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THE STORY OF THE POEM

 As `The Sick Man of Europe` their mid-sixties multi–European fraternal trade union visit to Hungary was slightly deflating. So they focused instead on the pleasant task of observing the beautiful young student daughter of their `minder` shyly and nervously embarking on her very first job as an interpreter…Her name was Nadia.

 

 After enduring a few sly `sick man` digs at the (drunken) `farewell` party their patience broke. So–rising-their poet banged the table for attention and declared:

 

All Germans…can fight. All Frenchmen…can cook

All Italians…can sing. All Spaniards…can dance.

 

Then - drawing himself up and looking them proudly in the eye – announced:

 

And all Englishmen…can write poetry.

 

and read them this.

 

 

 

 

NADIA IN THREE MOODS

 

1

 

Nadia sad-eyed, Nadia pensive

Nadia tentative and fearful,

Lonely, lost, and apprehensive

Sitting in the corner tearful.

 

2

 

Nadia care-free, Nadia tipsy

From the fruit of Magyar vine

Dancing like a bright-eyed gypsy

Swaying with such grace divine.

 

3

 

Nadia with all the world for asking

At her swan-neck`s mere incline,

In her fathers fondness basking

Take our hearts for they are thine.

 

 

 

(After which the four sons of the land that Shakespeare drew his breath in solemnly shook hands all round and staggered out)

 

◄ SIN AGAINST THE SPIRIT?

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Comments

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Harry O'Neill

Tue 11th Jun 2013 21:06


Thanks fellas,
They couldn`t get what `basking` meant in the context.I never lived it down in our union office.

It was post-revolution but pre-freedom Hungary. The place seemed to be swarming with German salesmen
with folders.

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M.C. Newberry

Sun 9th Jun 2013 16:57

Going along with JC, I easily imagine that H. O'N had another life - in Elizabethan times.
Courtly and caring,
Courting and daring;
In love and living,
Well faring and sharing!

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John Coopey

Sat 8th Jun 2013 19:58

Harry, oh Harry!
I bet you were a bugger with the ladies before you became old and wrinkly!
Lovely touch and structure - abab rhymes are especially difficult when you're tying to keep the whole on message.
Sweetly done, H.

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