Linnell Poem by Frank Avon

His friend,
a young artist,
of means,
a hard-shelled Baptist,
caretaker
of his final years.

Will
I could never have been,
but perhaps
a Linnell,
his visions if not to share
at least to cherish
and admire.

* * * * *

'At a quarter past midnight
on 14 October 1819
Richard Coeur de Lion appeared'

* * * * *

Ghost of a Flea:
'[reach me my things]
There he comes!
his eager tongue
whisking out of his mouth,
a cup in his hands
to hold blood
covered with scaly skin
of gold and green'

* * * * *

The Everlasting Gospel
'Thou art a Man God is no more
Thy own humanity learn to adore.'