July 5th
Today finds the author on a field trip in deepest Wiltshire he and his colleagues are awaiting for their equipment which has yet to arrive
Whilst others pass the time writing letters to their loved ones or enjoying the comforts of a very hot day the author is reading through his book of English Romantic Verse
He is reading the poetry of William Blake and has decided to have a little fun at the great man’s expense
William Bond
Oh quiet you vile dissenters
Act the day and let it run its course
I wager that you thought I would rhyme the word course with horse
But I will not
I would rather use force instead of horse
You should have used the word horse Mary Green
But you are not a poet
Fine words are a mystery to you
Go back to your pots and pans
Be quiet William Bond or I will love thee less
I will not feed or clothe you
You will become shambolic
A sorry mess
Sister Jane you will care for me if Mary Green deceives
Oh William if thou does another love
Does another love better than poor Mary?
You are my sister we are twinned in blood and fibre
Only our gender separates us
You are a sick man William Bond
For thou art melancholy pale
Honour me and your sister
Or we will leave you here to die
And be aware that there will not be rows of angels
To transport your wretched soul
To the Lord most pure
I have the Angel of Providence at my feet
I have the Angel of Providence whispering into my best ear
I do not fear the vacant journey that you threaten
Be Quiet
Be Quiet both of you!
And Mary poor Mary fell on to the sick room floor
When Mary woke she found herself laid
On the right hand of her William dear
On the right hand of his sickly bed
His eyes were alarmed and full of dread
Now that you two have settled your score
I will take my leave of thee
But do not worry as I will return on the morrow
To bathe Will’s brow and nurse his sorrow
And you my sweet delicate Mary Green
Will need my time and steady hand
For we will pass through William’s darkened field
With nought but his sword and injured shield
Apology
Please accept my sincere apologises William Blake
And come here swiftly
My pen to take
Tyger Tyger
Tyger tyger burning bright
In the forests of the night
Tiger tyger burning dull
In the slackness of my skull
Conversation
What are you doing Stuart?
Writing a poor man’s doggerel
Let me see your work
I think you should stay in the shade for a while longer my dearest friend
The heat and sun has certainly taken its toll of you
I will dispose of these wretched efforts
Please do
Drink lots of water and maybe close your eyes
My friend took my pad and my poetry book
I knew that he would not destroy them but would try to pass the work off as his own
I did not care as I was feeling weak
I felt as William Bond might have done
But I did not have Mary Green to care for me
Hidden
Excursions end and excursions fall
The chills of winter reach us all
I had hidden one last rhyme and when I felt better I was going to bury it deep in the Wiltshire soil away from the prying eyes of everyone around me
But in the meantime I had hidden it in my sturdy boot