Drive-Through Dulcinea
A Patron's Poem, With Apologies to Andrew Marvell
Had we but world enough and time
I would order in perfect rhyme
The better to compensate for
Every other, mundane bore
Who looks but does not see your light
Who mistakes end for means despite
The obvious fact that you are
As suited to this task as are
The sea’s waves to greeting tourists
Or pastiche to pleasing purists;
An amethyst should not be set
In mud—its home is gold, and yet
Behold, a seraph heavenly
Must offer fries and drinks to me
As mortal as a man can be, am I:
A fallible and foolish guy
As rife with vice and folly as
Any sentient old ape has
The right to be, here before thee
A slave to hunger, while you’re free
Of any defect I can see
By what mysterious decree
Were you burdened with this base task?
Perhaps it’s not my place to ask;
But you seem suited to a throne
Not heeding the tedious drone
Of mundane mammals’ sheepish tone
My blood’s fluvial motion, quick
To your eye’s tidal pull must stick
The moon envies your lovely look
Which, studying the sorry book
Of lost dreams and rusted glory
Of which my face tells a story
Responds with grace aleatory
Supplying the modest repast
And the bright limit; that, we passed
When I recognized in your voice
Music that makes all ears rejoice
You deigned to pretend, goddess true!
Conceding that, for moments few
This grizzled knight might worthy be
To tilt at windmills just for thee
And though we shall strangers remain
My mind will turn to you again
When doubt and pain gather about
Your smile will be my bright redoubt
About the Creator
D. J. Reddall
I write because my time is limited and my imagination is not.
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Tea set by a suffragette
Pankhurst is a name well known to the history of women’s suffrage. Who hasn't heard the name Emmaline Pankhurst, founder of the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU), an all-women organisation campaigning for the right to vote? The group that helped to achieve the right to vote for women in Great Britain and Ireland in 1918. Some know of her daughter Christabel, both being honoured by the Pankhurst memorial in Victoria Palace Gardens, London, right next to the UK Parliament buildings. Sylvia Pankhurst is notably not included in the monument. Why? Because she split with the WSPU to campaign against Britain's entry into First World War.
By Raymond G. Taylor3 days ago in Art
Comments (4)
Great title! What a fun piece. Unexpected turns of phrase, and relatable sentiments galore.
Oooo, I learnt two new words from here, pastiche and fluvial! Loved your poem!
Brilliant! If this was indeed inspired by a server at McDonald's, I hope, chivalrous knight that you are, that you will deliver this to her in tribute in the same way that she did your fries - with grace and a poetic flourish.
Very nice poem