PocketPoems.net

Long ago, the word "poet" translated simply as "maker," and a poet made what we would call songs, with melodies, as well as spoken verse.

I am a maker of songs and poems, with more than twenty years' experience. I write fully custom commissioned verse, with or without tunes, for individuals, groups, or special occasions.

Talk to me about what I can do for you! My prices range from $10 to $120, depending on how long and complicated a piece you want, and whether you want a poem or a song that includes a tune. I can write you a simple verse to slip onto someone's desk to cheer them up, or a song that incorporates *your* specific love story, to be sung at your wedding.

Here are some samples of my work. All were written for someone specific, in response to their particular requests.

POEMS

Dearest, meet me on the battlefield,
Come with me upon a golden quest
Share my cloak tonight and be my shield,
Fight beside the one who loves you best.

That isn't what I want. I want to lie
Within your arms, someplace I know is there,
More real than the monsters we defy,
And feel your hands brush back my living hair.

But if our only home is virtual space
I'll love you there, or any other place.

There are flowers in your pocket
Lift and shake them toward the sky
Showering the bright defiance
First to flutter, then to die.
There are seedlings in the meadow
Straining toward the brightest stars.
Brave the winter, feel them growing,
Though their strength seems none of yours.
There is fire in the heavens
Loose the tender coils of fear.
Flame can break the hardest burdens;
Flower-time is almost here.
There are flowers in your garden
Where was once but bitter snow.
Dance among them, pockets empty,
Let your inner brightness grow.

SONGS:

When the earth reclaims the petals
When the moonlight fades to dawn
When the leaves of trembling velvet
Lose the courage to hold on
Violets tell fairy tales
In their nests of dusky ground
Heros robed in shining purple
Battles lost and lovers found
As their gentle comrade dies
Friends, his trembling heart to soothe,
Tell him loving, stirring lies
Of the tall ones who can move.

Listen to the ways of humans
How they thrive on reckless chances,
Dynasty and heart's desire
Ride on slippers left at dances
For a narrow chance at freedom
Nothing is too good to stake
Grow your hair or spin your metal
Run with heros in your wake
Hear about the restless men
On the seas that know them best
Finding gold, seducing mermaids
Stealing rocs' eggs from their nests
Listen to the ways of humans
Fear not what now comes to you
Soon your spirit will go with them,
Reckless, rootless, sailing too.

Oh she's a snake and she's wearing silver
White water mocking me when I want gold
She winds around me and she makes me shiver
Pours through my hands but so hard to hold
I never saw myself as much of a dreamer
Just here to grab my stake and then get a wife
I'd never seen the way she looks in winter
Now I'm a madman and the river's my life

    And she rises and she falls and she shines
    And she whispers all her treasure will be mine
    And she smiles like the sun, so fine
    Then her face turns away
    And she's running down the side of the hill
    And I'll die if I don't catch her and I know I never will
    And she teases me and haunts me still
    In the chill of the day
    Oh Mama, your little boy's lost
    I came for the money without knowing the cost
    I've got more now than I thought to boast,
    But I still have to stay.

Have you ever seen her banks in summer
Bright gold and wildflowers sharing space?
Laughed in the valley and then heard her answer
Followed her curves into a shadowed place?
Don't try to tell me of the girls I'm missing
I never thought that you could understand
I'll stand beside her with the sun's own blessing
I'll feel her icy current ring my hand.

    CHORUS

Hot autumn droughts have brought her hard to heel,
Her sweating sides are strewn with gold to take.
I leave it there to watch her twist and wheel,
Dig down to cavern beds for life's sweet sake.
Oh mama, don't you weep and worry,
When rangers come to say I can't be found.
I am her man and I am going with her,
I'm gonna follow her, deep in the ground.

    And she'll rise, and she'll fall, and she'll shine
    And she'll whisper all her treasure will be mine
    And she'll smile like the sun, so fine,
    Then her face turns away.
    And she'll run down the side of the hill
    And I'll laugh when I don't catch her 'cause I know I never will
    And she'll tease me and she'll haunt me still
    In the chill of the day,
    Oh mama, your boy is a man,
    Got all I wanted in the palm of my hand
    And I know you still don't understand
    But I'm going to stay
    To the end of the day.

What can I write for you? Email me at nrivkis@yahoo.com and we'll talk about your needs.