Work Poems
Presents From My Aunts In Pakistan
by Moniza Alvi
They sent me a salwar kameez
&nb sp; peacock-blue,
& nbsp; and another
glistening like an orange split open,
embossed slippers, gold and black
&nbs p; points curling.
Candy-striped glass bangles
&n bsp; snapped, drew blood.
Like at school, fashions changed
&n bsp; in Pakistan -
......
The Country Of Marriage
by Wendell Berry
I.
I dream of you walking at night along the streams
of the country of my birth, warm blooms and the nightsongs
of birds opening around you as you walk.
You are holding in your body the dark seed of my sleep.
II.
This comes after silence. Was it something I said
......
The City In Which I Loved You
by Li-Young Lee
And when, in the city in which I love you,
even my most excellent song goes unanswered,
andI mount the scabbed streets,
the long shouts of avenues,
and tunnel sunken night in search of you...
That I negotiate fog, bituminous
rain rining like teeth into the beggar's tin,
or two men jackaling a third in some alley
weirdly lit by a couch on fire, that I
......
The Maori's Wool
by Banjo Paterson
The Maoris are a mighty race -- the finest ever known;
Before the missionaries came they worshipped wood and stone;
They went to war and fought like fiends, and when the war was done
They pacified their conquered foes by eating every one.
But now-a-days about the pahs in idleness they lurk,
Prepared to smoke or drink or talk -- or anything but work.
The richest tribe in all the North in sheep and horse and cow,
Were those who led their simple lives at Rooti-iti-au.
'Twas down to town at Wellington a noble Maori came,
......
Palme
by Paul Valéry
Veiling, barely, his dread
Beauty and its blaze,
An angel sets warm bread
and cool milk at my place.
His eyelids make the sign
Of prayer; I lower mine,
Words interleaving vision:
--Calm, calm, be ever calm!
Feel the whole weight a palm
Bears upright in profusion.
......
Losses and Gains
by Evelyn Judy Buehler
I was a perky lost and found coordinator, reuniting people with possessions,
As pink-orange, diamond sunset rejoins us, reminiscing sunrise impressions.
I liked blithe smiles of pleasure and relief, at reclaiming what was once lost,
Like pearl, exciting moonlight, in demand, must keep returning at any cost.
Because I hated losing loved objects myself, I took my work very seriously,
As rich, emerald nature, hating loss, clings to vivid colors, quite deliriously.
I had lost cherished items such as lockets, along with irreplaceable photos,
......
Architect of Life
by Evelyn Judy Buehler
I was an active, prominent architect, like fervent stars which race the sun,
Or exotic, summer flowers that bloom vibrantly, creating rapturous visions.
I'd wrought modernist skyscrapers, as huge trees lean into a bronze glaze,
On raspberry, latter days, quite lovely, when azure blue jays sing in praise.
I had designed homes and buildings, to the plumb delight of stylish people,
While satisfying the favorable environment, with novel, vivid colors, gleeful.
I had built homes for family members, the loved ones who made life sunlit,
......
Going, Going, Going
by Mr Moustache
Going, going, going
Always going
But never gone
I keep on looking
Darkest dawn
Always close
Waning brawn
Knees are shaky
But keeping on
......
Signing Out
by Scott Biggerstaff
The barber's final ceremony,
scissors shelved,
all the ways you used to be
thrown out with your hair.
A house fire's sloppy augury,
your life transformed
through combustion
as neighbors look on.
......
Freak Accident Prone
by Evelyn Judy Buehler
I was a diligent safety engineer, modifying the hazardous work practices,
Like the thrilling festive celebrations, when you open up pretty packages!
I took my work very seriously, and my motto had long been safety first,
Like waiting all the livelong day, for gone currant sun's huge color burst.
My word was always trusted, for people valued my professional opinion,
As pearlescent moon values jet darkness, when gazing on her dominion.
I made sure workers abided by safety rules, and it gave me satisfaction,
......
