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Leonardo da Vinci “Paragone of Poetry and Painting” Translation

These are my modern English translations of epigrams and poems by Leonardo da Vinci. I suspect da Vinci's “Paragone of Poetry and Painting” may have been aimed like a dart at his greatest rival, Michelangelo!

Excerpts from “Paragone of Poetry and Painting” and Other Writings
by Leonardo da Vinci, circa 1500
loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

Poems about Politics

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

Poems for Poets

These are poems I have written for other poets, after other poets, about other poets, and about poets and poetry in general.

Gallant Knight
by Michael R. Burch

for Alfred Dorn

Till you rest with your beautiful Anita,
rouse yourself, Poet; rouse and write.
The world is not ready for your departure,
Gallant Knight.

Teach us to sing in the ringing cathedrals
of your Verse, as you outduel the Night.
Give us new eyes to see Love’s bright Vision
robed in Light.

Gallant Knight and other Poems for Poets

These are poems I have written for other poets, after other poets, about other poets, and about poets and poetry in general.

Gallant Knight
by Michael R. Burch

for Alfred Dorn

Till you rest with your beautiful Anita,
rouse yourself, Poet; rouse and write.
The world is not ready for your departure,
Gallant Knight.

Teach us to sing in the ringing cathedrals
of your Verse, as you outduel the Night.
Give us new eyes to see Love’s bright Vision
robed in Light.

Poems about Poets

These are poems I have written for other poets, after other poets, about other poets, and about poets and poetry in general.

Gallant Knight
by Michael R. Burch

for Alfred Dorn

Till you rest with your beautiful Anita,
rouse yourself, Poet; rouse and write.
The world is not ready for your departure,
Gallant Knight.

Teach us to sing in the ringing cathedrals
of your Verse, as you outduel the Night.
Give us new eyes to see Love’s bright Vision
robed in Light.

Poems for and about Poets (II)

These are poems I have written for other poets, after other poets, about other poets, and about poets and poetry in general.

Gallant Knight
by Michael R. Burch

for Alfred Dorn

Till you rest with your beautiful Anita,
rouse yourself, Poet; rouse and write.
The world is not ready for your departure,
Gallant Knight.

Teach us to sing in the ringing cathedrals
of your Verse, as you outduel the Night.
Give us new eyes to see Love’s bright Vision
robed in Light.