Inspired, in part, by LemKuiper's composition, "For You".


For You
Copyright 2007
Ken Gierke

A poem inspired by LemKuiper's composition for guitar, "Dryad".
Visit Lem's channel for more great music.
Posted now as a response to the LiveVideo Ball - Poetry Slam!

Dryad

though midday when first
  more...I entered this wood
the mighty oaks seem shrouded
in the light of dusk

faint notes of an unknown minstrel
waft through the air,
heightening my senses,
my surroundings now in focus

mottled sunlight dancing at my feet
narrows to a shaft racing ’cross my path
glancing from the trunk of one oak,
then another and another

my feet suddenly frozen in place,
I turn to follow its path,
strain to keep it in sight
as it dances to the music

my eyes following that light,
I glimpse a maiden shadowed by an oak,
visible for a moment,
t hen just as soon gone

again she appears, dancing it seems
to the next oak, and the next;
dancing with the light or the trees?
I cannot tell

at once, the shaft of light meets the trunk
of a massive oak and broadens,
diffuses, softens and reveals
lines softer yet

I stand in awe at the sight
of a woman as one with the tree,
a classic beauty, a nymph
awaiting dear friend Artemis

though wrapped in the strength of the oak
she is vulnerable seeming;
unwilling to hold my glance
she turns away, as do I

all that is light leaves my eyes
for a brief moment,
then returns to reveal the dusky scene
that surrounded me moments earlier

standing alone once more,
my feet no longer rooted to the ground,
I step forward and realize
the notes are fading into the distance

Copyright 2007
Ken Gierke  less

A poem inspired by LemKuiper's composition, "Carnasserie".
http://www.livevideo.com/video/Lem/303A8E8695A04F5A83CD82032C3F1FD1/carnasserie.aspx

Carswell’s Keep


The wrath of MacLean leaves an air   more...deathly still.
Yet, the walls of Carnasserie stand proudly, still.
It may seem all is gone, but it’s just as it’s been.
To the east and the north, the valley’s still green.
Enter the hall of the Bishop’s grand home.
Secure behind walls of impenetrable stone.
Wait by the fire and keep warm for awhile.
All is in waiting for the Earl of Argyll.
Now to the stairs, as they climb high and steep.
As we watch for our foes from the top of the keep.
We’ll stand here for ages with the strength of our will.
Yes, the walls of Carnasserie stand proudly, still.

Copyright 2007
Ken Gierke  less

A poem written to accompany LemKuiper's "October Day".
Hear more of Lem's music at LiveVideo/Lem.
<b>October Day

Soft, diffused…

Yellows and reds
far overhead
hint at sunlight
clinging to colors
  more...still within reach.

Prelude to winter’s gray.


Copyright 2007
Ken Gierke  less

A poem inspired by LemKuiper's composition "Long for the Day".
Find more of Lem's music at LiveVideo.com/Lem.

Long for the Day
Copyright 2007
Ken Gierke

A poem inspired by LemKuiper's composition "Solitude".

I think Lem's own video is the best graphic for this poem.

Solitude

A few moments alone with six strings

Therapeutic… free from stress

Whether   more...composing…

Or simply feeling the response

an instrument can give;

reflecting my mood,

punctuating a statement

or drawing a scene,

hoping others can visualize the same

A few moments alone with six strings


Copyright 2007
Ken Gierke  less

A poem inspired by LemKuiper's "La Valse Ambre"

Amber Moon

Sister, almost, to our earthly realm,
she graces the night sky
with her pale presence.

As Selene in her silver chariot,
her beams shone brightest
  more...off the ocean’s waves.

Seduced by Pan,
but enamored of Endymion,
giving him eternal sleep
that he might never grow old.

No less vulnerable as Diana,
her love for Orion
brought him to the heavens
to live forever.
……………………
In the distance,
a wolf’s howl escapes
from a dense forest.
……………………
Ever constant, through time and tide,
she is like a beacon from the heavens.

So it is that Luna draws Man
to journey, by way of Verne,
and by way of science through
Shepard, Glenn, Armstrong.

Through them, Man dared to touch
a goddess within the darkness,
but like a goddess,
she remains shrouded in mystery.

Copyright 2007
Ken Gierke  less

A poem inspired by LemKuiper's composition "First of Spring"
http://www.LiveVideo.com/Lem

First of Spring

Branches hint at the green they hold in store;
The ground, too soft yet to leave the path,
  more...yields signs of the renewal of life.
Shoots press through the last traces of snow.

Flocks overhead signal new arrivals,
Cold weather stragglers prepare to leave.
The breeze seems warmer, gentler,
no longer a servant of Winter.

A hare crosses the path ahead,
its winter white nearly faded.
Startled, a roe deer raises its head.
Still as stone, it awaits your passing.

Thoughts turn to the coast
and the antics of terns in flight…
a welcome sign of Spring’s arrival,
and walks-to-come along the shore.

A walk… like any other walk;
welcome, whether in highlands or low,
yet different in a way that’s welcome
more so, when it’s the first of spring.

Copyright 2007
Ken Gierke  less

Not a poem this time. Something different.
Inspired by LemKuiper's "Valse De Masque."


The Masque Waltz

No pavane, this. Stately, yes, as couples move across the floor of the grand ballroom.

Gentlemen   more...in tails and powdered wigs, backs straight as they step to the sound of the waltz filling the room, are held captive by the gaze of their partners. Hand in hand, hand on shoulder, the women who face them speak in soft tones, never allowing eye contact to be broken while seeming to glide effortlessly across the floor.

A breath of spring air flows across the room, as the outer doors close behind a late arrival. The murmur of voices weaves in and out of the notes of the waltz, existing in a world apart from that outside…

Until the doors to the great hall open to reveal a vision of beauty.

The rhythm of the dance continues, uninterrupted, even as the conversation dies. All heads turn in unison to see dancing eyes, veiled in mystery by the masque she holds to her face. Heads turn as dancers turn, men and women alike unable to tear their glance from her form as she slowly traces the edge of the dance floor.

Reaching the far side of the hall, she takes one step, then two, onto the floor. The dancers part before her, never once removing their gaze, until she remains alone on the dance floor.

As if breathing the music that surrounds her, she moves gracefully around the room. Eyes dancing still, even as she dances, her flowing gown seeming to carry her effortlessly to the music now playing only for her, she reaches the door as the waltz ends.

The doors are pulled aside, and she glides from the room. A breath of spring air flows across the room, as the outer door closes behind her.

Heads gazing towards the door just moments before turn toward each other as the music begins once again. Gazes lock as couples move to the sound of the waltz.


Copyright 2007
Ken Gierke  less

Poetry inspired by LemKuiper's "Winter Sun".

Watch Lem's video to hear the entire composition.

Winter Sun

Frost in fractals
on a frozen pane
Glimmers, shimmers
in the morning sun.
Branches blanketed
  more... with last evening's snow
Weave the wonder of winter
against an azure sky.
Visitors have woven
their own patterns;
Fox tracks cross
those of a hare.

Powder raised
by passing boots
Floats, drifts gently
through the air,
A rainbow of light
glinting from its surface
As it falls to fill
the tracks of boots
Pausing to reflect on
the beauty revealed
In a frigid landscape,
the wonders of a winter sun.

Copyright 2006
Ken Gierke  less

When the Rain Comes, a composition by LemKuiper (username Lem) inspired this poem.


When the Rain Comes

You held me, you told me
although I was lonely,
I wasn’t the only one
drowning in pain.

Then gently, so   more...softly,
you led me so I’d see
we all have our moments
alone in the rain.

But, slowly, it cleanses
our battered defenses,
erasing the remnants
of pain we’ve become.

No darkness enfolds me,
when I have the memory
of strength I discovered
when the rain comes.


Copyright 2007
Ken Gierke  less

Calanais, a composition on guitar composed by Lem (Lem Kuiper to his YouTube friends) inspired this poem.

Calanais Inspired
Copyright 2006