Perhaps it may turn out a sang,
Perhaps turn out a sermon.

-- R. Burns Epistle to a Young Friend

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

It Could Be 'Verse

They hatch cockatrice' eggs,
and weave the spider's web: 
he that eateth of their eggs dieth,
and that which is crushed
breaketh out into a viper.
  — Isaiah 59:5 (KJV)

Knotty truth to be firmly grasped sometimes
Calls on language Shakespearean, 1611
Sounds right when we utter syllables time-strained,
             Reality caught

In the spaces of our cleverly woven
Linguistic web.  The translators for good
King James saw words as more than handy software
            Aptly to employ.

Even the best of intentions are too apt
To bite us in the ass like Cleopatra's
Asp which we think to crush in vitro under         
           Cobwebby boot heels

Not calculating additional adders
In the eggshell unleashed, wrapping and snapping
Consequential consequences intended
            Never not at all.

Who ever thought that sowing such thoughts so small
Would amount to cloud seeding spiders and snakes?
Not me nor the people who raised me from dust
            Knew what serpents eat.

7 comments:

Joan of Argghh! said...

This is a masterful piece, 'shroom.

I must re-read it a few times just to savor it.

Glad it's not fattening! It's so lean and spare as to leave one hungry for more. Well done.

julie said...

Yes, I'll second Joan. This is just the sort of food I've been craving, though I am stuffed with all the earthy bread of well-intentioned and loving family.

Savory indeed, but I wouldn't say no to seconds ;)

mushroom said...

You all are way too kind. Thank you.

John Lien said...

... it could be raining

Rick said...

How Mush does it no one knows
'zif Poe haz wed the
thirteen petalled rose

mushroom said...

I am continually inspired by my very talented friends.

Good call, John. "It could be worse" is only half a phrase.

mushroom said...

That does have a nice ring to it, almost Tullian, though now Ian Anderson probably is Too Old to Rock 'n' Roll.