Cry Peace

Oh, war-torn nation, country of my birth,
where pride once found its seat within my heart,
I seek to uphold standards of that worth
Which gave this land its vision and its start.

The arm of justice will not be restrained,
As those who care work on throughout the land
So that our honored flag will not be stained,
And Liberty will always proudly stand.

While fires of fear and hatred take their toll
upon that strength which never will relent.
The unseen spark of freedom in the soul
Will find and build a lasting monument.
Too long, the warrior's sword has used its might
That this great land shall live in Freedom's light!

Love Vision

How cleverly and often I conceal
The inner need and workings of my mind.
That you, my unknown love, might soon reveal
your face in words and action of some kind.

Let sleepless nights not take my dream away
from untold joy your presence would provide.
If only in my dreams, come there to stay
in residence, and evermore abide.

Sweet music of thy voice, though faintly heard,
does please the inner workings of my ear.
Oh, unknown lover, send me just a word
to bless my lonely nights of ache and tear.
Too long I'll know this constant misery
until you call my name and set me free.

Tasting Bliss

To taste warm summer's kiss upon my skin
and rising spray from seashore's pounding waves
that tickles flesh before the storm rolls in,
foretells my lot, I'm but a galley slave

I drink the fruity flavors in rainbow's hue
which play upon my taste buds so sublime.
From juices cherry-red and berry-blue
to zesty lemon, orange and luscious lime.

Strong trade winds carry golden nectar sweet
from guilded trumpets hanging on the vine
to scented pines from forests, now replete ~
aromas, tastes and juices sweet as wine.
But memory's sweetest tastes and greatest bliss
float down to me through clouds with your sweet kiss.

April Showers

How daintily the tiny drops of rain
With pristine patterns fall and lightly dance.
Their liquid notes upon my windowpane
Come humming, singing freely to entrance.

With happy, liquid notes, their melody
Paints pointallismed pictures on the glass.
While puffing out their chests in lucid glee
Sweet moisture comes to feed the thirsty grass.

Clamorous, giant drops begin to pound
Their xylophopne, with notes of gleaming might.
Dry, parched earth breathes deep her grateful sound
That travels on the wind throughout the night.

Sweet joy to nature's creatures, drops do bring
As down they fall, a harbinger of spring.

Greenwood Days

Imbued with wanderlust for foreign lands
He left his unkempt house to travel far
Into the deep, green jungle where his hands
Could mold and work upon the potter's wheel
And walk in peace upon the panther's trail.
Communication, only, with his soul
Beneath the bright blue sky and starry nights;
A comeback to his greenwood days of youth
When joy and splendor reached their greatest heights.
His wanderlust could find all these delights
Then, into nature he could sink his tooth
And chew upon life's juices in the wild;
Regain a place of comfort, though uncouth
And travel back to happy days, a child.

When I Talk To You

When lonely hours come to test my soul
I speak to you and suddenly, you're there.
In silent conversation from the hole
of darkness, you will pull me, mine so fair.
When call of midnight owl through fog-drenched trees
floats down to ease my heavy-laden heart,
it is your voice that melts the winter's freeze.
None other than your love could e'er impart.
How distant are the realms where you reside,
It matters not, for solace you will bring.
Though you have left, our love has never died.
With thoughts of you, my soul doth soar and sing.
Twixt sun and moon throughout existing spheres
Your smiling voice erases all the years.

Trembling Heart

Oh, trembling heart, cast on the sea of love,
Where tidal waves and whirlpools lash and sway,
With heavy beat it seeks help from above
To ease and take the pounding pain away
Your cheerful face will not abate my woe.
No choice is left but to accept my lot.
Deep pools within your eyes, their prey, have caught.
My love, unleashed, awaits the final blow.
How long before my copious tears will cease?
Fulfillment cannot come, you'll not be mine.
Abed, my sleepless hours will not decrease ~
True love will never be my Valentine.
Run swift, old father time, and take my soul
Away from Cupid's clutch and leave me whole.

Until Gods And Kings Convene

Through smoke-filled sky is heard the marching band
And distant bugle cry, with flags unfurled
To honor all those dead throughout the world :
Brave, youthful men, who can no longer stand.
While fires of war rage fierce upon the land
Brave heroes hearts cry out above the fear:
"What cost, the loss of life and limb so dear?
God grant us grace that we may understand!"
What good are noble hearts or praying priests
When dreams of happy days, no more to see
Are lost, as hate and greed the throngs enticed?
Until the kings and God convene in peace
And war-torn nations yield on bended knee,
Wide jaws of death consume the sacrifice.

Like Fragile Glass

From off my pillow dreams begin to rise
Capricious winds blow far, my loss to seek.
Lamenting as they go, our fond good-byes.
When last you left, my days were ever bleak.
If I could only span the distant sea
To fathom shores where foreign waters spawned
Ebullient days when we were young and free,
I'd bring them back again, but they are gone.
Why should my fragile heart of glass await
The loving strum of fingers on the strings
Then break, as love notes flood the open gates
With undulating rhythm yearning brings?
Forbearance cannot lessen my desires
Which feed on love that's born from blazing fires.

The Temptress

How tempting are sweet promises you bring,
Dull substance of my flesh is brought alive.
With pulsing beat my quickened heart does sing
And drip sweet drops of love till you arrive.
While presence fully felt, in dreams you come ~
A golden summer's day to warm my heart.
Sweet melodies your precious voice will hum
To closer bring the arrow's piercing dart.
Well kept are hidden treasures in my box
Which wait for quickened step upon my door.
Your gentle, eager hands will break the locks
That hold my swelling love, I'll grieve no more.
Then will my eager, ivory arms delight
In welcoming your soothing, golden light.

Beneath The Midnight Moon

Send down your ancient powers in full bloom,
Smile sweet your glowing face, majestically,
Sing long your song of love, incessantly
To pulsing heart, now drawn from its cocoon.
Your music with its mesmerizing tune
Like bubbling notes upon a windswept sea
Does captivate each soul eternally,
Until you set it free, majestic moon.
Care not, oh captive prisoner, enchained
By moonlit web, therein each heart is burned.
Out from the ashes, willingly engrained,
A worthy throne of truth will have been earned.

Heart Of Her Corpse

Heart of her corpse will never beat again.
Death and the grave have come to claim my love.
When last she waved good-bye with garland glove,
Though I pursued her light, too fast she ran.
When she, the angel, I the countryman
First met and sang sweet music of the dove,
Far spangled stars and mellow moon above
Gleamed down and wrought a treasured talisman.
Dark, whispering shadows live in poverty ~
Blurred distant forms upon the distant bank.
Their link to life and death will ever be
A vague remembrance from filled cup we drank.
Love sonnets I will write, eternally
Accounting for a heart that lived but sank.