Caveat Spender
by Michael R. Burch

It’s better not to speculate
"continually" on who is great.
Though relentless awe’s
a Célèbre Cause,
please reserve some time for the contemplation
of the perils of EXAGGERATION.

Stephen Spender in his best-known poem wrote: "I think continually of those who were truly great." This near-limerick suggests that Spender may have exaggerated the time he devoted to hero worship. Keywords/Tags: caveat, spender, truly, great, think, continually, hero, worship, exaggeration, contemplation, awe, fawn, fawning



Caveat
by Michael R. Burch

If only we were not so eloquent,
we might sing, and only sing, not to impress,
but only to enjoy, to be enjoyed.

We might inundate the earth with thankfulness
for light, although it dies, and make a song
of night descending on the earth like bliss,

with other lights beyond—not to be known—
but only to be welcomed and enjoyed,
before all worlds and stars are overthrown ...

as a lover’s hands embrace a sleeping face
and find it beautiful for emptiness
of all but joy. There is no thought to love

but love itself. How senseless to redress,
in darkness, such becoming nakedness . . .

Originally published by Clementine Unbound

Keywords/Tags: caveat, eloquent, eloquence, sing, enjoy, enjoyment, inundate, earth, thankfulness, praise, song, light, welcomed, enjoyed, enjoyment, bliss, joy, love

In time, imperfect being knows itself at such
And still accepts that it is
And isn't so much
That which is immediately wanted and more
For all could become in time, in time
So much more than that we ever were before

then...
was intangible
less than a spirit
its voice inaudible
color exited life.

now...
is truly tangible
a spirit with a bright aura
its voice so enticing and loud
that color is entering life again.

I'm not sure how to tell you this
While you sleep without my touch,
While you sleep not knowing my kiss,
I close my eyes and it's you I'm with.
There is no grand gesture I crave,
No exaggeration I have let my mind slip
Just the chance to part your hair from your forehead.
The thought leaves me a slave to you
With ropes I allow to be knotted through.

You once asked me to describe your soul,
Like poker, I took my cards to fold.
Words weren't created in your favor,
They put a standard to your features,
Masked beauty by insecurity to come later.
But if your soul could ever find a home,
In me, I would hold and never let go.
I could never describe it though,
The light it would show could swallow me whole.

I'm not sure if I have words that can sit
In a place next to your being
To compliment would be to criticize
The words coming out of my mouth  fleeting
Like my heart, fast-paced beating
In a moment to hold your attention,
Your gaze, your hand, your body.
I would take hold of whatever you allowed me.

Fire and ice
Both so opposite
But can't seem to not
Attract each other

I cannot get enough of you,
And I can't tell if that is good or bad,
Truly.
I am in love with you,
And I can't tell if that is good or bad,
Truly.
You make me enjoy life,
And I can't tell if that is good or bad,
Truly.
I would spend my life with you,
And I can't tell if that is good or bad,
Truly.
But truly,
I don't give a ****.
I love you,
And I am abandoning all fear.
I am trusting you,
Wholeheartedly.
And truly,
All I ask,
Is that you love me back.