(PG-17) To John, 5th Earl of Exeter

[dcmarti1]

Note: I am going to have to milk this maudlin phase for all it's worth.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

Somewhat alabaster
but not quite feminine...

Three cabooses stand, mute and rusting,
upon deserted track. Not quite forgotten,
they testify more to indifference
than to intentional neglect.

Somewhat alabaster
but not quite feminine...

A second wedding has canceled
and the score is now Two-Zero.
What would seventy weddings mean
to those here who laugh at theology?

Somewhat alabaster
but not quite feminine...

The Europeans and the Muslims
from a previous chapter
can be read and re-read but may not
ever really be seen again.

Somewhat alabaster
but not quite feminine...

The cottage is constructed
that is to be a domain, a province,
but which may devolve into
nothing more than asylum.

Somewhat alabaster
but not quite feminine...

And so, John, the 5th Earl of Exeter,
is always somewhat alabaster
but not quite feminine
in his wig and cloak,
with his always long fingers,
and with his always pouting lips;
and will always leave an inheritance of debt
to his son, the fretful 6th Earl.

John, somewhat alabaster
but not quite feminine,
among my rotting trains,
among my canceled weddings,
among my absent foreigners,
among my sad dwellings,
my John whose face will outlast
this paean, lives still in print
from English museum catalogs
and is envisioned into late 80s porn
because he is somewhat alabaster
but not quite feminine.

 

http://image2.findagrave.com/photos250/photos/2011/195/73384361_131073689061.jpg

 

 

[tonyv]

He's not quite feminine, but somewhat alabaster, eh? According to THIS he married Lady Anne and had nine children. Talk about an unrequited love! Perhaps he's an ideal ...

 

Another nice one, Marti!

 

Tony

[dcmarti1]

He's not quite feminine, but somewhat alabaster, eh? According to THIS he married Lady Anne and had nine children. Talk about an unrequited love! Perhaps he's an ideal ...

 

Another nice one, Marti!

 

Tony

 

Oh, yes, an ideal. Insane in da brain.....

[badger11]

No doubt the image was faithful to the reality

 

enjoyed

 

badge

[dcmarti1]

No doubt the image was faithful to the reality

 

enjoyed

 

badge

 

I meant that I was "insane in the brain". :)

[dr_con]

Lovely as per usual. Enjoyed!

 

J

[dcmarti1]

Lovely as per usual. Enjoyed!

 

J

 

I thank you. Glad you enjoyed.

[dedalus]

Resounding, but most carefully controlled! One of the best of yours, I believe, that I have ever read - quietly and yet so enormously impressive. Well done, indeed!!

[dcmarti1]

Resounding, but most carefully controlled! One of the best of yours, I believe, that I have ever read - quietly and yet so enormously impressive. Well done, indeed!!

 

I am honored by that one. Thank you, very much.