Poetic Irony
This is the time I craved. The quiet I so sought. I know the world goes in a blur And I for now do not. But here in peace and sunshine The smell of lilies white I hold my pen aloft, and then, I cannot seem to write. This is…
Quarrels to Art
I speak Into voids and hollow trees In the middle of night. I speak And no one hears My tree falling. I speak And nothing comes of rhetoric But division. I write And wars inside come forth In art. postscript For day 16. From "Out of the quarrel with…
Wisdom's Call
Wisdom's house is firmly built; her seven pillars raised. Her wine and bread on table spread--a feast a king would praise. And out she sends her servant-maids to call at twilight hour To those of foolish character to come nigh and devour The bread of learning, and be…
To Wage a War
The war I wage with words is endless, beautiful and cursed. The ink, the letter, syllables--they express but they confine. Nevertheless I break the rules; nevertheless I am restrained. What then will be wrought? Will it be beauty, or remain Nothing more than words? postscript For day 2 of This…
Poetry is Sane
My head splits open, crammed full as it is With heaven I have squished in confined space. I am all logic, understanding this: That finite worlds are mine now to embrace. But come the muses, here to give me earth; To rescue me from living dissonance, And in the great…
Written in the Color of My Love
Blackest ink, the color of my love, Has carved the snowy footsteps in the night; Compelled to venture where the land grows rough And wrapped in breathlessness like candlelight, Composing notes you may find good enough. Be carved in snowy footsteps of the night And melting snow. With ink as…
Terse Verse
Every poet's forced to cease Where stopped by language limits, And wrestle with thoughts that tease; Stuff too much meaning in it. postscript For day 14 of The tanaga. Originally a Filipino form, though I wasn't sure if you were supposed to have a certain number…
Come and See
Come and see with your own eyes The lamb, the river, sandals, dove-- Once other, now incarnate love. Chief end of man--this sacrifice In power, but toward passing hour A kingly truth in servant's guise. This is the one we've spoken of: Come and see with…