I have lived in important places, times
When great events were decided, who owned
That half a rood of rock, a no-man's land
Surrounded by our pitchfork-armed claims.
I heard the Duffys shouting "Damn your soul!"
And old McCabe stripped to the waist, seen
Step the plot defying blue cast-steel -
"Here is the march along these iron stones."
That was the year of the Munich bother. Which
Was more important? I inclined
......
As the eruption began smoke formed a cloud and darkened the sun,
down the mountain the molten rock begins to run,
the volcano has taken charge and will have so much fun,
nothing will interfere with this master until it's done. Disruptive, Destroying, and shaking the earth while the air becomes dry,
everything aflame that was within its path,
all worldly and natural possessions exhales a deathly cry,
at the pain that is felt of this woeful wrath. Then without warning, ash begins to fall in a dusty shower,
it's the remnants of destruction of this great power,
calming there is a display of the scars of a great war,
remain subtle, nature rules, and now is angry no more. Memory will fill many an epic tale,
......
In ancient Persia, Ferdowsi spun a tale,
Of kings and heroes, wars and myths unveil.
An epic poem, "Shahnameh" was its name,
A history book, a treasure, a fame.
Of creation, downfall and the rise again,
Of love, bravery, and battles to win.
It tells of Iran's legacy and past,
A legacy that forever will last.
......
bereft
cliffs close
abysses arose
canyons awide
side by side
pain and pride
tales told
battles old
......
Oh! Bury me in books when I am dead,
Fair quarto leaves of ivory and gold,
And silk octavos, bound in brown and red,
That tales of love and chivalry unfold.
Heap me in volumes of fine vellum wrought,
Creamed with the close content of silent speech;
Wrap me in sapphire tapestries of thought
From some old epic out of common reach.
I would my shroud were verse-embroidered too---
Your verse for preference—in starry stitch,
......
In ancient Persia, Ferdowsi spun a tale,
Of kings and heroes, wars and myths unveil.
An epic poem, "Shahnameh" was its name,
A history book, a treasure, a fame.
Of creation, downfall and the rise again,
Of love, bravery, and battles to win.
It tells of Iran's legacy and past,
A legacy that forever will last.
......
danger's lurking through mountains so white
treachery and plight!
hope galloping like a fair white mare
courage bolting like a stallion dare
the heart is mighty and soft
and we make love in my mind's secret loft
the worlds are ever-changing
......
bereft
cliffs close
abysses arose
canyons awide
side by side
pain and pride
tales told
battles old
......
We women teach our little sons how wrong
And how ignoble blows are; school and church
Support our precepts and inoculate
The growing minds with thoughts of love and peace.
‘Let dogs delight to bark and bite, ’ we say;
But human beings with immortal souls
Must rise above the methods of the brute
And walk with reason and with self-control.
And then – dear God! you men, you wise, strong men,
......
The same old sprint in the morning, boys, to the same old din and smut;
Chained all day to the same old desk, down in the same old rut;
Posting the same old greasy books, catching the same old train:
Oh, how will I manage to stick it all, if I ever get back again?
We've bidden good-bye to life in a cage, we're finished with pushing a pen;
They're pumping us full of bellicose rage, they're showing us how to be men.
We're only beginning to find ourselves; we're wonders of brawn and thew;
But when we go back to our Sissy jobs, -- oh, what are we going to do?
......