BEAUCOUP DE FORMES
YES,"BEAUCOUP DE FORMES", OUR MAIDEN PUBLICATION FILLED WITH THOUGHT PROVOKING POETRY AND PROSE, INTRIGUING STORIES, AND MIND EXPANDING WORD ART IS STILL AVAILABLE
MAX HOLLY: Poetry
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IF YOUR CLUB, ORGANIZATION OR CHURCH WOULD LIKE MAX TO READ FOR YOU, CONTACT US AT POETRY@MAXHOLLY.COM. I HOPE YOU FIND THE READING OF THESE THOUGHTS ENJOYABLE. LOVE, THE HOLLYSPIRIT TEAM
PRELUDE OF DREAMS 2/2/2012
BY THE ORDINATION OF HEAVENLY DESIGN
ON SLENDER SHAFT OF FAIR CUPID'S BOW;
WRITTEN IN THE DARK IN LUMINESCENT MISSIVE
BY DELICATE CAST OF FIREFLY'S GLOW.
MYSTERIOUS TRANSFORMATION BESTOWED IN A KISS
PRESENTIMENT OF HOLY REWARD;
UNITED BY FUSION IN PASSIONATE EMBRACE
OF SPIRITS IN HARMONIC ACCORD.
HOW RADIANT THE VISION OF PRESCIENT WONDER!
PRELUDE OF DREAMS NOW EXTANT IN TEMPORAL VIEW;
BY GUIDANCE SUPERNATURAL IN THE DOMINION OF LOVE
BLESSINGS BLOSSOM FOREVER ANEW.
KISS FOR LUCK 2011/2012
TO THE TICKING CADENCE OF THE CLOCK
THIS WANING YEAR WINDS DOWN;
AROUSED IN JOY TO CHIMING BELLS
OF MEASURED TIMEPIECE SOUNDS.
ADVENTURES OF SIMPLE DESIGN
FROLIC FREELY ON OUR TONGUES;
MEMORIES AND HOPEFUL DREAMS
SHARED WITH FRIENDS WE ARE AMONG.
ONE LAST CHORUS FROM THE CAREFREE CHOIR
OF GOODWILL IN AULD LANG SYNE;
FOR THE HOUR IS LATE AND HOME AWAITS
IN COMPANY OF THE DIVINE.
TURNING DOWN THE QUILTED BED
BENEATH THE STARS AND MOON ABOVE;
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS SENT TO HEAVEN ON HIGH
FOR GIFTS HELD CLOSE IN LOVE.
BEFORE WE SLUMBER TO AWAKE
IN THE GRACE OF THE MORNING SUN;
A KISS FOR LUCK AS WE WAVE GOODBYE
TO ANOTHER YEAR WELL DONE.
THE INVITATION 12/3/2010
WE REQUIRE YOUR PRESENCE AT THE POLE OF THE NORTH
WAS ALL THE BRIEF MISSIVE SAID.
IN A RED SATIN POUCH, LEFT QUIETLY AS A MOUSE
ON THE NIGHTSTAND BY THE SIDE OF OUR BED.
THE STARDUST INSIDE WENT STRAIGHT TO OUR EYES
CREATING VISIONS OF MIRTH AND DELIGHT;
WHEN MUCH TO MY SURPRIZE, AN ELF IN MINIATURE SIZE
APPEARED IN A SHIMMERING LIGHT.
DRESSED IN HOLLY GREEN WITH A COUNTENANCE SERENE,
GOLDEN WINGS ON A TWINKLING SLED.
"I COME AT THE BEHEST OF SANTA'S REQUEST."
"WE SHOULD GO," MY WIFE THOUGHTFULLY SAID.
TRANSFORMED BY THESE WORDS, WE FLEW AS A BIRD
AT A SPEED ONLY MAGIC CAN SPARK;
WE TRAVELLED THE MILES ARRIVING IN STYLE
TO HEAR SANTA SHOUT, "DON'T DAWDLE! I NEED TO EMBARK!"
WITHOUT ANY DELAY, THEY LOADED THE SLEIGH
WITH TOYS FOR LITTLE BOYS AND LITTLE GIRLS;
GOODWILL AND LOVE COMING FROM ABOVE,
ON THIS EVE IN EVERY CORNER OF THE WORLD.
WITH THE WINK OF AN EYE, INTO THE STARRY SKY
ON THE WINGS OF WISHES AND GOOD CHEER;
AT THE FIRST MORNING LIGHT, THE CHILDREN'S DELIGHT
WILL RING IN THE NEW YULETIDE YEAR.
A CUP OF PEPPERMINT TEA BY THE DECORATED TREE
WITH MRS. CLAUS AND ALL OUR NEW FRIENDS;
WISHED UPON A STAR AS MY THOUGHTS DRIFTED AFAR,
"PEACE ON EARTH TO ALL WOMEN AND MEN."
SLEEP OVERCAME, DREAMS REACHED GENTLY TO CLAIM,
SWEET LULLABYS CAROLLED IN OUR HEADS;
WHEN THE MORNING ARRIVED, AS SOL ROSE IN THE SKY,
WE AWOKE SNUG AND WARM IN OUR BED.
TWO COOKIES AND MILK ON A DOILY OF SILK
WITH A NOTE EXCLAIMED CHEERFUL AND GAY:
HAPPY HOLLYDAYS TO ALL! MERRY CHRISTMAS BIG AND SMALL!
...THE WORLD'S TROUBLES SEEMED SO FAR AWAY.
FAR TO THE NORTH IN THE CANDY CANE GAZETTE,
BENEATH A PICTURE OF REINDEERS AND SLEIGH,
WAS A MESSAGE FROM SANTA AND DEAR MRS. CLAUS,
WITH GRATITUDE, THEY WENT ON TO SAY.
"THANK YOU KIND PEOPLE FOR REMEMBERING THE SEASON;
YOUR SPIRITS HELPED LIGHT UP THE NIGHT.
GUIDING OUR SLEIGH TO EACH HOME ON THE WAY
AS WE TRAVERSED THROUGH TIME ON OUR FLIGHT.
WE HOPE THE INVITATION, OUR HUMBLE SUPPLICATION,
BROUGHT YOU PEACE AND JOY IN YOUR HEART.
THANKS AGAIN; BLESS YOU ALL FOR ANSWERING THE CALL
AS WE COMMENCE A BRAND NEW YEAR'S START."
BY A HAIR 11/20/2011
ON TOP OF THE DOME ABOVE THE FUZZ ON THE EARS
OF A SMOOTH AND SHINY PATE,
WHERE ONE SINGLE HAIR HAS THE AUDACITY TO DARE
SPROUTING PROUDLY WITHOUT A MATE.
STANDING ERECT AT FLIPPANT ATTENTION
ON A FIELD BARREN AS THE MOON;
BEGGING TO BE PLUCKED, YET AN ORNAMENT FOR LUCK
TO THE PROPRIETOR CONSIDERED A BOON.
WITH THE VICTIM IN SLUMBER TO REND ASUNDER
REACHING FURTIVELY IN A SECRETIVE PLAY;
AWAKENING WITH A SNORT FOLLOWED BY THE REPORT
OF A LOUD RESOLUTE, BELAY!
WHAT MAY SEEM A NUISANCE OR OBJECT OF DERISION
IS A REMEMBRANCE OF OCCURRENCES RETAINED
FOR PENSIVE EVENINGS UNDER STARLIT SKIES
IN HONOR OF A LONG FLOWING MANE.
THIS SLENDER THREAD PERCHED ON MY HEAD
SPLENDIDLY FREE IN THE AIR MAY IT WAVE;
GRANDSON, BY A HAIR THESE MEMORIES RARE
ARE CARRIED FONDLY TO FOREVER SAVE.
(FOR HIPSTER GRANDFATHERS AND OFFSPRING))
FOREWARD TO "THE BLESSED CURSE"
THE STORY OF HOW SANTA AND MRS. CLAUS CAME TO BE
THE BLESSED CURSE 11/1/2011
DEEP WITHIN THE FOREST IN THE DOMINION OF THE ELVES,
UNDER BOUGHS OF HOLLY IN A STONE HOUSE BY THEMSELVES,
LIVE A PRINCE AND PRINCESS WITHOUT COFFERS FILLED WITH GOLD;
THE REASONS BECOME EVIDENT AS THE NARRATIVE UNFOLDS.
ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE COURT OF THE WICKED QUEEN
WHERE GOODNESS AND COMPASSION HAD GIVEN WAY TO NIGHTMARE DREAMS;
KISSING AND AFFECTION BANNED BY PROCLAMATION PASSED,
ANY WORDS AGAINST THE RULE WOULD TRULY BE YOUR LAST.
DISENCHANTED LOVERS LOST HOPE AS GLOOM CHILLED TO THE CORE
FOR THE REALM HAD BEEN INFECTED BY JEALOUS SOULS OF KINGDOM'S YORE.
YET IN A WONDROUS DISPLAY OF BRAVERY FOR THE WHORE TO REVIEW
IN A SUICIDAL FOND EMBRACE, THESE TWO KISSED IN EVIL'S VIEW.
"YOU BEING OF ROYAL BLOOD, I CANNOT KILL YOU!" HER MAJESTY ROARED.
"I'LL CAST YOU OUT WITH THIS CURSE INSTEAD FOREVERMORE!
YOU WILL LIVE FOR ALL TIME NEVER TO GROW OLD
WITHOUT A PENNY TO YOUR NAME NOT A COIN IN YOUR POCKET TO HOLD."
THESE FEARLESS OUTLAWS TRAVELLED WIDELY IN GOOD CHEER,
MAKING FRIENDS, ETERNALLY JOINED, WITH A HERD OF NINE REINDEER.
GRACIOUSLY INVITED TO LIVE IN ELFIN'S PEACEFUL CLAIM;
HAND IN HAND IN BLESSED CURSE ON IMAGINATION'S PLANE.
DECADES CAME AND CENTURIES WENT, AGING EVER SO GRACEFULLY SLOW;
REMAINING YOUNG AND VIGOROUS BY THE GIFT OF A MAGICAL GLOW;
WHERE BENEDICTIONS TRANSFORM VICIOUS SPELLS INTO BLESSINGS IN DISGUISE,
BRIGHTLY SHOWING IN HER SMILE AND THE TWINKLE IN HIS EYE.
THE KEY 7/7/2007
CLEANING OUT THE DESK TODAY
I FOUND INSIDE A DRAWER,
BENEATH A STACK OF HOLIDAY CARDS,
PHOTOGRAPHS OF YORE;
A GIFT WRAPPED UP IN A NOTE
WRIT IN FAMILIAR HAND,
WITH WORDS PRINTED ON THE TOP,
"WHAT I WAS...I AM.
WHEN YOU READ THESE THOUGHTS LEFT BEHIND,
LET YOUR DAYS NE'ER BE BITTER-FILLED;
FOR CERTAIN AS THERE IS HEAVEN ABOVE,
I WILL BE WITH YOU STILL.
FOREVER AND FOR ALWAYS,
FREELY GIVEN FROM THE START:
A TOKEN OF MY TRUST IN YOU...
THE KEY TO MY HEART."
TOMBSTONE 8/11/2011
HALF BURIED IN THE CREEK BED
BEHIND THE GREY FIELD STONE CABIN
LIE THE BONES GLEAMING WHITE IN THE MORN.
BRITTLE AND BLEACHED BY THE SUN AND THE HEAT
WASHED CLEAN BY THE OCCASIONAL STORM.
MONUMENT TO THE MEMORIES
OF SPIRITS DISCHARGED AND FLOWN
TO HEAVEN AND OTHER FATES LESS DIVINE.
FRAMEWORKS ABANDONED; STRIPPED OF MUSCLE AND FLESH
BY VULTURES OF FORGETFULNESS AND TIME.
TOMBSTONES OF DEMARCATION
WHERE THE ESSENCE OF THE MORTAL
RESIDE NO LONGER IN THE MATERIAL PLANE.
YET THE ELEMENTAL NATURE ENTRUSTED BY HONOR OF DEED
RUNS THROUGH THE SPIRITUAL BLOOD OF MY VEINS.
HALF BURIED IN THE CREEK BED
BEHIND THE GREY FIELD STONE CABIN
LIE THE BONES GLEAMING WHITE IN THE MORN.
SOLEMN POINT OF ENTRY WHERE THE COURAGEOUS AND STRONG
ARE RESURRECTED IN PEACE: REBORN.
(FOR MARTIN LUTHER KING, JESUS, GANDHI AND ALL THE OTHERS)
BASEBALL AND THE AMERICAN DREAM 6/1/2011
THE SCENT OF FRESH MOWN GRASS AND HARD EARNED SWEAT
PERMEATE THE PORES OF THE SEASON;
RENDERING THOSE WITH A PERCEPTIVE NOSE
TO LOSE ALL LOGIC AND REASON.
WITH A SOLEMN SALUTE AS THE FLAG WAVES UNFURLED
TO OUR NATION HELD FONDLY AND DEAR;
A PATRIOTIC SONG TO SING PROUDLY ALONG
FOLLOWED BY A STOUT HEARTY CHEER.
THE UMPIRE'S MUSTER, "PLAY BALL! BATTER UP!"
WITH JUDGEMENTS HONEST AND MOSTLY RIGHT;
WHILE CONCESSIONAIRE'S FARES LINGER IN THE AIR
AS A PERFUME TO TEMPT A ZEALOT'S APPETITE.
OUTSIDE THESE STADIUM WALLS ON FIELDS OF BUSINESS AND WAR,
GAMES OF POLITICAL PERSUASION UNREFINED;
ALAS, RULES OF FAIR PLAY OFTEN GO ASTRAY...
THERE BE A TALE FOR OTHER RHYTHMS IN RHYME.
FOR ON THIS AFTERNOON WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS
ROOT FANANTIC FOR A FAVORITE TEAM;
THE GRAND NATURE OF THINGS IN THE PERENNIAL SPRING
OF BASEBALL AND THE AMERICAN DREAM.
PROLOGUE TO THE WAKING DREAM
**AS THE TARGET OF AN ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT IN THE MID 1990'S,BALANCING ON THE BEAM SEPARATING THE PLANES OF EXISTENCE WITH BLOOD STREAMING OUT OF MY MOUTH, EARS AND NOSE FROM THE POISON I HAD INHALED, THE REVELATON OF THE WAKING DREAM COMMENCED WHERE ALL THINGS ARE REVEALED.
THE WAKING DREAM 5/2/2011
WITH A CHILDHOOD NURSERY RHYME TURNING IN MY HEAD
AS I LAID DOWN TO SLEEP WITH MY NIGHTLY PRAYERS SAID;
AN ANCIENT LULLABY OF LOVE RANG SOFTLY IN MY EAR,
A SWEET HARMONIUM OF AIR IN THE STILLNESS CALM AND NEAR.
DRIFTING INTO SLUMBER ON THE VERSE OF A MELODY,
UPLIFTED AND BATHED BLAMELESS BY A SANCTIFIED SEA
OF A MULTITUDINOUS CHOIR WITH CAROLS BRAVE AND STRONG:
"YOUR WIFE WILL TRAVEL WITH YOU FOR TO YOU SHE DOES BELONG."
FOREVER AND FOR ALWAYS IN THE LIGHT OF FREEDOM'S FLAME;
ONE FOOT IN EARTHLY TRAVELS, THE OTHER FIRM ON HEAVEN'S PLANE.
A CONDUCTIVE BRIDGE OF SPIRIT BETWEEN THIS WORLD AND THE NEXT
WITH THE LIBERTY TO AUTHOR SINGULAR VISIONS OF TEXT.
PROVIDENTIAL THOUGHTS OF WISDOM DEFINING PASSAGEWAYS UNCLIMBED,
KNOWN TO YOU IN WHISPERS FROM FRIENDS IN ANOTHER TIME.
FLOAT FREELY IN A RHAPSODY AS YOU JOURNEY THE CELESTIAL STREAM,
STRAIGHT INTO ETERNITY IN THE REALM OF THE WAKING DREAM.
THE UNHOLY LAND 4/05/2011
BROKEN PROMISES OF PEACE AND APPEASEMENT SOWN AS SEED UNTO INHOSPITABLE GROUND...
WHERE LOVE CANNOT GROW.
EXPATRIATES OF HEAVEN WAGING A NEVER-ENDING WAR OF HATRED AND RETRIBUTION WITH A DIM RECOLLECTION OF HOW THEY ARRIVED AT THIS CRITICAL JUNCTURE AND WITHOUT THE ABLITY TO LIBERATE THEMSELVES FROM THE UNHOLY LAND FASHIONED BY THEIR OWN MISGUIDED HANDS.
WOULD THERE BE A SOLITARY SEEDLING OF COMPASSION AND UNDERSTANDING TO SUPPLANT AGES OF SUSPICION AND MALICE?
FOR THE SAKE OF THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN AN END TO TRIBAL DIVISIONS AND CONSECRATED WRITINGS USED AS A WEAPON TO ENSLAVE AND INJURE INSTEAD OF EMANCIPATE AND SET FREE...
I HOPE SO INDEED.
CROAK 3/6/2011
WITH A SLIVER OF A CRESCENT MOON SMILING DOWN UPON
A SPOTTED FROG AND HER POLLIWOGS AT HOME IN A FOGGY DAWN.
SITTING ON A LILYPAD LOST IN WONDERING THOUGHT
ABOUT PECULIAR FORTUNE; WHAT LESSON WAS BEING TAUGHT?
THE OFFSPRING SHE HAD HOPED FOR WERE CERTAINLY ODD AND STRANGE;
LIKE POOR SNAILS WHO HAD LOST THEIR SHELLS...
BUT SHE LOVED THEM JUST THE SAME.
WITH A YAWN AND A BU-R-R-RP,
SHE GLANCED AROUND WHILE THE SUN ROSE IN THE SKY;
IN A FRANTIC VOICE FILLED WITH DESPAIR, SHE BEGAN TO SHOUT AND CRY.
"OH WOE IS ME! WHERE CAN THEY BE? MY CHERUB BABIES MINE;
HAS SOME HUNGRY STORK STUCK THEM WITH A FORK
FOR BREAKFAST AS HE DINED?"
THROUGH THE TEARS AND SOBBING, CAME, "MOTHER, PLEASE DON'T WEEP."
FOLLOWED BY A CHORUS OF SYMPHONIC CROAKING PEEPS.
THE INFANTS WHICH RESEMBLED SLUGS WERE SPOTTED WITH WEBBED FEET;
THIS METAMORPHIC MIRACLE TOOK SOME WEEKS TO COMPLETE.
SIGHED A GRATEFUL CROAK IN REPLY WITH MEMORIES REFRESHED ANEW;
REMEMBERING WHEN SHE WAS YOUNG, "I WAS ONCE A TADPOLE, TOO."
(...AND THEY ALL CROAKED HAPPILY EVER AFTER.)
SHELL GAME 7/4/2010
INDEPENDENTLY SPEAKING,
THIS SHELL GAME OF HIDING
THE KERNEL OF FACT MIDST THESE LIES;
THE HALF-TRUTHS CONCEALING
HANDS OF DOUBLE-DEALING,
MISSED IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE.
CONTINUALLY SHIFTING
THE CENTER OF FOCUS,
THE MULTITUDE DAZED; POLARIZED.
CONFUSED BY THE NOTION
OF CIRCUITOUS MOTION,
WITH THE GIFT OF DISAPPOINTMENT AS A PRIZE.
GERONIMO OF DARFUR 2009
THE STIFLING HEAT AND ANNOYANCE OF FLIES
WERE NO MATCH FOR HER SORROW AND GRIEF.
A COCOON OF ANGUISH ARMORED THIS MOTHER'S SENSES,
WHILE LISTENING TO THE RASPY HEAVING
OF HER SON'S LABORED LAST MOMENTS.
HER THOUGHTS DID NOT ROAM FROM THE PRESENT;
WONDERING NOT THE PURPOSE OF THEIR PAINFUL JOURNEY
OF PERPETUAL UNCERTAINTY AND HOMELESS WANDERING;
THINKING ONLY OF PROVIDING SOME TEMPORARY RELIEF
WITH A SOOTHING LULLABY AND GENTLE HAND.
CRADLED IN THE SOLACE OF COMFORTING ARMS,
GERONIMO OF DARFUR SMILED, GAZING SKYWARD;
SIGHED A FRAGILE COO OF SURRENDER
AND TOOK NOT ONE MORE BREATH.
UNTO BARREN GROUND, INTERRED IN A SHALLOW DITCH,
A PILE OF STONES TO MARK THE SPOT
WHERE HOPE WAS LAID TO REST
ALONG WITH WHAT WAS LEFT OF HER HEART.
THE TRAIL OF TEARS,
FROM GEORGIA TO OKLAHOMA,
ARIZONA TO DARFUR.
ENDING IN A FAMILIAR LODGING OF TRANSIENT WISDOM
WITHOUT REMEMBRANCE OF CAUSE OR CONSEQUENCE,
SADDLED ON A VENGEFUL HORSE OF RESENTMENT.
THE FINAL DESTINATION OF ENLIGHTENMENT AND UNDERSTANDING...
SOMEWHERE AHEAD.
WHAT THE FUTURE NOW BRINGS 4/22/2008
Smiling,the future strolled calmly into view;
Expected, yet unannounced.
While marionettes continued to dance,
bobbing on tethers controlled by hidden masters
grasping jealously onto the past...
becoming nothing more than a fistful of sand,
slipping away between tightening fingers
until there was nothing more to possess.
Others, hearing His approach, loosed the chains which bound them to gravity's burden...walking free.
Mythical fables replaced by the realization of dreams spoken in prophecy;
Becoming spirits of a realm without borders by the destiny of choice.
Smiling, the future strolled calmly into view;
Expected...yet unannounced;
With promises in His pocket to keep.
HOLLY HOUSE 6/15/2009 - -poem recited by Holly Stankiewitz from the play "HOLLY HOUSE" written by Max Holly
The comical and the tragic live side by side,
I don't know whether to laugh or cry;
All I hope for in prayers I send,
Is the choices we make turn out well in the end.
HOLLY HOUSE 6/15/2009 - -poem recited by Officer McLaren from the play "HOLLY HOUSE" written by Max Holly
During times of trouble, our ears hear much advice;
How to solve a problem which causes sleepless nights.
Sometimes it takes a steady hand to strike a mighty blow,
To clear away the turmoil, let wisdom's presence show.