Laugh Lines (Revised, with thanks), Sonnet Options

[MFK Buckley]

Thank you for the crits, I've adjusted happily accordingly. However consider a man who, if chastened, hastens to recall... F


Laugh Lines

If years from now you hasten to recall
my witticisms in another light,
inflections, buoyant once, are apt to fall,
deflecting into peevishness despite
how we are now. (Though I’ve said this before
in other arms, interpretations blurred.)
When we no longer linger I’ll ignore
you passing; it’s both best and most preferred.
But always you will be to me, as now,
endearingly disarmed, without a name.
Should memories of this conspire somehow
to recollect me harshly, you’re to blame:
the heft and cleave of me without the laughter
was all it meant, and all that you were after.

MFK Buckley



Laugh Lines

If years from now you hasten to recall
my witticisms in another light
inflections, buoyant once, are apt to fall
deflecting into peevishness despite
how we are now. (But I’ve said this before
in other arms, interpretations blurred.)
When you no longer linger I’ll ignore
your leaving; given that, don’t be disturbed.
You’ll always be to me as you are now –
endearingly disarmed, without a name.
Should memories of this conspire somehow
to recollect me harshly, you’re to blame:
the heft and cleave of me without the laughter
was all it meant, and all that you were after.

MFK Buckley

[MFK Buckley]

Tis you Merlin! Hello wise wizard, how grand to hear from you! It's been so long but volumes of volleys are a testament to good times! I was delighted to learn of your migration to rural life! I've been in my tiny fishing village for a decade now and in this, my sixteenth house, Divine Madness is where I found home. I wish the same for you. Like you, my appetite for serious critique has waned however I have been a regular in the monthly and weekly challenges here. Do visit, it's good exercise and I'd love to see you. The Spenser stanza form continues to intrigue and challenge me. I'll be on the lookout for Sue.

Nothing like spinning a few Spens among friends! Fran