The Lay of the Singing Fool

POSTED IN contemporary poetry August 10, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Lay of the Singing Fool

There was a badness, there now too a madness
The shadow rises through this night
Given flame as those fires came
And split the heavens with their light.

 
Where had this one Darkness been?
Where now the blazing tumble fall
The skies above blaze white and green
The star shower grim to call.

 
One solemn soul here doomed to live
In ages taut as boulders fly
To stretch his toil yet not forgive
Those chiliad soldiers doomed to die.

 
 This I saw! I saw it well
For it came to me through looking glass
And on its sorrow deep to dwell
Was it long ago this came to pass?

 
Or was this deed alone I see
In its myriad labours bright
Hastening in its lore to me
Came yet through this starry night?

 
The void has spilled its rubble here
And dressed the night with flying flame
The searing sable decks to clear;
No more I see the night the same.

 
For splendid sorrow once did fall;
I saw it in mine looking glass
And there the toils yet once to call
Is yet this horror come to pass?

 
 That solemn martyr doomed to live
That frantic look yet in his eye
That horror borne none to forgive
Those chiliad soldiers doomed to die.

 

 

Richard Jones