Poetry

I admit I'm a crap poet, but still these guys inspired me to put pen to paper - or fingers to keyboard, in this case. I've used different forms of poetry as practise for my English degree where we have to write varying styles. What better subject to write on?

Antero

(This is my favourite poem to date. I will be submitting it as an assignment paper and have yet to write the essay analysing and explaining what I've done. When I've finally completed the essay, I'll put it up here in case anyone is really interested)

I watch and learn from your ragged breath,
your senseless grace and silken hair.
Dimmed and darkened so none can see
my tainted love, the wasted dearth
of useless need and longing sight
hidden from you as you smile.
Kept from all, the painful crowd.
Secrets locked in pulsing time,
blood-red, life-giving mine.
Lost in pained fingers, a needful touch
not given yet, no more, no less.
And only the tip of your tongue to taste
in my dreaming, hungry mind.
And you, reflected in the deep,
No - deeper - to a silent gaze.
And never speak of more than 'we'.
Never 'us' - can never be.
Offer my soul to vengeful truth,
Thinking should I gird and speak.
Fancy your downturned, curving lips
do smile for me only - naught but lies.
Mirrored back into circles black
to see myself echoed in your eyes.

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(Haiku is a Japanese form of poetry, consisting of three lines with 5, 7 and 5 syllables in each line respectively)

A Series Of Apo Haiku

Eicca, as you bow
golden hair swings softly.
This silent giant.

Paavo, so happy
but I know your deep secret -
favourite word: gay.

Perttu, kulta. Gold.
Rosin scent, bleak despair
I love you, klutz!

Antsa, mystery
Cool as rock yet kisses sweet
Smile - light my life.

Max, I often think
where did you get your hair cut?
Heap of balding floss.

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(The sestina is an old fixed form of poetry, dating as far back as the twelfth century. It consists of six six-line stanzas and a three-line concluding stanza. The ending words of the first stanza are repeated throughout each subsequent stanza in a set pattern. The same six words appear in the concluding three-line stanza, two in each line.)

Stage Sestina

With friendly eyes, a rakish smile,
his dark blue eyes
and powered grace
crinkle happily on his face,
as plundered notes refuse to soar.
Deep, yet tender love.

Another man who gives his love
and his cherished, curving smile.
His gaze searches heavenward to soar
above the wild adoring eyes.
Female beauty in his face.
tallest spire, full of grace.

A slender wrist, his giving grace
and shy, pained forgotten love.
He is one with the sweetest face,
a happy, sunny, crazy smile
Faraway plays those blank eyes
as angel notes from his fingers soar.

And over us, the beauty soars
oft times a mad unconscious grace.
See them look into each others eyes
and speak of friendship and of love.
A quiet, mysterious and serious smile.
concentration etched deep on the face.

Here is one - shows nought on his face,
but still my heart begins to soar
when given an angelic smile
as he stands with suited grace,
to glance at them with subtle love
from his black-glass covered eyes.

Who could look into those four pairs of eyes
hear human-voiced music? Who could not face
to fall into desperate, helpless love
as heart-rending notes upwards soar,
and see the thanking bows of grace -
four wondrous, astonished smiles.

To see them smile. To watch their eyes
and witness perfect bow-held grace. Could we face
them - and soar to higher, purer love?

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