thinking of the old days, Before my life was through. Thinking of the younger moments, And I thought of you. What is life and time that I Should be there and here too? Why don’t I have a natural right … Continue reading

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Poem: To Turn and Look at You

When I think about the way that it’s turned out disappointments, failings, and missteps review, If the worth of it I should begin to doubt I’d need only but to turn and look at you I still stand by everything … Continue reading

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Song: There’s no Calvin like John Calvin

(Sung to the tune of “There’s no Business like Show Business.”) The Elders, the Deacons, the Choir, the Church, are generally known to be a stodgy bunch, and yet, The Elders, the Deacons, the Choir, the Church, all smile and … Continue reading

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Where Will I be in Fifteen Years?

Where will I be in fifteen years? You sure ask complex questions. I can’t exactly pin it down, But here’s a few suggestions:

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Sonnet: Mike 1984 – 2016

Come tell me there is something I might say, a string of magic words, some fated rhyme, whereby I might turn back the hands of time, and usher in a former favored day. Bring something that will hold my thoughts … Continue reading

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Poem: Twelve Hours

I go to bed Turning around There at the foot I lay my head On doggie’s paws She cleans my face To let me know That I am loved I turn again My pillowed mind Set free to roam To … Continue reading

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Poem: A Thousand Different Lights

To see you in a thousand different lights, And watch the shadows play upon your face. To revel in the myriad delights, That sun and stars would delicately trace. To sense your every mood and temperant, Observe you comprehend and … Continue reading

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Poem: What Do You Do?

What do you do when it costs too much and you can’t afford to pay? Do you hunch your shoulders, and turn your head, and quietly walk away? Do you think how different it would have turned out if you’d … Continue reading

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Poem: The End of Moose and Squirrel

Most days I sit in rocking chair on porch outside my dacha I throw back vodka shots and reminisce with my Natasha But while inside my alcoholic brain fond memories swirl I still have dream to someday bring an end … Continue reading

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Poem: Ham, Eggs, Grits and Cheese

Ham, Eggs, Grits and Cheese How many of a morning have I spent with these? In quiet contemplation at my home, Or in some crowded urban luncheonette alone A cup of coffee with some milk to wash them down Ham, … Continue reading

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Poem: Ethics

I read a book of Ar … istotle, When life for me was still brand new. I thought I should achieve … perfection, When all my studying was through. Much older now, I still (ah!) engage in, The acts I know … Continue reading

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Poem: At The End of the Short, Hard War

He awoke with a start and shaking himself to ward off the morning cold, he arose from his bed on the concrete shelf to see what the day might hold. After coaxing his fire to life, he checked how much … Continue reading

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What Role Does Poetry Play in Society ?

“Such is our pride, our folly, or our fate, That few but such as cannot write, translate.” Sir John Denham (1615–69), English poet. To Sir Richard Fanshaw upon his translation of Pastor Fido.“ Poetry is what is lost in translation.” … Continue reading

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Poem: I Want to be Good to the Ladies

I want to be good to the ladies, For the ladies have been good to me. The gifts that they gave me were precious, And most of the time they were free. When I was a lad and much bolder, … Continue reading

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Poem: First Memory

Sitting in his chair watching the man with big pockets he slaps the wooden tabletop, high, dry, and cool. Brown shiny wood, very good for his hands to slap so early in the morning on a new day. A cup … Continue reading

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Sonnet: Government

What do you mean when you say government? An entity once held in high esteem? Realization of some patriot dream? A rule of law some said was Heaven sent? Its reputation badly tarnished now with statesmen promulgating globally their deconstructionist … Continue reading

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Sonnet: The Sonnet Form

The Sonnet Form Folks say the sonnet form is out of date. I cannot say that I myself agree. Though modern poets’ verse is often free of form or even simple rhyme of late. Yet here and there we find … Continue reading

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Poem: Rhonda Running Fast

R eflections of her stormy past H aunt her loveliness O ur farmer’s daughter running fast N ow is come her test D ream sweet Rhonda, dream A nd carefully wish for what you really mean

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Poem: New York, 1964

Could I return from far away, to snow forts where the young boys play. Where school let out for half a day, to hear what words the priest might say. The fall felled leaves red, gold, and brown, lay heaped … Continue reading

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Sonnet: The Life I Miss

It was so raucous, with them all around at times I thought, like some pneumatic drill alone inside my room, devoid of sound the memories within are louder still The constant conflict seemed too high a price combined with expectations … Continue reading

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Poem: Blind Dating

Sanguine anticipation, a fantasy convivial, caught my imagination, awaiting her arrival. What mysteries within her, would she elect to proffer? What gems of wit and wonder, had I within my coffer? How grand the hope that hovers, and leads us … Continue reading

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Poem: The Nardos in My Room

The Nardos in my room, bring forth their sweet perfume As if to say Amor, of this you can be sure More blooms we shall display with every passing day Do not be sad When our brief time is past, … Continue reading

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Poem: The Lace Dress

The lace dress lay so softly on the bed. My friend has gone away and left it there. That she should leave it lying there outspread, was no surprise for it had seen much wear. It fit her well and … Continue reading

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Villanelle: To Say it Using Just a Villanelle

It was a story much too long to tell. So carefully, he chose the words to say. To say it using just a villanelle. He’d met her, but he didn’t know her well. A married woman, she was known to … Continue reading

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Sonnet: To Those Who Rush to Praise Us

To those who rush to praise us when we say they should do what is right in their own eyes. All men or women having their own way to live precisely as they would surmise. To those who laud our … Continue reading

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A new verse for “The Mikado”

In Gilbert & Sullivan’s “Mikado”, Koko a tailor under a death sentence is appointed Lord High Executioner with the reasoning that before he can cut off someone’s head, he has to cut his own off . Nevertheless, he has a list. … Continue reading

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Poem: You’re Not the Same Color as Me

You’re not the same color as me. Is that supposed to matter? Because it’s so easy to see, I’m also bald, and fatter than you and I know it’s a fact, they beat and killed the others. But does that … Continue reading

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Sonnet: A Hero’s Death

Lord, let me die a hero’s death I pray. To meet the sudden blast and never flinch. And should my company flee in disarray, to stand my ground and not give up an inch. Lord, let me die a soldier’s … Continue reading

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Poem: My Childhood

A good running start, you might say. A nice quiet town, my own room. They tried very hard, but one day, I had to escape, that cramped womb. Why I didn’t stay like my friends. Who always obeyed, or more … Continue reading

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Poem: Sara Beers’ Bread

With fish and loaves Our Blessed Lord the starving masses fed. Miraculously proving Him the Church’s Sovereign Head. Alas! No crust remains whereon our butter we might spread. The nearest we can come today is Sara Beers’ Bread. At Hastings, … Continue reading

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Poem: Straddling God’s Thigh

Straddling God’s Thigh I can laugh today, straddling God’s thigh. In spite of what my eye may see, I’m safe there, perched upon His knee. I lay back with a sigh. I don’t understand, everything I’ve done. The circumstances that … Continue reading

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Song: A Song for Jamy

Jamy, when I first met you, I knew that you were special. The passions of the flesh will pass away, But not my love for you, it’s here to stay. Jamy, I can’t forget you, You’ve got me in your … Continue reading

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Song: Holy Spirit, Pray for Me

Holy Spirit Pray for me Sing a song though I can neither hear nor see Say the words that lift me to eternity Holy Spirit Pray for me Holy Spirit Lead the way Show me everything God has for me … Continue reading

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Sonnet: It Must Have Been a Dream I Thought I Had

It must have been a dream I thought I had, My eyes awakened filled with tears of joy. Still breathing fast my troubled soul made glad, Anticipating scenes I might enjoy. The universe was like a shiny toy, That I, … Continue reading

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Poem: Invocation

Regarding Jacksonville Ordinance Amendment 2012-296*. Did they have an invocation at the Sodom City Council? Did they all elect to bow their heads and pray? When the boys all finished voting and each one put down his pencil, Did they … Continue reading

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Poem: Python Meat

You can eat (You can eat!) Python meat (Python meat!) It’s a treat (What a treat!) Can’t be beat (Can’t be beat!) Make a roast (A juicy roast!) That you can slice on… You just have to go down south … Continue reading

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Poem: The Lion & The Buck

What really matters is the same for you as that which matters to the lion and the buck, the lioness and the doe. They lift their heads to God the same as you, you know. They hear his call, they … Continue reading

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Sonnet: To Carmen on Her Birthday

I pass by every day and realize the flash of recognition in your eyes springs from a place where smoldering longing lies deeper than other’s watching might surmise. The time we spend together fairly flies each day begun and done … Continue reading

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Sonnet: A Toast to the Constitution

A simple document in seven parts An easy read, including the amendments Compelling words that stir up young men’s hearts To sacrifice their lives for independence And sacrifice they did, that holy number Was yearly multiplied in foreign fields In … Continue reading

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