poem

These are poems about Politics by Michael Burch, and impolite poems about Politicians.

Gore-dom Boredom
by Michael R. Burch

There once was a candidate, Gore,
whose campaign had become quite a bore.
“He’s much too stiff,”
sighed his publicist,
“but not like his predecessor!”

***

Political epigrams by Michael R. Burch
Political jokes by Michael R. Burch

These are my modern English translations of poems, epigrams, sayings and quotes by Rumi. 

Elevate your words, not their volume. Rain grows flowers, not thunder.—Rumi, translation by Michael R. Burch

Forget security!
Live by the perilous sea.
Destroy your reputation, however glorious.
Become notorious.
—Rumi, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

Your heart’s candle is ready to be kindled.
Your soul’s void is waiting to be filled.
You can feel it, can’t you?
—Rumi, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

These are poems of mine that have been turned into songs by composers, plus a few that I would like to become songs.

Indestructible
by Michael R. Burch

for Johnny Cash

What is a mountain, but stone?
Or a spire, but a trinket of steel?
Johnny Cash is gone,
black from his hair to his bootheels.

RESPECT

*1Respect is the Desire of everybody's mind,

But is only given to people who are kind.

*2Respect is given to those who deserve it,

And is not given to those who are unfit for it.

*3Respect is like a fuel of life,

Without which a man cannot work rife.

*4Respect to our elders plays an important role,

As its the blessing to achieve our goal.

*5Respect is like a bullet of a gun,

Which Travels with us in long run.

*6Respect when given to all,

His reputation will never fall.

IT ALL STARTED WITH RUDY FRANCISCO

© N. M. Leepsa, 2018

The firmament above, beneath we exist,
This diversity in divine artistry
Same eyes divers sizes
Different skin same sin
Different color same honor
Same human same humor
Why try to sort out maize from corn? They are all same
Cus just one shot, your race wont spare you

The beast neighs, piercing the thick evening air

With his cry of protest.

Because of You

Perhaps love does really exist, but the beings we are surrounded by don't know how
Perhaps there is no such thing as soulmates, but if you're blessed with loving someone who respects you back, you should stick with 'em
Perhaps the tides come in and then receed to show us what, if anything, will be left behind after some turbulence
Perhaps we shouldn't compare struggles, feet can manage socks and hands can manage mittens

If you want to milk the Earth as a cow,
Then nourish the soil with seed and plow;
For when it’s set with deep grown roots,
Like a plentiful tree, it will yield many fruits.
 
 
 
Inspired by a Sanskrit poem by Bhartri-Hari, as translated in the Clay Sanskrit Library edition:
 
Rajan, dudhuksasi yadi Ksiti dhenum enam,
Ten’ adya vatsam iva lokam amum pusana;
Tasmims ca samyag anisam paripusyamane
Nana phalam phalati kalpa lat eva Bhumih.
 
King, if you want to milk this Earth as a cow,