Samples / Excerpts

Special Scottish Senryu Selection

These senryu poems are based on Scottish tradition and folklore.  They go to the depth of Scottish mythology.  At times, a myth may be referred to as folklore; however, not all aspects of a folklore is a myth or mythological. Seemingly, a mythology may focus on non-human or the supernatural. Folklore may include various dances, customs, jokes, legends, musical styles, popular beliefs, proverbs, stories, and the like, which consists of a tradition from a particular culture or group. Academically, the expressive genre of ethnographic, known as the study of folklore, is referred to as folkloristic. One will find certain motifs in folkloristic as a basic framework. The essence of folkloristic may be broken down into the following four areas: artifact or magic, behavior or rituals, culture, and describable oral tradition.  These may contain religious or mythic elements and equally the mundane traditions of normal everyday life. The senryu poems in this series are not just based on puns or wit; neither are they based on cleverness or humor as a part of their resonant and poetic purpose. Rather, these senryu poems could be viewed as a tradition that wakes up a person in a variety of ways and momentary heightened his or her awareness.

Scottish Senryu Selections

From Scotland’s highland

Green man from forest descends—

Sunlight sparks the soul

 

Haggis in me throat

Johnny Walker in mi hand:/

Stomach sunshine—Aye!

 

Alloway de place

poetic words never waste

Such beauty the taste

 

Rabbie Burns de bard

Celebrate in Scotland’s yard

Dance with fine lassies

 

Robert de Bruce

Fought for Scotland not to lose

Had no excuse—Aye!

 

Scottish fox with fleas

Drags wool in water and dives

Flies run for their lives

 

Big fox went to read

The horse’s golden shoe—

Had his brain kicked through

Ah—a red, red, rose

Fragrance of love in mi heart

Vibrating me chest

 

Ate when off the shelf

Wash me dishes very well

Sweet brownie elf—Aye!

 

Rivers and lochs safe

Hairy Kelpie wails and howls

Like Pegasus flight

 

Oh me Selkies love

Wherest art thou this fine night?

Goddess of the deep!

 

Troll you naughty thing

Took the nice lady’s gold ring:/

Asking for a fling!

 

© Joseph, January 2, 2010
© All Rights Reserved

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Amazing Grace

The soul whom the Son sets free
is free indeed,
Unlocking the rusting shackles
of oppression,
Allowing life's amazing grace

to shine with His embrace,
Transformation of soul's darkness

to light's brightness,

The uplifting revelation of God's

truth of freedom,
His extraordinary and infinite power
shining love every hour,
Preservation and hope for life
His love abound, no strife
How sweet the sound

Wrapped in His embrace

Singing Amazing Grace!

© Joseph S. Spence, Sr. 3/1/07
© All Rights Reserved

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Spence Errata Poem # 7
 
When I say ice cream read I scream
When I say consonant read son of ant
When I say insinuate read in sin you ate
When I say four candles read fork handles
 
When I say mint spy read mince pie
When I say greénhouse read green hoúse
When I say bláckboard read black boárd
When I say mesher read measure
 
When I say Alpine read alpine
When I say vowel read dish towel
When I say Homophone read home on phone
When I say Polish read polish
 
When I say phonology read phone allergy
When I say i.c.u. read I see you
When I say Lent read lent
When I say Turkey read turkey
 
When I say euthanasia read youth in Asia
When I say depreciate read deprecate
When I say farther read further
When I say collision read collusion
 
When I say endocentric read exocentric
When I say pharynx read larynx
When I say thought read though
When I say phonemic read phonetic
 
When I say weather read whether
When I say China read china
When I say call on phones read allophones
When I say stuffy nose read stuff he knows
 
"A person's tongue is a twisty thing, there are plenty of words there of every kind, and the range of words is wide, and their variation." -- HOMER, The Iliad
 
© Joseph, October 4, 2008
© All Rights Reserved

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Angel Beauty (Double Reversed Tetractys)


She is the angel who walks in the light

Her sight melts hearts
Her beauty
And smile
Charm
Brings
Such joy
With a touch
Smells like a rose
Enlightening hearts with precious joy and love!
  © Spencej 9/7/06
© All Rights Reserved

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Infectious Flower

My once precious flower,
your fragrance has plateau:
the beetles lurking in the dark,
and crawling with the thrust
of the wind when it's light

are mischievous

and they have
no love within their hearts.
Enveloping the essence of
your core, and your once flourishing
inner beauty;

they have uncovered
your shining passion of lost light,
which was once a light that shineth,
thus, thy once lovable soul

they now consume!

© Joseph, October 15, 2008
© All Rights Reserved

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Glory on High

Believe it and achieve it
Look at it and go for it
Heads up
Shoulders back
Eyes open
Reach for it
Motivation high
Aspiration toward the sky
Inspiration never dies
Barriers down
Ceilings crashed
Mountains moved
Ain't going back

Heading for the top!
 
 © Joseph S. Spence, Sr., 10/3/06
© All Rights Reserved
Author's Comments: This is dedicated: To those with the burning spirit. Don't be hoodwinked into mediocrity. Shake it off and move up; you can do it!

 

 

 

 

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Your Time Has Come (Prose Poetry)

Your time has come like the rising sun. Stand up for life created by God's love as the dove descends from above. He has a plan for you to be one with Him as He is with you thus making you brand new. Your life should be more than just the ordinary existence, let Him strengthen you as your soul runs the distance. Be filled with His spirit and let your light shine. Manifest His joyful glory and overcome obstacles in His name while unto Him you render an acclaim. Move ahead and be the lighthouse of strength without relenting; thus ascending from the bottomless pit into His eternal light of creation. Experience the fullness of your destiny with God in the middle of your future. Build your foundation in His word and spirit. Empower your soul with His tenacity; He will determine your capacity. Be anointed by His grace and experience the reality of not just a dream. A light lit for living liturgy. He has you covered with His Holy Spirit. Now step out-your time has come! 

© Joseph S. Spence, Sr. 2/1/07
© All Rights Reserved

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