NaPoWriMo day four

The old king spent his last days
for his successor.
The young king is said
to have entertained thousands.
 
His mistress kept calling
certain matters
to his attention,
talking and urging
action. She assured him
the course of history
might change memories.
 
*
 
The death of the king
must have been pleasant.
Many additions and alterations
had been needed.
 
He made no pretense
of attending to favours
for someone or other:
the bishop, his son,
that busybody
restored in spite of the pains
of maintaining a fiction.
He was tired.
He had lived long enough.
 
*
 
so well used
so elaborate
 
Edward found it ideal
for the weak condition
into which he had lapsed
 
Edward had been pleased to see her
because she went to pains
for his benefit
 
he would soon resume
all his old activities
 
he did not want to die yet
he depended entirely on changes
in the interests of history

NaPoWriMo day three

Edward rested that first night,
to express his grief in a memorable manner
he carried his devoted burden.
This custom was to be universal—
the desire that everywhere men clamored
for a chance to bear.
Feeling that once beautiful remembrance,
Edward rested. A wise decision, for the work
could not be surpassed.
 
*
 
He recalled that twenty years before
the procession stopped
that amazing procession was recorded.
He bore the weight
of surpassing beauty
at every place where her body
rested for a night:
the first,
the second,
the third,
the fourth,
the fifth,
the sixth,
the seventh,
the eight,
the ninth,
the tenth,          
the eleventh,
and last.
 
*
 
the determination
became fixed in the mind
to express doubt.
 
so desired—
on at least one other occasion—
worthy beauty
so well loved,
entrusted to hands,
the work
the sweetest and quietest
a bubbling spring

NaPoWriMo day two

hunting scenes with stags and dogs.
princesses conceal their charms under heavy cloaks;
an infinite variety of affectionate ingenuity
called upon to make certain
a degree of comfort
and supports to grasp when
the roads were rough and the coach rocked
and swayed like a ship at sea
 
the bed had been made for her;
for protection from night and curiosity
 
ladies and gentlemen
swords drawn and ready.
 
*
 
In autumnal days—
before the cold of winter made it necessary—
there were, of course, caps and gloves and shoes
for use on ceremonial occasions;
silken curtains at the windows, cushions.
 
rising in the morning and retiring at night
were events shared
with waiting;
special duties
holding the right moment.
 
*
 
strings to hold clothes together
and insure warmth
in other directions
 
the most affectionate
had been called upon to
properly impress the observant
 
there was, in particular, one occupant
attained in a design of some moment of privacy
at night
 
events shared
(there were many)
each an attempt made accessible

NaPoWriMo day one

for my first foray into erasure poetry, i used a random number generator to choose which pages to work with. as i'm using The Three Edwards by Thomas Costain i thought i would set a goal of finding 3 poems in each page. here they are.

 

*

later, it should be explained,
a beautiful woman
had been given charge
 
a gentle susceptibility
insisted on a careful screening
 
proving a failure
 
a hostile view of eloquence
 
later, the public mind interfering,
it was decided to summon
a serious regard
to stand in high places
 
*
 
Edward generally advanced,
will dictated solely by
his deep desire.
 
He had fallen in love
with a beautiful woman,
and she had fallen in love
soon thereafter.
 
He had insisted
on proving his infatuation:
 
a man of passionate convictions
as well as eloquence,
pursuer of luxury,
his own tangled affairs
empty. There was nothing new
since Edward had come to the throne
reluctantly.
 
*
 
proof of complicity
 
to feel the crown on his brow
 
proving he had fallen
in love and had fallen
 
his mistress insisted
on compliance
 
proving the beautiful
 
always willing to believe
empty extravagances
 
Edward had come to
emptiness, acquainted
with corruption

april is national poetry month

April is National Poetry Month in both Canada and the United States.

It's the 25th year it's been celebrated in Canada -- and this year the theme is "Joy" -- while in the US it's their 27th year.

This year i will attempt to write a poem each day of National Poetry Month, but will be experimenting with erasure poetry. 

My initial idea was to either use the Psalms or pages from Thomas Costain's The Three Edwards. Alternatively, you may be interested in submitting a page (or two) from your favourite book or books for me to use.

Or, perhaps you'd consider submitting a favourite artwork for me to try my hand at some ekphrastic poetry.

Either way, as reader and/or writer, I hope you'll join me for a daily exploration this April!