On Borrowed Time
O ne lonely life is offered knight or knave,
N o second chance is sent, though some would seek
B y bell, book, candle to sustain thread weak,
O r mask the blinding darkness of the grave.
R emember, ‘Carpe Diem! ’ Coward, brave,
R aise equal dust when ploughed, while pauper, sheik
O wn an equal plot when past plots speak
W ith Lethe’s tongue, and young men fresh paths pave.
E xistence fires derisive pyres, we’d wave
D eath’s dancing grin aside, but no technique
T hat’s known can conquer Time. Each day, each week,
I s sacrificed. Man stays the Future’s slave.
M inute more is minute minus [s]tress, -
E very moment leaves Man’s little, less...
© Jonathan Robin – acrostic sonnet written 28 September 1992
poem by Jonathan Robin

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Related quotes
As Time Slips By - Acrostic Sonnet
As time sleeps by love’s tide [s]weeps sluggard, cold,
Slow beats heart's flow, forgets dreams' heats once sought.
Then, fragile, faith wraith cobwebs spins, sins caught
In Time’s equation web. Where once soul bold
Made music wild, filed, passion dims, short-sold.
Existence pales, stales, fails, - loves tales abort -
Sheds goals, gaols aims at joys ‘chance’ might have brought -
Little cares how life’s tale may unfold.
Inspiration wanes, fears stranglehold,
Plaintive soul retreats to shell, distraught,
Second hand experiences, thought,
Buy time, dismiss love from life's centrefold.
Yawning the abyss which, biding time,
shall swallow every line and every rhyme.
© Jonathan Robin – Acrostic Sonnet written 16 September 2001 revised 7 August 2007
_______________
Passed By
As time drifts by Love’s tide flows coward, cold,
Slow beats sad heart, lost far from dreams once sought.
Too little lust, - blades rust, in cobwebs caught -
In time fires dim which once, in times of old,
Moved untamed ecstasy, flame bold.
Existence paled until encounter brought
Potency restored, fresh friendship taught
A focus fresh, let energies unfold.
Some dreams remain, most vain, in stranglehold
Spirit stifled, struggle not as thought
Experience leaves feelings dulled, distraught,
Dismisses soul from life's bright centrefold.
But chance encounter sets in timeless motion
Yen to advance, to share inspired emotion...
© Jonathan Robin – Acrostic Sonnet written 16 April 2005 as a variation of As Time Slips By – see above
poem by Jonathan Robin

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Polyacrostic Palimpsest - What Will Follow?
Notes on Polyacrostic Palimpsests
Acrostic: Verse in which certain letters form a word or message
Polyacrostic: Several acrostics within the same composition;
Acrostics to be found below:
What will follow - external
Name an Acrostic - vertical from middle
Robin Jonathan - double diagonal from middle
Palimpsest: A manuscript on which more than one text is written
with earlier writing, or one level of meaning, partially visible.
Enjoy!
3 versions below:
4 March 2009
6 January 2007
2 January 1992 [Jonathan Wrobel]
What Will Follow?
Who knows what in our future lies ahead,
How will man's banana skin unpeel,
And thus show him what follows on, reveal
Tomorrow's stated story. Living dead,
We wait and ask vain sages why we're led
In ignorance to never-never's wheel.
Life is lost as man sets out, why steal
Little joys in scheming, joys gainsaid:
Fond intention ropes soon ties instead
Of painting scroll whose links naught need conceal.
Let be all fears, shine out as beacon real.
Look forward to trial met book open, read,
Or is all error, nightmares' terrors where
We puppets find chance rules us? Judgements spare!
© Jonathan Robin polyacrostic palimpsest sonnet written 2 January 1992 revised 4 March 2009
What Will Follow?
Who knows what in our future lies ahead,
How will man's banana skin unpeel,
And thus show him what follows on, reveal
Tomorrow's stated story. Living dead,
We wait and ask vain sages why we're led
In ignorance to never-never's wheel.
Life is lost as man sets out, why steal
Little joys in scheming, joys gainsaid
Fate, in waiting, rarely runs, - instead
Our sins turns to our loss without appeal.
Let be all fears, shine out as beacon real.
Look forward to the future, - grow, love, wed -
Or all’s terror, nightmare error where
We soon will see climactic climes none spare…
© Jonathan Robin polyacrostic palimpsest sonnet written 2 January 1992 revised 6 January 2007
What will Follow?
Who knows what in our future lies ahead,
How will man's banana skin unpeel,
And thus show him what follows on, reveal
Tomorrow's stated story, live or dead.
We wait and ask vain sages why we're led
In ignorance to never-never's wheel.
Life is lost as man sets out, why steal
Little joys in scheming, joys when fed
Fulfill our hearts which lay too long abed.
Our selves we should revive, all sloth repeal,
Let be all fears, shine out as beacon real.
Look forward to the future, - grow, love, wed!
Or all is error, 'tis but nightmare where
We soon will see chance rules us without heir!
Jonathan Wrobel polyacrostic palimpsest sonnet © Jonathan Robin written 2 January 1992
poem by Jonathan Robin

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Foreplay
Seventy seasons sliced by harvest scythe,
sent spent from feast’s fields to untimely grave,
while g[r]azing Time derides begged ebb-tide crave
denies recycled dream, Life’s token tithe.
Who dwells on Death when young and carefree, blithe? -
child heedless plays till taught how to behave.
Adult, aware of all he’d pay to save
from dark forgetfulness, as worm will writhe
an hour, though blind, before brain’s dropped by hive,
good-bye encounters, countdown’s final wave
submerging shawl with pall. Fresh faces pave
new roads, loads, sequent stage for limping, lithe.
Dead end lies destiny both mouse and man
enjoy - span evanescent also-ran.
© Jonathan Robin robi3_0540 written 28 September 1996 revised 23 November 2006 revised as sonnet 3 December 2008 - see below for previous versions initial title Childsplay
Foreplay
Seventy seasons sliced by harvest scythe,
s[p]ent from fields of feasting for[e] Time, grave,
g[r]azes with equanimity, the [g]rave
seems dream recycling tinsel token tithe.
Who dwells on Death when young and carefree, blithe?
Child heedless plays till taught how to behave.
Adult, aware of all he’d give to save
from dark forgetfulness, as worm will writhe
an hour, though blind, before life's final wave
with pall's enshrouded, for fresh paths must pave
subsequent stage for limping, hale, pale, lithe.
Dead end is destiny both mouse and man
enjoy - span evanescent also-ran.
© Jonathan Robin robi3_0540 written 28 September 1996 revised 23 November 2006 modified 17 April 2008 for previous version see below
Childsplay
Seventy years cut from the waiting scythe,
gleaned from fields eternal where Time, grave,
g(r) azes with equanimity, the (g) rave
is but recycling of Life’s token tithe.
Who dwells on Death when young and carefree, blithe? -
the child plays till he’s taught how to behave.
Adult, aware of all he fain would save
from dark forgetfulness, as worm will writhe
an hour, though blind, before the final wave.
poem by Jonathan Robin

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Birthday Letter for Lucinda
Let this, your eighteenth birthday, offer you
Unique joy, and understanding’s light,
Cha[lle) nging uncertainties you might
In future face tomorrow with steps true.
New horizons open up, and through
Determination, courage, sage insight, -
All needed if you wish to win the fight
Life weighs against us joy may come. Thus to
Unknown regions venture. Much to do.
Completion still awaits, true wings for flight.
In life stay true to tenets you feel right,
Never betraying principles, virtue.
Decide to use your mind and you will find
A new world welcome, - work up from behind...
© Jonathan Robin – acrostic sonnet robi3_0593_robi3_0000 LUCINDA written 5 August 1992
poem by Jonathan Robin

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Brackets 0269
Break down stored brackets, restore spirit's soar,
Refuse restrictions, even golden cage,
As fame has second thoughts, untimely age
Celebrity converts to dust. Therefore,
Karma of light and laughter seek, sure core,
Enlightenment before Life's final page
Turns to find one absent from its stage.
Steer truthwards, fancy, fiction, shed, sure shore.
Behind lies Lethe, Lethe lies before,
Recorded time provides no living wage
Afterwards for archivists who'd gauge
Concerns or motives held in times of yore,
Knowledge sift to lift life's lid and pour
Excited over causal links, engage
Tenaciously in quibbling why, wherefore.
Sing Carpe Diem while one holds life's floor.
(31 December 2008)
poem by Jonathan Robin

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Anti Cyclone
Rising waters. Few escape Eye’s aim.
Energies mischannelled, modern man
Victim of needs perceived no longer can
Offer himself enlightenment. He’ll blame
Life’s past pollution, - thoughtless, partial claim.
Vice muzzles virtue, leaves truth also-ran.
Is Time God’s hook to dangle puppet fan,
Nature a two edged sword? Greed feeds Man’s flame,
Growth self-destructive heedless follows fame.
Cul-de-sac clima[c]tic ru[i]ns, - no plan
Yet clothes starvation. Few with insight scan
CLONEd tornadoes... Hurry can play games,
SPIn flash flood wave from some predestined scheme
Now punishing abuse of Earth’s demesne....
Acrostic Sonnet written 20 September 2005
poem by Jonathan Robin

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One May Write With Forked Tongue
ON written ciphers you depend
EMit and then amend your speech,
AYe, there's the rub for when I teach
WRit long till generations' end
IT will run true, no falsehood rend.
Echoes base pale face - white leach -
WIll suck to meanings change to beach
THe sense when times upon fresh bend
FOrwards embark or backwards trend
Refuting fair traditions. Each
Knows Time revenge exacts to reach
EDitions new that few defend.
TONe tribal sends reviving stream
GUEst welcomes with true story's gleam.
(c) Jonathan Robin - acrostic sonnet One May Write With Forked Tongue written 14 January 2007
poem by Jonathan Robin

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Dis Solution Dissipation
Weighted with darkness of impending doom
each waits alone, alike to friend and foe
as deaf as stone, as heedless of each blow.
Who cares what curtains drape eternal gloom?
No will, however strong, when death will loom,
pride vaunts oblivious to oblivion's slow
approaching icy grip from tip to toe -
as though dissolving essence could make room
for Hope at Act’s end. Wormcast catacomb,
Life’s dust dispersal tomb rehearsal show
is headlong blown along Time’s one way flow,
tomorrow naught can conjure from Past's womb.
From darkness stark may flesh fresh flake again,
unfettered spark, from wake wake, cry_oh_gain! ?
© Jonathan Robin – sonnet robi3_0612 written 17 January 2001 revised 11 April 2008
previous title - Into Dust Dissolve
cry_oh_gain... cryogen
poem by Jonathan Robin

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April May June Duly Appear August
Another day spins round, another moon
Plies silver gossamer surprise profound.
Rebounding droplets of spaced spring too soon
In Lethe's stream eternity resound.
Life drips despondently, some say, tear drowned.
As April breasts Spring's crest, as lovers spoon,
Perceive leaf, bud and bowls' rich garb fresh found,
Rainbow bridge 'twixt mad March, warm May, June.
Imagination's tendrils intertwine,
Leap out from Winter's protective cocoon,
And span star-spangled sky, lands fertilize,
PRepare the ground for future harvest wine.
..If Truth be Beauty, April offers boon,
..Links seasons' sparkle, Life reflects, replies.
(c) Jonathan Robin acrostic sonnet APRIL written 13 April 2008 - see To Tint Mad March with Tenderness of June
poem by Jonathan Robin

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As Dew from Lily Pearls
AS DEW FROM LILY PEARLS
As dew from lily pea[r]ls away
Stretched time can’t rhyme eternity.
Desire whose fire may warm today
Ephemeris is seen to be.
We pass, time due, climb through life’s play,
Fall, fate forgotten, from life’s tree,
Remembered in leafed album stray,
Or – for a spell – where family
Must thrust dust, trust our writings may
Lift spirits from banality.
If ALL is in, through, ALL our stay
Lingers in some way to key
Youth, age, together, thus may mock despair,
PEARL Seed be[a]d-feed leads to new life, joy rare...
(c) Jonathan Robin acrostic sonnet written 3 January 2007
robi03_1551_robi03_0000 ASX_KZX
poem by Jonathan Robin

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Geraniums would blush
GERANIUMS WOULD BLUSH
Geraniums would blush to see her lips,
And Helen Paris plaster prove to be.
In years to come when rainbow’s mystery
Lies secret solved all souls will know their trips
Have in one smile their origin. Eclipse
Afrights the sun when warming light none see.
Resplendent, ever human quality
Confirmed is from those pearly finger-tips –
Unless Truth lies – to crown from toes to hips.
Such sparkle springs divine, as all agree.
Glad honey-bees for nectar forage free,
Alas for them – not one such sweetness sips!
In platitudes most writers refuge seek –
Life’s poesy through one alone shall speak.
15 June 1992
robi03_0578_robi03_0000 ASX_MOX
Poem © Jonathan Robin acrostic sonnet Gail Harcus
poem by Jonathan Robin

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New Tear's Candle
NEW TEAR'S CANDLE
Now here, now fled, bright light's soon snuffed, clock ticks,
E xistence fragile echoes with life’s play
W here visibility’s trimmed to today.
T ime up, ambitions down, as candle wicks
E xpire upon some midnight cold Fate picks.
A month or more, before horizons grey
R educe tired final flickers cinder gay, -
S pendthrift embers. Moving finger pricks
O ut bubble options, cares nor fiddlesticks
N or tinker’s curses for chance thrown away,
N or seeks reprieve for an extended stay. –
E phemeral our sojourn’s augenblicks.
T he loaf of bread, the flask of wine, boon mate,
S oon wane, recycled wax, evaporate.
1 January 2006 revised 8 September 2007
robi03_1400_robi03_0000 ASX_DEZ
Previous title New Tear's Sonnets
New Tear's Candle poem © Jonathan Robin
poem by Jonathan Robin

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If 1 And 2 Were Equal
If 1 and 2 were equal
we'd have as many hearts as fists
If 1 and 2 were equal
we'd have confused shopping lists
If 1 and 2 were equal
there'd be less phone numbers to dial
If 1 and 2 were equal
noon would surely last a while
If 1 and 2 were equal
there'd be a nose under each eye
If 1 and 2 were equal
you couldn't say no to 'you and I? '
If 1 and 2 were equal
I think I'd be much more happy
'cause if 1 and 2 were equal
I would not be so lonely
poem by John W. McEwers

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Passed By - Acrostic Sonnet
As time drifts by Love’s tide flows coward, cold,
Slow beats sad heart, lost far from dreams once sought.
Too little lust, - blades rust, in cobwebs caught -
In time fires dim which once, in times of old,
Moved untamed ecstasy, flame bold.
Existence paled until encounter brought
Potency restored, fresh friendship taught
A focus fresh, let energies unfold.
Some dreams remain, most vain, in stranglehold
Spirit stifled, struggle not as thought
Experience leaves feelings dulled, distraught,
Dismisses soul from life's bright centrefold.
But chance encounter sets in timeless motion
Yen to advance, to share inspired emotion...
© Jonathan Robin – Acrostic Sonnet written 16 April 2005 as a variation of As Time Slips By – see below
____________________
As Time Slips By
As time sleeps by love’s tide grows sluggard, cold,
Slow beats the heart, forgetting dreams once sought.
Then, fragile, faith soon spins its cobwebs - caught
In Time’s equation web. Where once soul bold
Made untamed music, passion dims, short-sold.
Existence pales, stales, fails, - loves tales abort -
Sheds goals, gaols aims at joys ‘chance’ might have brought -
Little cares how life’s tale may unfold.
Inspiration slips as fears take hold,
Plaintive spirit sinks in shell, distraught,
Second hand experiences, thought,
Buy time, dismiss love from life's centrefold.
Yawning the abyss which, biding time,
will swallow every line and every rhyme.
poem by Jonathan Robin

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Momentum Creative
Momentous wave laves Past, washed fast to sea,
As former reference-points no sense retain,
Unexpected sentiments unstained
Defy tried definitions, time, place, we
Extend with superficiality.
Momentum since not only's been maintained,
Accelerates increases, soars sustained,
Unblocking time-locks sensitivity
Denies as sense of self, of sin, flee, - free
Excitement's impetus each day regained.
Mists clear, sensations sear soul, brain, unfeigned,
Acceptance seeks no pre-conditions' key.
Urgency is dissipated, trust
DEepens daily, gold creates from dust...
(c) Jonathan Robin - acrostic sonnet MAUDE 27 May 2008 robi3_1747_robi3_0000 ASX_EJL
poem by Jonathan Robin

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Solstice Season
S eptember's solstice season spans between
E arly autumn, winter white. Sun leaves
P hoto's synthesis as summer grieves
T he passing cusp preparing sharper sheen.
E ase, orchards fruitful as boughs heavy lean,
M ature is corn, horn plenteous spills, achieves
B ounty's harvest bundling golden sheaves.
E xpectant breeze wave teases trees. Some glean
R emaining grains from fields whose yield has been
S pecial blessing granted as time weaves
EPhemeral rings beneath rough bark, conceives
TEMpting joys cocooned till Spring's springs clean
BEyond restraints, bears promise, year reborn,
Restoring hope as cycles spin fresh dawn...
(Acrostic sonnet SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER /11 September 2007)
poem by Jonathan Robin

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Conditions Change - 0940
Absence of understanding that the past
can't be applied to future trends dismays.
Conditions change. Tomorrow's dawn displays
multilevel windows, links which fast
create fresh interfaces, leave aghast
those who'd draw back where subtle interplays
call for advance, dice chance and novel ways
to seek, must earn earn in manner multicast.
Gust sweeps away lust's dust, no cultures last,
pride pays Time's price though fool 'stop icon' prays.
All evolves, kite flies from tethered stays
unstrung by unexpected stormy blast.
What brave new world can dam the winds of change?
That some presume themselves immune seems strange!
(24 May 2001)
poem by Jonathan Robin

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Rise Through Regrets
This jaded world from role reversal reels,
Harsh judgement passes on deceptions deep.
Exit by bear pursued few locks will keep -
Door closed and shuttered windows soon reveals
Only introspection spirit seals
On dust of love’s rejection which can't weep.
Remorseless fate exacts a price too steep.
Rise through regrets, for surface storm conceals
Events which Cause/Effect invents, spins wheels
Mind's reasons, blind, may challenge, worries sweep,
Offering chance advance, to help heart reap
Victory and tune to future's peal.
Edition new heals smart, stamps vis[t]a’s start.
Dream themes unreels, hope's schemes successful chart.
© Jonathan Robin – acrostic sonnet written 28 December 2006 The Door Removed - revised 20 October 2008 for previous version see below
This world above from role reversing reels,
Harsh judgement passes on deceptions deep.
Exit by bear pursued few locks will keep -
Door closed and shuttered windows soon reveals
Only introspection which must weep
On dust of love’s rejection past. We feel
Remorseless fate exacts a price too steep.
Rise through regrets which may disguise surprise
Events which Cause/Effect invents to try
Most patience, represent in other guise
Other guy’s advance to Chance defy.
Vain complaint when heart new part may chart,
EDition true heals smart, stamps vis[t]a’s fresher start.
© Jonathan Robin – acrostic sonnet written 28 December 2006 The Door Removed
poem by Jonathan Robin

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Make Hay While Sun Shines
MAKE HAY WHILE SUN SHINES
As hair divides fast living from last groan,
and hare and rarebit hop like time ahead,
both they and Man dark glasses wear, unknown
is future near and far past's story sped.
What funny seems through bunny's glasses spread
from brow to brow now may, tomorrow blown,
reveal dreams' themes found fragile, few postpone
fate's finger, what was written must be read.
Begun in fun, life filters sun; strife, dread,
rubs gilt off fabled gingerbread, strikes stone
clover's four leaves, leaves grieving fallen throne,
with pride's ride set aside, forgotten, fled.
The moral of this simple sonnet's seen:
make hay while sun still shines, seek pastures green.
5 September 2009
robi03_1907_robi03_0000 SXX_DJZ
poem by Jonathan Robin

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Tight Corners Turned Empower
Times of trouble sponge solutions new,
Intuition inks in what seemed blank.
Grief is patient. Joy greets the dawn to thank
Hope for fresh sparks where all appeared askew.
The challenge unchains energy which through
Creative insight borrows from of the bank
Of inner strength, experience one once drank,
Retained within the brain, respewed on cue,
New inklings spliced with instincts tried and true.
Errors past forge futre force if frank,
Reproachless one stays, not destructive crank.
Sincerity succeeds if luck smiles too.
Turned, tight corners open vistas which
Empower options which advances stitch.
(20 August 1992 /acrostic sonnet - Tight Corners Turned Empower)
poem by Jonathan Robin

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