Lament

How can a serious poet be
accepted by those erudites
who’ve reached an apogee in heights
and are much wiser than is he?

If learnéd I was as some folks,
my words would please, but woe-alas,
to scrutinizers they don’t pass,
becoming risible, quizzical jokes.

My situation is quite grim.
I’ve truly tried and studied hard
along this road to be a bard
but still my prominence stays dim.

A whiskered wizard I remain
with pen in hand to join the game
in search of promiscuity and fame
and overall, not go insane.



edit changed verse order switching 1 & 2

In the event anyone is interested, I found this little surprise while using Google to find one of my ancient postings. Where it turned up is the surprise - I had no idea it should be used here, completely unknown to me. They do give me credit, however.

Link - Muktuk Annie.

My poem appears about half-way down the page. A claim to fame after all.

Merlin

Promiscuity? I think you're searching in the wrong place, oh whiskered one.

As for the widespread acceptance, you've got. You can't outkid a kidder, y'know.

No doubt your royalty check's in the mail.

Dear Merlin,
If you feel a warm hand on your shoulder, it's undoubtedly Robert Service's!
Cheers, Ron jgdittier

Thank you for reading, Mary, Ron, and all ye spiders who didn't leave a mark.

Mary, those big words sometimes give me trouble!

Ron, there are strange things done in the midnight sun, so ya never know!

Appreciate your comments.

Merlin

"in search of promiscuity"

The new John Donne perhaps?

The irony of this poem is that, despite the poet's protestations, the language has a decidedly scholarly air. I particularly liked the learned with the accent on the 'e'. Very nice.

Many thanks, Ishmael,

it always pleases me when my readers have a chuckle.
I think you've nailed the piece on target!

Glad you stopped in to read.

Merlin

Hello Merlin - since when has wisdom walked hand in hand with poetry? Promiscuity - You bet!
Methinks the Wizard doth protest too much.
Apogee?
Erudites?
Risible?
Anyone who can casually chuck words like those around in a piece of verse - ain't no edjit!
Nice one,
Leo xx

Hello Merlin,

Well, it seems you found your claim to fame and 'promiscuity' too....being associated with ''Muktuk Annie''. I remember when that song was popular here, way back when.

I tried reading this poem with the verses in their original order too. I must admit that this new version reads better. All in all, it is a delightful read!

Thank you for your nice comments, Leo & Ellen.

Back to Muktuk, I was in the northland years ago when that song was popular, done by Ted Wesley. That's where I take the thought line from, have given credit in editions where it was published, and expanded the idea. The current users of the verse haven't listed the credit, but at least it is with the song version.

I had no idea the song made it south, since it seemed mostly around the Arctic Circle. Glad it did.

Merlin

Hi - I've just followed the link too, 'Muktuk Annie' - what a sparkling, epic sequel you have composed!
I believe there is now another hopeful young girl from the Frozen North who is following in Annie's dainty sealskin slippers, and hoping to break into politics. Just watch her shake those tail-feathers.
Can't keep a good girl down!
Hugs, Leo