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Michael

Moderator

Member Rara Avis

since 1999-08-13

Posts 7666
California

0 posted 2002-02-27 08:55 AM

A Bedtime Story

Oh, I really hate nights like these, for sleep eludes all hope
That I, mere man, rent by disease - a chronic misanthrope
Could ‘er belie plans laid on high, if by God or by men,
To overcome the skeptic's eye, and do justice this pen.

But voices plague all inner thought, there, let confusion reign.
I focus on all I should not, prepare the path for pain.
The ridicule of all I've known, meeting a million eyes;
A child behind a man full grown, I cling to my disguise.

Like peering, leering Dragons, weaving a serpent's spell;
For a moment I cannot move, and think it just as well.
Till recognition hits me, and within the hapless stare;
I see tears behind the eyes and the pain that holds them there.

So I raise my banner, drawn on truth, and mount the vaunted steed
Of Passion charging to the fore, accounting for each deed;
But stammer, accusations thrust, and take the mark of Scound,
Watching my dreams, sifted like dust, lifelessly greet the ground.

For truth's no charm for heroes in a world pent on greed,
And perhaps it's but gallows that will sanctify that need;
But clinging to my honor, and holding to my pride,
I keep with me my father, all he said before he died...

He said, "Son, I'm not a martyr, but I'll not pass without cause.
Remember all you stand for, and uphold the family laws.
Never let this world change you, all that you truly believe,
Above all know I live in you, that you won't have to grieve."

So holding to intuition, rising before the throne;
A lifetime come to fruition, I make my stand, but not alone.
It'll echo through the ages, how we overcame the fear;
And how a simple smile made the Dragons disappear.

Now I write about my visions, and I write about my dreams
But must admit the words, sometimes they write themselves it seems.
Till the moon outside is fading and within the predawn light
Sleep finally finds his way to me, and I bid you all goodnight.

Michael Anderson

02/27/02

But dreams of those who dream as I,
Aspiringly, are damned and die.

EAP

[This message has been edited by Michael (02-27-2002 09:15 AM).]

Kethry
Member Rara Avis

since 2000-07-29

Posts 9082
Victoria Australia

1 posted 2002-02-27 09:14 AM

Michael,
I love the way you pursue the options and gain ground in this write.
Tis good
Kethry

Here in the midst of my lonely abyss, a single joy I find...your presence in my mind. Unknown

Marge Tindal

Member Empyrean

since 1999-11-06

Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores

2 posted 2002-02-27 09:46 AM

Michael~

'A child behind a man full grown, I cling to my disguise.'

I was reminded of a piece by John Burroughs,
which I quote in-part-
quote:

'The youth enjoys what the man tries to understand. Lucky is he who can get his grapes to market and keep the bloom upon them, who can carry some of the freshness and eagerness and simplicity of youth into his later years, who can have a boy's heart below a man's head'
Your piece is beautifully written, Michael~
*Hugs*
~*Marge*~

~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~
noles1@totcon.com

serenity blaze
Member Empyrean

since 2000-02-02

Posts 27738

3 posted 2002-02-27 10:28 AM

My mind's eye kept illustrating this as I read. You wrote another exceptionally beautiful poem, but it read like a feature length film to me. Where can I buy my book of Michael Anderson poetry?

Seymour Tabin
Member Empyrean

since 1999-07-07

Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla

4 posted 2002-02-27 10:36 AM

Michael,
An excellent write and I enjoyed the read.

Startime
Member Ascendant

since 2000-10-03

Posts 5918
Canada

5 posted 2002-02-27 10:40 AM

Your talent is shining in this amazing poem...I love the vision it created for me...Very well done. **big hugs**

Love I leave with you whether it is in your life now or yet the essense of your dreams.

Janet Marie
Member Laureate

since 2000-01-22

Posts 18554

6 posted 2002-02-27 10:41 AM

The ridicule of all I've known, meeting a million eyes;
A child behind a man full grown, I cling to my disguise.
================================
Till recognition hits me, and within the hapless stare;
I see tears behind the eyes and the pain that holds them there.
==================================

From the very first time I ever read you...there has been a constant. One could not read you and not be impressed by your obvious poetic gifts, the cadence, the art, the classic quality of the poetic form and all its content--imagery, metaphor, vocabulary, language, phrasing. But it was the express of the emotion...the sheer depth and power of the way you penned your heart and soul, that held me to your words. In every poem there are those certain lines that just leave me deeply effected...like the ones highlighted above.

"Now I write about my visions, and I write about my dreams
But must admit the words, sometimes they write themselves it seems."

and I am so grateful you do, and that I get to read them.
heart-hugs Poet M.
jm

"Never made it as a wise man
couldn't cut it as a poor man stealin
Tired of livin like a blind man
sick of sight without a sense of feelin"

SEA

Moderator

Member Seraphic

since 2000-01-18

Posts 22676
with you

7 posted 2002-02-27 10:52 AM

Michael,
you poetry has always blown me away....
this is wonderful

Nan

Administrator

Member Seraphic

since 1999-05-20

Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA

8 posted 2002-02-27 11:10 AM

G'night Michael... and remember those words your father spoke... Repeat them to Mikey.. He'll cherish them as well..

Mistletoe Angel

Member Empyrean

since 2000-12-17

Posts 32816
Portland, Oregon

9 posted 2002-02-27 01:13 PM

(smiles) Awwwwwwwww, this is wonderful, sweet friend, your wonderful words never cease to amaze me! (big hugggssssss) I think it is so very magical how our thoughts just seem to write themselves even before we set our quills on paper, this is marvelous! We all love you so much, sweet friend, have a lovely rest! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Michael, thank you for sharing!

May love and light always shine upon you!

Love,
Noah Eaton

suthern

Member Seraphic

since 1999-07-29

Posts 20723
Louisiana

10 posted 2002-02-27 01:21 PM

There aren't many times I'd wish a sleepless night on someone... but when the result is poetry this beautiful, I may slip you a No-Doze! *G* Superb writing, Michael... as always.

Nightshade

Member Patricius

since 2001-08-31

Posts 13962
just out of reach

11 posted 2002-02-27 01:32 PM

Michael - so this is where my muse has been! Reading your fantastic works of art. Can't say as I blame her/him - this is awesome. You can come home now sweet muse. Chris

Life is not measured by breaths you take, but by moments that take your breath away.

Michael

Moderator

Member Rara Avis

since 1999-08-13

Posts 7666
California

12 posted 2002-02-27 05:41 PM

Kethry, hehe - that's probably cause I had no idea where I was going with this from one stanza to the next...lol glad you liked though.

Marge, I think I could stand to read some John Burroughs   I am humbled.

Serenity - this would be a pretty scarey movie I might think - uh, and I still have some work to do on that book thingee, maybe if I could just get some more sleep at night...

Sy, good to see you - glad you enjoyed the read.

Startime - it's so hard to encapsulate one's vision into a presentable vision for others, I gave it a shot but really feel this piece could have been stronger.  I just get too long winded, though, to keep a reader's interest generally when I exemplify.

Janet, there was much beneath the surface of this one, and I probably oversymbolized but I am still glad you found it worthy.

SEA, thank you.

Nan, I really wish Mikey and my father could have known each other more than just for Mikey's first five years.  Still, what my father was to me, I somehow am to Mikey, so in some manner we all are bonded I feel.  Mikey hears his words often, I assure you.

Noah, this was, indeed, just a flow of thoughts.  I never even tried to take control of this one.

suthern, Ack!!!  You stay back with that NoDoze!!!  That I am scared of.

Nightshade, if this is your muse then we definitely need to work out something on the scheduling here.  How about if you take the graveyard shift for awhile?

Thanx all for the kind replies.

Michael

strbbux
Member Elite

since 2001-12-19

Posts 3859

13 posted 2002-02-27 07:09 PM

Michael, been there, done that. And when they indeed do write themselves, Is it not frightening? It is to me. I wonder who is doing it. And when that muse is not there, you lie awake with words drumming in your head. Oh how I relate to this. thank you for this. floria

Floria

"Alas for those that never sing,
But die with all their music in them"
(Oliver Wendell Holmes)

Lia Fail
Member

since 2002-02-26

Posts 80

14 posted 2002-02-27 08:45 PM

Michael,
This was amazing! You are so TALENTED. I envy you, but you already know that.
love lia

Poet deVine

Administrator

Member Seraphic

since 1999-05-26

Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley

15 posted 2002-02-27 08:50 PM

Michael, there is no one who could have written about insomnia in such a way! I love your writing....

Mysteria

Member Laureate

since 2001-03-07

Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada

16 posted 2005-12-30 02:55 AM

What a fantastic write to come upon as I too was searching to find a bed time story. I hope you have passed on the words of your father, and sure you did

Beautiful, and I am never disappointed when I click on your name. Thanks for the read before lights out.

Carpe' Diem

serenity blaze
Member Empyrean

since 2000-02-02

Posts 27738

17 posted 2005-12-30 09:59 AM

(and yep, now I have to figure out how to get into a lizard's skin...)

Tiersdin
Member Elite

since 2000-11-17

Posts 2364
east coast

18 posted 2005-12-30 02:23 PM

One can only expect the best when reading you, Michael. Not many can express so poetically their weakness with such courage and strength.

hope all is well.

Thank you Mysteria for pulling this up.

~tier

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