Alas, Alack

The poet had such a sad face Because he took himself so seriously If only he'd been able to laugh He might have lived a while longer Seen things others have never dreamed Touched places fingers cannot reach But no, he listened to harping hangers-on Stiff-necked bailiwicks to prop up the dead Devil-jesters with pitchfork tongues Who must believe in jack-box antics Foolish jabberwock of self-inflicted ego An ending much too tragic to tolerate levity. ~ Laurence Overmire (Previously published in Megaera, Vol.4, Fall 2000)