Lament of a Snowman Options

[Charon]

First revision, with a little help from my friends.  Thanks a bunch.



Lament of a Snowman

Born only yesterday, my destiny to fulfill,
powerful and stately, I stand on my hill.
Always dependable, I would never stray,
protector of my home; at guard every day.

Greeting everyone, a smile on my face,
eyes black as coal, steady is my gaze.
Though the cold wind blows I suffer no chill,
when the snows come, I envision a thrill.

I am a tower of strength; a joyful beacon to all,
sun caresses my brow as it answers my call.
Heavy rays beat down, hard on my head,
suddenly I contemplate a sense of dread.

My kingdom lies before me, a tapestry of white,
where did it come from, this dazzling light?
A balmy breeze plays across my loin and chest,
is the ground closer, why do I need rest?

My arms droop so; a scarf falls from my neck,
how can it be; buttons falling; I must look a wreck.
My bonnet once clean, now covered in mud,
my hat, my cover, has fallen with a thud.

I’ve discovered I’ve lost all of my clothes,
as I try to pick up my poor little nose.
My arm has become an old broken stick,
I think I shall be, terribly sick.

To be an enemy of the sun
what could I have done?
For me to be treated so
is really a blow.
A King was I,
but now all
I have
is my
final
sigh
.

---------------- First Version -------------

Lament of a Snowman

Born only yesterday, my destiny I’ll fulfill,
powerful and stately, standing on my hill.
Always dependable, I would never stray,
protector of my home; at guard every day.

Greeting everyone with a smile on my face,
eyes black as coal, steady is my gaze.
Though the cold wind blows I suffer no chill,
when the snows come, I envision a thrill.

I am a tower of strength; a joyful beacon to all,
sun caresses my brow as it answers my call.
Heavy rays beat down, hard on my head,
suddenly I contemplate a sense of dread.

My kingdom lies before me, a tapestry of white,
where did it come from, this dazzling light?
A balmy breeze plays across my loin and chest,
is the ground closer, why do I need to rest?

Why my arm droops so; my scarf falls from my neck,
how can it be; buttons falling; I must look a wreck.
My bonnet once so clean, now covered in mud,
my hat, my cover, has fallen with a thud.

I’ve discovered I’ve lost all of my clothes,
as I try to pick up my poor little nose.
My arm has become an old stick,
I think I shall be very sick.

To be an enemy of the sun
what could I have done?
For me to be treated so
is really a blow.
A King was I,
but now all
I have
is my
final
sigh
.


© 2003 Emerson H. Sollars
All rights reserved by Emerson H. Sollars as an unpublished work.

[Guest__*]

Hi Butch.

For example people appear to be very smart till they open their mouths, YES!


As you know, I love a good lament.     This one is no exception.

Angie has given some good advice on improving the scan. Try reading both versions out loud and see how it goes. Your poem will prove a lot of fun for the youngsters, and it may well be that dropping the odd word here and there, with a little gentle tweaking, will make it bounce along all the more merrily.

Tom
.