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“So, I’ll continue to continue to pretend…”

CANTERBURY BELLS
(GOOD FRIDAY)

Campanula may bow; they dare not bend,
Though shafts of sun seem ever more remote.
I do not think the rain will ever end.

You breed prosodic lilacs and pretend:
“The drocts of April / pairst us to the rote;
Campanula may bow / they dare not bend,”

But poems (even this one) condescend;
You still need your umbrella and your coat.
I do not think the rain will ever end.

“I’ll drown my books!” you cry. (Yes: God forfend
Your graveside vigil lack some pithy quote.)
“Campanula may bow; they dare not bend—”

It comes out wrong. But what did you intend?
You plucked your eyes for pearls, and dimly wrote:
“I do not think the reign will ever end.”

Oremus: What can sodden bells portend
When even you misdoubt one hopeful note?
Campanula may bow; they dare not bend.
I do not think the rain will ever end.

(For all the entries in this series, hit the “looking up” tab, or read the gargoyle FAQ.)

Friday, April 22, 2011, 12:01 am in gargoyles/grotesques, looking up, National Cathedral | 2 Comments »

2 responses to “So, I’ll continue to continue to pretend…”

  1. # 1 - Sheri Blume wrote:
    Friday, April 22, 2011, at 12:16 am

    “You plucked your eyes for pearls…”
    That line is fabulous!

    As is the whole poem.
    Love it!

  2. # 2 - Bufo periglenes wrote:
    Thursday, April 28, 2011, at 2:51 am

    I just happened by here, and was pleasantly astonished, as I always am, to discover someone alive today writing poetry I enjoy. Most excellent, good sir! Long may you continue this project.

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