A Songbird Silenced (For J.C) Poem by Aaron Marchant

A Songbird Silenced (For J.C)



March 8th 1860. Northampton General Asylum
Dear Sir
I am in a Madhouse & quite forget your Name or who you are. You must excuse me for I have nothing to communicate or tell of & why I am shut up I don't know
I have nothing to say so I conclude
Yours respectfully
John Clare
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I'm a poet he kept saying
I'm in here by mistake
I should be wandering in the fields
or strolling by the lake

Why is it you hold me here?
No, I don't require more tea
I really must be going now
Please take your hands off me!

Can't you hear the birdsong?
Don't you smell the flowers?
I know that they'll be missing me
I've been in here for hours

I must speak to the doctor
He's sure to put things straight
He'll understand the poet's muse
cannot be made to wait

Who are all these people?
They all look rather sad
Because I'm loath to join them
you say I'm the one who's mad?

Please let me take my leave
If I've offended, I'm contrite
but there are songs that must be sung
that I alone may write

Thursday, September 20, 2018
Topic(s) of this poem: freedom,madness,poet
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