The Bards’ Curse

Feeling is fleeting emotion a breath
Sudden quick ephemeral like death
But I hold the power to shackle you in phrases
Raw emotion imprisoned between phases

Completely surrounded, cocooned by tropes
Your power encased in swift pen strokes
From heart to mind I entomb in paper
Feelings confound no more, so clever

But the captured feelings, they seek their vengeance
Even when bound, they seek my penance
I thought them powerless, in that I err
In truth, the page preserves their power

Each time I read my written verse
My vaunted power becomes my curse
For the pain I once imprisoned there
Renders me beyond repair


Keats
27 October 2010

Stars Die

I walked upon a jet black night
Staring upon flecks of light
Then gazed upon a scene of sadness
As a star died away in blackness
But behold two more, no three, now four
Death tonight had an open door
Five stars died and left the sky
Like five tears from your cheeks now dry
Whoever caused your pain
Is guilty of twice disdain
I’ve been told when one breaks a heart or wets an eye
Stars will die when a pretty girl cries

So weep no more, despair no further
Your falling tears commit murder
I’ll kiss them dry before they fall
To keep the stars upon their wall
To this end I save the stars,
By keeping your heart free from scars
Let me steer your heart from sadness
Keep your eyes in eternal dryness
I’ll take the charge to fill you with mirth
Learn your value my dear, know your worth
But nevermore weep, and nevermore sigh
Because stars, pretty girl, will die when you cry.

Keats
28 January 2010