#counsel
Your Gift
by Michael R. Burch
for Beth
Counsel, console.
This is your gift.
Calm, kiss and encourage.
Tenderly lift
each world-wounded heart
from its fatal dart.
Mend every rift.
Bid pain, “Depart!”
Save every sorrow
for your own untaught heart.
May 10, 2020
May 10, 2020 at 6:17 AM UTC
I jumped on my bike as fast as I could
but not fast enough, it did me no good
the bully kid was big and mean and acted very tough
laughing all the while he quickly knocked me on my duff
Rubbing grass in my mouth, slapping me in the face
him laughing at me, me feeling so disgraced
he punched me so hard then left me crying on the ground
I slowly stood up, was there anyone else around?
I gathered up my books and slowly climbed on my bike
and pedaled straight home mustering all of my might
"What happened to you, son?" Mom was the first to see
I cried as I replied "I got beat by a bully!"
"I'm so sorry for you son, I'm so sad that you were harmed"
just then my dad walked in and immediately looked alarmed
Dad quickly asked me "Son, did you give him back the same?"
I sheepishly said "no" re-experiencing the shame.
My dad just stared awhile then said "I don't like what you're becoming.
Next time you better fight, give the bully what he's got coming!
First you punch him in the stomach then you hit him in the face
He won't hurt you any more, when you put him in his place!"
I slowly nodded as he left, then Mom quickly gave my cheek a kiss
"I'm so proud of you son for not fighting him with your fist
The Lord's servant doesn't need to fight but should be gentle instead"
"Yes ma'am" I quickly said as conflicting counsel twirled round my head
The next 5 years at school when tensions flared I was a gentle talker
as a bully approached my sophomore year I threw him against his locker!
Thank you Mom and Dad!
Oct 19, 2019
Oct 19, 2019 at 3:13 PM UTC
What failures
oh the failures of leaving home at seventeen
of living and thriving as a minority foreigner
of working and studying to post-grad levels
of maturing wonderfully and being up and decent
of loving and marrying and creating a good home
of no crime, no debts, not a drunk, not a player
of no stained reputation, no borrowing or theft
of being easy-going, nice and friendly, an all-rounder
what failures
the failure of being successful and capable in grace
the failure of doing so well a white neighbor burgled
the failure of saying that's not right, you're rotten thieves
the failure of standing up to bullying thieving mobs
the failure of being gangstalked and destroyed
the failure of being an educated professional black
the failure of being a solid, courageous, wholesome man
the failure of knowing you can't do wrong and get by
Ladies and Gentlemen
these are my failures
Its all there in black and white
its the failure of being a minority
In the british democracy of the Socialists
for it is greed to work hard and be successful
its a failure for blacks to aspire and do well when your white
neighbor is a drunken, welfare dependent waster and thief
And Blacks beware, for if you dare tell them to go change
you will be stalked, hounded, smeared, defamed, humiliated
harassed, bullied, slandered, sabotaged, and basically driven to
suicide or a breakdown
They manufacture Failures to reflect their own failures
They call it Trading Places and dish it out to 'Uppity' Blacks
Aug 18, 2019
Aug 18, 2019 at 7:40 AM UTC
You have greater worth than you suppose.
So, please listen to what I propose.
Don't default to self-less,
but be more deliberate in your selflessness
leaving space for a little selfish too.
Dont settle for less. Don't just make do.
Learn what makes you happy and then embrace it.
Recognise what makes you angry
and carefully express it
without being cranky
confront frankly and talk.
Don't just shut down and walk.
And accept the help your friends offer.
They wouldn't have offered if they couldn't be bothered.
Your friends have an investment in your friendship,
so don't let those friendships slip. They too benefit.
When you make contact, know you do not impose.
Because, it's true, you are of far greater worth
than you have presupposed.
Apr 25, 2019
Apr 25, 2019 at 5:29 AM UTC
O Counsel! Now I am bound to withdraw,
I must - for there is no prudent rhyme or
Melody that I might compose, save awe
Or list’ning silence, unless to the door
You lead me, and open it as well, for
Guidance and discerning are yours, and none
save you directing has e’er glory won.
O Counsel! I may distinguish right from
Left, but no more; to mark right from wrong, such
Judgement belongs to thee. Life’s very drum
Beats in or out of tune, little or much,
According to thy reckoning; your touch
Is my rule, for whate’er song the world sings,
Thou alone art the measure of all things.
O Counsel! Hear me, and to me descend!
Sweet Prudence! Guard against folly and fad!
Good Judgement, on whom I wholly depend!
Decisions without thee are all but mad,
The path which follows thee is sweet and glad!
Advisor, as discreet as thou art great,
Whoe’er seeks thy word second, asks too late!
Nov 14, 2017
Nov 14, 2017 at 2:00 PM UTC
I'm falling he said looking away
Distance in his eyes
I asked him if it was love or dismay
And to my surprise, he said both
With a smile that could only bring tears
He sighed and looked me in the eye
And I caught a glimpse of it through the fear
The hope he could not deny
He would not be the mistakes
That made his voice shake
He would not succumb
To the fear that made him numb
He made himself a promise
To be strong, and make courage his form
And that this, this was not his end.
But just life's journey's bend.
I his comforter was comforted to know,
All I had to do for him to grow
Was sit in silence,
While he decided his future.
Amazed at the man my boy had become.
And the boy who sat by his side.
May 2, 2017
May 2, 2017 at 6:22 AM UTC
Babay.
Aalis na si tatay.
Bantayan niyo ang bahay.
Abangan niyo si nanay,
may pasalubong na alay --
isang halik na may laway!
Matagal siyang nawalay.
Umalis sa'ting bahay.
Nagbago ng buhay.
Naghanap ng karamay.
Sana'y di siya masanay
sa bago niyang buhay,
at umuwi na sa atin
bago pa'ko ilamay!
Jan 18, 2016
Jan 18, 2016 at 12:32 AM UTC
“Whispering together before a storm,
The leaves take counsel;
And some fly down.”
Apr 15, 2015
Apr 15, 2015 at 5:03 PM UTC