Helix Handle after Gerard Manley Hopkins, Felix Randal
HELIX HANDLE
Helix Handle's genetics unlucky
discovered that mortality may not
survive intact when Alzheimer will plot
with killjoy cancer. However plucky,
when illness mental, physical, combine,
remission temporary seems vain jest,
fools' gold, pained friends, impatient patient, rest
soon follows after ultimate decline.
Tending the ill till skill proves helpless aids
both living, dying. Death's compassion trades
touchstone for tombstone. Double helix handle
has played life's boist'rous game without tirades.
See strong turns weak, upon the midnight fades
from trials and troubles, pettiness and scandal.
9 May 2010 Parody Gerard Manley HOPKINS Felix Randal
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Felix Randal
Felix Randal the farrier, O is he dead then? my duty all ended,
Who have watched his mould of man, big-boned and hardy-handsome
Pining, pining, till time when reason rambled in it, and some
Fatal four disorders, fleshed there, all contended?
Sickness broke him. Impatient, he cursed at first, but mended
Being anointed and all; though a heavenlier heart began some
Months earlier, since I had our sweet reprieve and ransom
Tendered to him. Ah well, God rest him all road ever he offended!
This seeing the sick endears them to us, us too it endears.
My tongue had taught thee comfort, touch had quenched thy tears,
Thy tears that touched my heart, child, Felix, poor Felix Randal;
How far from then forethought of, all thy more boisterous years,
When thou at the random grim forge, powerful amidst peers,
Didst fettle for the great grey drayhorse his bright and battering sandal!
GERARD MANLEY HOPKINS
poem by Jonathan Robin
Added by Poetry Lover
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