Category Archives: musings

When Poetry and Music Merge Seamlessly

I derive great pleasure from listening to music. One of my favourite artists is Ed Sheeran. On listening to some of Ed’s songs I am struck by how closely music and poetry can blend together. Take, for example Sheeran’s song “Happier”

As with much poetry, “Happier” consists of a mixture of rhyme and half-rhyme. However most of “Happier” does rhyme, with “too”, “do” and “new” forming a simple (but highly effective) rhyming scheme as with

“You look happier, you do.
My friend told me one day I’ll feel it too”.

If you listen to the song, you will, I think hear the poetry therein.

Kevin

A Ghost from the Ivory Coast

A ghost
From the Ivory Coast,
She paces,
Her body bare
To England’s air.
She has been to places
That he
Would not wish to see.

Would it be rude
To intrude
On her thought?
Perhaps he ought
Not. Yet she is nude,
And here for him
And his sin
Is she not?

You Followed Me

You followed me into the bedroom
Bringing with you
The merest hint of perfume.
You stood there
Wholly unaware,
Chatting of what? I do not recollect.

Slim and near.
Respect for a long friendship held me
tight.
Or maybe
Fear.
I did not speak that night.

A Young Lady Whose Name is Beth

A young lady whose name is Beth
Went out seeking for Death,
But Death, finding her attentions intrusive,
Became very elusive,
So she’s ancient, and searching for Death.