Me and Donne

Me and Donne

My single favourite John Donne poem. Added May 28, 2015 to this page.
Below my own poem. Decide for yourselves.

John Donne, other than myself my most favourite poet ever.
I just adore metaphysical poetry and to my mind there is Donne
and everyone else!

Among those greatest of compliments received, being compared
to Donne before I really knew and understood who he is. All that
really means is that I didn’t pick a specific style to follow and
went with what felt right to me.

So I give to you from me…..

I beg thee please not misconstrue
Yea, others do have share in my soul
Verily I testify that such be so
I lay such down so thee shall know

There be no intent to denigrate those knew to you
I do much appreciate others, Will and Words and their way
I must confess to not knowing all by name and rote
That does not mean they value less on my journeyed road

I speak, to me and they and thee dear friend
That that does to me what arrows of war and cupid do
That, that which I trust, shall do the same for you
So let it be written, so let it be Donne

G.R. Hambley March 29, 2014

Yes I took licence with a line from a film …
And should you so desire, shoot me with an arrow of thy choice

This is my single favourite John Donne poem.
Added May 28, 2015 to this page.

The Prohibition.

            Take heed of loving me;
At least remember, I forbade it thee;
Not that I shall repair my unthrifty waste
Of breath and blood, upon thy sighs and tears,
By being to thee then what to me thou wast;
But so great joy our life at once outwears.
Then, lest thy love by my death frustrate be,
If thou love me, take heed of loving me.

Take heed of hating me,
Or too much triumph in the victory;
Not that I shall be mine own officer,
And hate with hate again retaliate;
But thou wilt lose the style of conqueror,
If I, thy conquest, perish by thy hate.
Then, lest my being nothing lessen thee,
If thou hate me, take heed of hating me.

Yet love and hate me too;
So these extremes shall ne’er their office do;
Love me, that I may die the gentler way;
Hate me, because thy love’s too great for me;

Or let these two, themselves, not me, decay;
So shall I live thy stage, not triumph be.
Lest thou thy love and hate, and me undo,
O let me live, yet love and hate me too

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