(17/11/1981 / Cavan, Republic of Ireland)

What do you think this poem is about?

Achilles and Cobain

Those sworn in blood to live wild and die young,
And lend their wayward impulse in dry night,
Live on forever in their joys re-sung.

They take no heed of warning eye or tongue,
No spectres, nor the mortal moral, fright
Those sworn in blood to live wild and die young.

Although, too soon, their songs will leave the lung,
Their laughter and unhesitating sight
Live on forever in their joys re-sung.

Their eyes are fire, their hearts and nerves unstrung,
Inside them flows the stars and dancing light,
Those sworn in blood to live wild and die young.

Achilles and Cobain, and those among
The crowds that see beyond death’s woeful plight,
Live on forever in their joys re-sung.

The grey-haired damn failed dreams to which they clung
In words that know, with soon-forgotten spite,
Those sworn in blood to live wild and die young
Live on forever in their joys re-sung.

Submitted: Thursday, July 06, 2006
Edited: Friday, August 13, 2010

Comments about this poem (Achilles and Cobain by Sean Godley )

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  • Not a member No 4 (5/1/2007 1:19:00 PM)

    Sean, sometimes Sue - a very good poet there's no denying - critiques with an axe, the way the elder Neitzsche did philosphy, though he had an excuse. (She'll have me for that! Sue, I love you..)

    The format is demanding and you've met its requirements. Your alternate refrains are strong, its metrically very impressive, and yes, you put yourself under a helluva pressure with that title - the Achilles bit.

    I still wonder what Cobain did that hadn't been done or presaged over and over in the 60s by half a dozen obscure bands and skilled hands. He certainly stood out in his time - but it was such a barren time. From the late 70s onwards!

    Would he be so revered if he hadn't went over the wall? Just passing thoughts...

    But, yes, Cia Frizzell sent me here and I'm very glad. You're a talented and brave writer. This is proof. I will be reading more. Eh, and don't go looking at mine.I'm just a scribbler who enjoys the reading. This was a pleasure. Very fine work.

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  • Matt Mullins (4/21/2007 8:52:00 AM)

    I dig this Villanelle. A tough form to work in and your two primary lines are good choices. I like the way it mixes the contemporary with the classical in terms of its subject matter. The meter of your lines is nicely close to DT's 'Do not go gentle...

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  • Sue Ann Simar (4/16/2007 7:18:00 PM)

    There's not much here to sustain the title, but I love the title and the idea of the piece. Why don't you rewrite it?

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