the heart feels a gypsy
the mind a vagabond
the eyes get misty
by the lilies in the pond

bloom the petals pinkish
smudged with streaks of white
swaying slow by wind's kiss
glory displayed bright

upon the slender neckline
crowns of innocent smiles
fill all dark with sunshine
wipe out weary miles

o traveler feel the invite
merrily pause to respond
be a while in sunlight
among the lilies of the pond

For her
he was always the man
on the other side of the table.

He was fond of it that way
so he could see her face
read the shades and lights
crack jokes through the grim times
when on the table was little
brimmed plenty in their hearts
and her tears when flowed
were not of unfulfilled needs
but a happiness she couldn’t grasp.

She doesn’t know
what she misses is love
or a mere habit.

She only knows
food doesn’t taste the same
without the man
on the other side of the table.

Lookin' for a definition
The search engine position
It's a tricky proposition
Siri's off upon her mission

The standard answer is her stance
Has she ever been entranced
By starry eyes or moon's that dance?
Without a heart...? Not a chance

But maybe in her circuit board
There's an AI song... a chord...
In her there is some reward
Her humanity restored

Maybe in her silicon mind
There's a place where she can find
A way to let go and unwind....

No.

To her, love's truly *blind

When the day was dying
I was back to the market.

The last time I was there
haggled with her over the price.

She wanted to sell high
I wanted to buy low.

You win she said at last
I bought high
but have to sell low.

I knew she was lying.

This time she wasn't there.

Someone said
her man had left for another woman
and she hadn't since been seen.

The deepening evening hung like a dagger of pain.

She was never good at bargain.

By Arcassin Burnham


I'm sorry,
I'm trying,
To make it right,
And all your tears can put out fires,
Lets spark a light,
Ive got nothing to run back to,
So isolated,
Choose to hate,  or can you choose,
Lost in translation,

Why do you take things to heart    in this life,
Why do you take things so personal,
I watched your heart melt
in my hands,
Now personalities getting very comical,
And still,
And still,
You take things so personal,
And still,
And still,
You use to be sensual.

Did you guide me, while I grew
Did you teach me, all I knew

When I was lost, did you lead me home
When I was cold, did you keep me warm

When I had doubts, did you set me straight
When I rushed too fast, did you make me wait

When I was scared, did you make me strong
When I was alone, were you, still along

Did you give me love, to enjoy its pleasure
Did you bring me family, so I could treasure

When life was dark, were you my light
When I was wrong, did you set me right

When disaster struck, did you take my pain
Did you make me whole, so I could feel again          

Did you stand by me, as I forgot
As life progressed, and I did not

When I knew nothing, but a docile stare
When meaning left, were you still there

Did you let me die, when my life was thru
My slate swept clean, of what was due

Now that I understand, this to be true
Did you bring me here, to live with YOU
BOEMS BY JA 362

When I was young and bold and strong,
Oh, right was right, and wrong was wrong!
My plume on high, my flag unfurled,
I rode away to right the world.
"Come out, you dogs, and fight!" said I,
And wept there was but once to die.

But I am old; and good and bad
Are woven in a crazy plaid.
I sit and say, "The world is so;
And he is wise who lets it go.
A battle lost, a battle won--
The difference is small, my son."

Inertia rides and riddles me;
The which is called Philosophy.