Sonnet 4
the self to brink of paradise may rise
but dim that vision remains, distant
until self surrenders and self dies.
then vision brightens in an instant!
veil torn, new eyes new vision behold;
new ears new communications hear.
the new Man arises from man of old
to meet vision as vision draws near.
a new earth forms from old earth;
old earth's transfigured by new.
veil rent in second birth
new self becomes selves two!
two selves dwell in one new self;
the heavenly Self and self of earth.
poem by Doug Bentley
Added by Poetry Lover
Comment! | Vote! | Copy!
Sonnet 2
my mind's eye from outer eye remove.
make senseless the argument of sense
that beauty not subject to sense prove
nor object to time that takes you hence.
then, mind from eye withdrawn,
in dark, sense may shine bright
and mind itself your beauty form,
forming mind to your illuminate.
but not thought's sense to hear
nor sense of mind in sense feel,
dimensional sight and intelligent ear
bereft of mind from mind would reel.
no war between your feature and form
exists except in eye - that does harm.
poem by Doug Bentley
Added by Poetry Lover
Comment! | Vote! | Copy!
Somersault
we are no old-fashioned heroes
who fight a blind dragon or two
then retire into the forest
to warn off others in stories
just of how dragons are slain.
we have only litanies of loss
to demons who never die, who
can never be killed, (only out-
witted, pacified, subdued) :
each of us a library of disease.
and who recognizes us, the crazy
ones who live life as if it's some
sort of perfect dive-
a tumbling
off the high board into free fall,
[...] Read more
poem by Doug Bentley
Added by Poetry Lover
Comment! | Vote! | Copy!
Sonnet 14
constant love in inconstant time,
not victim to altering circumstance,
one will makes of two, two one divine
constant, proving love's allegiance.
begotten of two may be ten children.
then ten children make many ten.
soon ten thousand inhabit heaven.
ten thousand your image bear then
to posterity, your children to grow
and branch reign in highest heaven.
children in branch will branch bow.
in star clusters sprout image then!
but to posterity, o will-less one,
your will dies and posterity's done.
poem by Doug Bentley
Added by Poetry Lover
Comment! | Vote! | Copy!
Sonnet 15
not into a crystal ball do i look
nor chart the future on a palm:
i consult no astrologer's book
or think to turn fate with a wand:
no third party do i seek to temper
fluxing fortunes in love's conquest:
or foreign mediator love distemper
with an alien counsel love's behest:
not to others do i fly for advice,
inquiring into secrets of love's silence,
but keep to myself in single vice,
upon self alone committing violence:
soul turning over love's factions.
discretion permits no other actions.
poem by Doug Bentley
Added by Poetry Lover
Comment! | Vote! | Copy!
Grain
a grain of sand all heaven may hold,
and the stars spin round a flower;
alchemists exchange precious gold;
philosophers seek the stone of power;
seven wonders may the world awe,
and mysteries be knowledge of few;
the spectacle eyes on calvary saw
be secret of life's creation new;
on seven pillars may wisdom be founded,
and antique oracles fortune foretell,
but in you my trumpet's sounded;
that love i'll never trade nor sell.
simple love may hold all things;
in your love my simple heart sings!
poem by Doug Bentley
Added by Poetry Lover
Comment! | Vote! | Copy!
Sonnet 13
no abstruse thought can claim my heart.
soon mind changes to simpler view.
complexities vanish and depart.
simple mind returns in thought to you.
then my mind gains true wings
and journeys far afield fed on love.
exchanging grace for grace, love brings
a sense of peace, disquiet to remove
and motion cease in restless brain.
quickened action takes hold within.
serene calm towards which i strain
comes unasked for once again!
so abstruse 'tis simple, love's effect
passes understanding of brain's aspect.
poem by Doug Bentley
Added by Poetry Lover
Comment! | Vote! | Copy!
Sonnet 10
sweet influence which coaxes to remove
my mind and affections to distant shore
my mettle by fire is seeking to prove,
by fire tempering to a worthier store.
sun and moon immortal shine,
single light and light deflecting,
like source of love, human-divine,
and Light of love love reflecting.
cycles swing from nothing to all,
changes point on changeless disc
like rise in pitch followed by fall,
full moon waning to waxing cusp.
of what noble metal is base clay made
that over it Light wages war with shade.
poem by Doug Bentley
Added by Poetry Lover
Comment! | Vote! | Copy!
Sonnet 18
it had rained fully four seasons.
there was thought the sun had died.
the philosopher produced sound reasons.
it was widely presumed the promise lied.
Man had invented the man-made fire
and covered its images in myrtle leaves.
the sound of burning mounted higher
and deafened night in stench of weeds.
the garden had been left unattended
and in the city anarchy was law.
love of Man had all but ended.
in the grand design there was a flaw.
time lost its direction. future stopped.
then sun's eye from dim cloud popped.
poem by Doug Bentley
Added by Poetry Lover
Comment! | Vote! | Copy!
Sonnet 3
what substance have valour and honour
when the serene sadness of humility,
a buddha face of wisdom and power
aglow in warmth and dignity,
the mental characteristics of a saint,
challenge us in terms of heaven?
what wisdom attends a childless state
when she is justified by her children?
as Beatrice knew lover and quick to him
in rapture flew, love's issue far more
unveils (heaven not open to eyes of man) ,
and sets love firm on paradise's shore.
like lotus petals love's plumes
earthly sense in life's tree consumes.
poem by Doug Bentley
Added by Poetry Lover
Comment! | Vote! | Copy!