OUR HERO

July 29, 2012 at 11:07 am (Robert Penn Warren, Scarriet Editors)

for Robert Penn Warren

Our hero escapes to the danceclub downstairs
Where iambic dactylics gather in pairs.

Songs are stupid and sad,
Stories are perceptive and gay,
The maid who died in one
Works in the other for pay.

Imperfect, holy music
Lets the hero escape
Into a lyric prison
Of romantic wishes and scrape.
Fending off death
As best he can,
The old, obnoxious ritual
Climbs into the van,
Then driving for miles
As only lyric will,
Hasting towards the old styles
And then, fare ye well.