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"footed" poems
A pair of lily white wings    dangling in the dappled moonlight esprit; hang entangled as silken spider web    draped in the sweet Magnolia tree From beneath there was no way of knowing    why a pair of abandoned wings lodge mislaid One could not help but wonder how high    one might fly with cherub wings But these callused feet tread far below the treetops    too high up from roots to climb No telltale tiptoe prints cavort to be the talebearer    No feathered traces scattered all around A hearken say, tickle-footed as a ladybug,    hold forth in a breeze brushed ear Not completely undoubtable heed spoken;    a language bestow from another ether softly breathe a whisper'd sigh: "Behold the wings of a fallen angel;    uplifted by love's amazing grace Lost alone in a moonstruck blindness    an angel flying too close            to the ground                       ~                    Jesse
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Mar 8, 2018
Mar 8, 2018 at 3:05 PM UTC
A Lost Angel's Wings
in Just- spring when the world is mud- luscious the little lame baloonman whistles far and wee and eddieandbill come running from marbles and piracies and it’s spring when the world is puddle-wonderful the queer old baloonman whistles far and wee and bettyandisbel come dancing from hop-scotch and jump-rope and it’s spring and the goat-footed baloonMan whistles far and wee
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In Just-
it ain't easy, when you relate, restrict and delegate, when you draw a narrow lane on a highway that says only left footed poets need apply <> it does not say **slow cars stay to the right, only trucks, or oddly even, no trucks** I love seasonality, without thickly thinking you take a break from the poetry writing one day I'll figure out a way to monetize my love poems, publish them as Shakespeare's couple(t)s, "new edition plus a couple of newfound poems!" maybe some fools will buy some thinking Shakespeare has been, resurrected! *love grows goes hot all over and grow slower older and grow colder, in between those fine ticklish teasing moments* when the miracle of resurrection repeats itself something is said a gesture is made a finger strokes the cheek, unexpected and it all comes rushing back again, overfilling that coffee cup mug she bought just(ice) for you *ain't gonna check how long it's been since last I declaimed, disclaimed, inflamed, these pages with an only love poem but I do know this: it is something I think about, It is something I know about, it is something I feel about daily even on the nothing days, when routine takes over I know you couldn't remember of its passage, is the waking up and the lying down to sleep* but the poets eyes are always open his emotive secret senses, always alert, what's that thing they always say, his heart just wasn't in it! (🥴if they only knew the truth😘)
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Jun 25, 2025
Jun 25, 2025 at 6:04 PM UTC
when love grows old
Original French Dictes moy ou, n'en quel pays, Est Flora la belle Rommaine, Archipiades ne Thaïs, Qui fut sa cousine germaine, Echo parlant quant bruyt on maine Dessus riviere ou sus estan, Qui beaulté ot trop plus q'humaine. Mais ou sont les neiges d'antan? Ou est la tres sage Helloïs, Pour qui chastré fut et puis moyne Pierre Esbaillart a Saint Denis? Pour son amour ot ceste essoyne. Semblablement, ou est la royne Qui commanda que Buridan Fust geté en ung sac en Saine? Mais ou sont les neiges d'antan? La royne Blanche comme lis Qui chantoit a voix de seraine, Berte au grand pié, Beatris, Alis, Haremburgis qui tint le Maine, Et Jehanne la bonne Lorraine Qu'Englois brulerent a Rouan; Ou sont ilz, ou, Vierge souvraine? Mais ou sont les neiges d'antan? Prince, n'enquerez de sepmaine Ou elles sont, ne de cest an, Qu'a ce reffrain ne vous remaine: Mais ou sont les neiges d'antan? English Translation Ballad Of The Ladies Of Yore Tell me where, in what country, Is Flora the beautiful Roman, Archipiada or Thais Who was first cousin to her once, Echo who speaks when there's a sound On a pond or a river Whose beauty was more than human? But where are the snows of yesteryear? Where is the leamed Heloise For whom they castrated Pierre Abelard And made him a monk at Saint-Denis, For his love he took this pain, Likewise where is the queen Who commanded that Buridan Be thrown in a sack into the Seine? But where are the snows of yesteryear? The queen white as a lily Who sang with a siren's voice, Big-footed Bertha, Beatrice, Alice, Haremburgis who held Maine And Jeanne the good maid of Lorraine Whom the English bumt at Rouen, where, Where are they, sovereign ****** But where are the snows of yesteryear? Prince, don't ask me in a week or in a year what place they are; I can only give you this refrain: Where are the snows of yesteryear?
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Ballade Des Dames De Temps Jadis (Ballad Of The Ladies Of Yore)
Original French Dictes moy ou, n'en quel pays, Est Flora la belle Rommaine, Archipiades ne Thaïs, Qui fut sa cousine germaine, Echo parlant quant bruyt on maine Dessus riviere ou sus estan, Qui beaulté ot trop plus q'humaine. Mais ou sont les neiges d'antan? Ou est la tres sage Helloïs, Pour qui chastré fut et puis moyne Pierre Esbaillart a Saint Denis? Pour son amour ot ceste essoyne. Semblablement, ou est la royne Qui commanda que Buridan Fust geté en ung sac en Saine? Mais ou sont les neiges d'antan? La royne Blanche comme lis Qui chantoit a voix de seraine, Berte au grand pié, Beatris, Alis, Haremburgis qui tint le Maine, Et Jehanne la bonne Lorraine Qu'Englois brulerent a Rouan; Ou sont ilz, ou, Vierge souvraine? Mais ou sont les neiges d'antan? Prince, n'enquerez de sepmaine Ou elles sont, ne de cest an, Qu'a ce reffrain ne vous remaine: Mais ou sont les neiges d'antan? English Translation Ballad Of The Ladies Of Yore Tell me where, in what country, Is Flora the beautiful Roman, Archipiada or Thais Who was first cousin to her once, Echo who speaks when there's a sound On a pond or a river Whose beauty was more than human? But where are the snows of yesteryear? Where is the leamed Heloise For whom they castrated Pierre Abelard And made him a monk at Saint-Denis, For his love he took this pain, Likewise where is the queen Who commanded that Buridan Be thrown in a sack into the Seine? But where are the snows of yesteryear? The queen white as a lily Who sang with a siren's voice, Big-footed Bertha, Beatrice, Alice, Haremburgis who held Maine And Jeanne the good maid of Lorraine Whom the English bumt at Rouen, where, Where are they, sovereign ****** But where are the snows of yesteryear? Prince, don't ask me in a week or in a year what place they are; I can only give you this refrain: Where are the snows of yesteryear?
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59
Time to be in Tune with my own Best Dad Much would it take to cause Celebration Sermons apart, yet Insights I just had Took me some Yards taped for Inspiration Rarely such Species can just Understand The Skirted *** most Males eliminate Still most Sires force their Sons on Demand To spout their Seeds for Pride to propagate If you can recall those Sales-Slips within How Footed and Devote your Presence was Tri-Dimed Corporate; Or Sea-Tigers therein Is just the Greeting Card I'll Love at last. Senior come hither; In Prime Deposit Father my Mentor; In Wisdom ask it.
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Mar 9, 2013
Mar 9, 2013 at 5:08 AM UTC
SONNET TRIBUTE: JESUS ***** C. MANDREZA JR.
XXVIII. TO ATHENA (18 lines) (ll. 1-16) I begin to sing of Pallas Athene, the glorious goddess, bright-eyed, inventive, unbending of heart, pure ****** saviour of cities, courageous, Tritogeneia. From his awful head wise Zeus himself bare her arrayed in warlike arms of flashing gold, and awe seized all the gods as they gazed. But Athena sprang quickly from the immortal head and stood before Zeus who holds the aegis, shaking a sharp spear: great Olympus began to reel horribly at the might of the bright-eyed goddess, and earth round about cried fearfully, and the sea was moved and tossed with dark waves, while foam burst forth suddenly: the bright Son of Hyperion stopped his swift-footed horses a long while, until the maiden Pallas Athene had stripped the heavenly armour from her immortal shoulders. And wise Zeus was glad. (ll. 17-18) And so hail to you, daughter of Zeus who holds the aegis! Now I will remember you and another song as well.
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The Homeric Hymns: 28- To Athena
I knew she was like water, she'd probably wish to be compared to a sea but she was more like a lake. Still, calm, never moving without an outside force. But still I loved her. Her calming waters soothed my wounds and her reflective surface forced me to see myself the way I am. But still she never moved. I could ripple her surface, make her waters splash upon new sides of her shores, but in doing so I watched in somber wonder as she washed the people in her shallows up upon her banks, sore and bruised down to their hearts, and neither would reach for the other, trapped in the curse of stillness. She assured me she loved me, she assured me I'd always stay in the deepest depth of her heart. And yet slowly, what was once a depth so warm and vast, I found my toes grazing the bottom, and every time I did I tried to swim back, back to where the water was endless, bottomless, yet never could I stay there long. Other people were causing wakes, and fighting against them was becoming difficult, for I am not the strongest swimmer. I began to wonder whether I was still welcome, for her silences were getting longer, her ripples I could cause we're so much smaller, and in my self doubt those wakes moved me ever closer to the shore, and with each step I could take full footed along the bottom I began to sob. I tried curling myself into a ball in those shallows, tried to allow the water to cover my head and tell myself I still mattered. But the water here was so frigid, my lips began to turn blue and my lungs burned. I'd return to the surface and take long breaths and use them to scream silently. From where I stood, the water only knee deep I saw the figure of a man at her center, and as he raised his arms my scream became caught in my throat, and as his arms slammed upon her surface I saw the wave come rushing toward me, the longer it moved the more it grew and I said silently to myself "this is the end." In those surreal seconds I remembered the others, and was reminded of her stillness, and in those horrible moments I knew I was nothing anymore, just another piece of useless trash to be lying upon her shore.
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Jul 2, 2015
Jul 2, 2015 at 3:30 PM UTC
A Woman Like Water
I knew she was like water, she'd probably wish to be compared to a sea but she was more like a lake. Still, calm, never moving without an outside force. But still I loved her. Her calming waters soothed my wounds and her reflective surface forced me to see myself the way I am. But still she never moved. I could ripple her surface, make her waters splash upon new sides of her shores, but in doing so I watched in somber wonder as she washed the people in her shallows up upon her banks, sore and bruised down to their hearts, and neither would reach for the other, trapped in the curse of stillness. She assured me she loved me, she assured me I'd always stay in the deepest depth of her heart. And yet slowly, what was once a depth so warm and vast, I found my toes grazing the bottom, and every time I did I tried to swim back, back to where the water was endless, bottomless, yet never could I stay there long. Other people were causing wakes, and fighting against them was becoming difficult, for I am not the strongest swimmer. I began to wonder whether I was still welcome, for her silences were getting longer, her ripples I could cause we're so much smaller, and in my self doubt those wakes moved me ever closer to the shore, and with each step I could take full footed along the bottom I began to sob. I tried curling myself into a ball in those shallows, tried to allow the water to cover my head and tell myself I still mattered. But the water here was so frigid, my lips began to turn blue and my lungs burned. I'd return to the surface and take long breaths and use them to scream silently. From where I stood, the water only knee deep I saw the figure of a man at her center, and as he raised his arms my scream became caught in my throat, and as his arms slammed upon her surface I saw the wave come rushing toward me, the longer it moved the more it grew and I said silently to myself "this is the end." In those surreal seconds I remembered the others, and was reminded of her stillness, and in those horrible moments I knew I was nothing anymore, just another piece of useless trash to be lying upon her shore.
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7
99 cent wars, rooftops, Gibraltar Screaming "god bless the fabulous" Christs; In the eyes of years Man is king only over that which breathes, So let's throw hugs in the air, sit on flowers and vanish to Cook stones on the hips of Cleopatra with all of December's left footed children For through the cried ***** tears of furry German banana caskets, Eternity awaits In the failures of our greatest triumphs, So let's dance After all, Psychological Wednesday societies Are only good for curing Xbox manifestos and Tuesday sanities And if we died one day, it sure won't be yesterday.
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Jul 9, 2013
Jul 9, 2013 at 7:41 PM UTC
All of December's Left Footed Children
Brother, our young summers held us in a long chain like the phalanx of bronzed soldiers forward flung, And the lion was skinned and hung out to dry like the sunned-fur of the beach at Marathon. Brother, help me to dream again. Brother, our yellowed days shook us like serried Hoplites of an atomic age, Shoulder to shoulder, friction rubbed, all ranks split from the fissioned-flanks. Brother, help me to dream again. Storm-footed Titans of heat, dust, and irradiated wind pry from a ruptured Tartarus, The flanks are an open pulse; the scorch-song thirsts for its sea-cooling to stone. Brother, the lion lives that wears your skull around its mane. Brother, dream of me again, of Persian arrows and lances, And my fallen eyes instead of yours pouring in With a sea of lavender water and mists And summers of once-were.
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Jun 8, 2019
Jun 8, 2019 at 8:59 PM UTC
Summer War of Youth
It was a hundred years ago, When, by the woodland ways, The traveller saw the wild deer drink, Or crop the birchen sprays. Beneath a hill, whose rocky side O'erbrowed a grassy mead, And fenced a cottage from the wind, A deer was wont to feed. She only came when on the cliffs The evening moonlight lay, And no man knew the secret haunts In which she walked by day. White were her feet, her forehead showed A spot of silvery white, That seemed to glimmer like a star In autumn's hazy night. And here, when sang the whippoorwill, She cropped the sprouting leaves, And here her rustling steps were heard On still October eves. But when the broad midsummer moon Rose o'er that grassy lawn, Beside the silver-footed deer There grazed a spotted fawn. The cottage dame forbade her son To aim the rifle here; "It were a sin," she said, "to harm Or fright that friendly deer. "This spot has been my pleasant home Ten peaceful years and more; And ever, when the moonlight shines, She feeds before our door. "The red men say that here she walked A thousand moons ago; They never raise the war-whoop here, And never twang the bow. "I love to watch her as she feeds, And think that all is well While such a gentle creature haunts The place in which we dwell." The youth obeyed, and sought for game In forests far away, Where, deep in silence and in moss, The ancient woodland lay. But once, in autumn's golden time, He ranged the wild in vain, Nor roused the pheasant nor the deer, And wandered home again. The crescent moon and crimson eve Shone with a mingling light; The deer, upon the grassy mead, Was feeding full in sight. He raised the rifle to his eye, And from the cliffs around A sudden echo, shrill and sharp, Gave back its deadly sound. Away into the neighbouring wood The startled creature flew, And crimson drops at morning lay Amid the glimmering dew. Next evening shone the waxing moon As sweetly as before; The deer upon the grassy mead Was seen again no more. But ere that crescent moon was old, By night the red men came, And burnt the cottage to the ground, And slew the youth and dame. Now woods have overgrown the mead, And hid the cliffs from sight; There shrieks the hovering hawk at noon, And prowls the fox at night.
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The White-Footed Deer
It was a hundred years ago, When, by the woodland ways, The traveller saw the wild deer drink, Or crop the birchen sprays. Beneath a hill, whose rocky side O'erbrowed a grassy mead, And fenced a cottage from the wind, A deer was wont to feed. She only came when on the cliffs The evening moonlight lay, And no man knew the secret haunts In which she walked by day. White were her feet, her forehead showed A spot of silvery white, That seemed to glimmer like a star In autumn's hazy night. And here, when sang the whippoorwill, She cropped the sprouting leaves, And here her rustling steps were heard On still October eves. But when the broad midsummer moon Rose o'er that grassy lawn, Beside the silver-footed deer There grazed a spotted fawn. The cottage dame forbade her son To aim the rifle here; "It were a sin," she said, "to harm Or fright that friendly deer. "This spot has been my pleasant home Ten peaceful years and more; And ever, when the moonlight shines, She feeds before our door. "The red men say that here she walked A thousand moons ago; They never raise the war-whoop here, And never twang the bow. "I love to watch her as she feeds, And think that all is well While such a gentle creature haunts The place in which we dwell." The youth obeyed, and sought for game In forests far away, Where, deep in silence and in moss, The ancient woodland lay. But once, in autumn's golden time, He ranged the wild in vain, Nor roused the pheasant nor the deer, And wandered home again. The crescent moon and crimson eve Shone with a mingling light; The deer, upon the grassy mead, Was feeding full in sight. He raised the rifle to his eye, And from the cliffs around A sudden echo, shrill and sharp, Gave back its deadly sound. Away into the neighbouring wood The startled creature flew, And crimson drops at morning lay Amid the glimmering dew. Next evening shone the waxing moon As sweetly as before; The deer upon the grassy mead Was seen again no more. But ere that crescent moon was old, By night the red men came, And burnt the cottage to the ground, And slew the youth and dame. Now woods have overgrown the mead, And hid the cliffs from sight; There shrieks the hovering hawk at noon, And prowls the fox at night.
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72
Hidden at the back of my mind an idyllic vision taking a trip to span all continents. Travel to Asia's Great Wall, Europe's Eiffel Tower Africa's Giza Pyramid, America's Statue of Liberty. Travel by Aladdin's magic carpet spell-bound and comfortable, yet bewitched. Travel for too long for an endless trip, there it is my destination. A final full of dreams, a final to come true a destination that fir altogether a destination with that jigsaw. I cry to reach for destination I wait for long hours, saying myself when I reach it - that will be it this trip is for lasting happiness. But last destination lost it's a dram, can't believe t'was a dream a dream which outdistances me. Next time, I promise not to travel with that genie's carpet again go to walk through path untrodden go to climb Mt. Mayon, swim more to the Pacific deep go bare footed in the Gobi I promise, I promise to live more my travel the destination, the next stop sooner in sight than I expect it to be.
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Jun 13, 2012
Jun 13, 2012 at 2:55 AM UTC
Travel 2018916
I see apes walking on ice, I see snakes slithering on snow, lively eyes indulge my dream, and it haunts me. worry, worry, worry. marked drips on a stained walkway catch my stare so often I forgot I was looking by two levels, I drop. the ground awaits me. today, I am sure-footed; I will not buckle. an enigma passes: I wrest free my heart, but too late! all that is left... a cold afternoon, a quiet memory, a regretful encounter. and countless others who, in unfortunate confidence might turn away in disdain... they won't know a flower's scent. if I were one of them, I would stand up and say, "Advance, Collingchance! Attach your legions to mine, and together we will conquer!" or I would approach you like a highwayman and make demands of you.... but since I am not, my only demand is that you accept me for what I am.
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Dec 24, 2017
Dec 24, 2017 at 11:52 AM UTC
worry, worry, worry
One without looks in tonight Through the curtain-chink From the sheet of glistening white; One without looks in tonight As we sit and think By the fender-brink. We do not discern those eyes Watching in the snow; Lit by lamps of rosy dyes We do not discern those eyes Wandering, aglow Four-footed, tiptoe.
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The Fallow Deer At The Lonely House
The clock gets me. It comes to me in the middle of the night Pulls back the sheets and says, "Hey fucko." Then it lifts open my sobby wet sand-encrusted lids, It knows when I'm trying at sleep, pumping quarters Like I was swallowing yawns, sometimes I try to squint Harder and take a dream to the next level, whatever The next level is. It's like Friday night when I wanted to go Out to do something, whatever something is. Because I know that if I don't I'll miss that thing that's so Important that if I were to miss it the clock wouldn't come for me Again. And on Tuesday's when I'm knotting a dream around 2 o' clock In the morning, my web-footed adventure, say, killing your Boyfriend, say Fighting the Nazis, say, Rediscovering that you sent nudie pics to That rando guy we met in that club that lives in Prague- I throw the clock at the ******* wall. Because who knows, I make the bed wrong Or maybe I don't cook right, or look right, or Smile the right way at the right Time. And you start thinking that I have to die. The bane of my existence is an imagined feat in your Walnut-sized brain, slowly numbing us while we're Supposed to be, say Listening to the rich, Oxford voice of David Attenborough. Instead you're thumbing through that index of CVS cashiers, just trying to find a scruffy face To flip your digits to, your homemade justification. It becomes A feat, an unjust cause of mine to Get it right, that imaginative and artificial bit you've Been sewing up Monday twilight. That's when I go out and jaw your sister, somewhere between A smirk on your face and a bit of anger at the end of your sentences.
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May 2, 2014
May 2, 2014 at 3:19 PM UTC
F**k Jaw
The clock gets me. It comes to me in the middle of the night Pulls back the sheets and says, "Hey fucko." Then it lifts open my sobby wet sand-encrusted lids, It knows when I'm trying at sleep, pumping quarters Like I was swallowing yawns, sometimes I try to squint Harder and take a dream to the next level, whatever The next level is. It's like Friday night when I wanted to go Out to do something, whatever something is. Because I know that if I don't I'll miss that thing that's so Important that if I were to miss it the clock wouldn't come for me Again. And on Tuesday's when I'm knotting a dream around 2 o' clock In the morning, my web-footed adventure, say, killing your Boyfriend, say Fighting the Nazis, say, Rediscovering that you sent nudie pics to That rando guy we met in that club that lives in Prague- I throw the clock at the ******* wall. Because who knows, I make the bed wrong Or maybe I don't cook right, or look right, or Smile the right way at the right Time. And you start thinking that I have to die. The bane of my existence is an imagined feat in your Walnut-sized brain, slowly numbing us while we're Supposed to be, say Listening to the rich, Oxford voice of David Attenborough. Instead you're thumbing through that index of CVS cashiers, just trying to find a scruffy face To flip your digits to, your homemade justification. It becomes A feat, an unjust cause of mine to Get it right, that imaginative and artificial bit you've Been sewing up Monday twilight. That's when I go out and jaw your sister, somewhere between A smirk on your face and a bit of anger at the end of your sentences.
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37
What's your take on walking? My body serves my soul and tells me how to go. My heart, affixed -- aims to show. These ways I’ve walked in my shoes and stockings. I've looked to heaven’s stars, to daylit clouds, when I've stepped out, or dropped my gaze to track the ground. Yes, it is true—whoever passed me by could have taken offense and supposed I lacked my confidence. And ofttimes, I strode out straight and true as if toward a far mist horizon. Un-manifest future, even peek-a-boo, could be comprehended?  I should doubt it. And if I wished to address an occasional in-the-dumps, lost-at-sea feeling, I'd shut my eyes, and walk backwards -- owl-like, swivel 360 my head. Backwards blind circumspection seemed worthy my try; Ask--Who am I? I would story where I’d been. In my most spontaneous of nature foot-trafficking, in roulette walk; my spin of gun chamber click-- ant, spider, beetle, and the occasional sighing snail had fled my shadow shoe? As slow drift clouds in a sky game would play with the sun to hide—creatures had sought me out, sung their farewells?  (it was an excellent day to die) Let me tell it, as it had happened today, and truth says how. My feet, they had gotten to waltz-walking. O how my body and soul danced a-fancy free. Love was brimming out of me; happiness whispered her wordless name; and my tongue tripped nonsensical. So if, at last, you've kept a-pace with me in sympathetic striding, then perhaps you would surmise: there never could be a flat-footed me, when I spout off with poem-talking. Now, what’s your take on walking?
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Oct 31, 2015
Oct 31, 2015 at 12:12 PM UTC
Walking
What's your take on walking? My body serves my soul and tells me how to go. My heart, affixed -- aims to show. These ways I’ve walked in my shoes and stockings. I've looked to heaven’s stars, to daylit clouds, when I've stepped out, or dropped my gaze to track the ground. Yes, it is true—whoever passed me by could have taken offense and supposed I lacked my confidence. And ofttimes, I strode out straight and true as if toward a far mist horizon. Un-manifest future, even peek-a-boo, could be comprehended?  I should doubt it. And if I wished to address an occasional in-the-dumps, lost-at-sea feeling, I'd shut my eyes, and walk backwards -- owl-like, swivel 360 my head. Backwards blind circumspection seemed worthy my try; Ask--Who am I? I would story where I’d been. In my most spontaneous of nature foot-trafficking, in roulette walk; my spin of gun chamber click-- ant, spider, beetle, and the occasional sighing snail had fled my shadow shoe? As slow drift clouds in a sky game would play with the sun to hide—creatures had sought me out, sung their farewells?  (it was an excellent day to die) Let me tell it, as it had happened today, and truth says how. My feet, they had gotten to waltz-walking. O how my body and soul danced a-fancy free. Love was brimming out of me; happiness whispered her wordless name; and my tongue tripped nonsensical. So if, at last, you've kept a-pace with me in sympathetic striding, then perhaps you would surmise: there never could be a flat-footed me, when I spout off with poem-talking. Now, what’s your take on walking?
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45
A dancing Bear grotesque and funny Earned for his master heaps of money, Gruff yet good-natured, fond of honey, And cheerful if the day was sunny. Past hedge and ditch, past pond and wood He tramped, and on some common stood; There, cottage children circling gaily, He in their midmost footed daily. Pandean pipes and drum and muzzle Were quite enough his brain to puzzle: But like a philosophic bear He let alone extraneous care And danced contented anywhere. Still, year on year, and wear and tear, Age even the gruffest, bluffest bear. A day came when he scarce could prance, And when his master looked askance On dancing Bear who would not dance. To looks succeeded blows; hard blows Battered his ears and poor old nose. From bluff and gruff he waxed curmudgeon; He danced indeed, but danced in dudgeon, Capered in fury fast and faster. Ah, could he once but hug his master And perish in one joint disaster! But deafness, blindness, weakness growing, Not fury's self could keep him going. One dark day when the snow was snowing His cup was brimmed to overflowing: He tottered, toppled on one side, Growled once, and shook his head, and died. The master kicked and struck in vain, The weary drudge had distanced pain And never now would wince again. The master growled; he might have howled Or coaxed,--that slave's last growl was growled. So gnawed by rancor and chagrin One thing remained: he sold the skin. What next the man did is not worth Your notice or my setting forth, But hearken what befell at last. His idle working days gone past, And not one friend and not one penny Stored up (if ever he had any Friends; but his coppers had been many), All doors stood shut against him but The workhouse door, which cannot shut. There he droned on,--a grim old sinner, Toothless, and grumbling for his dinner, Unpitied quite, uncared for much (The rate-payers not favoring such), Hungry and gaunt, with time to spare; Perhaps the hungry, gaunt old Bear Danced back, a haunting memory. Indeed, I hope so, for you see If once the hard old heart relented, The hard old man may have repented.
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Brother Bruin
A dancing Bear grotesque and funny Earned for his master heaps of money, Gruff yet good-natured, fond of honey, And cheerful if the day was sunny. Past hedge and ditch, past pond and wood He tramped, and on some common stood; There, cottage children circling gaily, He in their midmost footed daily. Pandean pipes and drum and muzzle Were quite enough his brain to puzzle: But like a philosophic bear He let alone extraneous care And danced contented anywhere. Still, year on year, and wear and tear, Age even the gruffest, bluffest bear. A day came when he scarce could prance, And when his master looked askance On dancing Bear who would not dance. To looks succeeded blows; hard blows Battered his ears and poor old nose. From bluff and gruff he waxed curmudgeon; He danced indeed, but danced in dudgeon, Capered in fury fast and faster. Ah, could he once but hug his master And perish in one joint disaster! But deafness, blindness, weakness growing, Not fury's self could keep him going. One dark day when the snow was snowing His cup was brimmed to overflowing: He tottered, toppled on one side, Growled once, and shook his head, and died. The master kicked and struck in vain, The weary drudge had distanced pain And never now would wince again. The master growled; he might have howled Or coaxed,--that slave's last growl was growled. So gnawed by rancor and chagrin One thing remained: he sold the skin. What next the man did is not worth Your notice or my setting forth, But hearken what befell at last. His idle working days gone past, And not one friend and not one penny Stored up (if ever he had any Friends; but his coppers had been many), All doors stood shut against him but The workhouse door, which cannot shut. There he droned on,--a grim old sinner, Toothless, and grumbling for his dinner, Unpitied quite, uncared for much (The rate-payers not favoring such), Hungry and gaunt, with time to spare; Perhaps the hungry, gaunt old Bear Danced back, a haunting memory. Indeed, I hope so, for you see If once the hard old heart relented, The hard old man may have repented.
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I think it quite strange living here walled by this house when I was wilder than now I lived in nature stalking birds and pollen laden things always my toes in sands or hot footed in summer. I was in love with the sky, no matter the weather in storms I hid beneath branching cedars sleeping on mossy pillows, in the woods of my backyard. I never gave much thought to houses then, I only went there to sleep or eat and waited to leave again waited for an inkling of sun to warm the cold grass spent days climbing trees, red plums and cherries I imagined that's how life would always be, living outdoors under the sun or clouds wet with rain, always picking flowers.
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Aug 28, 2017
Aug 28, 2017 at 10:49 PM UTC
When I was wild
I wander. Endlessly, I wander. Ceaselessly, I walk. Forever more, I go on. How many ways can I depict my unrest to you? Footprints are the timeline of my life. Where I’ve been, the mistakes and wrong turns I’ve made. The people who have walked in. The people who have walked out. They are etched in the ground, broken in by my feet. Every so often, a second set of footprints joins mine. Some go on for months, years. Those are my favorites. But they never really last. Most dip in and out of my path. Some lead me in circles until I have to leave them behind. You never know what steps are the right ones Until you’re looking back at them, behind you. I wander. I search. I trust. And then, I hurt. Of these steps I am sometimes wary, But the set of prints next to mine makes me sure footed, now. I squint to look ahead, but my vision is terrible. I can’t be sure, but it seems that there are many sets of prints ahead. Strong, deep, sure-footed paths are carved out in the future. Please, take me there. Please, do not lead me astray. I don’t want to have look back to judge the way you stroll by my side. Do not waiver now; I haven’t got time for circles any longer.
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May 20, 2014
May 20, 2014 at 1:55 AM UTC
Footprints
I want his look not his favourite Ironman T-shirt I'm not an Irongirl I'm not an iron anything sort I want him creases and all not his “to infinity” golden band it has the ring of something too definite I want him here “and beyond” just how far I'm not yet sure about not his ultra clean pair of New Balance sports shoes I'm not the run around sort wet trackies pants hot and loose I want him caught off balance bare footed on the grass I want his look and when he gives it straight back into my eyes I know what... I'll look away at the skies and hope beyond hope he'll interpret my act ironman out my shyness ring the changes I want and run beneath my disguise to find an orange not a lemon only trouble is I think he won't because at this early stage we don't have much in common O ****** he's looking... the sky's so bright! like he's going to... I squint! blind! eyes shut! be just my... I'm so silly! .... dotage huh! maybe I should try... courage? a comic character? hypnotism? an older age?
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Jul 30, 2014
Jul 30, 2014 at 1:12 PM UTC
My Don't Age
Far too many tides have you held him, Calypso, now let him go: thus commands Athene daughter of Zeus, She who cannot stand his wails any more. The fleet-footed Hermes delivers the writ of the heavens. Does the wail of a mere mortal trouble the mighty Athene more than the heart of her kin?  Will you Hermes not accept a bribe and tell Her you never found me? That Calypso's home is too hard to find on sea? The will of Zeus cannot be altered, bow or the bolt will make you kneel. Twenty years has he suffered, let him go this prisoner of his deeds. Eternity   awaits you: while his soul, death. Let him not regret his life in afterlife. Thus did I leave on high-tide who steal to my own palace like a thief. Twenty years play in my mind, but the strongest still is Telemachus's smile. I leave her who cared so much to win my heart yet only the Zephyr - Brought me cheer, that carried the smell of home and Penelope fair. Here I leave the immortal who will die for me: for her who I know not if she loves me yet. Who Athene brings don't fail me in life, even if they falter.
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Oct 10, 2012
Oct 10, 2012 at 2:38 PM UTC
Goodbye Calypso | Odysseus
My spirit will not haunt the mound Above my breast, But travel, memory-possessed, To where my tremulous being found Life largest, best. My phantom-footed shape will go When nightfall grays Hither and thither along the ways I and another used to know In backward days. And there you’ll find me, if a jot You still should care For me, and for my curious air; If otherwise, then I shall not, For you, be there.
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My Spirit Will Not Haunt The Mound
Mother, mother, what ill-bred aunt Or what disfigured and unsightly Cousin did you so unwisely keep Unasked to my christening, that she Sent these ladies in her stead With heads like darning-eggs to nod And nod and nod at foot and head And at the left side of my crib? Mother, who made to order stories Of Mixie Blackshort the heroic bear, Mother, whose witches always, always Got baked into gingerbread, I wonder Whether you saw them, whether you said Words to rid me of those three ladies Nodding by night around my bed, Mouthless, eyeless, with stitched bald head. In the hurricane, when father's twelve Study windows bellied in Like bubbles about to break, you fed My brother and me cookies and Ovaltine And helped the two of us to choir: 'Thor is angry; boom boom boom! Thor is angry: we don't care!' But those ladies broke the panes. When on tiptoe the schoolgirls danced, Blinking flashlights like fireflies And singing the glowworm song, I could Not lift a foot in the twinkle-dress But, heavy-footed, stood aside In the shadow cast by my dismal-headed Godmothers, and you cried and cried: And the shadow stretched, the lights went out. Mother, you sent me to piano lessons And praised my arabesques and trills Although each teacher found my touch Oddly wooden in spite of scales And the hours of practicing, my ear Tone-deaf and yes, unteachable. I learned, I learned, I learned elsewhere, From muses unhired by you, dear mother. I woke one day to see you, mother, Floating above me in bluest air On a green balloon bright with a million Flowers and bluebirds that never were Never, never, found anywhere. But the little planet bobbed away Like a soap-bubble as you called: Come here! And I faced my traveling companions. Day now, night now, at head, side, feet, They stand their vigil in gowns of stone, Faces blank as the day I was born. Their shadows long in the setting sun That never brightens or goes down. And this is the kingdom you bore me to, Mother, mother. But no frown of mine Will betray the company I keep.
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3.9k
The Disquieting Muses
Mother, mother, what ill-bred aunt Or what disfigured and unsightly Cousin did you so unwisely keep Unasked to my christening, that she Sent these ladies in her stead With heads like darning-eggs to nod And nod and nod at foot and head And at the left side of my crib? Mother, who made to order stories Of Mixie Blackshort the heroic bear, Mother, whose witches always, always Got baked into gingerbread, I wonder Whether you saw them, whether you said Words to rid me of those three ladies Nodding by night around my bed, Mouthless, eyeless, with stitched bald head. In the hurricane, when father's twelve Study windows bellied in Like bubbles about to break, you fed My brother and me cookies and Ovaltine And helped the two of us to choir: 'Thor is angry; boom boom boom! Thor is angry: we don't care!' But those ladies broke the panes. When on tiptoe the schoolgirls danced, Blinking flashlights like fireflies And singing the glowworm song, I could Not lift a foot in the twinkle-dress But, heavy-footed, stood aside In the shadow cast by my dismal-headed Godmothers, and you cried and cried: And the shadow stretched, the lights went out. Mother, you sent me to piano lessons And praised my arabesques and trills Although each teacher found my touch Oddly wooden in spite of scales And the hours of practicing, my ear Tone-deaf and yes, unteachable. I learned, I learned, I learned elsewhere, From muses unhired by you, dear mother. I woke one day to see you, mother, Floating above me in bluest air On a green balloon bright with a million Flowers and bluebirds that never were Never, never, found anywhere. But the little planet bobbed away Like a soap-bubble as you called: Come here! And I faced my traveling companions. Day now, night now, at head, side, feet, They stand their vigil in gowns of stone, Faces blank as the day I was born. Their shadows long in the setting sun That never brightens or goes down. And this is the kingdom you bore me to, Mother, mother. But no frown of mine Will betray the company I keep.
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56
There is a Mouse in this House. Insatiable, He keeps me up at night, thin fine claws on metal stove tops, whispering to the birds what a fool he's made of me, because I couldn't make the fibers of my home work with me. There is a Mouse in this House, Immortal, I've fished him drowned out of drains, fed him bleach on silver trays, listened to him choke in air vents, his chestnut jacket perpetually in the corners of my eye, leaving reminders in my cereal, this rodent he refuses to die. There is a Mouse in this House, Intangible, he is not slipping through my fingers he's dancing on them, quick petite feet tapping on my counters, fleet and fast like smoke, I've seen him seep through a clenched fist and still escape with wedding bands, There is a Mouse in this House. Impish, he waits 'till I'm alone to play his music, the crack and chew, too early with the morning dew, he will not play his song for you, it'd be too easy to be seen. There is a Mouse in this House, primeval, he's been waiting, mapped the walls and painted my flaws, tactician skilled and iron willed, this beast knows war far more than my militia mind was ready for, plotting out insurgencies for restless and anxieties, There is a Mouse in this House, emaciated, what's his is his, what's mine is his, there is no sacred to things with tails. clearing out my pantry, his jaws now tasting for my sanity, finished with the: Rye, White, and Sourdough, he's fixed his tongue on sweat breads, scuttling with unnatural flow, There is a Mouse in this House. Charming, too handsome a creature to ever be singed, he peddles on the burners simply too strut, scampering through flames to test his luck, There is a Mouse in this House, Insomniac, from now until each evening hour, his paws touch turns time sour. Ivory teeth clanging out a new ink-printed deed, he owns the tenant and never even had to rent it, There is a Mouse in this House, arrogant, too self-assured and clever, cunning, devilish a creature he may be, but he has yet to get a load of me, holed away within his den, his first mistake was not letting me win, setting aria's on fly's wings to declare his victory, this furry phantasm is all too aware of what he did to me. There is a Mouse in This House, sleeper, I'm plotting my comeback, sure-footed, slow breathes, and savage hands, I'm ready, silent and steady; this beautiful monstrous mouse had best prepare for battle. There is a Mouse in this House. But it's my House.
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Oct 27, 2014
Oct 27, 2014 at 3:10 PM UTC
There is a Mouse in This House
There is a Mouse in this House. Insatiable, He keeps me up at night, thin fine claws on metal stove tops, whispering to the birds what a fool he's made of me, because I couldn't make the fibers of my home work with me. There is a Mouse in this House, Immortal, I've fished him drowned out of drains, fed him bleach on silver trays, listened to him choke in air vents, his chestnut jacket perpetually in the corners of my eye, leaving reminders in my cereal, this rodent he refuses to die. There is a Mouse in this House, Intangible, he is not slipping through my fingers he's dancing on them, quick petite feet tapping on my counters, fleet and fast like smoke, I've seen him seep through a clenched fist and still escape with wedding bands, There is a Mouse in this House. Impish, he waits 'till I'm alone to play his music, the crack and chew, too early with the morning dew, he will not play his song for you, it'd be too easy to be seen. There is a Mouse in this House, primeval, he's been waiting, mapped the walls and painted my flaws, tactician skilled and iron willed, this beast knows war far more than my militia mind was ready for, plotting out insurgencies for restless and anxieties, There is a Mouse in this House, emaciated, what's his is his, what's mine is his, there is no sacred to things with tails. clearing out my pantry, his jaws now tasting for my sanity, finished with the: Rye, White, and Sourdough, he's fixed his tongue on sweat breads, scuttling with unnatural flow, There is a Mouse in this House. Charming, too handsome a creature to ever be singed, he peddles on the burners simply too strut, scampering through flames to test his luck, There is a Mouse in this House, Insomniac, from now until each evening hour, his paws touch turns time sour. Ivory teeth clanging out a new ink-printed deed, he owns the tenant and never even had to rent it, There is a Mouse in this House, arrogant, too self-assured and clever, cunning, devilish a creature he may be, but he has yet to get a load of me, holed away within his den, his first mistake was not letting me win, setting aria's on fly's wings to declare his victory, this furry phantasm is all too aware of what he did to me. There is a Mouse in This House, sleeper, I'm plotting my comeback, sure-footed, slow breathes, and savage hands, I'm ready, silent and steady; this beautiful monstrous mouse had best prepare for battle. There is a Mouse in this House. But it's my House.
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77
I saw an Ulila Whilst riding a Jeepney Half-Shoed, Half-Footed, Saying, "BAYAD!" An Endearment for Pay Yet my Eyes affixed On his One-Footed Shoe But due to the Wear Of a Day's Sweaty Trod Begging for his Family Dinner Hoping he could have a Full Meal And Smiles For him and his family And still waiting For his Final Stop And still scraping His Hard-Worn Scar Thus the Ulila Handsome to Beg Despite his Birth-Marked Nose Which was actually blood From a flavourful fist-fight And Soil, Paints his Tender Body. Thus the Ulila, Swollen in his Eyes, Suddenly remembered He had nothing to Beg For since his Time, Was centred on Smiles Greeting people, Wishing them the Best of Cheers and Holidays And his Reward, Sheltered and Soft, Reaching the end of his Bay, Cried, "PARA!" An Endearment for Stop And disembarked Full of Flavours and Joy, Wondering, If he could Share such with his Family. Then the Ulila, Felt a Weight, And Jingles in his Body. Thinking of his Thursday's Stones, He took some out And all he found, Were just some Worthless Pesos, Given secretly, By the Passengers he Entertained In the busy Jeepney. Thus Smiled the Ulila - The Selfless Urchin-Boy.
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Mar 16, 2013
Mar 16, 2013 at 9:11 AM UTC
THE ULILA
"Now did you mark a falcon, Sister dear, sister dear, Flying toward my window In the morning cool and clear? With jingling bells about her neck, But what beneath her wing? It may have been a ribbon, Or it may have been a ring."-- "I marked a falcon swooping At the break of day: And for your love, my sister dove, I 'frayed the thief away."-- "Or did you spy a ruddy hound, Sister fair and tall, Went snuffing round my garden bound, Or crouched by my bower wall? With a silken leash about his neck; But in his mouth may be A chain of gold and silver links, Or a letter writ to me."-- "I heard a hound, high-born sister, Stood baying at the moon: I rose and drove him from your wall Lest you should wake too soon."-- "Or did you meet a pretty page Sat swinging on the gate; Sat whistling, whistling like a bird, Or may be slept too late: With eaglets broidered on his cap, And eaglets on his glove? If you had turned his pockets out, You had found some pledge of love."-- "I met him at this daybreak, Scarce the east was red: Lest the creaking gate should anger you, I packed him home to bed."-- "O patience, sister. Did you see A young man tall and strong, Swift-footed to uphold the right And to uproot the wrong, Come home across the desolate sea To woo me for his wife? And in his heart my heart is locked, And in his life my life."-- "I met a nameless man, sister, Who loitered round our door: I said: Her husband loves her much. And yet she loves him more."-- "Fie, sister, fie, a wicked lie, A lie, a wicked lie; I have none other love but him, Nor will have till I die. And you have turned him from our door, And stabbed him with a lie: I will go seek him thro' the world In sorrow till I die."-- "Go seek in sorrow, sister, And find in sorrow too: If thus you shame our father's name My curse go forth with you."
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3.7k
Noble Sisters
"Now did you mark a falcon, Sister dear, sister dear, Flying toward my window In the morning cool and clear? With jingling bells about her neck, But what beneath her wing? It may have been a ribbon, Or it may have been a ring."-- "I marked a falcon swooping At the break of day: And for your love, my sister dove, I 'frayed the thief away."-- "Or did you spy a ruddy hound, Sister fair and tall, Went snuffing round my garden bound, Or crouched by my bower wall? With a silken leash about his neck; But in his mouth may be A chain of gold and silver links, Or a letter writ to me."-- "I heard a hound, high-born sister, Stood baying at the moon: I rose and drove him from your wall Lest you should wake too soon."-- "Or did you meet a pretty page Sat swinging on the gate; Sat whistling, whistling like a bird, Or may be slept too late: With eaglets broidered on his cap, And eaglets on his glove? If you had turned his pockets out, You had found some pledge of love."-- "I met him at this daybreak, Scarce the east was red: Lest the creaking gate should anger you, I packed him home to bed."-- "O patience, sister. Did you see A young man tall and strong, Swift-footed to uphold the right And to uproot the wrong, Come home across the desolate sea To woo me for his wife? And in his heart my heart is locked, And in his life my life."-- "I met a nameless man, sister, Who loitered round our door: I said: Her husband loves her much. And yet she loves him more."-- "Fie, sister, fie, a wicked lie, A lie, a wicked lie; I have none other love but him, Nor will have till I die. And you have turned him from our door, And stabbed him with a lie: I will go seek him thro' the world In sorrow till I die."-- "Go seek in sorrow, sister, And find in sorrow too: If thus you shame our father's name My curse go forth with you."
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