When A Prince In Prison Dies Poem by gershon hepner

When a prince in prison lies,
the prayers that he presumptuously prepares helped by a priest
will not produce a precious prize
since, too provocative, they don’t impress the Lord the least.

Inspired by a poem by John Donne cited by Mark Ford, reviewing Ramie Targoff’s book “John Donne, Body and Soul” in the NYR, December 17,2009 (“Resurrecting John Donne”) :

So must poor lovers soules descend
T’affections, and to faculties,
Which sense may reach and apprehend,
Else a great Prince in prison lies,
To our bodies turne wee then…

1/20/10