Peccadillo
Peccadillo, you place your hand on my shoulder.
The touch you give that seems so rare.
The eyes of the beholder is unaware.
Quintessential the love we share.
Mellifluous your voice spoken so soft
Panoply in oh so many ways.
How deep my desire to hold you,
the things I am dying to say.
Could you but hold me with a kiss
would your voice quiver after this?
Would I be forgotten as easy,
as a new dawn in a mist?
Onomatopoeia as unto love
Propinquity would we be?
Lithe together would we move?
At your leisure tell me what you see.
Peccadillo.........
Stephen Charles Long © 2009
Fading Consistence
The chimes are ringing
far into the distance.
Where the whippoorwill sings
with constant persistence.
On a moonlit night...
Deep in forest dark
I walk alone all night.
My journey to embark,
upon this endless flight.
On a moonlit night...
Trees sway and bend
in a struggle to be free.
It is a big wild wind
that blows over me.
On a moonlit night...
On a moonlit night
I heard you say.
It would give you delight
should I wish to stay.
On a moonlit night...
There, back there
in that far distance.
The echoes I hear
fading consistence.
Stephen Charles Long © 2009
Peccadillo, you place your hand on my shoulder.
The touch you give that seems so rare.
The eyes of the beholder is unaware.
Quintessential the love we share.
Mellifluous your voice spoken so soft
Panoply in oh so many ways.
How deep my desire to hold you,
the things I am dying to say.
Could you but hold me with a kiss
would your voice quiver after this?
Would I be forgotten as easy,
as a new dawn in a mist?
Onomatopoeia as unto love
Propinquity would we be?
Lithe together would we move?
At your leisure tell me what you see.
Peccadillo.........
Stephen Charles Long © 2009
Fading Consistence
The chimes are ringing
far into the distance.
Where the whippoorwill sings
with constant persistence.
On a moonlit night...
Deep in forest dark
I walk alone all night.
My journey to embark,
upon this endless flight.
On a moonlit night...
Trees sway and bend
in a struggle to be free.
It is a big wild wind
that blows over me.
On a moonlit night...
On a moonlit night
I heard you say.
It would give you delight
should I wish to stay.
On a moonlit night...
There, back there
in that far distance.
The echoes I hear
fading consistence.
Stephen Charles Long © 2009
In a Time of Dreams
It was a time of dreams...
I walked in from the streets of violence
to a garden path of cobblestone and hope.
The journey had not been long I guess
in an angry world trying to cope.
It was a time of dreams...
Not sweetness and rainbows, but truth.
That everlasting fact of ugliness that bore
witness to souls of indifference proof.
That was a soulless shore.
It was a time of dreams...
Where I met a warrior standing
with weapon at the ready.
To be slain or slay, just waiting.
With aim true and steady.
We watched a man approaching
from the waters of the sea.
Till at last he was standing
on the sand looking at him and me.
It was...... a time of dreams
The warrior took aim gracefully
without pause or second thought.
When a glint of light caught him and me.
A cross on his robes brought us to a halt.
It...it was a time of dreams
A padre with rosary on his waist
a warrior with weapon in hand.
And I.. the poet task to taste
even record and understand.
The three of us walked the shoreline
until the light of dawn and beyond.
For we did not understand at the time
what fate had brought us to bond.
It was a time..... of dreams
The sun descended before us
until a purple calm and twilight fell.
Where majestic starlight kept its distance
like soft spoken words through a golden cell.
In a time of dreams....
Stephen Charles Long © 2009
Predestine
In the shadows of uncertainty
I find no strength in me.
Even though I'll never find
I search for peace of mind.
Eternal are the sands of time
fruitless are these hopes of mine.
Wither by the wayside
the ruins of love I hide.
Forgotten truths go unseen
in secret places I have been.
The path of life I walk
of hardships I will not talk.
Cascade of dreary days
linger and never fade away.
There is no logic to the pain
it comes in patterns like the rain.
No longer can I see
what this once meant to me.
I find no reason for this fate
even if I did it's already too late.
Predestine to fail I feel
it is so hard to conceal.
Still I guess it could be said
in reality I am already dead.
Stephen Charles Long © 2009
Dance Macabre
The full moon hung low
as the chanting began.
Firelight was all aglow
in the center of Stonehenge.
Ritual offerings and incense
to the rhythm of the drums.
It was the summer solstice
that all had come.
Shadows mingled on stone
from bronze candelabra.
That so brightly shone
In the dance macabre.
Stephen Charles Long © 2009
Wounded Dove
Hear her cry
a haunting distant sound.
A thick heavy fog
just above the ground.
Twilight days
into starry nights.
Unto curtain calls
of meaningless delight.
Yet what is life
if not for love.
Hear her cry
wounded dove.
Full moon
over choppy waters
across many seas,
on Luna's sister.
Mellifluous in doubt
Serendipity child.
Vestige is a guess
when nature is wild.
Far off in the distant
waft to dispose of.
That ghostly sound
wounded dove.
Stephen Charles Long © 2009
Red Rose in the Snow
As I look into your eyes
you speak to me,
as you never had before.
I am lost so... in the moment
that will last forevermore.
Vernal anatomy we were
passion marked our every move.
When our time together
made the world disappear,
as I held you so tender.
Oh my love, our souls
became that of just one.
My heart beats for you
till heaven come undone,
gave way to stars on dark blue.
This be it our love
while time will hold true.
I cannot vision a time
where I stand without you.
For it would never be sublime.
Senescence shared we have
passions full bloom.
With sunsets deep perception
anticipating the full moon.
In the fall of changing seasons.
For it is true about love
that it never leaves
when you watch it grow.
Though now it sleeps
I place a red rose in the snow.
A Red Rose...in the snow.
Stephen Charles Long � 2008
As I look into your eyes
you speak to me,
as you never had before.
I am lost so... in the moment
that will last forevermore.
Vernal anatomy we were
passion marked our every move.
When our time together
made the world disappear,
as I held you so tender.
Oh my love, our souls
became that of just one.
My heart beats for you
till heaven come undone,
gave way to stars on dark blue.
This be it our love
while time will hold true.
I cannot vision a time
where I stand without you.
For it would never be sublime.
Senescence shared we have
passions full bloom.
With sunsets deep perception
anticipating the full moon.
In the fall of changing seasons.
For it is true about love
that it never leaves
when you watch it grow.
Though now it sleeps
I place a red rose in the snow.
A Red Rose...in the snow.
Stephen Charles Long � 2008
Along the shore
Along the shore
I walked alone.
Needing you so
you were the only one.
Like the sands
of time ran out.
Darkness descends
without a doubt.
I need you more
than I could confess.
If only for an end
to all my loneliness.
Along the shore
walk with me.
Give my life purpose
that I can clearly see.
Stephen Charles Long © 2008
Along the shore
I walked alone.
Needing you so
you were the only one.
Like the sands
of time ran out.
Darkness descends
without a doubt.
I need you more
than I could confess.
If only for an end
to all my loneliness.
Along the shore
walk with me.
Give my life purpose
that I can clearly see.
Stephen Charles Long © 2008
The Sounds of Winter
When all the leaves
are all blown away.
The smell of the country
remains and stays.
The sounds of winter fade
as gentle as they came.
Yet unto your heart is true
the feeling stays the same.
Stephen Charles Long � 2008
I Am Still All Alone
I looked for you in the dark,
you played with my love,
you played with my heart.
Soothing as your touch,
as easy as your words,
but neither meant much.
The journey was long,
an effort of time,
where all went wrong.
Now that it's gone,
I know more than I did,
Yet I am, still all alone.
Stephen Charles Long � 2008
Nights and Days
Unwind my dreams as they play
count the nights and days.
Where love was born of sunshine
yet died before its time.
Whisper as the winds
softly and slowly it begins.
Was a name that is forgotten
a name of a lost one.
Where will it be these shadows
of hopeless and endless tomorrows.
What can you see there blind
all alone and forgotten by time?
Stephen Charles Long � 2008
Bargain
Bound by the bargain
you never meant to keep.
Antithesis was my feeling
till I wanted sleep.
Darkness rises over me
hangs and hovers endlessly.
Things like I did not see
answers were not a certainty.
So the answer I do not have
and the desire is not in your eyes.
The laws of nature behave
the same as it always has.
The path leads one way
and a solo walk feels lonely
but I will just walk away,
silently if it need be.
Her hand met mine
as I reached for the door
at the same time.
She whispered try once more.
Stephen Charles Long � 2008
Antithesis ...The juxtaposition of contrasting words or ideas to give a feeling of balance
Frozen in Time
When the lights are fading
the night falls cascading
lose balance of the mind.
I ask the question honestly
everyone remained silently,
frozen in time.
Answers came costly
lies there mostly,
and it can take your last dime.
To go on will require
that we start over,
this is what I find.
Conclusions came lightly
monotonous just slightly
the way it is alined.
When the lights are fading
the night falls cascading
all but frozen in time.
Stephen Charles Long � 2008
The Poet's Quill
Quieter are the days
the poet's quill at rest.
No more whispers
no more quest.
Stillness fills my mind
below a grey sky.
Emptiness swells within,
we lost a good guy.
His Dreamland is nigh
his shadow remains.
The echoes of his words
still burn within my brain.
Rest oh weary one
the task is now complete
you will be missed.
Now you walk with elite.
God speed Richard~
Stephen Charles Long � 2008
In this Dawn
I've been in the gutter
down on my knees.
Crawling through the clutter
and that is not me.
Sometimes things or people
seem to pull us down.
The answer is not always simple
or even easily found.
In this dawn began a new day
one where I set the course.
I alone decide the way
for the better or the worse.
Stephen Charles Long � 2008
Came the Dragon
In the morning fog
out across the horizon.
On chilly day,
there came the Dragon.
I watched as it emerged
from the fog near the mountain.
Its wings roared like thunder
this fire breathing Dragon.
I thought it did not see me
but I thought wrong.
For here it came
this astronomic Dragon.
Just then it veered
and made a circlet
over a native stone hut,
home of the mystic.
I saw him, staff in hand.
Standing in the ruins
I did not understand
he commanded the Dragon.
He pointed to the ground
the Dragon landed near by.
The wind blew his beard
back, long and pure white.
The Dragon lowered its head
as though a sign of respect.
The Mystic took a amulet
placed around the Dragons neck.
The Mystic drew a symbol
on the ground with his staff.
He then threw some powder
in the sky and gave out a laugh.
The Dragon lifted its head
as high as it would go,
stretched out its wings
its eyes all a glow.
The Mystic turned and walked away
back to the ruins from which he came.
The Dragon lowered its head as to bow,
then flew into the sky as it started to rain.
Stephen Charles Long � 2008
The River In The Rain
Walk along the rivers edge,
In the rain in autumn.
Under an old grey stone bridge,
We took cover so often.
In the silence I become aware.
Of something; deep even still,
You warm the skin I wear,
Against the world I feel.
Time will not affect its change on the magic.
Walk along the river in the rain,
See the shades of autumn change.
You bent down and over
To see your reflection in the water.
Night staged its play for you,
In the gardens of autumn.
The river in the rain,
Whispers to me again.
Show me the endless night,
Lead me with your eyes.
Stephen Charles Long � 2008
Negotiations of My Soul
You set your terms and ultimatums
feelings fade from the picture
to attain your goal
nothing stands in your way.
Ah-yes-in a fortnite-coming
when the ravens-on the wind
and a full moon on a rise
negotiations of my soul.
I bleed the moment I create
the sound exchanged I know
only to be subject for irony
and left again all alone.
The beast crying in reflection
swirls just past the sun
my future is inscribed
on an ancient tomb;
Ah-yes-in a fortnight-coming
when the ravens-on the wind
and a full moon on a rise
negotiations of my soul.
Stephen Charles Long � 2008
For Nothing, for Love
Her phantasm sweet
fragile agreements disappear,
the instant she thinks
sincerity maybe gone.
Liberate the feeble wanton.
For nothing, for love.
She stands where shadows fall
suspended nowhere at all.
Pleading vindication
in a strange situation.
But I've never seen her cry,
or even recognize.
For nothing, for love.
Now she doesn't know the measure
of my reality when I'm with her.
She doesn't have a purpose,
she's indifferent to the feeling.
Growing more motionless,
in some voluntary doubt.
The delivery by the dreamer
her graphic description and fury.
And I wither wanting absence
from the feminine marvel.
Rules in cosmic offering,
whose value can be worthlessness.
Stephen Charles Long � 2008
Quieter are the days
the poet's quill at rest.
No more whispers
no more quest.
Stillness fills my mind
below a grey sky.
Emptiness swells within,
we lost a good guy.
His Dreamland is nigh
his shadow remains.
The echoes of his words
still burn within my brain.
Rest oh weary one
the task is now complete
you will be missed.
Now you walk with elite.
God speed Richard~
Stephen Charles Long � 2008
In this Dawn
I've been in the gutter
down on my knees.
Crawling through the clutter
and that is not me.
Sometimes things or people
seem to pull us down.
The answer is not always simple
or even easily found.
In this dawn began a new day
one where I set the course.
I alone decide the way
for the better or the worse.
Stephen Charles Long � 2008
Came the Dragon
In the morning fog
out across the horizon.
On chilly day,
there came the Dragon.
I watched as it emerged
from the fog near the mountain.
Its wings roared like thunder
this fire breathing Dragon.
I thought it did not see me
but I thought wrong.
For here it came
this astronomic Dragon.
Just then it veered
and made a circlet
over a native stone hut,
home of the mystic.
I saw him, staff in hand.
Standing in the ruins
I did not understand
he commanded the Dragon.
He pointed to the ground
the Dragon landed near by.
The wind blew his beard
back, long and pure white.
The Dragon lowered its head
as though a sign of respect.
The Mystic took a amulet
placed around the Dragons neck.
The Mystic drew a symbol
on the ground with his staff.
He then threw some powder
in the sky and gave out a laugh.
The Dragon lifted its head
as high as it would go,
stretched out its wings
its eyes all a glow.
The Mystic turned and walked away
back to the ruins from which he came.
The Dragon lowered its head as to bow,
then flew into the sky as it started to rain.
Stephen Charles Long � 2008
The River In The Rain
Walk along the rivers edge,
In the rain in autumn.
Under an old grey stone bridge,
We took cover so often.
In the silence I become aware.
Of something; deep even still,
You warm the skin I wear,
Against the world I feel.
Time will not affect its change on the magic.
Walk along the river in the rain,
See the shades of autumn change.
You bent down and over
To see your reflection in the water.
Night staged its play for you,
In the gardens of autumn.
The river in the rain,
Whispers to me again.
Show me the endless night,
Lead me with your eyes.
Stephen Charles Long � 2008
Negotiations of My Soul
You set your terms and ultimatums
feelings fade from the picture
to attain your goal
nothing stands in your way.
Ah-yes-in a fortnite-coming
when the ravens-on the wind
and a full moon on a rise
negotiations of my soul.
I bleed the moment I create
the sound exchanged I know
only to be subject for irony
and left again all alone.
The beast crying in reflection
swirls just past the sun
my future is inscribed
on an ancient tomb;
Ah-yes-in a fortnight-coming
when the ravens-on the wind
and a full moon on a rise
negotiations of my soul.
Stephen Charles Long � 2008
For Nothing, for Love
Her phantasm sweet
fragile agreements disappear,
the instant she thinks
sincerity maybe gone.
Liberate the feeble wanton.
For nothing, for love.
She stands where shadows fall
suspended nowhere at all.
Pleading vindication
in a strange situation.
But I've never seen her cry,
or even recognize.
For nothing, for love.
Now she doesn't know the measure
of my reality when I'm with her.
She doesn't have a purpose,
she's indifferent to the feeling.
Growing more motionless,
in some voluntary doubt.
The delivery by the dreamer
her graphic description and fury.
And I wither wanting absence
from the feminine marvel.
Rules in cosmic offering,
whose value can be worthlessness.
Stephen Charles Long � 2008
Victoria
Victoria come down from your mountain
take my hand and walk awhile.
Let me look into those brown eyes
and let me see that smile.
We could walk in the valley
where the wild flowers grow.
Sit beside the river
where cool waters flow.
A chance to see what is real
perhaps the chance
something new to feel.
A hint of romance.
When the winter is passed
and spring is less than precise.
We could share something,
something that was nice.
I see you there inside my mind
your hand reaching out.
Sometimes taking mine
without doubt.
For Victoria, please come down
I wait for you in anticipation.
As a calling of my heart
for your touch I am waiting.
Stephen Charles Long © 2008
Victoria come down from your mountain
take my hand and walk awhile.
Let me look into those brown eyes
and let me see that smile.
We could walk in the valley
where the wild flowers grow.
Sit beside the river
where cool waters flow.
A chance to see what is real
perhaps the chance
something new to feel.
A hint of romance.
When the winter is passed
and spring is less than precise.
We could share something,
something that was nice.
I see you there inside my mind
your hand reaching out.
Sometimes taking mine
without doubt.
For Victoria, please come down
I wait for you in anticipation.
As a calling of my heart
for your touch I am waiting.
Stephen Charles Long © 2008
Car je pourrais tomber amoureux
Her great grandmother's roses
winding along the tracks.
Still bloom after all this time
a beautiful fact.
She dances in her mind
like a Spanish dancer in red.
Or sipping wine alone
she is the residue in my head.
Why do I melt when I see her?
What am I made of?
Why do I care?
Because I could fall in Love.
Car je pourrais tomber amoureux
below the tour d'effel.
In the forest deep and dark,
separation is quite awful.
Tenez ma main,
hold my hand.
Forever will you allow me
beside you just to stand?
I am but a humble man
who needs you enough.
I should be careful
because I could fall in Love....
Car je pourrais tomber amoureux
Stephen Charles Long �� 2007
Car je pourrais tomber amoureux...because I could fall in Love
Her great grandmother's roses
winding along the tracks.
Still bloom after all this time
a beautiful fact.
She dances in her mind
like a Spanish dancer in red.
Or sipping wine alone
she is the residue in my head.
Why do I melt when I see her?
What am I made of?
Why do I care?
Because I could fall in Love.
Car je pourrais tomber amoureux
below the tour d'effel.
In the forest deep and dark,
separation is quite awful.
Tenez ma main,
hold my hand.
Forever will you allow me
beside you just to stand?
I am but a humble man
who needs you enough.
I should be careful
because I could fall in Love....
Car je pourrais tomber amoureux
Stephen Charles Long �� 2007
Car je pourrais tomber amoureux...because I could fall in Love
December in My Mind
Chicago in late December
smothered in white.
Colored lights everywhere.
Chicago in late December,
I will not forget....
that is where I found her.
Somethings remain clear
never fogged by time
that was December.
Yes, December in my mind.
Somewhere in Chicago
with December on my mind.
Stephen Charles Long � 2007
Chicago in late December
smothered in white.
Colored lights everywhere.
Chicago in late December,
I will not forget....
that is where I found her.
Somethings remain clear
never fogged by time
that was December.
Yes, December in my mind.
Somewhere in Chicago
with December on my mind.
Stephen Charles Long � 2007
I Wish you Would Go
Get out of my face
and off of my back.
I'm tired of this place
and your constant attacks.
Whom invited you
into my life?
Tell me true
it was not I.
You sneak in here
from out of my past.
Was it not clear
how you left so fast.
I left you and the pain
a long time ago.
You come in like rain
now I wish you would go.
Stephen Charles Long © 2007
Get out of my face
and off of my back.
I'm tired of this place
and your constant attacks.
Whom invited you
into my life?
Tell me true
it was not I.
You sneak in here
from out of my past.
Was it not clear
how you left so fast.
I left you and the pain
a long time ago.
You come in like rain
now I wish you would go.
Stephen Charles Long © 2007
The Measure of Truth
The measure of truth
is different in each ones eyes.
What seems right today
can be tomorrows lies.
Why bother to judge
the sins of another.
If your slate is not clean,
do not turn on your brother.
Do not stand and watch
while foul deeds are done.
Is this not your life?
Is this not your home?
Forever will you feel
forever will you know.
What the mind can not conceal
someday will show.
The measure of truth
is different in each ones eyes.
Stephen Charles Long © 2007
The measure of truth
is different in each ones eyes.
What seems right today
can be tomorrows lies.
Why bother to judge
the sins of another.
If your slate is not clean,
do not turn on your brother.
Do not stand and watch
while foul deeds are done.
Is this not your life?
Is this not your home?
Forever will you feel
forever will you know.
What the mind can not conceal
someday will show.
The measure of truth
is different in each ones eyes.
Stephen Charles Long © 2007
