Gone. A poetry post

This poem was inspired by the sad death of David Bowie at the turn of the year. He will be missed. It's a villanelle, because I like working on complicated poems.

My favourite song of Bowie's is Letter to Hermione (it's mentioned in the poem). It inspired me to write a graphic novel when I was a teenager. I have no idea where it went, and, given my drawing skills, that is a good thing for everyone.

My favourite villanelle is Mad Girl's Love Song by Sylvia Plath. This is not a patch on that, but practice makes perfect.

This poem has been selected for inclusion in Forward Poetry's anthology 'Inspirational Idols', coming out this Autumn. You read it first, here.

Gone.

You were, I thought, a light that would not go.
Outside I look up but cannot see he'en.
There came a time we couldn't help but know.

You hid your scars and went on with the show.
You kept on dancing right up to the end.
You were, I thought, a light that would not go.

We all saw different facets in your glow.
Your music stood beside us like a friend.
There came a time we couldn't help but know.

A letter on Hermione's pillow.
A flaming pile of homework in the end.
You were, I thought, a light that would not go.

With orange hair you fell to earth below.
Remind me of the babe, and come again.
There came a time we couldn't help but know.

It seems we all are reeling from the blow.
No longer in the flesh will you be seen.
You were, I thought, a light that would not go.
There came a time we couldn't help but know.

© Cara L McKee, 13th January 2016

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