The Lutenist’s Melancholy

She roams my love

so softly love she roams

these grim districts

where homeless queue

for beds in tenements

to each she brings

to each unsmiling face

she brings her love 

her smile    soft words

her best encouragements

she stays my love

so softly love she stays

by those   these flight-

less wounded doves

she soothes    she sings laments

So roams a child

so hopefully she roams

these streets    these squares

will she survive

all these impediments?

she roams my love

so softly love she roams

by these in need

these folk at bay

huddled on cold pavements

she hears my love

so softly love she hears

the quiet curses

of the poor    words

without embellishments

          © Dick Russell, 2013, 2023