Michael Stefan

Apr 2020

Thomas W Case

On the edge of autumn,
I see the sky and trees all
ablaze with color.
I can still smell the
smoldering fires of fierce youth,
when the landscape of my
heart was wild;
a wilderness that wouldn't
be tamed.
But I'm afraid that
old age has quenched my
thirst for adventure.
Even my poems have lost their teeth.
Gone are my scabbed up knees and
swords made out of sticks.
No beautiful maidens to rescue;
Just constipation to overcome;
as I listen to the
ticking of the clock.

#old #age #sadness #memories #death

Michael Stefan Apr 2020

Return: Masque of the Red Death

Speak thy name, watch them appear
Wicked grasp, we fill with fear
No bunkers left, for our escape
Darkness cometh, with crimson cape

Hard to breathe, as lungs fill up
Barren pantries, empty cups
Rotten fruit, falls from the vine
As nations hunger, we wait in line

Tiny demon, with mass impact
Conspiracies, without concrete fact
Markets crash, a lack of faith
Hunted by this ghostly wraith

With gloves on hands, we grasp
Masks on faces, we collapse
No news, no end in sight
This year brought forth an evil blight

Those without laid down and cried
Those with money, up and died
It came for young, and old alike
No shields worked, nor deadly pike

Wooden planks laid over graves
Dirt to shovel, with steel spades
Hard to dig, through rough-hewn stone
For the love of God, please stay at home

Please stay at home and prevent the spread of something that could take away someone else's loved one. The parks and beaches and bars will still be there when we come out of this. Be smart and listen to the facts, not the crazies on Youtube who have a medical degree from a crackerjack box. Stay safe everyone and pray for those who have to put their lives at risk making sure we all come out of this.

Michael Stefan Apr 2020

Washington

The flesh, corrupted
He said
We must remove the arm
And pray
The rot doesn't go to the bone

Just my take on what I see every day in Washington, D.C.

Michael Stefan Apr 2020

Toxic (10w)

I kissed her
and we made war
again and again

Michael Stefan Apr 2020

Lock of Hair

Auburn curls
droop wide and out of place
with shimmer so bright
like brilliant red lace
brings longing
as I stare
and begin to fill with fear
wishing only to brush that curl
back behind your ear

I was feeling kind of nostalgic and hopeful earlier today and wanted to share a simple rhymescape that describes how a lot of people feel when your crush has that one piece of hair out of place :) Such a surreal and romantic moment that might be had.

Michael Stefan Apr 2020

a musing in madness

sweet black trickle of rainwater in the dark
disturbing slumber of the squirrels in the park
who gather 'round to see the madman ride
upon his chariot pulled by nightmares in full stride
exhaust valves open as menagerie takes flight
piercing heavens, through clouds and out of sight
elegant dark design makes space travel simple
while his horrific monkey butler bangs on cymbals

I think the title says it all :)

Michael Stefan Apr 2020

Poetry: an Arsenal

We, poets, write the words
of the heart's deepest desires;
from love and loss,
our darkest corners,
or lighting social fires

We, poets, create armies
with the power of our verse
our words are legion
for they are many,
armed against the worst

We, poets, are an arsenal
of life experiences and pain
young or old,
brave and bold,
truth spilling on the page

We, poets, are a cataclysm
fighting through soft ignorance
bringing an end
to hollow hatreds
and sad indifference

We, poets, write swords in ink,
write shields in lead,
paint hope in rhymes,
and love with words,
creating to the end

We, poets, practice art of war
with every piece we write
gather words of wisdom
for we poets will not go
quietly into the long goodnight

I gave up on poetry for a long time. I loved it as a child and when I joined the Army, it wasn't cool. I received harsh criticism from my peers that I was just wasting my time. One of the proudest moments of my life was having a poem published at the age of 10. I will continue to write and write about the hard lessons I've learned. I'll write about every injustice I see and the failings of the human spirit that have affected me. Please, don't give up on your craft. Write the words you feel at the moment and share your love, and pain, and life, and sorrows with us. And never turn your back on a fellow artist. Love you guys!