Ira Maine Reprised
Dear Reader,
You may remember that, as publisher, I charged Mr Ira Maine with the task of editing the Poetry section of this blog. He used his office as a shameless vehicle for self promotion. Admittedly his poems were ok. (In fact we have been deluged with appeals for more of him including request for samples of his underwear. Please do not tell him.) I asked that he include other poets. He has chosen to promote only long dead poets thus to limit his competition. Here is the note he attached to the two poems sent for this week:
Sirrah’
As promised; two Roman rhymes to suit the times and if you read between the lines, well neither is a rhyme of mine, though mine are equally divine, and so you know, I think you’ll find, these Romans all were filthy swine!
IRA
(Blast, he’s done it again!)
“In love with young Elaine” MARCUS ARGENTARIUS (1st Cent.)
In love with young Elaine, at last
I talked her into it! We played
Together,breathless in my room;
Our hearts were thumping and, afraid
That someone might surprise our love,
We talked in whispers; but we had
Been overheard-her Mother’s face
Poked round the bedroom door and said
‘No cheating now! Remember Dear,
We share and share alike round here!’
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
PHILODEMUS(1st Cent. BC)
At sixty, Juliette’s mass of hair
Is black as it has ever been;
She needs no brassiere to uplift
And firm her marble breasts;her skin
Is still unwrinkled, perfumed, quick
To welcome and provoke desire;
So, if you’re bold enough to face
Love’s fiercest, most enduring fire,
Call Juliette, and have no fears-
You’ll soon forget those sixty years!