Byzantium, Byzantium, Byzantium
If only you knew
Either of you
If either of you knew
Of Byzantium
Our eyes are not amused
On the day of the news
Her death, her death, her death
To choose, or lose all hope, or cruise by
Byzantium
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With a rectangle and a square
The edifice was constructed
With a line and a shadow
The construction was decorated
We stand back, try to gain perspective
We close in, try to observe detail
The words are in the mother tongue
Yet we extract: A Nations History
The message was not a natural given
It is embellishment, in a place
Out of place with its surroundings
A design shipped by bankrupt people
Just as trees, without forestation
Become cluttered; they restrict
Light, and view, and growth
As do the odd buildings of the city
A church clock chimes
Ringing ears, we continue
Our time is strewn
Only a few hours more
Yet here and now
A quiet indulgence
Sunlight; so strong
As to make a shadow
Where lead and paper meet
Away from the streets
And bars, and cars
And non-delayed gratification
From the station by
The canal, from the
Incident offered by chance
To the romance
Of beginning over
Yes, beginning again
There is both noise and dullness, brought on by the previous evening’s excess, yet almost for certain there will be no redress, for tonight, without doubt, the celebrations will continue.
Around midday, especially if the sun shines, the haze within me will begin to fade, clarity and a desire for joy will return, to both mind and body, in more or less that is, in approximately equal measure.
The treasure of this cycle is the entire collapse of willpower; without thought of recrimination we seek out a temporary elation, to chase out the long lasting doubts of a too too singular, too too restricted vision.
There is little choice, less even of weighted decision, neither either is there derision, for mostly we are in this thing together, taking onboard our fair share of the simple man’s pleasure in finding absence.
The child in the man
Learnt behaviour
Earned
Without the need to cram
Always to believe
You are the one who can
Relieved
Of doubt you stand
By the side
Of the younger man
With enthusiasm
For rigor mortis