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

0 posted 2000-03-16 03:51 PM


EPITAPH OF A NAMELESS POET




Here lies he who on this day died.
Who had no shame, lo worse, no pride.
Who loved to write but sold his pen
To meet merit of other men.

The challenge met, not withstanding,
Only cost of understanding.
In perfect meter laid to rest
Forgotten with life's works in jest.

His manuscript, a lemming's song
Society could ne'er call wrong.
Stacked upon the insipid heap
Of soulless rhyme now six foot deep.

All eyes closed to the burning truth
Of passion his pen held in youth.
Identity lost to the game
Of perfect poetry and fame

Eternal anonymity,
Accounted to conformity.
Emotion forfeit to acclaim,
This poet died without a name!

Michael Anderson

< !signature-->

 For all behind was dark and drear,
And all before was night and fear.
How many hours of night or day
In those suspended pangs I lay,
I could not tell; I scarcely knew
If this were human breath I drew.

Lord Byron






[This message has been edited by Michael (edited 03-16-2000).]

© Copyright 2000 Michael Anderson - All Rights Reserved
X Angel
Senior Member
since 1999-11-07
Posts 1521
Oregon
1 posted 2000-03-16 04:45 PM


I love this! Do we go quietly? NAY!
Your situation produces some incredible poetry my friend
*HUG*
~X~

Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
2 posted 2000-03-16 04:53 PM


"A lemming's song"....How in the world did you come up with that? Nuts! Wish I had thought of it!

Excellent writing, Michael.

suthern
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
3 posted 2000-03-16 04:56 PM


Never nameless, Michael... your work is too beautiful! *G* (Which means all of us have plenty of names for you, all products of jealousy! LOL)
Seymour Tabin
Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla
4 posted 2000-03-16 05:47 PM


Micheal,
This poem is a clasic. It shows inspiration.
One of the finest thing I've seen you do.
And I agree with Balladeer about the lemming.
A wonderful creative line. Bravo

Mistikman
Senior Member
since 2000-01-10
Posts 682
San Jose, CA, USA
5 posted 2000-03-16 06:17 PM


As long as even one person remembers you, you shall never be a nameless poet. Luckily, you have a whole forum of people here who will remember you. Excellent work here Michael.
Marilyn
Member Elite
since 1999-09-26
Posts 2621
Ontario, Canada
6 posted 2000-03-16 06:52 PM


Dear Lord in heaven hear my prayer,
As we watch this soul laid there.
Ne'er let conformity,
Give me any boundery.

Let my words reach forth in strength,
Stretching forth to any length.
Ne'er let me lose this game,
Like this poet with no name.

Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666
California
7 posted 2000-03-16 08:32 PM


X-Angel, well hell no we don't go quietly!!!  we'll go in a blaze of glory!!!

Balladeer, uh, you can credit the "lemming line" to Mikey - He plays that game all the time - kinda reminds me of the human "rat" race...LOL

suthern, this epitaph wasn't actually meant for me - but for the poet who sells out on his emotion and what he holds true to please a critic.

Sy, thank you - believe me there was plenty of inspiration behind this one.

Mistik - thanks my friend.

Marilyn, you got the message loud and clear.  Thank you so much for the poetic reply.


Thank you all for the kind replies.
Michael


Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA
8 posted 2000-03-16 08:39 PM


How the heck to you write as much as you do, as often as you do - and do it all so well???

Huh? Huh???

Butterflies_dont_cry
Member Elite
since 2000-03-06
Posts 3733
Michigan
9 posted 2000-03-16 11:02 PM


Very beautiful Michael. You once again defy the boundries of great poetry.
Meadowmuse
Member Elite
since 1999-12-27
Posts 3263

10 posted 2000-03-16 11:13 PM


Excellent theme and portrayal, Michael. Ironic that I read this tonight, as I received a note from an editor this afternoon who "suggested" some rewrite edits that I was uncomfortable with. I can say, earnestly, that I made the right decision, and what a reinforcement this piece was to read. Thank you.  

~ Claire

WhtDove
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245
Illinois
11 posted 2000-03-16 11:14 PM


Michael, knock em dead! You've been putting out some excellent work, where is all your inspiration coming from? As I sit here dry as the desert     hehe
jbowie
Member
since 2000-02-18
Posts 135
BANGOR (that OR) ME
12 posted 2000-03-16 11:33 PM


boy, once you get an idea you sure do run with it. Cool beans.
Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley
13 posted 2000-03-16 11:51 PM


You shall never be nameless! No matter what..I see great things in your future. Remember, I knew you when!!!.....  
devina
Member Elite
since 1999-10-28
Posts 3539
Cali
14 posted 2000-03-17 12:13 PM


Now I KNOW you're not talking about yourself here sweetie...there won't be a day where I won't remember your name...the poem was soulfully good-(don't think soulfully is a word, but I used it anyway- now I can be remembered as the blonde that can't spell!!LOL) < !signature-->

 Open arms can be the most fragile in the world...



[This message has been edited by devina (edited 03-17-2000).]

hoot_owl_rn
Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750
Glen Hope, PA USA
15 posted 2000-03-17 12:14 PM


Wow...you go Michael!! Both of these are great  
BluesforNarada
Junior Member
since 2000-03-02
Posts 13

16 posted 2000-03-17 04:56 AM


Truly a magnificant poem Michael. One of the best I have read for a while! Keep up the good work - and maybe one day time will tell you in your heart who the poet was.
angelswing
Senior Member
since 2000-02-10
Posts 705
United Kingdom
17 posted 2000-03-17 05:35 AM


Great poem, but on the subject of conformity, Is it right to anti-conform against conformist views, and also, is not anti-conformin, realy a form of conforming any way ? therefore is not the whole value of life a parody ? Kind of makes you think don't it ? Cool poetry I expect to see good things from you .
L.Of.L . Tom .


 With poetry as your weapon - express your iner feelings so all may carry your sorrow, united as one .

Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania
18 posted 2000-03-17 09:35 AM


Conformity of thought is not your game
Creativity will never be the same
This couldn't be wrought by any other name...
Than Michael
Liz

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