The Albatross
by Charles Baudelaire

Often, for pastime, mariners will ensnare
The albatross, that vast sea-bird who sweeps
On high companionable pinion where
Their vessel glides upon the bitter deeps.

Torn from his native space, this captive king
Flounders upon the deck in stricken pride,
And pitiably lets his great white wing
Drag like a heavy paddle at his side.

This rider of winds, how awkward he is, and weak !
How droll he seems, who lately was all grace !
A sailor pokes a pipestem into his beak;
Another, hobbling, mocks his trammeled pace

The Poet is like this monarch of the clouds,
Familiar of storms, of stars, and of all high things;
Exiled on earth amidst its hooting crowds,
He cannot walk, borne down by his giant wings.

There you are, one touch with my magic wand and it's done. Can't stay there forever though. That wouldn't be fair on the other favourite poets.

Thanks Hey Hey. You go ahead and take it off pin whenever you want. Not sure I know what the rules are in that regard. There! post # 250. Hurray! I'm gonna start demanding some respect around here now that I'm a Senior Member! Hee! Hee!

I had to look high and low to find this post. I knew it was somewhere here, as your brainmeta "IQ" had just crossed a threshhold. Tell me, is THIS the singularity they're all talking about? Congrats!

Alas, I reached that threshold without even knowing it. I don't feel any different. I guess it takes a while to marinate.

Speaking of Hey Hey, he has invited me to do a real poem, perhaps in a kindhearted effort to steer me away from haiku. I'd like to take this opportunity to invite others here to write poems as well, so I won't have to make a fool of myself alone...

Just kidding, I'm sure there is actual untapped TALENT on this forum (as opposed to yours truly).

Waiting...

your haiku was just great. it can be a demanding form of poetry and you succeeded. i'm sure you have more haiku to offer but also imagine that there are other genres in that (dare i say it) pretty little intelligence of yours.

Yours
HeyHey (chauvinist without intending to be)

The 'status singularity'. Well I suppose it might help keep us going until the CS!

Now CHIVALRY is just fine by me! :-)

I don't really think you're that other thing.