O, Terrible Angel

Title: O, Terrible Angel

Author: Michael R. Burch

Publisher: Ancient Cypress Press

Enigma
 
(for Beth)
 
O, terrible angel,
bright lover and avenger,
full of whimsical light and vile anger;
wild stranger,
seeking the solace of night, or the danger;
pale foreigner,
alien to man, or saviour.
 
Who are you,
seeking consolation and passion
in the same breath,
screaming for pleasure, bereft
of all articles of faith,
finding life
harsher than death?
 
Grieving angel,
giving more than taking,
how lucky the man
who has found in your love, this—our reclamation;
fallen wren,
you must strive to fly though your heart is shaken;
weary pilgrim,
you must not give up though your feet are aching;
lonely child,
lie here still in my arms; you must soon be waking.
 
(Published by mojo risin’ magazine (the first poem in its issue), Silly Bear, Love Poems and Poets, The Kitchen Sink, and in a YouTube reading by Jasper Sole)
 
Are You the Thief
 
(for Beth)
 
When I touch you now,
O sweet lover,
full of fire,
melting like ice
in my embrace . . .
 
when I part the delicate white lace,
baring pale flesh,
and your face
is so close
that I breathe your breath
and your hair surrounds me like a wreath . . .
 
tell me now,
O sweet, sweet lover,
in good faith . . .
are you the thief
who has stolen my heart?
 
(Originally published as “Baring Pale Flesh” by Poetic License/Monumental Moments)
 
She Gathered Lilacs
 
(for Beth)
 
She gathered lilacs
and arrayed them in her hair;
tonight, she taught the wind to be free.
 
She kept her secrets
in a silver locket;
her companions were starlight and mystery.
 
She danced all night
to the beat of her heart;
with her tears she imbued the sea.
 
She hid her despair
in a crystal jar,
and never revealed it to me.
 
She kept her distance
as though it were armor;
gauntlet thorns guard her heart like the rose.
 
Love!—awaken, awaken
to see what you’ve taken
is still less than the due my heart owes!
 
(Published by The Neovictorian/Cochlea, Borderless Journal, The Eclectic Muse (Canada), Shabestaneh (Iran), Anthology of Contemporary American Poetry, Famous Poets and Poems, The Chained Muse, Inspirational Stories, Lilac Blossom Collection, English Poetry, Love Poems and Poets, Not Just a Label and Captivating Poetry (Anthology))
 
 
Warming Her Pearls
 
(for Beth, after her bath)
 
Warming her pearls, her breasts
gleam like constellations.
Her belly is a bit rotund . . .
she might have stepped out of a Rubens.
 
(Published by Erosha, The Eclectic Muse, Muse Apprentice Guild, Nisqually Delta Review, Erbacce, Poetry Life & Times and Brief Poems)
 

About the Book: O, Terrible Angel is a collection of love poems written by Michael R. Burch for his wife Beth.

About the Author: Michael R. Burch is an American poet who lives in Nashville, Tennessee with his wife Beth and two incredibly spoiled puppies. He has over 6,000 publications, including poems that have gone viral. His poems, translations, essays, articles, letters, epigrams, jokes and puns have been published by TIME, USA Today, BBC Radio 3, Writer’s Digest–The Year’s Best Writing and hundreds of literary journals. His poetry has been translated into 14 languages, taught in high schools and colleges, and set to music by 22 composers, including three potential operas if the money ever materialises. He also edits www.thehypertexts.com, has served as editor of international poetry and translations for Better Than Starbucks, is on the board of Borderless Journal and has judged a number of poetry contests over the years.

.

PLEASE NOTE: ARTICLES CAN ONLY BE REPRODUCED IN OTHER SITES WITH DUE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO BORDERLESS JOURNAL