i held the umbrella of love for a human
the gods reminded me of my birth...
my nature, traverses the heavens
i come from immeasurable skies as a mortal's dream
.
.....touch me if you can, i am elusive
.
i was incomprehensible to a duchess
streams of my being passed through her
chaos ensued; the best of mortals cannot see
i found beauty in the stones of a creek bed
.
.....touch me if you can, i am without form
.
battle came to a false church
dividing the sore from the righteous
casting flames to consume their tardiness
i delighted in the anger of the wretched
.
.....touch me if you can, i am a cleansing angel
.
i see light at the foot of an oak tree
darkness sits by stained glass windows
i shall return and shatter gray thoughts
to bring forth the long awaited transformation
.
.....touch me if you can, i am a trepid whirlwind.
.
(c) Erik Standswithtrees, 06 Sept 2017, 06:08 pm

often...
i wonder if the dawn comes
or the rain will fall
even if the tide recedes
.
sometimes...
i hear the movement of the sky
and the bleating of fawns
owls fly silently
.
at evening...
stars race across the heavens
wolves dance in the moonlight
i hear songs of sirenes
.
in the morning...
i brush your hair with my fingertips
kiss the nape of your neck
night and day are my blessing
.
i am the enchanting
.
(c) erik minas-gilkes 7 march 2020 3:16am

do my dreams live on your golden soul?
is my voice remembrance of your walk?
should i have compassion that you suffered?
may i cool that village still in flames?
Paris hears my aching heart and struggles.
.
will you cling to me and gently whisper
that magic future's very much alive?
write your words on rough and sculpted stone,
bath me with the wings from lofty angels,
place your lips upon my breast and cry.
.
no, i shall not love you, but i want to,
(i slew too many by the eastern sky,)
let me bring you lovely yellow flowers,
use them for the stripes upon my soul,
hide my steps from those who lust to harm me.
.
touch me with your soft and lovely kisses,
(from your pure and crystal Elven lips),
raise me to the highest tree in heaven,
i'll drink from cedar cups; craft you a throne,
sing to me forever by a sea shore.
.
and .....
.
(c) erik 11/23/2019

[9]
in twilight i see the sun.
at daylight i see the darkness.
a golden orb strikes the sacred bell.
pink crystals fall from Venus' hands
to become an angel lady.
she dines with me on heaven's food.
as drink, she brings ambrosia.
love shared amongst the forest deer.
reclined, we formed a mystic race.
.
[8]
oak trees sang to roaming tribes,
"aho! let good return to power
and speak the death of greed!"
hear Apache's haunting songs?
take their lyrics to the Amazon.
Kalinago, i thirst for war.
heal my soul eternal continuity!
hold for me the good dream!
.
[7]
send all nightmares to the void!
splendid chords on Arvo's *****.
(may i play the mariner's hymn?)
paris buried my dragon belt.
she held my shield against the flames.
i shall fear no evil,
for her sweetness is my friend
.
[6]
i depart. beyond humanity!
now i shudder like
the fifth chapter of the ninth book.
the fourth is deep within my soul.
three eagles in a flock of two, fly overhead.
i yield and struggle at once.
.
[5]
oh that my eye pierce the quantum
and my will bend all time.
might i hear a chorus of angels
and live without the earth?
i'll give heavenly alms to the suffering.
.
[4]
love is not of mortal realm.
it is an intuition.
let loose its magic power,
that she may live on my affection.
.
[3] ...the answer?
.
[2] ......the glorious quest?
.
[1] ........suspend the turbulent rivers!
.
(c) erik   24 Feb 2020, 2:04 am

I loved you only...
Before i was ever born
While in my mother's womb
Under starlit skies
While dancing with the moon
Or in the bowels of earth
Tossed about by high seas
Flying in a glider
Hunting in the valley
Climbing high mountains
Floating in the Northern ice
Sweating in the tropic war
.....I LOVED YOU

I'll love you only...
In my joyous moments
Or when shadow grips my soul
Among the clouds i'm walking
Before swift tornadoes
When bathing in sweet waters
While burning in hot sands
Reclining on my bed
Playing with a puppy
Cycling past the trees
Pricked by many rose thorns
Yearning that i greet you
.....I AM YOUR BODY

I'll love you only...
While earth is still growing
Or should it disappear
When sitting on park benches
While warmed by your embrace
Throughout all tainted ages
After horrid battle
Lying wounded, dying
If being cruel and thoughtless
Or loving you so gently
Alone or in a crowd
.....YOU ARE MY SUBSTANCE

I'll love you only when...
Driving into snow banks
Walking through great cities
Saving children falling
Fighting fearful dreams
Foolish loss of fortune
And its long retrieving
Watching buildings tower
Swimming dangerous waters
Fleeing mortal wars
.....LET ME DIE TRUE

(c) Erik, 11 June 2008, 1:20 PM

i love the brightness of the morning,
the image of dew resting on forest leaves,
love the songs of nesting chicks,
and the silence of the butterflies.

i touched the bark of trees.
heard the voice of a gentle breeze,
bathed in a rapid stream,
waters whispered they knew me.

i talked with grazing deer
fed with them on grasses,
drank the waters of  Lurien lake,
purified with the forest creatures.

i saw the glimmer of starlight,
imperceptible smiles,
uplifting my heart,
dolphins rode ocean crests

(c) Erik Standswithtrees, 23 March 2014, 7:05am

can i be happy with you
and walk the bright coloured leaves?
.
are there smiles on my face
when i see there is joy on yours?
.
will winter snow feel warm
as we share glare of the sun?
.
will i sail on blue waters
with you at the helm?
.
i am fighting harsh winds
that i may never defeat in my dreams.
.
(c) Erik, 27 Nov 2019, 6:29am

thoughts of a princess in the east,
plays with leaves,
friend of of trees,
her heart warms summer winds,
gentle as a new lamb,
.
i thought of a princess in the east,
most loving of all woman kind,
she flys while walking,
and delights in the smallest things,
there is a throne for you... in my heart.
.
(c) Erik Standswithtrees 07/15/2016  18:54

On the Eminence of Indigenous Nations
(n204)
.
lost under a full arc'd rainbow,
was found on the highest hill,
rode on a huey through tight canyons
and threw shells on a peaceful village.
.
accepted the love of a wanderer,
said she found her home at last,
we rode on a huey above mountains,
and threw shells on a beautiful dream.
.
on a train through great wide spaces,
i sang to the chief of the buffalo,
my eyes saw a thousand tipees ,
the white men rode with sabers.
.
mother earth raised a patch of grass,
seated me upon its softness,
i railed at her with angry voice,
"be still dear knight, i am correction".
.
she shred the cloaks of merchants,
and cut the tongues of errant priests,
i saw spring come to winter winds.
the tipees were raised again.
.
(c) Erik 2020-01-28  01:36pm

i lost my life one day,
she took a course in error,
and flew away in sorrow,
i was my ancestors,
fierce and unmerciful.
.
i lost my life one day,
and lived in anger,
in a dark cave,
demons on the walls,
then, a small glow...
.
i lost my life one day,
a light grew in my heart,
it was the song of love,
piercing my thoughts,
tearing at my blackness.
.
i found my love one day,
living in an abyss,
war broke out within me,
hate and love with swords,
the battles were many.
.
i lost a war one day,
the glow kept growing,
her fear still swelling,
love resumed the fights,
and won.
.
i want my love today,
my dreams are paradise,
i rode a horse name Hope,
and wrote tender pages,
my tears never ended.
.
i want my love today,
my happiness,
i want to rest in her,
that she may believe again,
i threw death away.
.
i want my life today,
i've thrown death away,
i ........... please
.
(c) Erik Minas-Gilkes, 11-22-2019

there, before the waters of loch Tummel,
now, between the highland hills,
i look to the sky, see written on the clouds,
my life as words reversed.
.
there, on the brilliant green shores,
now, as i think of gentler ways,
i touch rims of gray frosty mists,
(my reflections skip the horrible).
.
i see the past as what it was,
i dream the lush of future times,
my prayers are beauty in themselves,
i had but one love, it was you.  
.
(c) Erik 19 Jan 2020, 7:28 am

when the hour of my time visits me,
when i feel the fullness of the empty,
when life's meaning is but to die,
when all feeling abandons my satchel,
......i think of you to restore me.
.
if i were to fold time inwards,
if i were to match the old with the new,
if dreams were the second life,
if i were to sing again,
......i would sing to you.
.
now as i prepare for my departure,
now as i reflect on fallen moments,
ever as i walk under moonlight skies
and am indifferent to the cold,
......i think of hours lapsed, wasted in the void.
.
this moment is my offering,
this moment is my forgiving prayer,
it is my reformation
that i might journey with but one thought,
......i loved you greatly the only ways i knew
.
(c) Erik  Standswithtrees 24 Sept 2013, 8:20 pm

(n167)
.
i sink into a dark hole,
in a deep cave,
i won't hear,
the pains of the world,
the clashing of swords,
i sink into a cavern,
and enjoy the peace.
.
the sages have departed,
ending term at babylon,
horor,
left as singularity,
punished,
acquainted with friendly death,
best hope.
.
can't find the light,
sailing on dark seas,
beacons, fall to the depths,
a chalice of ambrosia, withheld,
light, forlorn, despairs,
nothingness becomes all,
and all is now empty.
.
not lost,
the singularity of my time,
an undefined thing,
humor of the gods,
toy for heaven,
lifted but mocked at will,
without escape.
.
scorned by storms,
the land,
exist in my mind,
the very weakness of me,
imagination, the laughing curse,
('she' knows me),
i am not lost, just lost.
.
(c) Erik Minas-Gilkes (Standswithtrees), 9/27/17  12:45am
Minas-Gilkes Clan, Kalinago Nation, Dominica

(n-58)
.
i am the branch of a willow tree,
hanging over swift waters,
fixed to a mighty trunk,
i can not fall,
in me, refuge and peril are harmonious.
.
i am a song of rivers,
my lyrics are swift and certain,
they are the empty thoughts,
i see music taking sojourn.
.
i am the butterfly of beginnings,
the lovely wings of brevity,
seeking darkness leading to light,
i fly quickly,
.
i am the loveless,
who sees within himself,
the many slain in battle,
i am the troubled.
.
i am the hopeful,
my name is 'stalwart',
shunned by the wretched,
i fall into grace.
.
i can not die,
loving angels offend me,
my name is 'dual-one',
i fear dragons of hate.
.
i am the longing,
hoping for the peace,
my name is 'victory',
i am forced into war.
.
i am death and life,
the anvil of hope,
strike and be heated,
i am love unused.
.
(c) erik, 14 April 2012, 3:32am

i arrived on earth as starlight,
lost memory of ten thousand years.
lived among the foul ones, as foul.
i recalled my beginnings,
and bathed in the lake of blue crystals.
i buried the fallen and became pure.
now, as a dove no man can see,
i return to my clan and the mystery of the quantum
.
(c) by erik standswithtrees, 29 Oct. 2012, 11:09am
Minas-Gilkes Clan, Kalinago Nation

n84
.
there by the rivers at Sina'lure,
atop hills of lavender grass,
now within the valley of the suffering,
my tears flow endlessly of the pain of this age
i have come to the west-lands,
that they know their discordant notes
and lend senses to the warmth of the ice.
.
the stench of opulent rulers,
the foulness of cowardly priests
the screams from merchants' doings,
have extended to the heavens
there is recompense brewing
i am gifted with sword of a loving edge
and a hand which may stir harsh winds,
to reveal error in the west,
and bring into being the love of future times
.
(c) Erik Monas-Gilkes (Standswithtrees),  9 April 2013, 3:16pm
Minas-Gilkes Clan, Kalinago Nation, Dominica

(n-99)
.
i am the thought of the willow tree
and the segment of a mountain,
encompassed by a gray cloud.
i require the hand of Her,
upon my left shoulder.
i speak to the edge of light,
and the crown of the forest deer.
i am the sounding of the sorrow,
and the blessing of the future joy.
i am replete with the gentle things,
and hold a sword culling error in the West,
my tears create rivers for i see the coming times.
yet She will comfort me.
.
(c) erik standswithtrees 14 Nov 2013, 2:58 am

(n115)
.
i am the form of the merciless,
and the tear of the hungered child,
slayer of the east-lands,
and assurance to the meek and worn.
i am scarred by earthly kin,
yet bearer of their standard.
i seek the end of all beginnings,
and the circles of all squares.
.
i am the symphony of my dreams,
and the mark of a stern sky,
the three of the morning
and the beast of ocean floors.
i live as encompassing joy.
i am starlight formed into flesh,
and...love immeasurable!
.
i am ethereal kind
.
(c) erik minas-gilkes (standswithtrees), 18 Oct 2014 1:11am
Minas-Gilkes Clan, Kalinago Nation

(n137)
.
the dawn has joined me for a morning meal,
and in the eve i dine with the setting of the sun,
i defend the children of heaven
and serve as summation of myself,
from my mother's blood come great warriors,
from my father's blood come great warriors,
i am the beauty and the justice
returned to stand with the trees
i bring to earth the love of future times,
.
(c) Erik Standswithtrees 07 June 2015, 08:38 AM

(n-179)
.
i learned a new word today-- lovely!
i heard a new thought today-- innocence
she was ravished by her father-- compassion
i learned a new beginning today-- giving
yesterday i am warrior at a wrong time-- benevolence
she, taught me how to close my eyes-- peace
tomorrow i learned a new word for today-- caring
(but today is finished-- Her !)
.
see the dark sun and the brightness of night?-- confounded?
i give her a new vision-- happiness!
am i redeemed?-- return!
too pure for this world, too strong to leave it-- laugh !
i am the hell-- suffer !
she teaches me the way of heaven-- touch !
majestic presence-- merging
i dreamed a new word today-- passion
(please take my name!)
.
(c) Erik Minas-Gilkes (Standswithtrees), 31 Aug 2018

(n56)
.
if waters wash
i must be bare
yet there i stand
in tigers lair
.
now still all forms
the beast's fixed gaze
peers to my soul
its complex maze
.
then with sharp eyes
it beckons me
and leads me to
a wounded tree
.
and with last breath
speaks lovingly
while drooping willows
stare at me
.
and while i mourn
suspended lore
the natural wreath
that warms earth's floor
.
a sprout breaks free
the future sure
i love the trees
majestic lure
.
my will is waned
the time is near
when lavn'der fields
my bed, no fear
.
both beast and tree
and angels sound
illustrious voice
to peace now bound
.
if choice again
its offering sure
i'll not pass through
the earth bound door
.
the tiger rests
the rivers calm
myself content,
Elysium grounds
.
(c) erik, 16 Apr 2012, 6:53am

(n191)
.
a letter to the best of you
a song to the heart of you
words to the soul of you
for all my life, you are my feeling
.
a stone of precious moonlight
a bird of feathers blue
drink a toast to beauty
for all my life you'll be my dream
.
a tear for memories past
a kiss upon imagined brow
dance the magic melody
for all my life you're in my heart
.
a love that stands beyond all wrath
a thought that sees you near me
shout to call you majesty
for all my life please call me 'always'
.
I wish i had my yesterday.
.
(c) Erik Minas Gilkes (Standswithtrees), 20 March 2019, 10:01am

THE WORLD CREATED WORLD
(ode to a brave lady)
(n192)
.
beverly went shopping tomorrow
she needed things for yesterday
chose a green ribbon
tied it to a red oak tree
i watched intensely
looked westward while walking east
we rested on winds of a northeast storm
.
(c) Erik Minas-Gilkes (Standswithtrees), 26 Mar 2019, 5:57am

(n162)
.
run straight and swift, i'll surely do
consume an arrow, i did for you
to lead the hopeless, i must not think
my clan to battle, tasteful drink
.
a warrior's pride's in his demise
the praise he seeks, aft death arise
his time is brief, short flower bloomed
a mother's grief, that she has wombed
.
embrace the pain, the cross is felled
the veil is off, and tears have swelled
oh lovely soul, would i protect
(and wondrous grace, she hath effect)
.
lay down your sword, to face the dawn
let wars be settled, thou withdrawn
the life of sorrow, training ground
now soul, receive the glorious crown
.
be greeted by her majesty!
.
(c) Erik Standswithtrees, 16 December 2016 08:57 pm

(n-65)
.
in the beauty of the bright sun
in the calm of the night sky
in the soothing heat of a summer day
in the cold of a winter's snow
.....i loved you
.
in the most gentle of moments
in the tempest of anger
in my darkest hours
in the time i thought to journey
.....i loved you
.
the eye of a storm has passed
gale winds dismiss my sword
sorrow has taken refuge
dark lord, to the void has sailed
.....because i love you
.
now, at the twilight of misery
now, at the rebirth of tranquility
now, when the sun remains high
i dwell in the complex of the West
.....to love you
.
(c) erik, 6/18/2012, 1:54 AM

place four stars on a mountain top
carve heads on the tallest trees
loving spirit, please sing a good song
wake me when the mountains fall
.
(c) Erik Minas-Gilkes (Standswithtrees) 23 Sept 2016, 9:05pm

deep crimson stallion of Mirthern...
the fortress beside Lithlin sea...
the place of my birth and the rites of war...
the mystic hand of a princess,
a touch that healed the unwounded...
the firm embrace of Paris,
such trouble in her soul,
"come run away with me!"
i failed her, and so she perished..

(c) Erik Minas-Gilkes 2009

(n159)
.
she is the sound of love,
and the purity of rivers,
"Whisper" is her name.
.
her heart a crystal spirit,
from a magical beach,
she bathes in holy waters.
.
may i hold your hand,
to heal my own?
your touch is sacred.
.
feast with me,
eat bread of starlight
i'll put a mark upon your brow.
.
laugh at playful dolphins
hear bird's enchanting melody,
let's sing the ancient love songs.
.
spring births devotion
trap it in a circle,
teach me all your names.
.
peace is in your arms,
fragrance in your love,
beauty's on your lips.
.
a bed of many roses,
blanket under evening stars,
let your waters cleanse me.
.
i thirst.
.
(c) Erik Standswithtrees, 31 October 2016, 05:21 pm

(n-166)
.
in westward winds,
under a dark storm cloud,
(i fear the northern winters),
i am warmed by a coat of snowflakes
each bearing an image of... loveliness
.
tall ocean waves,
a floundering ship,
strange voices from the deep,
i am rescued by a golden eagle,
it had the eyes of... an Apache.
.
long walks in freezing rain,
drowning in the flooding plains,
day is night, night is day,
i seized a small canoe,
it's name was... 'ethereal dream'
.
departing a barren land,
i sailed north-west by heaven's stars,
their glitter, beacon's memory
that birthed me new each day
and whispered in my ear... love
.
i seek eternal seafoam
that floats me to a sandy shore,
Elysium's forest to my front,
i'll sing a warrior's sonnet,
a lyric tribute to the beauty of... Yoko.
.
(c) Erik, 05 April 2017, 07:54pm

(n135)
.
let loving, season daily bread,
may gentleness anoint my soul,
lo, kindness! overtake me!
that i relinquish mortal ways,
and be then bound to beauty's path,
now set all sails to Elven seas,
and take me to Elysium!
.
(c) Erik, 18 May 2015, 10:23 pm

....
i have lived as a warrior.
and protected my essence from mortal's curse.
surround me strong winds!
that i may reunite with myself

(c) Erik 2009

(n142)
.
feed sparrows! water the rose bush!
save the running deer!
answer heavenly questions,
take part in the festival of blue,
love the thing that does not exist,
(i walk the singularity).
.
my soul, slain on a mountain top,
(did not **** the memories),
i ran with violent winds
do not dream of beauty,
brook was here; hanged himself,
i was there and lost belief in priests.
.
be loved by the loveless,
see valor within lavender halls?
the fallen are my comrades,
show me the right road,
i thirst.
.
(c) Erik Minas-Gilkes, 2 Jan 2016 8:26am

Essence of the Personal Life
(n169)
.
perfume is a love affair,
the change of senses
from earth to heaven
.
touch is a lover's road,
that stirs divine creation
from heaven to earth
.
song is an angel's prayer,
sounds of ethereal peace
heard from sea to sky
.
hands held, another voice,
language never spoken
(if only a duchess had understood)
.
the room of eternal flame,
lovers lost in a world they know
please do not rescue
.
look deep into the soul,
to find your own
passion's not enough
.
be beast, be angel,
be the other
know only that which is!
.
seek bless'd purity,
(if only a duchess had understood)
.
(c)  Erik Standswithtrees, 2017-11-08,  6:13am

You As I Enter Heaven?
(n131)
.
when my thoughts travel to the void,
as i walk icy roads,
and dark angels approach,
i think of you and gray turns to bright light.
.
if i let my dreams take full form,
holding nothing for fear of sorrow,
letting hope seem present time,
i see you beside me in such a loving way.
.
when arrows appear as fine meal,
each moment i delight on tall cliffs,
i remember the beauty of you,
beside you, loving gently.
.
you kept me alive in my darkest hour,
and made me send others to unhappiness,
how long can i live in despair,
will you be in my thoughts as i enter heaven?
.
(c) Erik Standswithtrees 04 Mar 2015, 2:32 am