Marble Halls

I dreamed I dwelt in marble halls, With servants and helps and slaves and all. Silver cutlery, mahogany furniture and cedar floors, I dreamed that man and beast both great and small Knelt before me, swearing allegiance while a kissin’ My fingers so. That I would wake to the sound Of harps and flutes and lyres too. That work And pain were as alien to me as a red sun. I dreamed that Ulysses’ flower grew on red Tapestries hanging from the crystal roof. That ariels and sprites and mermaids and hobbits Attended to me and served me meals as a habit. I drank from crystal ponds and swam in Waters with all kinds of fish. Oh what pretty fins! But then I saw him! Standing guard at The gate. Paying me no mind like I were a dusty old hat! What insolence. Why doesn’t he look at me? Who does he think he is? Thinks he that he And his lowly assignments mean more to the land Than the princess of the marble halls and her hand Littered with jewels from the treasures of Blackbeard himself?! I could have him killed for no reason! Could send him to Davy Jones’ locker any season! Oh but I won’t. Oh but I can’t. My heart beats At the sight of him; what shoulders ever graced man Since Hercules, or chests like drums to beat! A face like one of the statues of Perseus himself. Oh that face, it graces my eyes daily and yet I am powerless to do a thing. Oh Gibbet, Even in my dreams you torment me still. A tap and a shove, I think I dream still, But here stands Gibbet in suit and tie; At last it’s the aisle our nuptial knots to tie. He stretches his awesome arms, and opens his lovely mouth And says; “I pay you not to sit and stare Now pick your broom and this filth clear!” I scramble and dash for my broom and cloth Oh I did it again; sleeping on duty!