I have been meaning to post this poem from 15 years ago for some time but I
havent got round to it before. It is one of a sequence. And today is the
last day of the Bath Music Festival and I am going to get soaked to the skin
as I scurry round pubs between concerts.
Merlin in Winter
All I am is hate
As I sit in my cave
Staring at shadows on the wall;
Sharp-barbed hate.
I should have had the kingdom
The territory of the broad green land
But I am banished;
Wonder-worker.
There are no compensations
The eyes go, the teeth, the belly
Anachronisms of age;
All I am is hate.
Many masks, many identities gravitate
To my unspeakable name
I am the Lord;
The Punch-and-Judy man.
They will take me out of here footfirst
To burn me in the fire
The wellwishers;
Shiver-me-timbers.
All I am is hate
I have no family
I have no friends;
All I am is hate.
Douglas Clark, Bath, Somerset, England ....
http://www.dgdclynx.plus.com
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