“There’s Only One Dance”, “Lonely Stars and Stripes” and “Placed on Pegasus!”

“There’s Only One Dance”, “Lonely Stars and Stripes” and “Placed on Pegasus!”

Three poems by Michael O'Brien

There's Only One Dance

There’s only one
dance
and you’re just a
dancer.
There’s only one
question
and there is no
answer.
You are your only
choreographer.
The lonely
autobiographer.
So keep spinning
turning
and gyrating
and keep grinning
learning
and waiting.
Some will convene
on a
consensus.
On a style.
And we come
to the routine
the rest of us
will follow.
The mighty sword
of knowledge


thrusts only
in glancing.
Near the edge is
faith and trust
and yet
no one knows
why
we are
dancing.
The indifference
of the universe
that just is.
Circumstance
has spent
all it
could never
give.
All the varied
pirouettes
around the same
point.
Carried by what
we can’t
forget
and what will
always
disappoint.
Search


for new costumes
and the perfect
dress.
Unearth
and
exhume
only to find
no
Gilgamesh.
All headed
for the same dance
hall.
It’s the only one
we’re seeing.
In this web
that is all
a
human being.

Lonely Stars and Stripes

A lonely
stars and stripes is clapping
in the warm
afternoon.
It knows
another hero
will be buried here
soon.
The oak trees stand
at sentry
as the squirrels scurry across
the lawn.
Benches eagerly
waiting
for the families
at each new dawn.
Another casualty
will be
granted
dignity.
A being of
bravery.
In this
military cemetery.
The ripped and torn body
will be laid down.

Another stone
will be etched
and placed in line.
A last home
in the eternal
stretch of time.
In the night
the chiseled chilled
pillars
will start to cry.
Why is there war?
Why did this
beautiful being
have to die?
From the wrong
is an honor
so right.
Solemnity holds
for only so long.
Then we dig
another
site
Looking up
to the sun
and then the moon.
Another hero
will be buried here soon.

Placed on Pegasus!

You’ve been placed
on Pegasus!
So gallop the grounds.
See all
that can be found.
As if
nothingness
did
profess a wish.
Nucleosynthesis
says
ride this
magnificent steed
at full speed
to the finish.
Out of the mist
and the nebulae.
A flowing mane
turns to welcome.
Eyes a blaze.
You now exist.
No one knows
why.
Calling to you.
I will
get you through
this maze
and you will remain

until you’re done.
The universe
this universe
and your presence
are wed.
So traverse
and fly over
every fence
on this
thoroughbred.
A voice in this
glorious
circumstance.
Rejoice and kick up
the dust
in your
every advance.
Out of the gate
at full thunder.
You are no
weight.
Your fuel
is wonder.
You’ve been placed on Pegasus.
So gallop the grounds! See all
that can be found in every wish.
You have all you need, ride, ride this magnificent steed
at full speed, to the finish.

About the Author

Michael O'Brien

I believe that the current state of poetry is stagnant because of the rejection of rhyme. I read contemporary poetry and I don't feel a connection. It all seems to be self indulgent random thoughts with no continuity. Free verse poetry written for other free verse poets. Poetry needs to connect again with the public. Poetry needs to inspire with words that ring out in the tradition of Robert Frost and Walt Whitman. Free verse has its place, but there needs to be room for poetry that rhymes. Not the old school meter type of rhyme, but rather, rhyming in the way hip hop artists do with no rules. Poetry editors need to have an open mind when it comes to poetry that rhymes, and not be snobs. Rhyming poetry takes guts to do because the poet is risking looking like a fool. I don't think there is the same risk when it comes to free verse poetry. A poem should resound with inspiration and poignancy as it is spoken aloud or in the mind.