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To My Brother
after John Keats
When I have fears that I may lose my sight
before I’ve savored books I long to read,
before famed writers oust my glooms with light
and my starved mind their genius stories feed;
When I circuit the nature park, a sightseer,
surveying the snowy mantle on the trees,
and think that wildwood sounds will charm my ear,
yet I could not peruse this wintry frieze;
And when I feel, my good and honest brother
that your dear face will be in full obscured,
and never will I ever glimpse another
kind glance from you, in which I bask assured;
Then sooner than give these thoughts their dismal sway,
I banish them, give thanks for this bright day.
.
.
Another Round of New Year Resolutions
after A. S. Stallings
Infirm old year, in tatters—
don’t trust this New Year’s promise.
A flirt—she giggles, chatters.
Best act the doubting Thomas.
Don’t trust this new year’s promise.
It’s but a game, a swindle.
Best act the doubting Thomas—
now watch the old year dwindle.
They’re but a hustler’s swindle,
those earnest resolutions.
Now watch the old year dwindle—
so hoary-haired, Confucian.
Those futile resolutions.
Humph! Never do they change things.
Forewarns the old Confucian—
ecstatic hope, the strange brings.
Pangloss has never changed things.
Get off this mindless go-round.
Such fervent hope, the strange brings—
you’ll end up burnt-out, woe-bound.
Get off this New Year’s go-round.
A tease—she giggles, chatters.
Twelvemonth, she’s burnt-out, woe-bound—
expires, like all!—in tatters.
.
.
Mary Jane Myers resides in Springfield, Illinois. She is a retired JD/CPA tax specialist. Her debut short story collection Curious Affairs was published by Paul Dry Books in 2018.
I really like the way you’ve used this rondel-like form, so very appropriate for the topic of new year’s resolutions — especially the way you’ve both begun and ended the poem with “in tatters.” “Best act the doubting Thomas,” indeed! “Strange things/change brings” and “go-round/woe-bound” are excellent! And your sonnet “To My Brother” is very moving.
Thank you for your encouraging comments, Cynthia. I sometimes “copy the masters” (as if I were copying Old Master paintings while sitting on a folding chair in the Louvre). Someday, I’ll find my own “unique” voice!
Most sincerely
Mary Jane
I particularly loved the double entendre “frieze” in “To My Brother.” Giving thanks for the day we have is an important affirmation of life and living, since we know not what tomorrow brings–perhaps a cure for the potential loss of vision. The warning of not trusting the promises made, even by the self for the new year, is appropriate at this time of year.
Thank you Eugene for your encouraging comments. My New Year resolution this year is to practice, practice, practice writing poems. I’ve done pretty well so far at least in devoting time every day to poem writing, though the poems written so far are mixed in quality.
Sincerely Mary Jane
I really like your pantoum and how you adapted each old line to fit with the new lines. The fresh changes in each stanza keep the poem interesting, but there’s also enough repetition to please the ear and the memory. You’ve also nicely matched your form and subject matter: The years keep repeating, with minor variations.
Dear Alan
Thank you for your encouraging comments. The pantoum form is so interesting, isn’t it? This poem was a lot of fun to write. I often turn to A.S. Stallings for inspiration.
Most sincerely
Mary Jane
‘To My Brother’ is an excellent after-poem whose beginning quite resembles the original and is enjoyable given the new variations and melodies. It’s on the same subject—fear, and I love how it proceeds from passion (literature) to nature and to your dear brother. I felt an immediate connection to it just by reading its title (perhaps because I have a loving sister, for whom I wrote a Sonnet just a few days ago). I also love the pantoum and its subject. It’s cleverly done! Thank you for these beautiful poems, Mary Jane.
Dear Shamik
Thank you for your encouraging words. It seems we are both blessed with loving siblings. They inspire us to write poems in their honor.
Sincerely
Mary Jane
Two exquisite poems that can brighten anyone’s day.
Thanks for these gems!
Dear Satyananda
Thank you for your encouraging comments about my poems.
Most sincerely
Mary Jane