A muse once told me of joy and pleasure,
Of beautiful things beyond all measure.
She spoke of trees whose leaves would never fade,
And daffodils that grew in every glade.
The mountains were purple and the oceans were blue;
The sunsets were orange–of a beautiful hue.
The clouds were not dark and ne’er did it rain,
And lovers were happy; they [...]
Come stroll with me thou sprightly lass;
Why should one’s youth too quickly pass?
‘twould be a sin to spend our days
Without each other’s tender gaze.
’tis said that idle minds will stray
If one forgets he’s made of clay;
Are houses built with folded hands,
Or battles won in distant lands,
Without the effort of a few
That choose to do what [...]
White tiger paces
Across the limestone threshold.
His house has no door.
Copyright ©1985 Joseph G. Merrell III
Oh restless love which longs to loose those chains,
You’re free to roam the wild and distant plains.
For you were born in fields of ageless splendor;
Should you be forced to live without the tender
Warmth and companionship that kings enjoy?
Or do you think that love could never cloy?
I’ve watched you hunting in the morning light;
Your claws are [...]
¡Por favor, el tiempo está ahora!
We only have this moment, Love.
Our time is like a passing breeze
Which sways the branches high above
Or moves the ships upon the seas.
Please do not stand as poplars do
Against the icy northern wind;
For if you’ll look you’ll find this clue,
That gentle trees know [...]
Arise thou gentle, tender shoot;
Apollo runs the race with zeal.
I hear the trumpet and flute;
The rain, the warmth–all these I feel.
As sprightly drops begin to fall
Upon the daffodil’s long trump,
The robin to his mate dost call;
Soon they’ll place each tiny clump
Of amber straw upon the heap,
Then they’ll add the twigs with care.
Inside this nest the [...]
You’ve come to steal my heart?
An ironmonger’s wife
Would ne’er agree to part
With hardened ore and strife.
Am I a single lass?
It must have slipped my mind.
I’m married to this mass
Of molten copper and brass.
It’s fun to polish my rings
(these stones are getting old);
My parrot never sings
(he’s only made of gold).
You’re such a humble man;
You’ll never find [...]
Variation
means variety-to most people.
Here a little Arsenic,
there a little Strychnine.
How about a gourmet meal-
A little Mercury perhaps?
Drop by drop,
the infusion begins:
first by Mary,
then by Susan;
finally by you.
Drop by drop
the poison falls
into his veins.
Will he stop
before he’s dead?
Give him the antidote-
give him love.
Love wishes joy
upon others.
Love joins man to wife,
and love rejoins them.
Copyright ©1985 Joseph G. [...]
By saving the chaff
And discarding the kernel,
You’ve thrown away
Those things that are eternal.
Your kingdom consists
Of bread and honey.
When you reach those pearly gates,
What will you do with all your money?
You would rob the rich
To enrich the poor;
Then you would knock
At the peasant’s door.
Now the music plays;
Later it will stop.
The rich and the poor,
Their seats will [...]
