Love at First Glance

Sonnet I

Your eyes are liquid pools in which I sink
The centers dark, yet filled with so much light
Can’t look away, I dare not even blink
In case I miss the nuance of your sight.
The lashes seem too pretty for a man
But thickly cast a shadow, which I see
Just adds to intrigue, with their depth and span
Awakens something at the heart of me.

But if you capture me with just a glance
It must be so with many others too,
I am unsure if I would stand a chance
Of challenging and interesting you.

Desire it seems already now has grown
To greater depths than I have ever known.

Sonnet II

To greater depths than I have ever known
When all it took was just a single glance,
For in a rush my senses have all flown
Into a waltz, a swirling, twirling dance.
I do not know if I can cross this floor
That separates us now, but your eyes call
And I'm obliged to heed the certain roar
Be brave or let the curtain on us fall.

But more than eyes reached out to say hello
The timbre of your voice a pleasant thrill,
I stumble then, the words won’t seem to flow
My thoughts are lost, and gone against my will.

Oh damn, I know I really need a drink!
I cannot voice the wonder that I think.

Sonnet III

I cannot voice the wonder that I think
Your eyes have drawn me in and now I’m hooked.
The world around us goes away, just shrinks
To naught, I think, by a sweet piercing look!
Your mouth says words, I only see your lips
They are so curved, look firm and oh so warm,
You’re godlike from your hair down to your hips
My thoughts are scattered in your perfect storm.

I wonder why your look seemed so intense,
But still I am enraptured by your glow.
I think perhaps I am a little dense;
What's there about me you should want to know?

Your hand is smooth, I bite away my moan
My thoughts a mess, a writhing small cyclone.

Sonnet IV

My thoughts a mess, a writhing small cyclone
My heart it stutter steps within my breast,
I pray you cannot hear its restless groan
And hope yours feels, within that manly chest.
Your eyes, still looking deeply into mine
(I wonder why I cannot look away?)
Bring shivers to my skin and up my spine
So totally I am within your sway.

My fingers want to touch, they need to say
Out loud how much your gaze has shaken me;
I must be mad! My nerves are in a fray,
I’m praying that there's truth in what I see.

Throw caution to the wind? What’s the big deal?
I want to tell you how I truly feel.

Sonnet V

I want to tell you how I truly feel
How fired your eyes have made me from the start,
The all of you, that latent sex appeal
I struggle with the words I must impart.
I gather up my courage, take a breath
And hope I sound so confident and bold
Because if I don't speak then I'll be left
To always wonder, what if I had told.

Then suddenly the band begins to play
You bow to me and ask me for a dance,
We go out on the floor and closely sway
And once more words are swept with fine romance.

You stare at me, I’m totally engrossed
But words escape me when I need them most.

Sonnet VI

But words escape me when I need them most
I'm on cloud nine, no words are needed now.
He thinks, This woman, dancing with me close
Seems so much fun, but now I must allow
Her access to my deeper self as well
For texture, image, and demeanor too
Broadcast that words unsaid will soon compel
My heart and soul to take a deeper view.

She looks reluctant, timid and surprised,
Perhaps afraid her words won’t show their worth.
She speaks such volumes flowing from her eyes
I feel her voice will flow with care and mirth.

I'll vouch that words will soon my soul anneal
Your eyes just mesmerize; my heart, once steel.
 

Sonnet VII

Your eyes just mesmerize; my heart, once steel
Has melted now; surprised how readily
A look can reach across and make me feel;
My strength erodes, heart beats unsteadily.
Your perfume rises up and takes my sense,
My hands around your waist, they tremble too
Against love’s call I have no strong defense
When all I seem to want is only you.

We’ve hardly said a word and yet your eyes
Have said so much, without an uttered line.
My head it spins, you’re such a natural high
I need to find a way to make you mine.

My breath deserts me when it matters most
Just falls apart and leaves me like a ghost.

Sonnet VIII

Just falls apart and leaves me like a ghost
Composure slips, but cannot help myself.
I need to get a grip or diagnose
Myself a fool; I feel like someone else!
You're watching me as if you cannot wait
For me to utter something cute or smart,
But all I do is curse myself, berate
For staying oh so quiet from the start.

I breathe and finally my lips awake
I hear the words and cringe; oh what a mess!
"You dance so well", is all that I can shake
Out from my mind, and now I feel distress.

You smile as if you see my silly fears
I am in constant blush, I know you hear.
 

Sonnet IX

I am in constant blush, I know you hear
And wonder if you think that I am less
Than every woman you’ve known here and there;
That causes me to think and to assess.
The music stops but we stay standing close
As if we are afraid to break some spell
And caught up in a dream we softly pose
Like lovers, who cannot their passions quell.

You ask me if I’d like to take a seat
And talk a while, and lead me from the floor
I nod and force some movement from my feet
And softly say "I’d like that, I am sure".

I shake my head, I know I need to cool
My mumblings, you must think me such a fool.

Sonnet X

My mumblings, you must think me such a fool
My mind replays- until you speak and say,
"I'm not so tongue-tied as a general rule,
But then again, I've never felt this way".
I hesitate to interrupt this brief
Connection where our touching speaks instead
Of words, but still I find it a relief
That I want more than taking you to bed.

That raw desire could make guy's words self-serving
Make compliments and praise be deemed a ploy,
And yet of all such praise you're most deserving
And your non-verbal cues have brought me joy.

When I'm supposed to be precise and clear
I cannot string a line together dear.
 

Sonnet XI

I cannot string a line together dear
So hold my hand while clouds of phrases bounce
Across my mind before they disappear.
I stutter when you give your hair a flounce.
There's nothing I can tell you that is new
For every man before has surely tried
To frame in words, the loveliness of you
With every phrase their muses could provide.

Our fingers touching tells me it's okay,
That words aren't too important on this night.
I sense you're feeling lost in this same way
At loss for words, but found in shared delight.

Pretense would drown in eyes deep liquid pool;
Your smiling eyes, they make me so uncool.

Sonnet XII

Your smiling eyes, they make me so uncool,
But so infectious, I can’t help but smile,
I think I’m grinning like some silly fool
I haven’t felt this reckless in a while!
Your fingers grow a warmth in me that I
Cannot resist, I feel your moonlike pull
And like the tide I flow towards your sky
And somehow you just make me feel so full.

You whisper softly, leaning in to me
And touch a finger to my blushing cheek,
You say how much my eyes look like the sea
And trace of finger makes me feel so weak.

I stammer "thank you", so caught on your hook
Your eyes so warm, I almost cannot look.
 

Sonnet XIII

Your eyes so warm, I almost cannot look
The passions well and make me feel so small,
How can I breathe, when all the air you took?
How fast, how fast, so easily I fall!
Your beauty is a wonder I should hold
I’ve never been so taken with one glance!
And I’ll presume to be so very bold
And say that this is love, I’m in a trance!

All words forgot, your lips are claiming mine
And then I know the all of what I feel.
You bubble to my head like mellow wine
This kiss is all we need to seal the deal.

Our love it babbles like a raging brook,
Through love, we read each other like a book.

Sonnet XIV

Through love, we read each other like a book
My heart is bared to you, I read your eyes
And there, with such intensity of look
Is everything I need, right there it lies.
I ask if I can see you once again
But know I never want to be without,
And sigh with happiness when you exclaim
The "yes" that erases my every doubt.

We kiss once more, your lips just speak to me
And hand in hand we leave our meeting place,
And I am still in awe, but feel so free
Enraptured by the wonder of your face.

I am amazed how two hearts can be linked;
Your eyes are liquid pools in which I sink.

Sonnet XV

Your eyes are liquid pools in which I sink
To greater depths than I have ever known,
I cannot voice the wonder that I think
My thoughts a mess, a writhing small cyclone.
I want to tell you how I truly feel
But words escape me when I need them most,
Your eyes just mesmerize; my heart, once steel
Just falls apart and leaves me like a ghost.

I am in constant blush, I know you hear
My mumblings, you must think me such a fool.
I cannot string a line together dear
Your smiling eyes, they make me so uncool.

Your eyes so warm, I almost cannot look
Through love, we read each other like a book.

Jonathon Livingston Seagull - A Poem (A Heroic Crown of Sonnets)

1. The Breakfast Flock
To fly was so much more than flapping wings
and while the Breakfast Flock besieged the fleet
that chummed the water, Jonathon had things
to do 'sides squawk and dodge and fight to eat.
The thousand gulls began another day,
their raucous screeching testimony to
their group-think need to aggregate that way,
for they could see no other thing to do.
Yet Jonathon would so much rather fly.
He lived to fly while others flew to eat.
He flew a hundred feet into the sky
and practiced learning a new turning feat.
A disgrace others would not take so well,
so tight a curve he tried, he stalled and fell.


2. Level Flight
So tight a curve he tried, he stalled and fell.
But unashamed, (though seagulls never stall),
he stretched his wings and tried again- as well
you note: he was not common after all.
He found that when less than a half wingspan
above the water he could float on air,
effortlessly, a most efficient plan
that let him glide most far without a care.
But others cared! His dad and mother asked"
"Why Jon, can't you be like all of the rest
and leave low flying to the birds so tasked-
the pelicans who surely do that best?"
"Be like others, avoid the social stings
Conform," they said, "try doing natural things."


3. Being Obedient
"Conform," they said, try doing natural things.
Jon really tried for several days that week.
He tried to wear his mother's apron strings.
he screeched and dove and fought with wing and beak.
He flocked around the piers and fishing boats
and dove for scraps of fish and tossed out bread.
He chaffed against the ennui that promotes.
So pointless- he could learn to fly instead.
Deliberately he then dropped his fish,
a hungry old gull chasing him was pleased.
To learn to fly was Jonathon's real wish.
and now the opportunity was seized.
I'll not conform to nonsense they compel-
Nope! I'm going to fly and soon excel


4. Fixed Wing Flight
Nope! I'm going to fly and soon excel.
Alone again way out to sea, his need
to learn was something not to quench or quell
so practice was the plan, this week's goal: speed.
He learned why gulls don't make such speedy dives;
at seventy, the wings become unstable
on the upstroke. No matter how one strives,
that darn gull upstroke one cannot enable.
So Jon decided trying something man
had use, a fixed-wing for his fast descent.
He flapped 'til fifty MPH and then
held his wings still and only slightly bent.
From two thousand feet, plunging without lulls
he set the world recorded speed for gulls.


5. Speed Record
He set the world recorded speed for gulls.
exceeding ninety MPH- then crashed.
Unconscious still dreamed of lofty goals
and sought to solve that problem, unabashed.
He woke with wings like ragged bars of lead
but weight of failure was still even worse.
He wished he'd simply sink and end up dead,
for failures seemed his own repeated curse.
But sinking low he heard a voice within
"I'm limited by nature, am I not?
If meant for speed I'd have wings short and thin-
like falcons and would not have to be taught. "
He'd join the flock, and once again act right,
by accident he flew toward home at night.


6. Epiphany
By accident he flew toward home at night;
"It's dark!", an inner voice intoned, get down!-
seagulls you know, will never find that right."
If you were meant to fly at night you clown,
an owls eyes you'd have - also charts for brains
and the short wings of falcons… short wings- wait."
The answer pushed a rushing through his veins,
short wings has been the missing needed trait.
So, now he rose two thousand feet above-
"I'll fold my wings and fly on tips alone."
No thought of death- pursuing what he loved
he "knew" that he'd just found his new speed zone.
Re-born, rejoiced, this single seagull mulls..
he'd found the inspiration Flock-thought dulls.


7.  200 MPH
He'd found the inspiration Flock-thought dulls.
He dove, his wings now clamped against his side
it was as if some laws he would annul.
At such amazing speed it was a ride.
The faintest twitch of wingtips promptly eased
him from his dive, and shot him over waves-
a cannonball of grey- and he was pleased;
His vows abandoned for the life he craves.
Now practice was required and sun- up found
him up five thousand feet above the fleet
about to dive again and to astound.
And that he did in manner not so neat.
He'd learned to speed but hadn't planned it right;
he just missed hitting flock of gulls in flight.


8. Banished
He just missed hitting flock of gulls in flight.
but learned that day to turn at speed, the loop,
the roll, the pinwheel, too to his delight!
The Council came together as a group
and shamed him for his acts! He was cast out.
He spent the rest of his days all alone
but that was not what sorrow was about,
it was their missing what they might have known.
The flock refused the glory learning brought.
They would keep scrabbling after chopped fish heads
while delicious fresh fish were easily caught
by streamlined dives beneath the waves instead.
Then Jon saw how good life could really be,
the flock then cast him out and set him free.


9. Years later
The flock then cast him out and set him free.
Two gulls as pure as starlight flew beside
him- friendly, smiling; their wings couldn't be
an inch from his wingtips on either side.
He tested them. One knot above stall speed,
then dives slow rolls and loops-they matched each move.
They passed completely every test indeed
"We're brothers came their words so strong and smooth.
We've come to take you home for you have learned.
One school is finished, yet another waits."
At last he said "I'm ready", and up he turned
with gulls he knew were heaven's delegates.
He'd spend his life at mental freedom's helm;
his freedom took him to a higher realm

10. The Elder
His freedom took him to a higher realm.
The same old Jonathon looked through his eyes,
but form had changed enough to overwhelm.
Seagulls here all seemed satisfied and wise.
"Chiang…", (said to one soon to leave this world),
this isn't heaven after all is it?"
"Your wings are not the only part unfurled,
my son, you're learning and will never quit.
And heaven's not a time or place at all;
it's being perfect- barriers all surpassed!
You'll find perfection, if such speed's your call,
when going any takes no time. That's fast.
Keep learning son, and you'll begin to see
where nothing lays beyond reality."

11.  An Instructor
Where nothing lays beyond reality
Jon let his love become his life's new goal.
He found some others outcast such as he,
and assumed what was meant to be his role.
When Fletcher Lynn Seagull became his charge,
outcast because his dream was just to fly,
Jon felt an obligation to discharge,
Jon taught him how- and more, he taught him why.
For now, 'twas not for him alone he strove,
but for all blinded by their seagull-hood.
He sought to share life's very treasure trove,
to teach the Flock their blindness was not good.
The mission seemed to some to overwhelm
one needed only guidance at the helm.


12. Return to Flock
One needed only guidance at the helm.
and Jonathon was now the one to teach.
"Your mind can go to any place or realm;
there is no speed that lies beyond your reach."
To his eight students he announced, "It's now
that we return to Flock." Some anguish rose
among his group. "By law we're outcasts, how
can we return?" Jon told them how it goes."
"We're not now flock, and where we wish we go."
and thus they flew, a tight formation group,
they were perhaps the very first airshow!
The Flock's unblinking eyes all watched the troop.
Apart but near the students stretched their wings,
within Flock's view Jon taught his crew new things.


13.  Overcoming the Physical
Within Flock's view Jon taught his crew new things.
One day with dangling wing a gull approached
"I want to fly, but flying takes two wings…"
"You want to fly, and so you will Jon coached.
And when he did, he screamed, "Look at me fly!"
A thousand gulls approached the training class
now eager to be shown just how and why.
Jon taught that ritual habits must not last.
For laws restricting freedom are contrived;
they served up order only at great cost,
and while the Flock continued to survive
the thrill of living freely has been lost.
When soul is free that's when a gull's heart sings;
To fly was so much more than flapping wings


14.  Passing the Torch
To fly was so much more than flapping wings
Your body's just a picture in your mind,
Your spirit's where reality now clings.
You're anywhere you want to be, you'll find.
When Jonathon left- thought himself away,
a student stepped into the teacher role.
And Fletcher knew that he too'd learn some day
and teleport to Jon on beach or shoal.
For while we're here and now it's also true
that now is also everywhere right now
and quantum physics makes up part of you
through multi-universes anyhow.
Enlightenment won't come as soon for some
but living free will someday let it come.


To fly was so much more than flapping wings
So tight a curve he tried, he stalled and fell.
Conform they said, try doing natural things.
Nope! I'm going to fly and soon excel.
He set the world recorded speed for gulls.
By accident he flew toward home at night;
he found the inspiration Flock-thought dulls.
He just missed hitting flock of gulls in flight.
The flock then cast him out and set him free.
His freedom took him to a higher realm
where nothing lays beyond reality,
one needed only guidance at the helm.
     Within Flock's view Jon taught his crew new things;
     to fly was so much more than flapping wings


© Lawrencealot - March 12, 2014

Author's Notes:

Jonathan Livingston Seagull, written by Richard Bach, 
is a fable in novella form about a seagull learning about life
and flight, and a homily about self-perfection. 
It was first published in 1970 as "Jonathan Livingston Seagull — a story."

Published March 12, 2014 on Allpoetry.com by Lawrence Eberhart.

Heroic Crown Of Sonnets: The Warrior's Tale

She was a warrior with mighty sword,

A huntsman’s daughter, now she lived alone

Her parents dead, the lodge beside a forde

Was solely hers, the place that she called home.

The cottage bordered mighty forest trees

Whose trunks stood strong to guard the magic there,

For fairy kingdom stood under the leaves

Of sacred living tree, so gold and fair.

For many years the fairies had known bliss

Until a threat foretold became stark fact,

And so they came in search of mighty Miss

In hopes that they could make a fairy pact.

They came to her, resplendent on their wings,

They asked that she be champion for their king. 

They asked that she be champion for their king,

Defend the realm and hidden golden boughs

Of tree that held all magic in its rings,

The key to all that happy life allowed.

They told her of the prophecy forseen

Of evil come to drain the forest life,

Of blackened leaves within the lofty green

Of hardship come, of famine and of strife.

She didn’t hesitate to heed their call

And strapping sword across her broadened back

Strode off with them into the forest sprawl,

Winding their way along the piney track.

Into the mists, that peace might be restored

She went with them to meet the fairy lord.

She went with them to meet the fairy lord

A king with greying beard, upon his throne,

At his right hand the queen they all adored

And to his left, the son he called his own.

The prince’s eyes were like the bluest sky

The maiden felt his call with single glance,

An instant flare of love bound them with sighs

And deep abiding ties of true romance.

He took her then to see the magic tree

Within a garden, beautiful it glowed

And underneath its spreading golden leaves

They kissed and sealed their fates, as true love flowed.

The warrior at heart, now felt the cling,

There prince and maiden joined by passion’s sting.

There prince and maiden joined by passion’s sting

But time was not with them, the threat was clear,

And barely with a chance for love to sing

The army of the trolls drew ever near.

The fairies, prince and champion marched to war

With armor bright and tireless winged steeds,

And pushed back at the army as they bore

Down on the forest home with evil needs.

And then from out their ranks came wicked mage

Who sought to drive the fairies from their lands,

And capture all the magic in bondage

So he could then fulfill his dreadful plans.

He drew his darkness, bold and with intent,

The mage would see all fairies in torment. 

The mage would see all fairies in torment

Or so he wished, he thought he could not fail

His magic was so strong, the ground was rent

And cracks split earth along the grassy vale.

But warrior, she felt her anger spread

She cried for justice for the fairy ground,

And raising sword so high above her head

She rallied fairy troupes to gather round.

A magic came right forth, with silver light

The steel within her hands began to glow

She was surprised, but recognized the might

Of good that from the blade began to flow.

Embracing right, she stood upon the field,

The maiden had a magic sword to wield.

The maiden had a magic sword to wield

A mighty talisman to lead the fight,

And all the trolls around her had to yield

Or die upon her blade of silver light.

Across the bloodied grass she made her way 

There in the centre faced the evil man,

He gathered in his dark to make her pay,

Dark clashed with light, and thwarted blackest plan.

A blinding flash illuminated all

A cry screamed out and then a quiet hush,

And from it strode the warrior, still tall

The fairies gathered round her in a rush.

The evil gone, the darkness had been spent,

Upon the field, the mage lay cold and bent.

Upon the field, the mage lay cold and bent,

Their champion had saved the land they loved,

The fairies so rejoiced and then they sent

A message to the king, with snow white dove.

The prince rode closely by her side with pride

And love swelled further in his fairy chest,

And he intended, at end of their ride

To ask her for her hand, and felt so blessed.

They came with triumph to the fairy court

And prince confessed his intent to his king,

But all his want it seemed was all for naught,

His royal highness refused his blessing.

They had their victory on the killing field,

But fairy king, for love, he would not yield.

But fairy king, for love, he would not yield

And prince was devastated by decree

His heart was to the maiden ever sealed

And without love he never would be free.

Then in the west, a greater evil grew

The mage’s brother had heard of his death,

And gathering an army quickly flew

To get revenge, even with dying breath.

They came so fast, the ground hummed with their tread

But fairy kingdom did not heed the signs

Their guard let down, they did not feel the dread

As they feasted and drank the summer wines.

But prince and maiden did not join the ball

They had found love, then seemed to lose it all.

They had found love, then seemed to lose it all

When king had said she could not be his bride,

So warrior returned home to the fall

Of passion’s hurts, and all alone she cried.

She grasped the mighty sword within her hands

And there on gleaming blade she saw the lines,

Within a twisting scrawl and lovely bands

Writ tale of once princess within the shine.

The tale was hers, she read with widened eyes

And knew the truth of power from her blade,

And saw that her upbringing was a guise,

Protection from a royal court betrayed.

She rose as princess from her lowly bed

She could not get the prince out of her head.

She could not get the prince out of her head

And he still pined, the loss made him a shell,

They both could feel the air, impending dread

Clung to the land, the magic wasn’t well.

The brother mage had gained the forest edge

And crept into the kingdom in the dark

And coming to the garden, kept his pledge

Touching his magic to the sacred bark.

The fairy kingdom heard the horrid cry

The sacred tree it wept and branches browned,

And all shook out their wings and took to sky

In defense of the fairy kingdom’s crown.

There was a deadly panic, lethal pall,

They had to save the kingdom, lest it fall

They had to save the kingdom, lest it fall

For without magic soon the land would die

But evil brother called his troops, they all

Swarmed over defenses with lofty cry.

The leaves upon the tree began to wilt

And lost their golden colour as they fell,

The land began to sicken as the gilt

Faded from tree, and evil came to dwell.

The fairies knew they needed champion

To help save them from their impending doom

And so they sent a herald to maiden

To implore her to help the sickened bloom.

They knew with certainty of horrid dread

She was the only one could stop the spread.

She was the only one could stop the spread,

She grabbed her mighty sword and ran to aid

Her anger swift, her vision clouded red

The magic thrummed within the steely blade.

She joined the fight, side by side with her prince

And cleaved the bodies of the troll army,

The clang of steel was rhythm to evince

The rage with which she faced the enemy.

The evil brother saw her power then

And saw to strike her at the very heart,

So gathering the magic of the glen

He aimed to tear the very world apart.

And there beneath the dying sacred tree

Brother brought prince with magic to his knees.

Brother brought prince with magic to his knees,

The maiden’s heart was torn there into shreds

And everything before her seemed to freeze

As prince fell down and on the ground he bled.

Her sword rose up, it flashed with blinding light

And smote the mage with all its raging charge,

Just as his brother had fell to her might

He died right there, a life no longer large.

She rushed to side of her beautiful man

And held him close and looked into blue eyes

He told her then how much he loved, the span

And while she held him in her arms he died.

With sweet prince gone, upon the floating breeze,

She knew right then a pain that pierced and seized.

She knew right then a pain that pierced and seized

And watched the blight spread from the dying tree

She saw that love was lost, would not be eased

But swore that princely death would set them free.

She drew her blade within his blood and joined

His soul once more to hers for final task,

And plunging steel into the ground conjoined

Her magic with his fairy blood at last.

The blood flowed strong and fed the sacred plant

The blush returned to leaves, the golden hue

And as the sun rose, beams in yellow slant

Brought warmth and life, the tree had been renewed.

The fairy kingdom had been saved, but cost

A prince his life, a love forever lost.

She was a warrior with mighty sword

They asked that she be champion for their king

She went with them to meet the fairy lord

There prince and maiden joined by passion’s sting.

The mage would see all fairies in torment

The maiden had a magic sword to wield,

Upon the field, the mage laid cold and bent, 

But fairy king, for love, he would not yield. 

They had found love, then seemed to lose it all,

She could not get the prince out of her head,

They had to save the kingdom, lest it fall

She was the only one could stop the spread. 

Brother brought prince with magic to his knees

She knew right then a pain that pierced and seized.

Pasted from <http://allpoetry.com/poem/11398798-Heroic-Crown-Of-Sonnets-The-Warriors-Tale-by-Virginia-Archer> 

Created March 2014 by Virginia Archer on Allpoetry.com.