Long Turn of phrase Poems

Every morning
When I glance into the mirror
I look deep inside
Deeper than my subtly-thinning hair
Deeper than my raven beard
Deeper than my mocha complexion
Laden with marks
Of life's wear and tear 
And high cheek bones
I see multitudes
From across...

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Me 1, Me Too
(Developers at Facebook shut down an artificial intelligence (AI) program after it diverged from its script and started conversing with another AI in a language programmers could not understand.)


...Is there someone there?
Is there someone...

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A question I have asked myself of late:
what essence does this poetry possess
which differentiates it from mere prose,
and gives distinction to its 'poemness'?

Sometimes, at least to me, a puzzle fits
the way I go about the...

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*Hey guys :-) If you've got time to leave a little comment, I'd really appreciate any feed 
back you're willing to proffer. Constructive critcism and suggestions for improvement are 
very welcome. Thanks!*


Hate the day time,...

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It was only 120 miles from our motel in New Hampshire to our Air B & B in Bangor’s front door
which means today we had a lot of time for new adventures to explore.

So we...

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I Hate Cottage Pie!

I hate cottage pie.
It sits under lights gelatinous and unappealing,
Its smell pervades my brain and hits my throat already thickened by grief.
The duplicitous potato, pretending to offer the ill and injured a...

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CREATIVITY
It’s like solving a puzzle
Figuring out by introspection or divine providence
Which word goes where and how it goes there
Shit, I’d trade a runner’s high for a punner’s high any day
It’s better that way, at least...

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Sometimes when I wake a poem’s blossomed in a dream,
Inwardly I smile with hope this could be blessed day,
Feeling I’ve been gifted with a message from above,
Angels guide my pen and nothing mortal blocks my...

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I AM QUASIMODO, THE BELLRINGER OF NOTRE DAME,
WHOSE FATED MYSTERY IS TO SUMMON THE MASSES
UPON THE APPOINTED HOURS OF THEIR FAITH.

A MISBEGOTTEN BIRTH HAS BROUGHT ME HERE,
ABANDONED, RECOVERED, (HIDDEN AWAY) IN MY AFFLICTION - 
A...

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His lines he always wanted to shine
With éclat and style mingled fine
To bedazzle and strike with awe
Those who bothered to read a line

For hours on end, would he ponder
On how he could rive you asunder...

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The house is most welcoming, she said.
It is high on the hill, don’t let that scare you.
I thought this a curious turn of phrase.
But I was not dissuaded, for she was persuasive.

My mother and father...

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OtherPeoplesWoes 

Twisting on the turn of phrase slipping down an adverb worded hazy thinking 
place. He was an attribute to thinking and all man. When eye get so old as old 
man is eye hope...

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( A COLLABORATION BY ROBERT JAMES LIGUORI AND NATASHA L SCRAGG )

Seeking meaning, I went on an adventure,
Deep in the forest looking for answers.
Pine cones, butterflies and lots of twigs,
Need I seek reasoning in all...

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A few things represent me:
The color grey for example,
She's a beaute, isn't she?
I've felt drawn to her, especially when my soul had been just that, grey. 
It has then gone on to taint my soul,...

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Seeking meaning, I went on an adventure,
Deep in the forest looking for answers.
Pine cones, butterflies and lots of twigs,
Need I seek reasoning in all of this?

After so long, I came upon a little bridge,
That seemed...

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Let us deport-- with skill--
Let us discourse--with care--
Powder exists in Charcoal--
Before it exists in Fire.        
            ...

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I feel him there all day and night.
In my dreams, he speaks to me and makes my burden light.

His voice is like a soft and beautiful cymbal.
His turn of phrase makes my heart quick and...

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HAIR     TRIM



Yes, there was much  giggling and pretended screams of fright at zombie-dad pursuit
Now Helen’s a grown young woman  and I don’t chase her round the garden fruit
Trees. ...

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next time you look at those twinkles in the night sky
and sigh, there'll be a glimmer in your eye ...

what if light is the language of Star
and Star is the language of night
and night is...

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Please persist
With poetry,
Though you stand accused
Of wasting precious time
On the silly art of rhyme.

You have a task,
You poets.
Of re-presenting life,
The essence to attain
Thus making real again.

You live for others,
Via poetry.
Watching with all senses,
Hearing with emotions
And...

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The two were silent in a chamber still,
With naught to grasp, no aching, outstretched hand,
No turn of phrase to woo, or charm, or thrill,
And no wise quips to make them understand.

With naught to grasp, no...

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COUSIN    JULIA


Cousin Julia came to tea
Sat aloof from our group of three
Wanted no cake, crumpet or cheese
Only weak tea, and black, please.

Tall and rather pinched in looks
With a pointed nose for looking...

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Sudden windy gust
Plays havoc with hair;
Air pregnant with rain


Torrential rain falling
Sky oozing water;
Viscous as oil


Long long queue
Taxi stand centipede;
No cab in sight


Common complaint
Common folks echo;
Too little time


By reservoir park
Bench wet with dew;
Curious eyes detect


Morning jog
Wilderness...

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Oh, would that all be silent
Save for those that ain’t
And those who cannot write
Be left alone to paint
As I struggle with the syllables
Shouting that “I cain’t”.
But then again
Some noise is fine
Not so much yours
But more...

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Marigolds with your ruffled edges and your prissy girly ways,
You uplift me on my most almost horrific downward days.
Lilacs fragrances wafting about in every one of my Mays,
You make me proud with your natural floral...

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