The Golden Ring, by Tony Grillo
[originally dedicated to America for the Bicentennial Celebration in 1976]
"Oh, Unicorn, your friend, the looking glass,
Betrays you! Disillusionment doth claw
A vagrant frown across that noble jaw."
The Princess held that snare; the brazen lass'
words, delivered you unto the mass
Of snarling dogs and men in armour raw
from forest chase. As they began to gnaw
about the gorse, awaiting sign, - Alas! -
You lay your head upon her lap to gaze
On endless skies and taking flight, far, far
Beyond that silver mirror image haze,
The lovelorn Unicorn was caught, off-guard.
Forevermore, his story will amaze,
As sung by children in the land of bards.
"Ah, Princely love of my dreams, I heard you
Sigh [saw you fall], while blithely rippling
Bramble locks, a rush of willow saplings;
those eyes and aery hirsute trunk, Adieu!"
The goat boy chases winged tigers through
Eye of Peacock forest; the centaur king
leans against a nearby tree, wrinkling
His brow, looks on and sadly says: "Undo
this wretched knot that binds my heart; so dear,
the thought of you is feeling, silence e-
voking the dawn, this poem in a tear.
I kiss this golden ring and vow to thee
my troth and pray that the gods keep you near."
Thus said, the centaur bows on bended knee.
"M'Lady Diana has moonbeam hair,
a smile, dimpled rosy cheek, a nose
and eyes that sparkle with the light that knows
the alchemy of dreams. M'Lady, fair
art thou and beauteous, a silver pear
upon a cloudy bosom, cliffs of snow
where edelweiss unfold their stars. And, no
one mortal, beast or errant branch would bear
themself more gracefully than thou, wafted
across the waves on angels' wings in Nep-
tune's horn; so pale art thou and wane, the dead
mistake thee as their own... . Come back!" Thus wept
Endymion for his unrequited
love, passion's solemn promise later kept.
Awhile the Mermaids sing and comb their flow-
ing hair, the Waves would crash against the rocks,
like drunken sailors drooling over bock
and teats, with loud and savage lusty row.
The Mermaids raise their heads like startled does,
eyes flash and greet the other's, lashing mock-
ing smiles that meet one another as locks
unfold. Their laughter sets the waves aglow
and racing headlong, streaming foam, they hurl
themselves upon their fated goal, to pick
that pearly comb amid the virgin curls
and toss it back away to sea. Ah!, quick-
ly fading dream of sirens. Oh!, laurel
of rising froth and sand... , a snuffed wick.
The Phoenix is risen from its ashes,
like Pegasus of slain Medusa's blood
or Unicorn sprung out the mirror. Mud
enbounde lotus, crystal water washes
your parting golden petal eyelashes.
We share your joyous season, and our rud-
der's held to follow your guiding moonflood
across the waves, amid the star flashes.
Angel of Peace, alight on this smote flesh;
may we carry your light, ensconced pearl,
beyond the darkest gates of Gilgamesh.
Redeemer King, heavenly song of worlds
unknown proclaim your majesty, that YES,
far, far beyond nothingness' silent whirl.