Defeated by the paraphrase, or nearly, He puzzled out a dwindled life in poetry Who, perennial importunist, assessed His era unfit for "the best." 5 Defeated by the paraphrase, The inexact guesswork of sleepy heads, Eyes closed and empty mouths upraised--- Fit for execution or their communion of lead. Spackled cadavers in mottled light 10 Recite lines of despair, never knowing another, Never sensing, in their age's indifference, another More enduring light. No longer The Ariel feeling 15 Or whipping spirit stronger Than an evening's reeling. Untouched by the amorous, Stripped Goes Eros, incomprehensible 20 To "the masses." Hieratic verse, Each head limned in light, Suffers the obverse, Blotted rummagings of a blotted sight. 25 Yet still they felt, with a savior's amour, Neither drugged hedonist, nor yet a bore, Limitless possibilities Like so many leaves Clinging to the ancient portal's wetted door. 30 The percipient shall rule, discerning 'Neath modernity's fractious overlay Here an emerald, there a ruby, thing: Sustenance enough for poets in the ruby day.
From the collection "Ascent"
Written by Gregg Glory [Gregg G. Brown]
More information available on gregglory.com.