A verse, by Dannie Abse
Because of a kiss on the forehead
in the long Night’s infirmary,
through the red wine let light shine deep.
Because of the thirty six just men
that so stealthily roam this earth
raise high the glass and do not weep.
Who says the world is not a wedding?
Couples, in their oases, lullabye.
Let glass be full before they sleep.
Toast all which seems to vanish
like a rainbow stared at, those bright
truant thinks that will not keep;
and ignorance of the last night
of our lives, its famished breathing.
Then, in the red wine, taste the light
September 15th, 2007 at 11:49 pm
Conceptually captivating. Did you put in the links, or were they supplied by the author?
September 15th, 2007 at 11:58 pm
I put in the links- I had to look up the story of the 36 just men, as I was not familiar with that reference. There may well be `other riches in the poem that I am missing because my education is not yet complete.
September 16th, 2007 at 9:34 pm
The first stanza reminds me of “Lilith” by George MacDonald. Did you ever read it? I lost my copy somewhere along the way.
There is an infirmary where the dead sleep as they are healed from the trials of life.