STARS (No. 2) Stars are nearer than men, For stars understand. Timeless confidants, They have heard the recurring 'questions And suggested answers. Far enough to see with undimmed eyes, They are near. --Maxine Berntsen I .20...
STARS Sometimes veiled in misty robes 0f clouds we 'see them pass Like pilgrims on their weary way to Mecca, And sometimes pure and bright They seem like jewels in God's own crown, 0r children of the moonbeams Running wild. -~Maxine Berntsen .19-
FREEDOM They call it freedom-- The right to retreat Into the comforting warmth Of tested paths. And they call it freedom-- The right to break 19036 Into the tight grip Of antiutraditionalisté Conventionalized by rebellion. And He calls it freedom-- The right to be caught In the tension of Weak... Show moreFREEDOM They call it freedom-- The right to retreat Into the comforting warmth Of tested paths. And they call it freedom-- The right to break 19036 Into the tight grip Of antiutraditionalisté Conventionalized by rebellion. And He calls it freedom-- The right to be caught In the tension of Weak strength And independent reliance. —-Florenoe Helland .18- Show less
SUMMER MEADOW The tree waves its tousled branches In the sweet-clover smelling windo The wind warm with light and laughing summer voices, Turns its way through meadows brown With hot sun and lightnhurned grasses. The meadows brown and warm and free, The trees green and shading brown On its circle... Show moreSUMMER MEADOW The tree waves its tousled branches In the sweet-clover smelling windo The wind warm with light and laughing summer voices, Turns its way through meadows brown With hot sun and lightnhurned grasses. The meadows brown and warm and free, The trees green and shading brown On its circle cast around. Little suns in the meadows shine And reflect the brown yellow-spoked sun As it climbs through the caressing blue. The river cuts and chops the meadow As it coolly moves by sliding shore, The sun, the trees, the meadows and its flowers Find their place in this moving_shimmer mirror. --L. David Hanson .17- Show less
TEE PROUD MAN On the streetu-a proud man—~violin raised. Music inside the proud man. Fingers trembling to meet the string. The waiting strings-—the waiting strings-- Your old fiddle‘s got no strings got no strings got no strings Your old fiddle's got no strings-- * * * Cry, proud man, for the... Show moreTEE PROUD MAN On the streetu-a proud man—~violin raised. Music inside the proud man. Fingers trembling to meet the string. The waiting strings-—the waiting strings-- Your old fiddle‘s got no strings got no strings got no strings Your old fiddle's got no strings-- * * * Cry, proud man, for the unborn song which knew not life. Cry, proud man, for knowers of life but ndt the song. Cry, cry, cry-~for the proud man who knew the song and life and the silence\ —-Darlyne Deem .1 6- Show less
SMOKE Smoke is the soul of sparkling flame. It passes through cracks in doors, es- capes through screens. Its elusive grey-self is the dying breath of flames Winding in and out and through objects like a subtle thought. Its greyuvelvet self preens and stretches with the silence of a sloe-eyed... Show moreSMOKE Smoke is the soul of sparkling flame. It passes through cracks in doors, es- capes through screens. Its elusive grey-self is the dying breath of flames Winding in and out and through objects like a subtle thought. Its greyuvelvet self preens and stretches with the silence of a sloe-eyed eastern eat. It yawns; it vanishes with a small discreet PuIT 3 Which never gives away the secret of the loud-crackling, quick-taloned flame. It glides ghostliken-catlike--deathlike under doors and through screens. -Jean Harrison ~14- Show less
EVENING GUEST Silent_steps upon the stairs, The friendly sight of a half-open, expectant dour, The words spoken in warm welcome, The coat and hath-taken to a resting place, then forgotten, The remembered incidents, forgotten faces, memories revived, Catching-up on lost time, renewing old thoughts... Show moreEVENING GUEST Silent_steps upon the stairs, The friendly sight of a half-open, expectant dour, The words spoken in warm welcome, The coat and hath-taken to a resting place, then forgotten, The remembered incidents, forgotten faces, memories revived, Catching-up on lost time, renewing old thoughts, instilling new ones, watching television or looking at pictures, The smell of fresh coffee brewing, the taste of dainty sandwiches, Laughter and then a worried look-- The baby coughing--we look to see; all is W611, More coffee, conversation (some deep; some general) all warm and friendly, Jests, humor, a blushing face, gentle laughter, watching the pop-corn popping, delighted by its smell, delighted more at taste. Then it's time to go, growing late, the thank yous, the invitation to return,. ‘ warm, friendly goodbyes, then down the stairs and outside-- "ThAnkst" "Goodnightt" "we'll see you!" "Come againt" The heart glows--warmed with a contentment, a peace. --LeRoy Conyers Show less
ON IT The snow fell too soon this year. I woke one morning to the thud of rain. The day wore on; it turned to sleet, then snow. The stupid earthworms lay in frozen silence On the cold, wet walk. But summer came after the snow. The earthworms tried to raise their heads. But—dwinter came again, And... Show moreON IT The snow fell too soon this year. I woke one morning to the thud of rain. The day wore on; it turned to sleet, then snow. The stupid earthworms lay in frozen silence On the cold, wet walk. But summer came after the snow. The earthworms tried to raise their heads. But—dwinter came again, And I don't care. -Pat Razook .31- Show less
