Her Triumph
I did the dragon's will until you came
Because I had fancied love a casual
Improvisation, or a settled game
That followed if I let the kerchief fall:
Those deeds were best that gave the minute wings
And heavenly music if they gave it wit;
And then you stood among the dragon-rings.
I mocked, being crazy, but you mastered it
And broke the chain and set my ankles free,
Saint George or else a pagan Perseus;
And now we stare astonished at the sea,
And a miraculous strange bird shrieks at us.
poem by William Butler Yeats
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A Woman Young And Old
I
FATHER AND CHILD
SHE hears me strike the board and say
That she is under ban
Of all good men and women,
Being mentioned with a man
That has the worst of all bad names;
And thereupon replies
That his hair is beautiful,
Cold as the March wind his eyes.
II
BEFORE THE WORLD WAS MADE
IF I make the lashes dark
And the eyes more bright
And the lips more scarlet,
Or ask if all be right
From mirror after mirror,
No vanity's displayed:
I'm looking for the face I had
Before the world was made.
What if I look upon a man
As though on my beloved,
And my blood be cold the while
And my heart unmoved?
Why should he think me cruel
Or that he is betrayed?
I'd have him love the thing that was
Before the world was made.
III
A FIRST CONFESSION
I ADMIT the briar
Entangled in my hair
Did not injure me;
My blenching and trembling,
Nothing but dissembling,
Nothing but coquetry.
I long for truth, and yet
I cannot stay from that
My better self disowns,
For a man's attention
Brings such satisfaction
To the craving in my bones.
Brightness that I pull back
From the Zodiac,
Why those questioning eyes
That are fixed upon me?
What can they do but shun me
If empty night replies?
IV
HER TRIUMPH
I DID the dragon's will until you came
Because I had fancied love a casual
Improvisation, or a settled game
That followed if I let the kerchief fall:
Those deeds were best that gave the minute wings
And heavenly music if they gave it wit;
And then you stood among the dragon-rings.
I mocked, being crazy, but you mastered it
And broke the chain and set my ankles free,
Saint George or else a pagan Perseus;
And now we stare astonished at the sea,
And a miraculous strange bird shrieks at us.
V
CONSOLATION
O BUT there is wisdom
In what the sages said;
But stretch that body for a while
And lay down that head
Till I have told the sages
Where man is comforted.
How could passion run so deep
Had I never thought
That the crime of being born
Blackens all our lot?
But where the crime's committed
The crime can be forgot.
VI
CHOSEN
THE lot of love is chosen. I learnt that much
Struggling for an image on the track
Of the whirling Zodiac.
Scarce did he my body touch,
Scarce sank he from the west
Or found a subtetranean rest
On the maternal midnight of my breast
Before I had marked him on his northern way,
And seemed to stand although in bed I lay.
I struggled with the horror of daybreak,
I chose it for my lot! If questioned on
My utmost pleasure with a man
By some new-married bride, I take
That stillness for a theme
Where his heart my heart did seem
And both adrift on the miraculous stream
Where -- wrote a learned astrologer --
The Zodiac is changed into a sphere.
VII
PARTING
i{He.} Dear, I must be gone
While night Shuts the eyes
Of the household spies;
That song announces dawn.
i{She.} No, night's bird and love's
Bids all true lovers rest,
While his loud song reproves
The murderous stealth of day.
i{He.} Daylight already flies
From mountain crest to crest
i{She.} That light is from the moom.
i{He.} That bird...
i{She.} Let him sing on,
I offer to love's play
My dark declivities.
VIII
HER VISION IN THE WOOD
DRY timber under that rich foliage,
At wine-dark midnight in the sacred wood,
Too old for a man's love I stood in rage
Imagining men. Imagining that I could
A greater with a lesser pang assuage
Or but to find if withered vein ran blood,
I tore my body that its wine might cover
Whatever could rccall the lip of lover.
And after that I held my fingers up,
Stared at the wine-dark nail, or dark that ran
Down every withered finger from the top;
But the dark changed to red, and torches shone,
And deafening music shook the leaves; a troop
Shouldered a litter with a wounded man,
Or smote upon the string and to the sound
Sang of the beast that gave the fatal wound.
All stately women moving to a song
With loosened hair or foreheads grief-distraught,
It seemed a Quattrocento painter's throng,
A thoughtless image of Mantegna's thought --
Why should they think that are for ever young?
Till suddenly in grief's contagion caught,
I stared upon his blood-bedabbled breast
And sang my malediction with the rest.
That thing all blood and mire, that beast-torn wreck,
Half turned and fixed a glazing eye on mine,
And, though love's bitter-sweet had all come back,
Those bodies from a picture or a coin
Nor saw my body fall nor heard it shriek,
Nor knew, drunken with singing as with wine,
That they had brought no fabulous symbol there
But my heart's victim and its torturer.
IX
A LAST CONFESSION
WHAT lively lad most pleasured me
Of all that with me lay?
I answer that I gave my soul
And loved in misery,
But had great pleasure with a lad
That I loved bodily.
Flinging from his arms I laughed
To think his passion such
He fancied that I gave a soul
Did but our bodies touch,
And laughed upon his breast to think
Beast gave beast as much.
I gave what other women gave
'That stepped out of their clothes.
But when this soul, its body off,
Naked to naked goes,
He it has found shall find therein
What none other knows,
And give his own and take his own
And rule in his own right;
And though it loved in misery
Close and cling so tight,
There's not a bird of day that dare
Extinguish that delight.
X
MEETING
HIDDEN by old age awhile
In masker's cloak and hood,
Each hating what the other loved,
Face to face we stood:
'That I have met with such,' said he,
'Bodes me little good.'
'Let others boast their fill,' said I,
'But never dare to boast
That such as I had such a man
For lover in the past;
Say that of living men I hate
Such a man the most.'
'A loony'd boast of such a love,'
He in his rage declared:
But such as he for such as me --
Could we both discard
This beggarly habiliment --
Had found a sweeter word.
XI
FROM THE 'ANTIGONE'
OVERCOME -- O bitter sweetness,
Inhabitant of the soft cheek of a girl --
The rich man and his affairs,
The fat flocks and the fields' fatness,
Mariners, rough harvesters;
Overcome Gods upon Parnassus;
Overcome the Empyrean; hurl
Heaven and Earth out of their places,
That in the Same calamity
Brother and brother, friend and friend,
Family and family,
City and city may contend,
By that great glory driven wild.
Pray I will and sing I must,
And yet I weep -- Oedipus' child
Descends into the loveless dust.
poem by William Butler Yeats
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Saint George
The dragon, taller than a tree,
Looked down on George's head,
While he looked up uncertainly
And fighting first his dread...
He stood his ground, not one step back,
As faith within him grew,
For while he knew that things looked black,
He had to see this through...
The dragon stood his ground as well,
Though George held high his sword...
The dragon, thought to come from Hell,
Perhaps with fire stored...
The dragon had no flames and yet
He knew George planned his death,
Yet thought he had no need to fret,
If George no more had breath...
The dragon swished his giant tail,
But George was wise to that
And proved himself an agile male
Instead of falling flat...
The tail passed by, his sword went in,
The dragon roared in pain
And when George saw his chance to win,
He pierced the tail again...
If dragons cursed and dragons swore,
That must have happened next,
As blood then spurted out for sure,
With that big dragon vexed...
He dragged his dragon's tail away
As fast as he then could
And then decided, come what may,
To kill small George real good...
But George was quick to cut things short,
He climbed the dragon's tail
And valiantly he fought and fought
The dragon tooth and nail...
Across the back, just like a hill,
He clambered to the hilt,
Upto the neck where he stayed still,
In hopes the beast was killed...
The dragon twisted left and right,
But George drew back his sword
And then he thrust with all his might,
So death would be assured...
The dragon gulped with bloodied mouth,
A glaze then filled his eyes,
Then suddenly his frame fell South,
With him cut down to size...
The dragon laid upon the ground,
While George climbed down nearby,
The dragon made a gurgling sound,
As if to ask him why...
The dragon hadn't sought this duel,
Yet George had blocked his path,
The dragon thought he was a fool
Who'd signed his epitaph...
The dragon's teeth were then removed
When he no longer breathed
And while folks cheered with courage proved,
George stood there quite relieved...
The villagers were quite impressed,
That brave George didn't faint...
The Church declared his noble quest
As worthy of a saint...
A patron saint, of course, is rare,
Yet England still recalls
His courage thought beyond compare
That it's still taught in schools...
Denis Martindale, copyright, September 2012.
poem by Denis Martindale
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Broke Her Heart
She gave me her trust
So I broke her heart
She gave me her dreams
So I broke her heart
She gave me her love
So I broke her heart
She gave me a future
So I broke her heart
She made me a home
So I broke her heart
She gave me my children
So I broke her heart
She gave me her hand
So I broke her heart
She gave me a ring
So I broke her heart
She gave me her life
So I broke her heart
Then she gave me my freedom
So I broke MY heart
(2011)
poem by Michael Ernst
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Gathering Dragons
Gathering the dust underneath means you are submitting!
To who do you submit your will?
My master forbade the dragon to utter darkness
And submerge in it at the same time.
For Hell was a place for transgressors,
Reminding us of the Dragon of Despair.
Dust fell from high shelves and you submitted
To the sage of learning and craft:
“Your free will is a heart,
In it is your calibre called living.”
So live as long as song, and devise the words
To commit the deeds that betray a dragon.
poem by Naveed Akram
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Taking The Wings Of A Dragon
Here I am staring at the sun, wondering what I've become. Was I on the run? Well now its over. Im taking the wings of a dragon and getting ready to fly. I want to embrace the sky. I want to live my life before I die. I don't want to hide behind contradictions or lies. So here I am staring at the sun, wondering what I've become. Was I on the run? Well now its over. I'm taking the wings of a dragon and getting ready fly. Empty the mind, open the soul and let it all flow through. Broken hearts can be glued. I know that at one time it seemed as if I was screwed. But I have paid those dues. And now its time to move. So here I am staring at the sun, wondering what I've become. Was I on the run? Well now its over. I'm taking the wings of a dragon and getting ready to fly. The awe inspired. The truly desired. Stop to admire. What if that was yours? Oh so much do I adore. I must explore so much more. Never deny a chance to change the score. A riddle within is where I must begin. I must see this to the end. So here I am staring at the sun, wondering what I've become. Was I on the run? Was I on the run? . Well now its over. Im taking the wings of a dragon and getting ready to fly. I'm getting ready to fly.
poem by Ace Of Black Hearts
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The Englishman
St George he was for England,
And before he killed the dragon
He drank a pint of English ale
Out of an English flagon.
For though he fast right readily
In hair-shirt or in mail,
It isn't safe to give him cakes
Unless you give him ale.
St George he was for England,
And right gallantly set free
The lady left for dragon's meat
And tied up to a tree;
But since he stood for England
And knew what England means,
Unless you give him bacon
You mustn't give him beans.
St George he is for England,
And shall wear the shield he wore
When we go out in armour
With battle-cross before.
But though he is jolly company
And very pleased to dine,
It isn't safe to give him nuts
Unless you give him wine.
poem by G.K. Chesterton
Submitted by Veronica Serbanoiu
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The Dragon and The Phoenix (version one)
The Dragon and The Phoenix (version one) :
The sleeping Tiger lies in a mist, covered in mystery.
Who is he, what is his purpose?
The sleeping Flame lies in a cloud, shrouded by time.
Who is she, what is her purpose?
As the could falls in the night, and mingles in the mist... the Flame touches the Tiger and both awaken. The Flame brightens and swirls around the Tiger, the Tiger roars as the flames engulf him and he transforms into the wise Dragon. The Flame crackles as the Dragon's roar sounds through the night. The crackle becomes a cry of joy as the Dragon breathes a breath of fire upon the Flame, adding his burning love to hers. The Flame turns into a fiery bird with a great
cry. A Phoenix has been born, and a Dragon has grown in the fires of love. This bond forged is stronger than steel, stronger than the very foundations of the earth.
Nothing and no one can break this love. The love of the Dragon and the Phoenix will live beyond the end of time, their hearts forever entwined. Purpose has been found, the balance formed by the Dragon and Phoenix that awakened them is their purpose. The love they share forever is a shining light for all who despair; the Dragon and Phoenix are smiled upon by the Creator for they are what he intended love between two to be.
poem by Tolly Rebeka Christian BlackWolf Hawk
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The Englishman
St George he was for England,
And before he killed the dragon
He drank a pint of English ale
Out of an English flagon.
For though he fast right readily
In hair-shirt or in mail,
It isn't safe to give him cakes
Unless you give him ale.
St George he was for England,
And right gallantly set free
The lady left for dragon's meat
And tied up to a tree;
But since he stood for England
And knew what England means,
Unless you give him bacon
You mustn't give him beans.
St George he is for England,
And shall wear the shield he wore
When we go out in armour
With battle-cross before.
But though he is jolly company
And very pleased to dine,
It isn't safe to give him nuts
Unless you give him wine.
poem by Gilbert Keith Chesterton
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What is your dragon?
How do you see the dragon? Wings unfurled, claws spread?
Does the mouth gape, does the mind function?
Is it a part of you, intimate and undeniable?
Or merely an imagining, metamorphed into a metaphore?
Does the dragon smile happily, or frighteningly, teeth like steel?
Is the fire healing or harming, sacred or insouciant?
How many questions does it take to change a lightbulb?
Cradled harmlessly within the heat of verse, they burn...
poem by Poet Dragon
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Muggy Dragon
muggy day
dragon day
muggy dragon day
in the mud
dragons play
on this muddy, muggy, dragon day
murky water dragon slips
under surface, under ships
rocking them slightly
scaring them wildly
laughing silently
blowing bubbles
surfacing flying
immune to dying
dreading the isolation
that's bound to come
poem by Bonnie Cote
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Roses
Oh, wind of the spring-time, oh, free wind of May,
When blossoms and bird-song are rife;
Oh, joy for the season, and joy for the day,
That gave me the roses of life, of life,
That gave me the roses of life.
Oh, wind of the summer, sing loud in the night,
When flutters my heart like a dove;
One came from thy kingdom, thy realm of delight,
And gave me the roses of love, of love,
And gave me the roses of love.
Oh, wind of the winter, sigh low in thy grief,
I hear thy compassionate breath;
I wither, I fall, like the autumn-kissed leaf,
He gave me the roses of death, of death,
He gave me the roses of death.
poem by Paul Laurence Dunbar
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Red Dragon
Of a great red dragon,
Having seven heads and ten horns;
Of a great red dragon,
Having seven crowns upon her heads;
But, the twenty-four Elders need peace at their seats.
Of the red dragon,
Like the time of the dead!
And there arose a smoke out of the pit,
For she who is with a child is labouringh in pain;
And the red dragon is ready to take up the child!
poem by Edward Kofi Louis
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Deep Into The Dragon's Eyes
Look deep into the dragon's eyes
Fear not the sulphrous breath
Tis he who within… courage lies
Who needs have no fear of death
The essence of the dragon dwells
In things mundane and rare
in raiment rich, and plain as well
Not seen...but always there
It's adversity, perversity in life
Most things we'd prefer not face
It's unpleasant, things, papery wings
Things of discomfort and ill grace
Tis best to face, the dreaded test
To beard the dragon where it lies
Defeat the beast, inside it's nest
Look deep into the dragon's eyes
poem by David Whalen
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Who Gave It To You?
I was not using it and,
You were not using it either!
But, who gave it to you?
Hew, dew, few, brew, drew, threw;
But this story started long ago!
And your lips are now red,
So, who gave it to you?
Slew, sew, stew, pew, spew, mew;
Strange food,
Strange meat,
Strange people,
Strange land,
Strange culture,
Strange love,
Crew, grew, new, strew, screw;
But, with your red lips! !
So, who gave it to you?
poem by Edward Kofi Louis
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The Lady With The Snakes
She lives down the street
Her snakes are sticky her eyes are blue
Should you feel an urge a lady to meet
Be careful and cover your butterfly tattoo
Her nails are pagan her hair is a dragon
Spitting out fire around her hearth
Her fingers and toes enamel polished
Her nails are pagan her hair is a dragon
Her eyes are light only when it’s dark
She’s been like that since the day of birth
Living with the king who never abolished
Time slavery to a wide accursed earth
She claims insanity a DNA mark
A DNA excuse for a DNA abuse
A throne turned down into a knee
Invisible crown her clones only see
poem by Miroslava Odalovic
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Dark dragon wings
Skies beneath black wings
That binds and lashes winds
Knight of the night ride dark
Brash flames rain to burn lark.
Cast on the castle as thunder
And shadow the land under
Dark wings they've a hole and tear
Dark dragon through red eyes stare.
The skies defence revel in mist
And dawn a kingdom to resist
This warrior wear blood of night
As dry air burns in to light.
Dark dragon in skies dark your hidden
Rapture and reign the forbidden.
poem by Andrew Lockley
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All I Want To Do Is Fly
All I want to do is fly,
Be in the sky,
With all the birds.
I want to be free,
Like them,
And have wings.
I want to not worry,
About guys,
Or school.
About liking both sexes.
Or about politics,
Or about love.
I want to be free,
Fly high in the sky,
And have wings.
I don't want to worry,
About being rejected,
Or about being alone.
I don't want to worry,
About everything,
I just want to fly,
And be free.
poem by Dragon Crenshaw
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Goodbye! ! !
You don’t know what you missed
Sometimes I think of the list
Of what keeps us apart
And I know its coz I have a heart
You gave me a little trouble
Left my mind in a muddle
But now I’m free
Coz you mean nothing to me
Oh let me forget my lies
For I used them to disguise
How evil you really are
But I know this wont scar
You gave me a little trouble
Left my mind in a muddle
But now I’m free
Coz you mean nothing to me
My friends they saw me fall
From where I stood so tall
And they were scared
But still they cared
You gave me a little trouble
Left my mind in a muddle
But now I’m free
Coz you mean nothing to me
I tell you now that some how
Under those glares I won’t bow
And know you words mean nothing
I just want you to know I was bluffing
You gave me a little trouble
Left my mind in a muddle
But now I’m free
Coz you mean nothing to me
So now I know something new
And it’s something about you
Should have seen it before
How you’re a total git right to the core
poem by Rebecca Pepper
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Live Forever
(music: marillion lyrics: steve hogarth)
Well I gave up cocaine and I gave up smack
I gave up drinking alcohol and smoking crack
I gave up living on the never never
But I cant give up believing that Im going to live forever
Well I gave up computer games, I gave up meat
I gave up watching tv in my favourite seat
I gave up wearing fur and I gave up wearing leather
But I cant give up believing that Im going to live forever
Give it up, give it up
Dont you know youve got to lose?
The desires you were born with
And your talent to abuse
Give it up, give it up
Theres a better life to live
Give it up, give it up
Give it all youve got to give
Well I gave up sugar and I gave up spice
I gave up everything that feels allright
cos I feel that these addictions are a chain you have to sever
Im addicted to believing that Im going to live forever
song performed by by Marillion
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Thanks...
Thanks, to my friends who always stood beside me,
Gave me the strength to become what I want to be.
Thanks to the God who took me in his arms,
When I was in pain and gave me the chance.
Thanks to the parents who always used to complain,
Gave me the power to win the game..the game of Life.
Thanks to the world which was so harsh,
Made me determined to go for the stars.
Thanks to the days which I spent in pain,
Inspired me to work hard for my aim.
Thanks to everything and everyone for what I have got,
It is much more precious than I ever thought.
poem by Anubhav Sharma
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