"Destined Minds"

Dedicated to Sumiko Moriyama lee
who was greatly loved but in one
lapse of carelessness is passed away...

emptiness comes so quickly
uninvited, it causes a rift
in the heart

a long desert empty
destitute, and devoid
of all things giving

heartache comes so quickly
uninvited, just idling away
precious hours

tears they come so quickly
they pour into the void saltiness
stinging the eyes of grief

vacant memories is all you
can be now,a collection of
memories we sadly miss

blank stresses the absence of something
something precious that
took up that space

no more the arm to embrace
no more the warmth of beating
heart and gentle gesture

rendered now beyond our midst
beyond where we cannot travel
cold cold space

how I long to fill the vacuum
once again of one so gentle
natured

guilt it comes so quickly
aching and gutting every nerve
deadening all the joyous senses

that no longer have a place
to abide and regret it fights
for a corner of tenancy

grief it comes so quickly
and nestles as a trio that
overwhelms the lamenting heart

If I could a thousand times
change that which has passed
then you would be here and not missed

If I could a thousand times
take your place then I could
easily live with that

but now have to live with
the empty arms, and empty heart
that you once filled

Maree Long
(c) Maree Long 2009
Sumiko Moriyama Lee - Passed away November 2009
from heat stroke - only one year old -
a unique sweetness who deserved better,
who brought joy into our otherwise mundane
lives, greatly loved by "Baby Boy" who may miss you
more than all the rest and hasnt quite figured
out what has changed or why your not here
anymore....

THE GRAVEYARD

Where all the dead they gather
and lay their empty bones
and let their form whither
and return to whence they came

the gothic church steeple
looks over the stone tablets
in ruin as the trappings of death
lay beneath still, stone cold angels

that smile wistfully as if to give peace,
Night gave free reign to imaginations
unnatural silence beneath the
moons silver gaze

and wonder who be nearer to thy God
who has passed into foreign realms
once unknown now a stark reality for the
spiritual contemplations of human mortality

hear the cries no more as they are
drowned out by angels choir whose
voice is lifted up for those that
have found the saving grace

and look no more towards their form.....

distant the wails they become
the poor tortured souls and crying they
beg for mercy and cry
"why wern't we told"?

but told they were, the signs on every
church - "butThere is no God" they used to cry
while others thought they had time
I've no need for God was often their reply

sad sad day for them for their bones will
rot for eternity, and ache in earths tortured
ground - just as their eyes would turn away from
God their eyes now vacant empty sockets round

You are the mothers and fathers that have perished
and are now silently calling your children to
death's door for your deeds were done and choices
made which now rest forevermore

You feared not, nor revered the Christ that was
sent from heavens gates, but fear now your companion
and irreverant demons gladly poke you with burning
irons for the fire they must stoke....

for your bones now the the burning embers
asks who is your remaining witness that you
once walked this earth? for the sky and sun
remember you not and continues with its life and myrth.

Maree Long
(c) Maree Long 2008

IN THE HEAT OF SUMMER

Heat wave of extended period
Gives the horizon a watery haze
Clouds they build in the distance
And thunder threatens to be break open the skies

But the rain it comes not
Relief from heat of day but a once memory
Hidden memories I yearn
And summer’s heated mirage is all lies

Humidity pushes me past the zone
Sweltering heat envelopes me
Draining slowly all my senses
And who could perceive your fatality

That in the summer makes us all a victim
Falling prey to summer’s storm
That builds slowly through the day
And remind us of our mortality

The air is scorched
And beneath the searing sun I burn
The air is thick as sweat drips down my brow
Waiting for the cooling that’s nothing more than a memory

For I have been to Hades and back
Force of nature the mode of motion
Excessive exposure of fire that now burns within
And summers heat forges it’s violent rage abrasive as emery

Maree Long
© Maree Long 2008

LOVE THAT SMILES

love that smiles
and lights the face anew

the warm embrace of friendship
from sweetness of invitation grew

the yearning of all desire
sincerity of heart and pure the joy that be

your love that calls each one near
the indian jewel that time reflects the beauty that we see

For God alone placed the precious gem among our midst
so give praise to the creator that let passion burn so bright

and shared with us but a moment
strength today and bright hope we call tomorrow (kal)

Shukhriya, shukhriya for the blessing (so thank you for the blessing)
for life is niether kala nor safed (black nor white)
and you are the sweetness of grape..अंगूर (angur)

you are air to me ( Hava हवा )
meetha, meetha Bay-hen (sweet, sweet sister)

and now you will feel a warmer Bay-hen (sun)
and dance under a brighter moon (chandspogmai)

where the sky's are deeper (asman asman)
and stars shine more brilliantly (ek tara)

and rain is purer (baris baran)
that falls into the river where many a tear is falling (daryasind)

and all that is left is the smile you put on our face.....

Maree Long
(c) Maree Long 2007

THE STING IN LIFE

Awe-inspiringly large
The giant freshwater stingray
Lives up to its name
Possessing a venomous sting
In its large whip like tail

Crikey, your gone so much
Time has passed your legacy
Lives on despite that your
Ship had to sail

Broad, thin and disc shaped body
Inhabitant of the sandy bottom
Estuaries elusive and only
Strikes in self defense

Wild life protector Steve Irwin
Sheriff on land and sea
Gave all he could
His life was great and immense

venom and mucous contained
within an integumentary sheath
Flat bodied on ocean depths
With powerful shell crushing teeth

As September 4, 2006 rolls by and
Greater than the loss of blood or
greater than the loss of such a man
Was the kind heart, and loving father
That all children deserve and demand

And give ode to the preserver
of natural wildlife
a man of great vision that leaves behind
children and a wife

A man who made sacrifices
By the way he lived his life
Knew the importance of family and love
That held him together in trouble and strife.

So don’t feel sorry for the Irwin’s left behind
Their gifted sight and visionary stand
For they know their place in this world
Infused in their being their love of this great land



Maree Long
© Maree Long 2007

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