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Amazing Grace ... Come Dance with Me

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"Live, live with me, and thou shalt see
The pleasures I'll prepare for thee:
What sweets the country can afford
Shall bless thy bed, and bless thy board."

So Robert Herrick's poetry
has written yet his words may be
as nought compared to all that's poured
in soul-song here for fair adored.

"Come live with me and be my love,
And we will all the pleasures prove
That hills and valleys, dale and field,
Or woods or steepy mountain yield." -

Though Marlowe's maid as hand and glove
swain fain would fit her heart to move,
his verse is but an empty shield
compared to all I'd have revealed.

"But Time drives flocks from field to fold;
When rivers rage and rocks grow cold;
And Philomel becometh dumb;
The rest complains of cares to come."

Thus Walter Raleigh mocks, shortsold,
the love whose span cannot be told
no empty rite I'd write, hymn's hum -
no strings save mandolin to strum.

"For thee, thou need'st no such deceit,
For thou thyself art thine own bait,
That fish, that is not catched thereby,
Alas, is wiser far than I."

John Donne declaimed - admire his feat -
as none could e'er exaggerate
your angel wings, your beauty, eyes,
your heart whose depth none chart, your sighs !

"Care on thy maiden brow shall put
A wreath of wrinkles, and thy foot
Be shod with pain: not silken dress
But toil shall tire thy loveliness."

Day-Lewis says, - bride's white turns soot
with high ideals crushed underfoot.
He knew you not !  For Time's duress
increases tenfold tenderness.

"Come, live with us and be our cook,
And we will all the whimsies brook
That German, Irish, Swede, and Slav
And all the dear domestics have."

Says F.P.A. - beyond my book,
such food for thought ! No second look
that verse deserves, as from your light
I feed - which forwards leads delight.

"Until at last we’ve squandered all,
shot the wad, and maxed the cards,
until we’ve quaffed till dawns appall
and hoarse are velvet-throated bards."
Thus tricked, as Benedict would gall,
may suit for clubs' mascara fards,
for shattered mirrors' shivered shards, -
but I for you no trumps could call.

"That there was ought at all uncommon
In what each felt as man and woman -
If this our case, if this our story,
Shall we, at the worst, be sorry ?"

Thus Babette Deutsch may sing - a common
complaint where maids abused by come on
as pawns are treated - care and worry
for you unknown shall be, grace glory !

"And she, by passion once demented,
- That woman out of Botticelli –
She brews and bottles, unfermented,
The stupid and abiding jelly."

de Vries may state - a state repented
by those led on by greed or belly,
advantages misrepresented,
celebrities as seen on telly.

We would reject "the daily lark
with weekly walk in Central Park.
till one of these days not too remote
you’ll probably up and cut my throat."
-
I quote Nash, - Ogden's - bite and bark
a choice to which I'd never hark.
You are my suit, my hat, my coat,
emotions' motions, ocean's float.

"At Claridge thou shalt duckling eat,
Sip vintages both dry and sweet,
And squeeze between enchanting lips
Asparagus with buttered tips."

This Katzin may suggest as treat !
For you each day dark Fate I'd cheat,
though other blooms from stem death strips

you, peerless rose, Time can't eclipse.

"I love thy bright and hazel glance,
The mellow lute upon those lips,
Whose tender, tender tones entrance"

Says Thomas Hood who swaying hips
it seems escapes, or leaves to chance.
One magic touch - your fingertips -
ensnares, spikes, spites Time's harsh advance.
No adverse circumstance love chips.


"Oh come, my love, and seek with me
A realm by grosser eye unseen,
Where fairy forms will welcome thee,
And dainty creatures hail thee queen."

This is a cold reflection we -
though writ in Scribner's magazine,
pen unknown, 19th. century -
could find together, far from spleen.

"Come vote for me and back my run,
And once this next election’s won,
For your int’rests I will slave,
Never acting like a knave."

This Silverstein in story spun,
half grave, half rave, all formed in fun,
may preach - yet as unequalled, brave
you're sure to brave Time's sickle wave.

Come live with me, my partner be,
and we will every contract make
that tricky opportunity
presents in life of bid and (s)take.
You moon, I sun, eternity
will round each other spin, ne'er shake, -
both quality, equality
none call in question, none mistake.

Trumps we'll declare, fair Queen of hearts,
diamonds divine, clean sweep, clean breast.
We’ll not proceed by fits and starts,
but lead from strength, ne’er second best !
No clubs could e'er disturb your rest,
no spades could darken Cupid's darts,
your breast twin [s]peaks mount Everest,
your whole far greater than my parts.

With points imperial we’ll show
the world we make a perfect match,
we’ll club together till Time’s flow
meets door slammed fast bolted latch
where others, too unskilled to grow,
must, come what weather, fade and catch
disease of boredom, envy, know
not joys eternal we may hatch.

Let thus united be displayed
our souls upon life’s table baize,
always to call a spade a spade,
while psyching with a silent gaze.
Amazing grace, hopes never greyed,
unquantified shared trust which stays
as constant, tender, unafraid,
reach teaches each red letter days.

Rewards, not risks and penalties,
we’ll surely reap - who’ll never err, -
above the line we’ll score with ease
to win life’s cup without a slur.
For you time rhymes sublime to please,
fulfillment through life's struggle-stir,
symbiotic complementarities
no empty phrase, praise-phase transfer.

This Valentine could verses add
till time turns tail and tale returns
upon itself through cycles glad
to demonstrate no other earns
love evergreen - no passing fad -
as yin through yang spins joy which yearns
to share and ne'er beware, be sad, -
as understanding more discerns.

Most spin from cradle to the grave,
from love prenuptial tomb doom heading,
'unkindest cut', as from close shave,
from puberty to diamond wedding,
they surf self-compromise, face save,
ride rash, pride brash, superfluous spreading.
It should transpire to verse conclave
these stanzas show you're sole worth bedding.

Remedial action we should take,
each remnant of resistance fling,
articulate shared feelings, make
from letters moving tune to sing
love's praises, ph[r]ases, no mistake -
each mundane article may bring
true inspiration, stock life's lake
with thinklings, fished by lines which swing.

Thus if what's writ be deemed enough
as introduction, invitation,
as shape of christmas stocking stuff
to fill until this dedication
attracts applause which off the cuff
emits approval, celebration,
then share with me through smooth and rough,
throughout lifelong collaboration.

Throughout life’s game we’ll not revoke,
but future points provoke with skill,
though now and then a psychic joke
helps spin time's wheel that’s never still.
Where other embers ash and coke
turn cold, dismayed, can't hopes fulfill,
where others fade as passing smoke,
we will combine both worth and will.

We’ll bridge our differences and
send signals which are never crossed,
ne’er palm trust for another’s hand,
lack insight with objectives lost
as those who love can't understand,
by those who later count the cost,
by those who fard card on demand
display to mask their inner frost.

If these delights your heart may move
to partner me through life’s long gambol,
then live with me and be my Love.
I bid you, without long preamble
lend but one wing to turtle dove
may I the other add, no gamble
is this but bliss which must improve
as time spells rhyme love's spells unscramble.
            
Should all above still not suffice,
I'll add what hope's anticipation
foresees to please, lets break the ice.
Fears disappear as life's elation
our train of life tracks in a trice,
departing from uncertain station
to dance on air as we twin, splice
and spice each day with fresh sensation...
                                
Come dance with me and find release,
team into dreams, with wild wolves run,
no nightmares stalk where heart finds peace.
A stellar future crowned with fun
we'll harvest, reap a rich increase,
together glean gold story spun
from morn to night while worries cease,
as one and one at last make one.
 
Come dance, we’ll circumnavigate
the seven seas as zephyr’s breeze
anticipates and may translate
past cares to luck which soul strings frees.
Harp, Terpsichore shall play as Fate
unwinds past phantom_mime banshees,
life’s letter stamps ‘reciprocate’
creating fresh realities.

 

Come dance, Earth's ballroom's doors await

wide open for the tidal wave

anxiety will inundate -

not suffocate, but cleanse and lave,

replacing craving, worry's weight

with peace, serenity, yet save

joys which to joys accumulate

best zest before, nor lord, nor slave.
 
Come dance, unlearn life’s kernel woe
owe only to your inner voice
as chivalry and honour flow -
no need to justify heart’s choice.
Slow motion – Time stock still – shall throw
away wait’s weights as two rejoice
in unexpected overthrow
of anchors as trim sails are hoist.
 
Come dance, advance, no strings attached –
except of harp or violin -
devotion, eloquence unmatched,
shall shed all lies of ties that sin.
Thus inner doors may be unlatched,
contradictions’ caves cave in
Embrace new wave which saves unscratched
soul saved from hibernation’s bin.
 
Come dance, step clear, endearing smile
will echo caring, sharing, joy,
while dream’s theme reel will reconcile
to trust in real, no wiles employ.
Tiara crowned Princess no guile
may meet who, sweet, greets verse employ
as an expression timed to dial
away Time’s hands all else destroy.
 
Come dance with me, no judgment blind
will claim, will blame, will shame, reject, -
all icicles soon left behind
Spring’s robin sings you’re soul elect.
From past to future less unkind
we’ll haven find, fly, fly direct
where all but lines are underlined,
discarding conduct circumspect.
 
Come dance, together we’ll unlearn
the past’s mistakes, chart journey fair
to promised land, hand, hand, will turn
with light and laughter everywhere.
The seasons slip, trip sans return,
yet bird’s song echoes, in your hair
may make its nest, chirp soft, not spurn,
and answer questions pondered where

 

"Come dance !" none sung with accents sweeter

from years when young were Dead Sea scrolls

until Time's end, none know completer

bliss than this hour.  Fair Miss, our roles

may be enacted by repeater

performances which lovers' souls

seek to incarnate, perfect meter

unrolls spontaneous, consoles.
 
Come dance with me, I’ll hold you tight,
in tenderness which knows no bounds,
restoring hidden wings for flight
tears soon shall cease, – for fears no grounds.
Here magic, comfort, and respite,
there melody received resounds,
acceptance and contentment quite
unmeasured pleasure ache impounds.
 
Come dance with me, and we will learn
what makes lips tingle, goose-bumps rise,
what makes spine shiver, plush blush burn, -
each day shall herald joy's surprise.
Eyes Isis envies will discern
from blue to you each spark that flies,
as touch, from glitter fairy’s fern
may guide, not steer, still share concern.
 
Come dance, my dear, I’ll always keep,
my word - a promise from my heart -
integrity runs very deep,
each part of each need never part.
Thus whether way is slope or steep
until Earth’s end – which sings fresh start –
alert I’d watch awake, asleep,
protecting dreams from sudden start.
 
Come dance, from trap or golden cage,
forever free to spread your wings
in harmony which knows nor rage,
nor stings nor slaps, - where spirit sings
in ecstasy as, turning page,
we’ll Autumn sage and Summer’s swings
unite as, taking center stage,
Spring warmth from Winter’s tumult springs.
 
Come dance, your silent grace shall show
how one above, below, unique
shines out, from shadows free, whose glow
pre-empts necessity to speak.
From yesterdays the future’s flow
shall still remember tender cheek,
yet turn towards joy’s overflow,
life liberate from sadness, pique.
 
Come dance to tune which wounded heart
returns to health and inspiration
we’ll reel, we’ll heal, real hopes may chart
beyond old altar’s altercation.
Past struggles’ tide and tears depart
as sun and moon anticipation
eliminate invasive dart,
while welcoming emancipation.
 
Come dance with me, we’ll share the key
that opens inspiration’s portal
uncover wellspring’s latency -
spirit infinite, immortal, -
find answers to eternity
withheld from passing shadow mortal
as soul’s connection as one we
establish, spurn deceptions’ maw well.
 
Come dance with me, I’ve said before, _
who sixty thousand lines could add, -
and here repeat for one time more
ambition plain : to turn sad glad.
If this sweet song your pleasure move
this greeting was inscribed Above,
all let and hindrance swift remove –
come live with me and be my love …

 

 

Author notes

Responsa in order of appearance of quotations cited in the poem above :




Come Live with Me and Be My Love

Come live with me and be my love,
And we will all the pleasures prove
That hills and valleys, dales and fields,
Or woods or steepy mountain yields.

And we will sit upon the rocks,
And see the shepherds feed their flocks
By shallow rivers, to whose falls
Melodious birds sing madrigals.

And I will make thee beds of roses
And a thousand fragrant posies,
A cap of flowers, and a kittle
Embroider’d all with leaves of myrtle,

A gown made of the finest wool
Which from our pretty lambs we pull.
Fair-lined slippers for the cold,
With buckles of the purest gold.

A belt of straw and ivy-buds
With coral clasps and amber studs :
And if these pleasures may thee move,
Come live with me and be my love.

The shepherd swains shall dance and sing
For thy delight each My morning,
If these delights thy mind may move,
then live with me and be my love.


Christopher MARLOWE 1564_1593



------------------



Come Live with Me - The Nymph's Reply



If all the world and love were young,
And truth in every shepherd's tongue,
These pretty pleasures might me move
To live with thee and be thy Love.

But Time drives flocks from field to fold;
When rivers rage and rocks grow cold;
And Philomel becometh dumb;
The rest complains of cares to come.

The flowers do fade, and wanton fields
To wayward Winter reckoning yields:
A honey tongue, a heart of gall,
Is fancy's spring, but sorrow's fall.

Thy gowns, thy shoes, thy beds of roses,
Thy cap, thy kirtle, and thy posies,
Soon break, soon wither--soon forgotten,
In folly ripe, in reason rotten.

Thy belt of straw and ivy-buds,
Thy coral clasps and amber studs,--
All these in me no means can move
To come to thee and be thy Love.

But could youth last, and love still breed,
Had joys no date, nor age no need,
Then these delights my mind might move
To live with thee and be thy Love.


Sir Walter RALEIGH 1552_1618

_______________________

The Bait

Come live with me, and be my love,
And we will some new pleasures prove
Of golden sands, and crystal brooks,
With silken lines, and silver hooks.

There will the river whispering run
Warmed by thy eyes, more than the sun.
And there th'enamoured fish will stay,
Begging themselves they may betray.

When thou wilt swim in that live bath,
Each fish, which every channel hath,
Will amorously to thee swim,
Gladder to catch thee, than thou him.

If thou, to be so seen, be'st loth,
By sun, or moon, thou darkenest both,
And if myself have leave to see,
I need not their light, having thee.

Let others freeze with angling reeds,
And cut their legs, with shells and weeds,
Or treacherously poor fish beset,
With strangling snare, or windowy net:

Let coarse bold hands, from slimy nest
The bedded fish in banks out-wrest,
Or curious traitors, sleave silk flies
Bewitch poor fishes' wandering eyes.

For thee, thou need'st no such deceit,
For thou thyself art thine own bait,
That fish, that is not catched thereby,
Alas, is wiser far than I.

John DONNE 1572_1631

________________________


The Shepherd to his Fair One

TO PHILLIS, TO LOVE AND LIVE WITH HIM




Live, live with me, and thou shalt see
The pleasures I'll prepare for thee:
What sweets the country can afford
Shall bless thy bed, and bless thy board.

The soft sweet moss shall be thy bed,
With crawling woodbine over-spread:
By which the silver-shedding streams
Shall gently melt thee into dreams.

Thy clothing next, shall be a gown
Made of the fleeces' purest down.
The tongues of kids shall be thy meat;
Their milk thy drink; and thou shalt eat
The paste of filberts for thy bread
With cream of cowslips buttered:
Thy feasting-table shall be hills
With daisies spread, and daffadils;
Where thou shalt sit, and Red-breast by,
For meat, shall give thee melody.

I'll give thee chains and carcanets
Of primroses and violets.
A bag and bottle thou shalt have,
That richly wrought, and this as brave;
So that as either shall express
The wearer's no mean shepherdess.
At shearing-times, and yearly wakes,
When Themilis his pastime makes,
There thou shalt be; and be the wit,
Nay more, the feast, and grace of it.

On holydays, when virgins meet
To dance the heys with nimble feet,
Thou shalt come forth, and then appear
The Queen of Roses for that year.

And having danced ('bove all the best)
Carry the garland from the rest,
In wicker-baskets maids shall bring
To thee, my dearest shepherdling,
The blushing apple, bashful pear,
And shame-faced plum, all simp'ring there.

Walk in the groves, and thou shalt find
The name of Phillis in the rind
Of every straight and smooth-skin tree;
Where kissing that, I'll twice kiss thee.

To thee a sheep-hook I will send,
Be-prank'd with ribbands, to this end,
This, this alluring hook might be
Less for to catch a sheep, than me.

Thou shalt have possets, wassails fine,
Not made of ale, but spiced wine;
To make thy maids and self free mirth,
All sitting near the glitt'ring hearth.

Thou shalt have ribbands, roses, rings,
Gloves, garters, stockings, shoes, and strings
Of winning colours, that shall move
Others to lust, but me to love. -

These, nay, and more, thine own shall be,
If thou wilt love, and live with me.



Robert HERRICK 1591_1674

_________________


Come Live with Me and Be my Love

_________________



Come, live with me and be my love,
And we will all the pleasures prove
Of peace and plenty, bed and board,
That chance employment may afford.

I’ll handle dainties on the docks
And thou shalt read of summer frocks:
At evening by the sour canals
We’ll hope to hear some madrigals.

Care on thy maiden brow shall put
A wreath of wrinkles, and thy foot
Be shod with pain: not silken derss
But toil shall tire thy loveliness.

Hunger shall make thy modest zone
And cheat fond death of all but bone –
If these delights thy mind may move,
Then live with me and be my love.



Cecil Day LEWIS 1904_1972

________________

The Passionate Householder to his Love


Come, live with us and be our cook,
And we will all the whimsies brook
That German, Irish, Swede, and Slav
And all the dear domestics have.

And you shall sit upon the stoop
What time we go and cook the soup,
And you shall hear, both night and day,
Melodious pianolas play.

And we will make the beds, of course,
You'll have two autos and a horse,
A lady to Marcel your tresses,
And all the madame's half-worn dresses.

Your gowns shall be of lace and silk,
Your laving shall be done in milk.
Two trained physicians when you cough,
And Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays off.

When you are mashing Irish spuds
You'll wear the very finest duds.
If good to you these prospects look,
Come, live with us and be our cook.

On callers we have put no stops,
We love the iceman and the cops,
And no alarm clock with its ticks
And bell to ring at half-past six.

O Gretchen, Bridget, Hulda, Mary,
Come, be our genius culinary.
If good to you these prospects look,
Come, live with us and be our cook.

Franklin Pierce ADAMS

__________


Atlantic City Idyll



Come bet with me and be my luck
and bring me gimlets tart with lime.
We’ll chase the wily holy buck
and toss the dice and sneer at time.
And we will dazzle in our clothes
and neon dazzle us as well.
We’ll strike a sleek and moneyed pose,
we’ll yell a blithe, ecstatic yell
until at last we’ve squandered all,
shot the wad and maxed the cards,
until we’ve quaffed till dawns appall
and hoarse are velvet-throated bards.
Come stroll with me and be my muse
of feckless hope and vain desire.
On the boardwalk the huckster woos
and Armless Annie tongues her lyre.



Kate BENEDICT - Come bet with me and be my luck
_________________


The Dispassionate Shepherdess

Do not live with me, do not be my love.
And yet I think we may some pleasures prove
That who enjoy each other, in the haste
Of their most inward kissing, seldom taste.

Being absent from me, you shall still delay
To come to me, and if another day,
No matter, so your greeting burn as though
The words had all the while been picked in snow.

No other gift you'll offer me but such
As I can neither wear, nor smell, nor touch -
No flowers breathing of evening, and no stones
Whose chilly fire outlasts our skeletons.

You'll give me once a thought that stings, and once
A look to make my blood doubt that it runs.
You'll give me rough and sharp perplexities,
And never, never will you give me ease.

For one another's blessing not designed,
Marked for possession only of the mind,
And soon, because such cherishing is brief,
To ask whereon was founded our belief.

That there was anything at all uncommon
In what each felt for each as man and woman -
If this then be our case, if this our story,
Shall we rail at heaven ? Shall we, at the worst, be sorry ?

Heaven's too deaf, we should grow hoarse with railing,
And sorrow never quickened what was failing.
But if you think we thus may pleasures prove,
Do not live with me, do not be my love.

DEUTSCH Babette 1895_1982 – Parody Christopher MARLOWE

__________________




Bacchanal

“Come live with me and be my love,”
He said, in substance. “There’s no vine
We will not pluck the clusters of,
Or grape we will not turn to wine.”

It’s autumn of their second year.
Now he, in seasonal pursuit,
With rich and modulated cheer,
Brings home the festive purple fruit;

And she, by passion once demented,
- That woman out of Botticelli –
She brews and bottles, unfermented,
The stupid and abiding jelly.




Peter de VRIES 1910_19?

______________________




Love under the Republicans (or Democrats)


Come live with me and be my love
And we will all the pleasures prove
Of a marriage conducted with economy
In the Twentieth Century Anno Donomy.

We’ll live in a dear little walk-up flat
With practically room to swing a cat
And a potted cactus to give it hauteur
And a bathtub equipped with dark brown water.

We’ll eat, without undue discouragement,
Foods low in cost but high in nouragement
And quaff with pleasure, while chatting wittily,
The peculiar wine of Little Italy.

We’ll remind each other it’s smart to be thrifty
And buy our clothes for something-fifty.
We’ll bus for miles on holidays
For seas at depressing matinees,

And every Sunday we’ll have a lark
And take a walk in Central Park.
And one of these days not too remote
You’ll probably up and cut my throat.







Ogden NASH 1902_1971 - Verses from 1929 On

__________________________

The Passionate Profiteer to His Love


Come feed with me and be my love,
And pleasures of the table prove,
Where Prunier and The Ivy yield
Choice dainties of the stream and field.

At Claridge thou shalt duckling eat,
Sip vintages both dry and sweet,
And thou shalt squeeze between thy lips
Asparagus with buttered tips.

On caviare my love shall graze,
And plump on salmon mayonnaise,
And browse at Scott’s beside thy swain
On lobster Newburg with champagne.

Between hors d’oeuvres and canapés
I’ll feast thee on poularde soufflé And every day within thy reach
Pile melon, nectarine and peach.

Come share at the Savoy with me
The menu of austerity;
If in these pastures thou wouldst rove
Then feed with me and be my love.




Olga Katzin Miller - « Sagittarius » Targets 1942

______________________

The Passionate Shepherd to His Love

I love thee - I love thee !
'Tis all that I can say;
It is my vision in the night,
My dreaming in the day;
The very echo of my heart,
The blessing when I pray:
I love thee - I love thee !
Is all that I can say.

I love thee - I love thee !
Is ever on my tongue;
In all my proudest poesy
That chorus still is sung;
It is the verdict of my eyes,
Amidst the gay and young:
I love thee - I love thee !
A thousand maids among.

I love thee - I love thee !
Thy bright and hazel glance,
The mellow lute upon those lips,
Whose tender tones entrance;
But most, dear heart of hearts, thy proofs
That still these words enhance.
I love thee - I love thee !
Whatever be thy chance.


Thomas Hood
Parody Christopher MARLOWE - Come Live With Me and be My Love

___________

A Microscopic Serenade

« Oh come, my love, and seek with me
A realm by grosser eye unseen,
Where fairy forms will welcome thee,
And dainty creatures hail thee queen.
In silent pools the tube I’ll ply,
Where green conferva-threads lie curled,
And proudly bring to thy bright eye
The trophies of the protist world.

We’ll rouse the stentor from his lair,
And gaze into the cyclops ’ eye;
In chara and nitella hair
The protoplasmic stream descry,
For ever weaving to and fro
With faint molecular melody,
And curious rotifers I’ll show,
And graceful vorticellidae.

Where melicertae ply their craft
We’ll watch the playful water-bear,
And no envenomed hydra’s shaft
Shall mar our peaceful pleasure there;
But while we whisper love’ssweettale
We’ll trace, with sympathetic cart,
Within the embryonic snail
The growing rudimental heart.

Where rolls the volvox sphere of green,
And plastids move in Brownian dance -
If, wandering ‘mid that gentle scene,
Two fond amoebae shall perchance
Be changed to one beneath our sight
By process of biocrasis,
We’ll recognise, with rare delight,
A type of our prospective bliss.

Or dearer thou by far to me
In thy sweet maidenly estate
Than any seventy-fifth could be,
Of aperture however great !
Come, go with me and we will stray
Through realm by grosser eye unseen,
Where protophytes shall homage pay,
And protozoa hail thee queen. »


“Jacob HENRICI” Scribners November 1879

________________

A Passionate Congressman To His Constituents

Come vote for me and back my run,
And once this next election’s won,
For your int’rests I will slave,
Never acting like a knave.

I’ll balance ev’ry yearly budget,
And never, never, never fudge it;
I’ll keep a tight lid on your taxes,
Even as your income waxes.

I’ll get you medicine for free,
Protect social security;
For your pet peeves I’ll play the cupid,
No matter how inane or stupid.

When terrorists cause nasty shocks,
I’ll hunt them down and punch their clocks;
Bad CEOs will feel my wrath;
Until they learn an honest math.

Your special needs I won’t forget,
Be you soccer mom or vet;
And woe to those who soft drugs peddle,
Unless that’s you, then I won’t meddle.

My opponent’s ads are hokum,
All his promises he’s broken.
Believe me—you don’t want that bum;
So vote for me and back my run.


Michael Silverstein


In a list

A contest entry

Courtesy welcome and extended [Reward: double points]

    : , Your review:

    Comment Suggestion: What is your your first impression? Line numbers
    : no Cost: 0 free left 0 points, You have (?) (Line numbers)

Comments

1 - 45 of 45

  • hiraeth
    July 3

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    ...Yes, absolutely. If I don't get enough entries, I may open this to prewrites, and this is certainly welcome. I'll let you know if I do open the contest further. Your added parts are good, and we seem to have a similar taste in poetry... rather rare to find someone who likes good poetry!

    Just one suggestion: you may want to post links to the poems instead of including the entire poems, themselves. The length a bit of a put-off, especially to those like me who have the attention span of a sodded chipmunk.

    . Rewarded 8

  • Taking the time to decipher

    the quoted authors and what you have written and coming to a decent comprehension of your work, I'm afraid is going to require more time than can afford this piece. Thats not to say it is not good. I think reading your work can be a very good means of improving my ongoing effort to improve my own work and learning some valuable aspects of poetry that would help me expand my own knowledge and I will like take time to read your work more thoroughly. I apologize, if it seems I am not giving your write a fair consideration, I should have stipulated some sort of length requirement in the beginning, but if I'm not mistaken, I would think anyone with your talent is happy just for the opportunity to have your work read.
    Hope you understand.
    I will try to read this again before closing the contest.
    thank you for entering

    . Rewarded 8


  • BarefootSoul silver member
    April 9

    Edit | Reply
    I wish I had a chance to message you aside from leaving a comment first as I do not quite understand the putting together of these poems. As far as I can tell you have taken parts of poems to create one long masterpiece? In other words none of this is your own writing perse? If so, it reminds me of what I did a few years ago while perusing others poems on AP. A new form of poetry came to me. I took lines from many different poets and created a new poem only I was allowed to take the first then the second and there forth in succession. It created a rather unique finished write that oddly fit together and I was amazed. When I spoke to a few AP mods they thought it was indeed plagerism. It did take a lot of work and thought to piece together what I had done but no one seemed to get it or appreciate it so I let it go.

    I can clearly see that you have a great love for the masters which is far more than I can say for myself and in so doing I might find more of what I am seeking. You surely gleaned far more than many who simply read. I can't truly comment because this is not your own poetic force but I can comment in the fact that you have inspired me through these works and thier authors. I would not have known of them had you not brought them to me! Thank you for this and for your entry and if I have not understood correctly please write me and clarify Much love...
  • Outstanding!

    This is so amazing! it litarally blows me away to see someone think in this kinda way, Its spectacular, Great write!

    . Rewarded 4

  • Ok let me be honest, I have only read the beginning of this piece...And I admit that even scrolling down so far to write this was exhausting. I could see though from the little that I have read that you are very good. With that being said, this piece is not what I want. So I shall remove it. Please feel free to reenter the contest, but if you do...please give me what I want. Please read what this contest is about. Thank you.
  • Whoa...

    Well this piece was definately something... nice how you took stanzas from some of your favorite poets and put your own parts to them as well... witty and complex. The piece was very lengthy, and so it was hard to keep my attention focused, but after gritting through it I was pleased with the overall effect. Good work, and thank you for entering my contest!

    - - riah - -


  • Ms Raneika
    December 24, 2007

    Edit | Reply
    Thank you for entering my contest ...This was quite the inspiring and unique piece ...it was an honor to read...

    Love, Raneika


  • CarnalNineTailedFox
    December 15, 2007

    Edit | Reply
    LOOK! this isn't a poem it's frickin essay that rhymes. And I'm sure you would have gotten an A+ if you turned it in to my english class! To better it you should....ok nvm let my re-phrase this. Everytime you wrote a new stanza it should have just been another poem. You should turn this poem in to seperate poems (like part one, two...) that way you can still keep your A.N. I was going to comment this on behalf of the judge but this is now my own comment.
    ~Dommi

  • Dorcha Runda
    November 28, 2007

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    well i love it, but i did say in the rules...nothing really really long. this is really really long, but i love it. lol great poem. thanks for your entry and good luck.


  • PureRomance
    November 12, 2007

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    This is a very loving but long poem. It is very sweet. I agree with the previous posters. Good luck to you and this poem of yours in the contest.

  • DystopianDweller
    November 10, 2007

    Edit | Reply
    This is an impressively complex poem, very witty and sarcastic in parts, and touchingly romantic in others. Normally, I scoff at the use of so many quotes from other works, but you used this method effectively because you used them as contrast, not support. And also, this method isn't over-wrought, since most of the piece is yours. Finally, I love the subtleties and meters of olden English, so you get extra points in my book for going for that syntax. Nicely done. A bit overlong, but that's a small quibble. Thanks for the entry!


  • pine-needles
    November 10, 2007

    Edit | Reply
    definetly respect for those who have come before you both with the quotes and the formal style and language which mirrors them, while blending in a few hints at the more modern, such as "Mt. Everest," and of course, the confident egoticism common among many lovers that their love transcends what anyone else has ever experienced and expressed.

    really interesting range of poems, i had not heard of several of them before, and it's really cool how there are so many variations and spin-offs of the classics (the only one's I had read).

    i'm not completely sure if incorporating so much of the poems into your own is allowed, even though you have given credit. poets do throw epitaphs at the beginning, or quote and spin-off or respond to a quted line, but i've never seen such extensive quoting before. from what i have been told, because poems are usually such small, compact pieces, using even a single line from a poem in one's own work is a significant theft, but since it's quoted... i don't know, you may want to look into that a bit.

    in any case, an interesting poem, both reflects and helps instill an interest and respect for these poems. i have to admit i glazed over for much of this, so probably didn't get a lot of what's here out of it. i have too short an attention span and can't handle many abstractions without vivid details and imagery. but i can tell a lot of work went into this and it creatively engages and continues what looks like what has been a long running dialogue stretching across several centuries.
  • gochristyromano
    November 2, 2007
    Edit | Reply
    long, but beautiful. Good luck in the contest!

  • OnlyOneLifeToLive
    October 10, 2007
    Edit | Reply
    This is a very long poem. Obviously. It flowed wonderfully and was beautiful in rhythm. I really liked most of the words and phrases used. I'm sorry that because you are in several contests, I cannot make you a finalist. Thank you for entering, I enjoyed reading this poem.

  • Piccola gold member
    October 8, 2007
    Edit | Reply
    and we meet again

  • Music-Is-My-Sin
    October 1, 2007

    Edit | Reply
    wow... i enjoyed reading this. It's longer than any other I've seen on this site and that tells me something of your dedication to this particular topic.

    Excellent work and good luck in my contest.

  • the-gifted
    September 17, 2007
    Edit | Reply
    great piece. It is very good. Thank you for entering and good luck in my contest!

  • perfectsunset
    September 5, 2007

    Edit | Reply
    This was absolutely a beautiful poem, a bit too lengthy, but wonderful nevertheless. I have never seen a poem like this, I love the style. Excellent piece! I loved this part best "Come dance, from trap or golden cage,
    forever free to spread your wings
    in harmony which knows nor rage,
    nor stings nor slaps, - where spirit sings
    in ecstasy as, turning page,
    we’ll Autumn sage and Summer’s swings
    unite as, taking center stage,
    Spring warmth from Winter’s tumult springs." Thanks for entering and good luck

  • waydownuponjoy
    August 20, 2007
    Edit | Reply

    and again I say ...

    You are a genius and I would like to meet one living soul who could do what you do with such flair & apptitude. Anyone who is not astonished by the amount of effort extended to this needs to take a look at free verse poetry to see how it will never compare to the amount of talent it takes to write this kind of poetry. The quality of what you have shared is charming and I certainly wonder why you don't have a line outside your Parisian door wanting to be "that love" which you have wooed in by these thoughts. joy

  • adsaige gold member
    August 12, 2007

    Edit | Reply

    Wow

    Wow, though this is mind blowing, it's too long..and you lost me a couple of times...plus you didn't follow my rules...I will have to dq I'm sorry.
  • The Lady
    August 10, 2007
    Edit | Reply
    beautiful poetry i read here....thank you for letting me read it again.

  • Just waiting
    August 7, 2007

    Edit | Reply
    nice piece. this is quiet long for my tast but i still liked it very mcuh. thank you for entering my contest and good luck

  • Piccola gold member
    July 22, 2007

    Edit | Reply
    This is really cleaver. A bit long for my taste as I am but a dullard with the attention span of a gnat. (Who knows what that is I wonder curiously to myself) I did read all the way through it though and applaud you for weaving together some of the finest poetic thoughts ever with your own. It's going on finalist list, but I make no promises. This is but the beginning and the competition is fierce so far

  • thelovesongwriter
    July 19, 2007

    Edit | Reply
    a certainly long poem, but this one is wonderful. I'm getting a migraine now from all the bolds & stuff but it was all worth it. excellent job& best of luck.

    -lovesong

  • Titus gold member
    July 17, 2007

    Edit | Reply
    I feel that this really aught not be in this competition. Far from being the best in content, it hides the few words I hoped would be preferential in highlighting them to all accounts, and yes, it will win a trophy, but alas, we'll have to see, this is majestic in all consepts and that it not to put you out, but to see what little gems you are up against, well done indeed.

    . Rewarded 8


  • cLoWnTaLk
    July 17, 2007

    Edit | Reply

    An excellent dream of aspiring talent you have.

    This is very imaginative indeed and very well consrtucted, more for the alchives in classical magic. They're is much in this that would grace a Midsummer Nights Dream.

    . Rewarded 8


  • Immortally Yours gold member
    June 27, 2007

    Edit | Reply
    WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW ... so much deffinition ... but very beautiful write ... you have done well poet ... continue writing ... this piece was very lovely ...

    much luv
    sparkeh
  • Maingie Luupi-n-ine
    June 25, 2007

    Edit | Reply

    Seriously, I have neither the Time nor Inclination...

    .. ..

    but I applaud rapturously, and wish you .


    ML.

    . Rewarded 4


  • CinematicInk
    June 20, 2007
    Edit | Reply
    Long, but a fantastic read. Truly lyrical!
  • The Lady
    June 20, 2007

    Edit | Reply
    'Amazing Grace'....

    What a read....'in soul-song here for my adored.'......"Come live with me and be my love,'.....This Valentine could verses add'...'your angel wings, your beauty's eye,
    your heart whose depth none chart, your sigh !'......I must really read this again tonight.....

    leaves one almost breathless...and thank you for the wonderful read as always....

    . Rewarded 8


  • BabyFox Amberlight
    March 1, 2007
    Edit | Reply

    great poem

    it's a great poem except it gave me a headache good luck in the contest

    Luv,
    Sammi


  • Star Shine gold member
    March 1, 2007

    Edit | Reply
    This piece exudes pleasures by the multitude, I clicked because I love the Marlowe poem, and so the rhthm of this rewarded me over and over again. This can be read aloud and has even more impact on all levels. I love all the flourishes and the descriptive details are like warm delicious gingerbread.


  • Little Ben
    February 16, 2007

    Edit | Reply

    Wow

    Wow wow wow . truly an amazing write. i love every aspect of this poem. it is such as good write and because it is long then it is something to sink my teeth into. very well done,the only advice i could possibly give would be to maybe shorten youre next poem because i suspect most people wouldn't make time to read this. anyway on a good note very well done. i definatley with a capital D want to read youre next poem ( if you write one ) FINGERS CROSSED i like the thyme to the poem so no matter if you kept to the thyme or changed it i wouldn't care. keep writing!

    . Rewarded 4


  • A Murderous Lament
    February 15, 2007
    Edit | Reply

    Wow.

    Wow this is outstanding. Really long but it is truley excellent!

    Murderous Lament

  • waydownuponjoy
    February 15, 2007

    Edit | Reply

    The Gold Winner ...

    If this work of art is not recognized as amazing and credit given to the artist then I'm not quite sure what this amazing contest could expect would excel in all manner of speaking! The vocablulary of this poet is first rate and his stitching together of thoughts, both his and those cited are truly a wonder! I have to wonder where he ever finds the time to have such a knowledge of past poets and then add to that the time to weave it all together into a warm fuzzy blanket for my appriciation! Fantastic! joy **

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