Near Nevern Square

She who tormented Yeats' middle years

plaguing his dreams with dying swans

with visions of blood and mascara smears

wanders unnoticed   a walking recluse

with golden hair and flowing robes long sleeved

she lives on   who once was Yeats' muse

her powers ebbing because unbelieved

in Earls Court   London   near the Great West Road

she listens for nightingales in vain

no flash of fiddles    but punks in woad

when at evening time Yeats spied her

by railings guarding a tree-filled square

waiting for someone to bring her flowers

or notice the spangles in her long  long hair

he passed on by

                        hurrying to his room

to confront despair in the long night hours

a modern theme    where poet and muse commune

divorced lovers on whom fortune glowers

©  Dick Russell, 2012