Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, HERE IS MUSIC: BALLADE, by AUSTIN PHILIPS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

HERE IS MUSIC: BALLADE, by                    
First Line: Not a man's major blunder, fault, misdeed
Last Line: From stab, sting, goad of one time slender-seeming sin.
Subject(s): Memory; Old Age


NOT a man's major blunder, fault, misdeed,
Act done aforethought, compassed while his way
Darkly divided, forced on him by need
Imperious, instant, as he faced Life's fray
And never-ending battle 'neath the sway
Of Love, Ambition, Lust and urge to win
Sure standing-room ... not these, in after-day,
Stab, sting like mem'ries of once slenderer-seeming sin.

Not brave, high, dubious daring which be-stead
His worldly progress, breach of code, essay
Against convention, such as might have led
His whole career to wrack and disarray,
Not wrongful choice of road, not foolish "Nay"
Flung to the rightful route—which manikin,
Not magnate, made him—burn, bark, bite and bay,
Stab, sting like mem'ries of once slenderer-seeming sin.

For each man has, hides, secret snakes that feed
Within his bosom, tap his heart's blood, prey
Upon his vitals, fill his soul with dread
Remorses, hiss reminders, bid him pay
At usury for crimes which human clay
Is age-old heir to, shudder in chagrin,
Cower at sight and sound of ghosts, grim, grey,
Who stab with mem'ries of some slenderer-seeming sin.

Envoi

These taunt us with unkindnesses, bewray
Past—and unjust—revengefulnesses, mean
And wounding words which we would fain unsay. ...
Words whose harsh message naught can now allay,
Nor bring their utterer ached-for replevin
From stab, sting, goad of one time slender-seeming sin.





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