Another attack of sonnet writing
I had just thought that it was safe that my shopping lists were not going to come out in iambic pentametre again when a couple more sonnets ambushed me. So here they are: One of Archie in Ferrol and one of Pellew at Quiberon Bay. I keep thinking they are the last for a while and keep getting proved wrong- so no predictions this time!
Choosing life:
I knew just then how Lazarus must have felt
hauled, blinking, from death’s dark by the loved voice.
You counsel me to live, your eyes that melt
my very self- I find I have no choice
but life, but at what cost? To prove your will
can conquer pain? To be another grateful
soul who owes a life? You watch me, still
within your gaze lies heat enough to lull
my sense in slowly dawning hope. I catch
my breath almost against your mouth. You do
not recoil, your hand in mine a fitting match-
both shaking. At last I know for sure, so
you do indeed need me. I choose to live
the depth of love to fathom, much to give.
Archie Kennedy in Ferrol
Constructive disobedience:
Command has many prizes, honour, wealth
And fame. All these I own can tempt. And I, mere
human creature, I am not exempt. Health
heart and love, though, suffer. Like to a sheer
hulk, dear heaven! Such the fate of one whose head
rules always o’er his heart. Pray I am yet
not such a man, nor ever will be. Lead
me, my God, or rein me in, lest I forget
whats’ more than duty, disobedience born
of human peril, lives that could be saved.
There is but one way . No longer am I torn
In duty’s maw. I will do this. Now craved,
God’s blessing, the admiralty’s be damned.
We’ll get there somehow. I take the oar in hand.
Edward Pellew, on reaching Muzillac in time.
Choosing life:
I knew just then how Lazarus must have felt
hauled, blinking, from death’s dark by the loved voice.
You counsel me to live, your eyes that melt
my very self- I find I have no choice
but life, but at what cost? To prove your will
can conquer pain? To be another grateful
soul who owes a life? You watch me, still
within your gaze lies heat enough to lull
my sense in slowly dawning hope. I catch
my breath almost against your mouth. You do
not recoil, your hand in mine a fitting match-
both shaking. At last I know for sure, so
you do indeed need me. I choose to live
the depth of love to fathom, much to give.
Archie Kennedy in Ferrol
Constructive disobedience:
Command has many prizes, honour, wealth
And fame. All these I own can tempt. And I, mere
human creature, I am not exempt. Health
heart and love, though, suffer. Like to a sheer
hulk, dear heaven! Such the fate of one whose head
rules always o’er his heart. Pray I am yet
not such a man, nor ever will be. Lead
me, my God, or rein me in, lest I forget
whats’ more than duty, disobedience born
of human peril, lives that could be saved.
There is but one way . No longer am I torn
In duty’s maw. I will do this. Now craved,
God’s blessing, the admiralty’s be damned.
We’ll get there somehow. I take the oar in hand.
Edward Pellew, on reaching Muzillac in time.