Claire V. Bogdanos

Acceptance,Knowledge,Love,New Chapter,Process,Wisdom,

GOOD MORROW, SWEET MASTER ( 1985 ) 2013/06/06

Filed under: POEMS.....THOUGHTS.....MEMORIES — bogdanosclaire @ 12:46 pm
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Today I looked out o’er my roof and reached into the skies

And wonderment consumed my mind ere I did realize.

“ Why spring is coming soon” I thought, my mind became alive,

I sent a little prayer to God my garden would survive.

Sometimes I think that I react too swiftly and too soon

Yet all the seeds that earth has hid are readying to bloom.

My garden spreads much happiness where calm and peace abide

And if the world’s in deep turmoil, I’m safe and sure inside.

Now soon the bulbs will sprout again and showtime will arrive

And aims that went to sleep last year will somehow be revived.

Last night I shivered in the cold and thought what dark provides

A resting space, a quiet place, a niche where challenge hides.

The healing need for body sore or tired limbs implore

When all of life’s complexities by choice I may ignore.

And as I pass my time this way no creature will I mar

I simply wish to join God’s host that waits upon His star.

While here and there some snow remains reminding me of pain

The dripping ice above the wall vows warmth will come again.

Should I awake this way once more and wonder what I am

I will remember that each day has purpose and a plan

And while my life continues this timeless hope I knew

To be a part and follow in His countless retinue.

 

EULOGY ( 1968 ) 2013/06/05

Filed under: POEMS.....THOUGHTS.....MEMORIES — bogdanosclaire @ 12:34 am
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Glitter tinsel bright and gold

Shimmer lantern white and old

My father’s face, the frown he wore

The visage seen from long before,

The namesake not at all alike

Comparing man and tiny tyke,

Had hoped to be but some akin

Again that we delight in him,

But not yet so nor ever be

That any, all, should be as he.

 

What are we that we leave but nought

Of what we’ve been or might have thought?

Seems all that’s left e’er we depart

Are mem’ries dim in aging heart,

A stone to recollect the day

We came and that we passed away.

A pittance small for life’s demand

A wage not worthy of command.

 

The moral in this wretched thought

That time can neither hide nor fraught,

Is simple in its elegance

A matter of small eloquence

The one impact to which we’re heir

While most unjust and too unfair,

‘Tis seeming most depraved to think,

We stand, we tremble on the brink

We come and go both heart and mind

And never leave a trace behind.

 

NECESSITY ( 1975 ) 2013/05/31

Filed under: POEMS.....THOUGHTS.....MEMORIES — bogdanosclaire @ 12:49 am
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There’s a time in life that needs a resting space,

There’s a space in time that needs a quiet place,

There’s a dream in life that withstands blinding test,

There’s a time in dreams that requires peaceful rest.

 

 

DATELINE: Hoboken, New Jersey, USA”OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES” ( 2013 ) 2013/05/30

Filed under: POEMS.....THOUGHTS.....MEMORIES — bogdanosclaire @ 2:51 pm
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May I share with you one of my favorite American poets, a man of versatility and ” exquisite ” sensitivity ?  Born in 1809, he was a doctor during the Civil War and the father of a Union Soldier who served 30 years as a U.S. Supreme Court Justice, Oliver Wendell Holmes ( the younger ).  The senior Holmes wrote volumes including ” The Last Leaf”, ” Old Ironsides ” and the creme de la creme,  ” The Chambered Nautilus “.  Who can forget “Build thee more stately mansions, O my soul,” concluding with ” Leaving thine outgrown shell by life’s unresting sea! “?  Father and son, men of honor, confirming an old adage ”  the apple doesn’t fall far from the apple tree “.  Please take the time to research and perhaps ” find ” another hero!

Sincerely,

Claire B.

 

THE COLORS ( 2013 ) 2013/05/29

Filed under: POEMS.....THOUGHTS.....MEMORIES — bogdanosclaire @ 12:22 am
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Her colors flying proud and straight up high

So like some banner stretched across the sky

Within the fields of stars marching around

Intent upon one purpose to surround,

Display broad stripes of white and red so bold

Their legend in each battle will be told

Instilling courage with pure lack of fear

While in the corner of one’s eye, a tear

Soon gathers gently on the summer winds,

Its now the need for greater strength begins!

 

IN MEMORY OF ( 2013 ) 2013/05/28

Filed under: POEMS.....THOUGHTS.....MEMORIES — bogdanosclaire @ 8:09 pm
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The life I knew that now has flown

Into the clutch of bleak unknown

And left me here to query why

All that I loved did bid goodbye

Without a nod or brief farewell

To ease the pain wherein I dwell.

Thus force my heart to comprehend

I can’t control each journey’s end

Although convinced I thought I could

I realized I never would.

 

CONTINUITY ( 1970 ) 2013/05/26

Filed under: POEMS.....THOUGHTS.....MEMORIES — bogdanosclaire @ 2:34 pm
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Oh, still and peaceful starlit night,

With not a whispered breeze in sight,

Those rustic arms that reach too bare,

Oblique, into the sky now stare,

And seeming wait, for some small gift

Falling from space and earthward drift.

 

Now stark and graceless awkward tree

Like autumn wind reminding me

Years fall one upon another,

Swiftly reason to discover,

These arms that long to grasp and lift

Embrace the wind cast time adrift.

 

Thus ageless trees with patience stand

Their vast retinue in command,

Through darkest night or brightest morn,

This faceless wonder earth adorn.

 

INTROSPECTION ( 1979 ) 2013/05/25

Filed under: POEMS.....THOUGHTS.....MEMORIES — bogdanosclaire @ 6:48 pm
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As I ponder those emotions past with feeling

Unto my thoughts a certain wisdom appealing,

It’s the sentiment I recall though not the love

Which fleeting time did somehow wither lust above,

Wherefore have I been, what lucid thoughts have I held

The pressing loss that truth indeed for lack compelled,

The stress did seem unreal and reason query why,

An ending to my passion, for this need imply.

Our lifespan covers a limited time, ought more,

And wanton waste, the seasons of our life deplore,

There are nought other worlds to conquer in our quest

To seek, enjoy, fulfill and leave behind the rest

Hence, can we not to live content with who we are,

For love as such, may curry favor near or far.

 

LUNATION ( 1969 )

Filed under: POEMS.....THOUGHTS.....MEMORIES — bogdanosclaire @ 12:17 pm
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Thou mournful moon  that shines so distant clear with innocence,

Belies a history that cradled weeds of decadence

Yet glows with ancient tales of lords and kings and mighty  things,

An eloquence which speaks through space and time forbearance brings

And moves the mind to dwell on deeds and wisdom circumspect,

Now seeing not believing, this strange power shall wills direct.

Night sister to the sun, the sailor’s tool that bares the soul

Though man may probe this parent to the tides exceeds control.

Thus mighty force indulging man’s wildest inclination

Give credence to a thought that consumes with dedication,

And here one learns through willful ignorance to tine the test,

That orb which swells with deep intensity, observes the rest,

Abounds with manifold myths and legends no time destroys

And in its strength doth twist and blend both countless tears and joys.

 

SAILS ( 1982 )

Filed under: POEMS.....THOUGHTS.....MEMORIES — bogdanosclaire @ 1:49 am
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In the distance I  can spy

Colored sails against the sky

Rainbowed hues so bright and clear

Seeming far, yet very near.

Small triangles in the breeze

Guileless gliding on blue seas.

Some that turn from north to west

Others skimming on the crest,

Masts so tall, they groan and sigh,

I can see their pennants fly.

 

Brave little craft beckons me

To a life that’s bold and free

In the harbor or adrift

Let me share your journey swift,

Cast upon the water’s wave

To become your fearless slave.

 

BIG LITTLE MEN ( 1959 )

Filed under: POEMS.....THOUGHTS.....MEMORIES — bogdanosclaire @ 1:10 am
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My little men are playing hard

their jumbled shrieks of glee

Will prove an ever constant source

of wonderment to me.

It is not meet that we should know

of all the words they speak

For half the joy of their long day

are secrets they need keep.

And in their world of little men

where adults cannot be

All men are brave and strong and good

in faith, they’re not yet three.

 

ON GRADUATION DAY ( 1945 ) 2013/05/24

Filed under: POEMS.....THOUGHTS.....MEMORIES — bogdanosclaire @ 2:08 pm
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Out of the stillness of the hour

It seems to me that

I can hear the crying

Of the quiet times

That still must be… now dying.

Where laughter once

Full filled the halls with glee

There is but only a dream

Reminding me.

Would that I might achieve

That day of youth’s bright joy

Would that I might retain

For everyday this buoyancy of living

Somehow I’ve outgrown that joy.

Will I relive it ever?

Listening close

I hear the answer echoing

Throughout the silent halls,

It seems to whisper . . . “Never”.

 

LANDSCAPE ( 1987 )

Filed under: POEMS.....THOUGHTS.....MEMORIES — bogdanosclaire @ 2:22 am
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A rocky wall, a crumbling fence

A dried-up brook, a withered vine

A fallen bough held in suspense

That rests upon a clementine,

Unkempt yew side a tumbled post

A grim reminder of neglect

While lamp to spider’s web played host

Its use long past one would suspect.

This sentry by a garden gate

With primrose path and weeds profuse

Makes statement that fair shouts “Ingrate”,

To focus thought on life’s abuse.

We’ve seen the waste misfortune brings

And many styles that pruning need

Applied not just to vernal things

All spreading hopes crave care to breed.

 

TIMING (1968 ) 2013/05/23

Filed under: POEMS.....THOUGHTS.....MEMORIES — bogdanosclaire @ 1:51 am
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When I have watched ten thousand clouds pass

overhead and seen

Them pass again this way no more in

splendor’s show serene,

When I have held the dearest heart close

to my breast once more

And known a love without a fear I

never knew before,

When I have filled my wildest dreams and

spent my sweetest day,

When there is nothing left to learn and

nothing left to say,

When all of time continues on as

if it faced no end

And I have told my last farewell to

lover and to friend,

When all my tears and hopes are gone and

life wills no delay

Then may I close my eyes in sleep and

blow my breath away.

 

DARK SHADOWS ( 2001 ) 2013/05/22

Filed under: POEMS.....THOUGHTS.....MEMORIES — bogdanosclaire @ 2:24 pm
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The shadows dark do cloud my mind

And as a serpent slowly wind

Into a river rife with fear

Where floats one vision most unclear,

Too strange that as I wend my way

My feet seem slow and mired in clay.

From dusk till dawn these shadows keep

My restless self foreign to sleep,

Then with the wakeful hours of morn

My eyelids shut in careless scorn

Upon this world which might just be

A lesson in civility.

 

PEACE ( 2013 ) 2013/05/21

Filed under: POEMS.....THOUGHTS.....MEMORIES — bogdanosclaire @ 1:38 pm
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I don’t know what you are thinking

And if it affects my life

Only God knows where your heart is

If it’s filled with peace or strife.

I can pray that you’ll remember

To uplift and aid the weak

Most are the Lord’s helpless children

Lacking voice to beg or speak.

In this life we are mistaken

To believe we’re all alone

No one knows our destination

Is the path of grass or stone?

I can wait another lifetime

Hoping soon to find release

In pursuit of God and wisdom

Seeking His eternal peace.

 

LOVE ( 2013 )

Filed under: POEMS.....THOUGHTS.....MEMORIES — bogdanosclaire @ 12:15 am
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I’m mesmerized by falling rain

It splatters on my window pane

And sings a tune I need to hear

It sounds like music on my ear,

It means my garden now can thrive

And soon God’s blessings will arrive.

You cannot know the joy I feel

Or how much ache this show will heal,

The beauty that a garden brings

With scented breath on fragile wings,

In truth this vision states somehow

God loves me, thats enough for now!

 

ANTICIPATION ( 1983 ) 2013/05/20

Filed under: POEMS.....THOUGHTS.....MEMORIES — bogdanosclaire @ 1:01 am
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A wretched mass we lonely be

We draw our lots of destiny

And fearful though our days may seem

We’ll not forsake the growing dream

That time has furrowed on our brow

And hope can only but allow

To breathe and swell within our soul

And make it seem but one more goal

For man to grasp the will to live

And every moment courage give.

The wind blows wild across the plain

Another soul to seek acclaim

Like shipwrecks shoaled on foreign shore

Their voices raised, God’s grace implore.

As trees their arms do upward sway

The whole world kneels , her prayer to say

Where ancient Moorish castles rise

Their towers reaching for the skies.

 

This prayer of man that heaven sent

Begs only for his heart’s content,

Bold edifice of legendry

Now stirs the soul to poetry

And wills the weak to stronger be

And make fast friends of you and me.

 

HYPOTHESIS ( 1977 ) 2013/05/19

Filed under: POEMS.....THOUGHTS.....MEMORIES — bogdanosclaire @ 7:44 pm
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Oh, foolish dreamer, you lonely child,

They gave you a hope, and you ran wild

In fields of joy and gardens of laughter,

Simple girl, you forgot what comes after

The rain of a late summer’s discontent,

However much meaningful or well meant

He will return to the world of his past,

Deserting you first, remembering last

That you held his hand through the troubled days

And you kissed his tears, through your misted gaze,

But in their flight, most men are little boys,

And gentle girls become discarded toys.

 

THE CLOWN ( 1946 ) 2013/05/18

Filed under: POEMS.....THOUGHTS.....MEMORIES — bogdanosclaire @ 10:14 pm
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Ah, Pierrot, what pale tear doth rest upon thy cheek

And lingers there while thou hast not the tongue to speak

To quell this agony within thy breast that swells

Not either strength to leave nor voice to thy love tell?

Hence thou dost act each night a role that hath no end

To veil thy life without one lover or one friend.

T’would be the love for whom you’ve pined yet been denied

Dost sense not hour , day nor year through which thou hast cried.

Thus as this force continued on in weary grief

Thou garnered not the halting grace it must to leave.

But made thyself a servant silent to her will

And like some mindless fool forever loved her still.

 

SUNDOWN ( 1949 )

Filed under: POEMS.....THOUGHTS.....MEMORIES — bogdanosclaire @ 1:27 pm
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The tide has gone, how cool the night

It’s ebb has passed, now dims the light

Drift wood alone remains for me

The single task which must now be

To build again this life to share

With splintered fragments of repair.

Lost memories like shattered dreams

Fill water into running streams

Receding tides, crumbling castles

Consuming waves leave only ashes. 

 

LEGACY ( 2006 ) 2013/05/17

Filed under: POEMS.....THOUGHTS.....MEMORIES — bogdanosclaire @ 1:25 am
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If today should be my last to keep

I’d deed to you, before I sleep

Those treasures which I’ll leave behind

To seek the rest that I will find.

There are these gifts to give away,

One is the peace youth will delay.

While I have many dreams to share

I also have some love to spare,

I’d pledge that love to fill your heart

Next to the wish your fears depart.

I’d bid you learn to live like me,

With courage, truth and dignity.

 

If this day were my last to spend

I’d will to you before its end,

The glow of joy and calm of mind

That through our destinies must wind,

And pray then as we say goodbye

There will be ventures you will try,

Perhaps a mountain you will dare

Because your future may be there

And if you fail, shed not a tear,

I leave you cause and faith sincere.

I can but beg your grief will see

The wisdom in my legacy.

 

OUTGROWN ( 1979 ) 2013/05/16

Filed under: POEMS.....THOUGHTS.....MEMORIES — bogdanosclaire @ 1:02 pm
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What is there above stripped limbs that I can spy

Wedged between those spiny arms that reach too high?

One browned and muddy shelter grown obsolete

That time ago, to some bird, was world complete,

With its leafy covert fallen to the ground

Where it lies in lifeless and decaying mound.

Now empty and deserted this wasting nest

That in prime, to brooding chicks gave healthy rest.

Poor lonely home of use no more, bleak and bare,

Lost legacy of one transient flying pair

Struggling in that tangled sea of life’s morass.

Thus observed, swiftly it is, through age we pass,

To leave behind this remnant of what had been

Some message of deep concern to kith and kin.

 

Consider lessons now sealed within those walls,

In its girth, did gift the heart and cushion falls.

Then build our nests for each youth, both sleek and trim,

Though we guide them well, the rest is left to Him.

 

LITTLE BIRD ( 2013 ) 2013/05/14

Filed under: POEMS.....THOUGHTS.....MEMORIES — bogdanosclaire @ 3:05 am
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Who is there upon my window sill?

What is your need or your will?

Who’s that tapping on my pane
?

Have you come to call again?

Do you wish to enter in
?

Or to share my space herein?

Oh little one as you think

And tremble there on the brink

I cannot do what you wish

Since we share a varied dish.

Will you rest upon my sill

And chirp your song as you will

Can you stay and live with me?

It’s your nature to be free.

Oh small creature once again

Tapping there upon my pane

I can pray that you may stay

I beg please don’t fly away.

Oh little bird of swift flight

Keep love in your patient sight,

Winter winds will too soon come

With hoar’d breath and lack of sun

Keep my heart and mind alive

We may both with care survive.

 

There’s the tap upon my glass

Tell me what it is you ask

Can it be that we both know

Secrets great that must not show.

I won’t beg you to delay

Will you come another day?

Perhaps show me how to live

Teaching me what I must give

By courage and moral stand

To comprehend God’s vast plan,

Make me glad to be alive

With His help we shall survive.

 

LOST ( 2013 ) 2013/05/10

Filed under: POEMS.....THOUGHTS.....MEMORIES — bogdanosclaire @ 12:37 pm
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These memories that from our youth still cling

To values old that hope and trust will bring

Into this world since truth has lost its place

With no good choice to fill the empty space.

A valued thought by chance may come to mind

To help employ the wisdom we shall find

And question why our world has lost its way

Amid the toxins of the present day.

As men reject their past identity

In this sad world of such dishonesty

And leave us here to ponder why they do,

We lose our faith their words or deeds ring true!

 

I BELIEVE ( 1950 ) 2013/05/09

Filed under: POEMS.....THOUGHTS.....MEMORIES — bogdanosclaire @ 1:54 pm
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I believe that the wind is the spirit of God

That carries on its gentle breath a hymn that sings

A song of joy, caressing vibrant hill and sod

To bring us light and bless His smallest happenings.

 

TIMES VISION ( 2001 ) 2013/05/08

Filed under: POEMS.....THOUGHTS.....MEMORIES — bogdanosclaire @ 11:01 pm
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Of all the chains the years have forged I’ve born with charity

One timeless and external torch can light no way for me

And darkens still this foolish path that will not set me free,

Igniting every shallow thought that clouds my destiny.

There is a time that shall impound

The freedom once that I had found

Which must with force my life surround

Until that day my breath’s unbound.

While madness round me all about pursues a course that’s weak

There is no simple answer to the honest end I seek,

Foolish aims that restless be have no mind nor tongue to speak

And bind my heart to olden dreams with courage often meek.

Brief chance has come and too soon passed

To rend my days with currents fast

Faith binds my hopes with vision vast,

Time leads my sight to grace at last.

 

TOO OFTEN ( 2001 )

Filed under: POEMS.....THOUGHTS.....MEMORIES — bogdanosclaire @ 12:55 pm
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Oft I have heard a stranger say

That home is but a mile away,

And oft I’ve heard a comic say

That laughter’s but a smile away.

Oft I have heard a suitor say

That love is but a kiss away

And oft I’ve heard the preacher say

That God is just a prayer away.

Oft have I heard the wounded say

That help is but a cry away

And oft I’ve heard a soldier say

Peace is just one battle away.

Oft have I heard an artist say

Achievement’s just a task away

And oft I’ve heard the dying say

Salvation’s but a breath away.

 

Oft have I heard my own heart say

Tomorrow’s but a day away,

More oft I’ve heard a wiseman say

The truth is but a lie away.