The stork was misdirected when
I was born; I should have been
one of the titled gentlemen
with wealth approaching the obscene.
The foolish bird delivered me.
By malice or by accident
into the sort of family
not known to the establishment.
Although my instincts are refined
befitting an aristocrat.
When I grew up I was to find
my father was no plutocrat.
So I was forced to earn my crust
like any other working man.
No wide estates were held in trust.
That wretched bird fouled up the plan.
I should have been a titled man
a scion of nobility.
But one must do the best one can
although ones born to poverty
The only title I can claim
is that I am a gentleman.
I’ll never be a household name.
Though I am proud to say I can
do anything a duke can do.
Except sit in the House of Lords.
I do not think I would want to
be bound to follow their accords.
An independent gentleman
is what I am content to be.
Although the stork messed up the plan
I must accept I’m only me.
(5-Nov-07)
Hi Ivor! The Stork knew what he was doing! A (10) ! ! Your wide estate reaches across the air, Your wealth is in the words you share! Your a scion of nobility; to other poets they all agree, Your title's, The Gentleman Of Poetry!
Not a household name? At this very second you're on 7,798 computer screens! :) I love the sentiment of this though. I used to think there must be something horribly wrong... surely I was destined to grow up and marry a gorgeous intelligent wonderful prince-like man, be in the place of my dreams, etc etc. And then a couple of months ago it turns out I was right. Oops, wrong moral of wrong story! :) t x
I'm just glad you landed on my screen this AM. Our daughter had sorta the same complaint when she reached those difficult teenage years where having parents is an embarassment. Her frequent phrase was, 'I was adopted, right? Please tell me I waas adopted.'
A flight of fancy it would be to think of you as aristocracy. The hight of hipocracy to think that from a silver goblet you would drink. But that stork that carried you perhaps it knew a thing or two. It brought you to a place that gave such a special grace. To write these poems that you do for all of us to read so true.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
Yes Ivor, the best person that you can ever be is 'only you'. The stork certainly knew where it was sent! Beautiful lines. More power!