Over the Hills and Far Away (a reply to Where Forlorn Sunsets Flare And Fade)

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Michael

Moderator

Member Rara Avis

since 1999-08-13

Posts 7666
California

0 posted 2013-05-25 08:34 PM

Over the Hills and Far Away

The voice of strange command that calls
Is Love, my friend, which knows no bounds...
Not in your ivory sculpted halls--
Not in the ocean that surrounds
The very continent you live
Upon, while staring at the skies
To stars, whose embellishments give
A distant gleam, to earthbound eyes.

And in that city, in that street,
Ignoring death, and life as well,
That strange command might guide your feet
'Cross the very borders of hell.
And yet follow you know you must,
For what else is a man to do?
Who knows all trinkets turn to dust,
While Love alone might seem him through.

And when there is no ebb-and-flow,
Not a star left unto the sky,
While winds run still, and still you go
To answer, or perhaps to die...
Over the hills, and far away,
With smile on face, you'll greet your end.
Where, if alone, let no man say
You went there without Love, my friend.

Michael Anderson

5/25/2013

Where Forlorn Sunsets Flare And Fade

Where forlorn sunsets flare and fade
On desolate sea and lonely sand,
Out of the silence and the shade
What is the voice of strange command
Calling you still, as friend calls friend
With love that cannot brook delay
To rise and follow the ways that wend
Over the hills and far away?

Hark in the city, street on street
A roaring reach of death and life,
Of vortices that clash and fleet
And ruin in appointed strife,
Hark to it calling, calling clear,
Calling until you cannot stay
From dearer things than your own most dear
Over the hills and far away?

Out of the sound of the ebb-and-flow,
Out of the sight of the lamp and star,
It calls you where the good winds blow,
And the unchanging meadows are;
From faded hopes and hopes agleam,
It calls you, calls you night and day
Beyond the dark into the dream
Over the hills and far away.

William Ernest Henley

[This message has been edited by Michael (05-25-2013 09:44 PM).]

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean

since 1999-11-16

Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA

1 posted 2013-05-25 11:08 PM

Very nice...James

JerryPat2
Member Laureate

since 2011-02-06

Posts 16975
South Louisiana

2 posted 2013-05-26 09:42 AM

Good comeback poetry, Michael. I liked the direction this took and especially like your writing, as I've repeatedly said before.

~*~ The Energizer bunny was arrested and charged with battery. ~*~

ebonygirl
Member Elite

since 2011-07-14

Posts 2000
California U.S.A

3 posted 2013-05-26 01:59 PM

You, are not
of this world nor time
for your poety tis devine
takes me back,
"far away" in time.

Enjoying your poetry, Michael!
Ms. E

jwesley
Member Rara Avis

since 2000-04-30

Posts 7563
Spring, Texas

4 posted 2013-05-26 03:10 PM

Superbly done, my friend...if I could write like that I'd be swell-headed!!

j.

Margherita
Member Seraphic

since 2003-02-08

Posts 22236
Eternity

5 posted 2013-05-26 04:55 PM

quote:
And when there is no ebb-and-flow,
Not a star left unto the sky,
While winds run still, and still you go
To answer, or perhaps to die...
Over the hills, and far away,
With smile on face, you'll greet your end.
Where, if alone, let no man say
You went there without Love, my friend.

This made me sigh, dear Michael. Awesome. Great inspiration, following your urge to "reply".

Margherita

Lighthousebob
Member Elite

since 2000-06-14

Posts 4725
California

6 posted 2013-05-28 03:22 PM

I like that you reply here with a capital "L" kind of love. Enjoyed!

Michael

Moderator

Member Rara Avis

since 1999-08-13

Posts 7666
California

7 posted 2013-06-02 03:19 AM

"For God is Love" was the message, Bob, as well as man's one true calling. Glad you caught it.

Thank you, everyone, for the warm replies.

Michael

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