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Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666
California

0 posted 2004-04-18 04:16 AM


For passing shadows, Christopher and Serenity  


DREAMER’S EYE

Should I extend my vision across the cirrus sky?
A fossil of Forever caught within a dreamer’s eye.
Might some think it derision, in lieu of such a scene?
(Or just strange alchemy of thought to flounder in-between
A wheel chair and rocking chair); when nowhere else on earth
Can I see clearly all what Time’s given measure is worth.
No, looking down to palms laid bare, I’ll beg a martyr’s pass;
To, by some Piper’s heedless rhymes, take leave for greener grass.

In sudden admiration, perhaps in sudden fear,
As darkness calls in monotone, I wipe a silent tear --
Merely an inclination, I let the vision fade;
Leaving my thoughts to die alone, somewhere amidst the glade.
The pattern never-ending, the punch-line never sprung;
I know my never-never land gave way while I was young.
A forest, ever rending shadows never to be crossed,
By blood, I just don’t understand, how so much there was lost.

As once a child, so to speak, when dreams weren’t priced so cheap;
I held a million wondrous things, all to the shrine of Sleep…
Imagination free to seek, set my sights to the sun;
In graceful flight, on silver wings, let my vanity run.
Speaking my mind for thought was truth; therefore golden, I thought,
I soon came crashing to the ground Reality had wrought...
Where by all principles of youth I clung to deep inside,
She forged the chains that bound me to a prison I called Pride.

I woke to find a startled face the face of my recourse,
For Peace was just a concept bred on the grounds of remorse.
And religion proffers no grace in Misery’s domain,
Where hope for the hopeless is bled and given to disdain.
A face I saw but once before, upon an empty shell.
That lifeless gloss ‘cross eyes I knew had seen their share of hell.
A Vet of the Vietnam war, he’d lost all will to live,
Came back to the Red White and Blue with nothing left to give.

And so I started my own war, ineptitude the charge.
I needed vindication from the enemies at large.
A note that chills me to the core, my flag held to the sky,
With bloodied hands I beat the drum but never once asked, “why?”
Passion become the principle, and pain a way of life,
I gave my soul to Misery; I loved her as a wife.
I thought myself invincible, took comfort in her cold.
‘Twas there I bought my destiny, the rest of me I sold.

How it happened I’m not sure; still, the mirror never lies.
I’m not sure how I came to be the man behind those eyes.
Holding the heart but not the will, it’s only now I see:
The man I was forsook me for a man I’ll never be.
Pearls of wisdom deeply marked in lines upon the head,
I stare at the ceiling awake, each night within my bed.
This graceless journey I’ve embarked upon nearing its end;
I feel with withered hands that shake, and know these wounds won’t mend.

But feed this hollow soul its boon, another heedless rhyme…
‘Bout how in giving all I had, I gave up all, in time.
Come to the chorus way to soon, I still can’t peel the scars,
Or walk to the window unclad, to face the gleaming stars;
If but through vision, bleak and bland, to stir a witless heart
That otherwise might never chance the passion to depart --
To, if by Fate, or polished hand, revere the cirrus sky,
Should morning come to share a dance lost to this dreamer’s eye.


© Copyright 2004 Michael Anderson - All Rights Reserved
Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA
1 posted 2004-04-18 09:37 AM


Your dreamer's eye dances a mighty fine waltz, my friend.  How wonderful to see your visions gracing these pages this morning... Be well, kind sir...
serenity blaze
Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738

2 posted 2004-04-18 12:34 PM




I've missed you so much Michael.

I've heard it said of others, that they "write like Michael Anderson," (see? You're legend) and yes, there were a few who could remind me of your style, but after reading this, I know better.

You write pain so beautifully--

"Passion become the principle, and pain a way of life,
I gave my soul to Misery; I loved her as a wife.
I thought myself invincible, took comfort in her cold.
‘Twas there I bought my destiny, the rest of me I sold."


grin.

I think the real Michael Anderson just stood up.

thanks Mike


Janet Marie
Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554

3 posted 2004-04-18 02:43 PM


Well lookie who I find hiding over in Haven.
you know of course I am giddy. *S*
Its so great to get to read your rhymes again M, been far too long.
------------------------------


I know my never-never land gave way while I was young.
A forest, ever rending shadows never to be crossed,
By blood, I just don’t understand, how so much there was lost.

As once a child, so to speak, when dreams weren’t priced so cheap;
I held a million wondrous things, all to the shrine of Sleep…
Imagination free to seek, set my sights to the sun;
In graceful flight, on silver wings, let my vanity run.
Speaking my mind for thought was truth; therefore golden, I thought,
I soon came crashing to the ground Reality had wrought...
Where by all principles of youth I clung to deep inside,
She forged the chains that bound me to a prison I called Pride.

================================

How it happened I’m not sure; still, the mirror never lies.
I’m not sure how I came to be the man behind those eyes.
Holding the heart but not the will, it’s only now I see:
The man I was forsook me for a man I’ll never be.

Pearls of wisdom deeply marked in lines upon the head,
I stare at the ceiling awake, each night within my bed.
This graceless journey I’ve embarked upon nearing its end;

I feel with withered hands that shake, and know these wounds won’t mend.
=================================

So many lines in this go thru me...
from the very first read your poetry has always effected me in ways few ever did...
Besides your amazing talent with rhyme,
you have this gift of expression that literally bleeds down the page with such honesty and such vulnerable depth that it makes the reader want to reach thru the words to hold your hand, hug you and take some of the pain your poetry always spoke so emotively eloquent of. Thats a rare gift when words can be felt like tears.

Such a treat to find a post from you M, theres  much to learned from your poetry,
thanks for sharing some of you with us.


... and it's you ... you ... you ... you ...
the light changes when you're in the room.

M.B.

Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
4 posted 2004-04-18 03:28 PM


Michael

It is so good to see you!  Your poetry, as always, is immaculate and filled with true vision and depth.  Please grace us with more.


Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666
California
5 posted 2004-04-18 11:08 PM


Thanks all, I don't really write at all these days but I thought I'd try to drum something up since it was being requested of me in the archived posts (yeah, I still read along here, just don't post much).  I felt rusty to say the least.

Not sure if it's the real me or not Serenity -- been a long time since I've been overrun with the emotions that drove me to write to begin with.

Glad you all enjoyed anyhow.


Michael

Christopher
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-02
Posts 8296
Purgatorial Incarceration
6 posted 2004-04-19 12:41 PM


sweet.

will return on the morrow.

good to see ya m'friend.

Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774
Ontario, Canada
7 posted 2004-04-19 07:03 AM


“The pattern never-ending, the punch-line never sprung;
I know my never-never land gave way while I was young.”

“A face I saw but once before, upon an empty shell.
That lifeless gloss ‘cross eyes I knew had seen their share of hell.”

“Passion become the principle, and pain a way of life,
I gave my soul to Misery; I loved her as a wife.
I thought myself invincible, took comfort in her cold.
‘Twas there I bought my destiny, the rest of me I sold.”

“How it happened I’m not sure; still, the mirror never lies.
I’m not sure how I came to be the man behind those eyes.
Holding the heart but not the will, it’s only now I see:
The man I was forsook me for a man I’ll never be.”

Michael, I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to read your words again.

There is always so much passion and reflection in your ponderings of youth to current day rumination.  I enjoyed your journey of thoughts in this piece, and as always, somehow find so many passages I can relate to. Your writing is exquisite, my friend, and the flow and language is truly a treasure to take in.

I’ve often gone back into the archives and searched for several of your writings to contemplate and enjoy. I hope all is well with you … it’s great to read you again.

Best wishes,
/Kit

Local Parasite
Deputy Moderator 10 Tours
Member Elite
since 2001-11-05
Posts 2527
Transylconia, Winnipeg
8 posted 2004-04-27 12:23 PM


I've only ever heard of you, in the context of a legend, one of the bigger names of Piptalk---unfortunately it seems like I've never been when and where at any time before now to have any kind of encounter with your writing.  If I have, and I don't remember, then I apologize, but I'm almost certain I haven't---

Allow me to say that you haven't disappointed my expectations in the least.  This is skillfully written, remindful of poets such as Kit McCallum and Balladeer who utilize a similar kind of formatting in their own writing, with similar results---I do love how your stanza structure (the somewhat long stanzas) co-operated with the stages of this poem, as it told a story and each felt something of a chapter, without too much blending from one to the next.  That's one thing I instantly love about this poem---

The other is the reflection, of course---I'm a sucker for reflective poetry, even if it's somewhat confessional (which I tend not to like).  The glimmer of hope you leave towards the end is extremely effective in its subtlety, and the balance of emotions in this piece from start to finish is masterfully proportioned---

I'm more than impressed... very happy I stopped in for a read.  You're more than I had expected.... I hope you stick around a while.

Take care
Brian

http://www.livejournal.com/~new_formalism

Jeffrey Carter
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Elite
since 2000-04-08
Posts 2367
State of constant confusion!
9 posted 2004-04-28 08:51 AM


WOOHOO!!! Michael it is so great to see you posting again!
I for one could stand to see you more often ) As always I am amazed by your talent. May all your dreams be good ones, and may they all come true!

Warmest Regards,
Jeffrey

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
10 posted 2004-04-28 09:17 AM


Imagination free to seek, set my sights to the sun;
In graceful flight, on silver wings, let my vanity run.

~*~

I think it's time to wear the rust
off the pen, Michael...

We need a little more of this type
of writing, both in here, and in Open...CA, Spiritual, Corner Pub...anywhere you wish to put it...

Enchantress
Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113
Canada eh.
11 posted 2004-04-28 02:23 PM


What an amazing gift you have Michael.
Yes..please grace these blue pages with MORE!!
Hugs~

To have lived the dream of a love so true...
   is to have seen a glimpse of heaven.

Dark Angel
Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095

12 posted 2004-04-28 05:06 PM


Ahhh Michael, it's so good to read you again... I've missed you. And someone said, Karen I think... "You're a Legend!" I agree totally.

Maree

What are you my god? You touch me like you are my god
What are you my twin? You affect me like you are my twin.

Go Alanis!


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