[quote=orpheus]The Skeleton

Chatterfinch and water-fly 
are not merrier than I;
Here among the flowers I lie
laughing everlastingly.
No; I may not tell the best;
Surely, friends, I might have guessed
Death was but the good King's jest
It was hid so carefully.  - GK Chesterton

Phyllidula

Phyllidula is scrawny but amorous
Thus have the gods awarded her,
that in pleasure she receives more than she can give;
if she does not count this blessed
let her change her religion. - Ezra Pound

Non sum Qualis eram bonae sub regno Cyranae

Last night, ah, yesternight, betwixt her lips and mine
There fell thy shadow, Cynara! thy breath was shed
upon my soul between the kisses and the wine;
and I was desolate and sick of an old passion,
Yea, I was desolate and bowed my head:
I have been faithful to thee, Cynara! in my fashion.

All upon my heart I felt her warm heart beat,
Night-long within my arms in love and sleep she lay;
Surely the kisses of her bought red mouth were sweet;
but I was desolate and sick of an old passion,
When I awoke and found the dawn was grey:
I have been faithful to thee, Cynara, in my fashion.

I have forgot much, Cynara! Gone with the wind,
flung roses riotously with the throng,
dancing to put thy pale, lost lilies out of mind;
but I was desolate and sick of an old passion,
Yea, all the time, because the dance was long;
I have been faithful to thee, Cynara! in my fashion. - Ernest Dowson

Does this not capture the essence of a human condition universal?
She loves me, she loves me no more, tomorrow I die and where was the meaning of my life?
Surely, the urge to create springs from the desire to love and be loved?
Let us create, remain true to ourselves, our creativity and that which we love.
Only in truth and consistency is there meaning. Dabbling is lukewarm - give everything, love with your whole heart, live with every fibre of your being and write each poem as though it will be the last thing people will remember about you.

Orpheus forever!

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