Thursday, May 18, 2023

THE BANISHED BARDS

 

its sick we are of being misconstrued

perhaps the weary and ancient bards feel blue and cheated

in more distant castles now and in a hallowed grumbling

inhabit the marble halls

whenever it comes to mind

in present classrooms that

no one cares anymore

whatever they were singing about

lilted and lilied, lamenting

or if they do it's only to twist the whole thing

into mistaken balloon shapes, something disfigured,

castoffs, from the Fair.

whatever they were singing about

through mist and fog and bog soaked to the bone

alone in the wild

and then by the hearthsides regaling

stringing the harp

and tolerated for awhile

surely cannot compare my compeers

with their hardship now

when all have abandoned the scores of former remembrance and renown

locked castle doors against the ghosts of their songs.

landlocked the glittering seas within them, surging.

you who are meh about them,

I would not meet them now

on the windy plains alone

out walking, under the louring skies.

mary angela douglas 18 may 2023


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