 kindly refer to notes
Sonnets XIX a, XIX b, XIX c
On Our Blindness
When we consider all our freedoms lost
with HA ! BE U.S. ! Corpus of bush law,
black death to hide the whitewash when p’lice score
’gainst innocence ‘wrong place, wrong time’ star-crossed,
One wonders, when our children count the cost
and, chiding, true account present before
Executive Privilege bolted door,
will they, when light denied, in prison tossed,
murmur “God only needs assent Orwellian bossed !” ?
Man, chip embeddèd, acts recorded, sore
bearing harsh yoke, must serve where none ignore
C.C.T.V. controls come shine or frost.
They swerve too late who brake fair freedom’s flow,
stand, wait, burn at State stake, want not to know …
after John MILTON 1608_1674 – On His Blindness
On his Previous Blindness
When I consider how my life's been spent
these whirling years in this dark world and wide,
with that one talent which my wits supplied
held in abeyance waiting for love s[c]ent
to blossom to true beauty, to present
the world with tribute due and undenied,
I thank my stars I have not been denied
your love which none and nothing can prevent,
your love, where that of others is descent,
your love which above all on Earth I pride.
I thank "coincidence" which could provide
the opportunity to be content.
When I consider this I understand
how two t[hr]o[ugh] one may flow, grow hand in hand
Parody John MILTON 1608_1674 – On His Blindness
Time Misspent
When he considers so much time misspent
these fifty years, he's little right to guide, –
such talent slight which tired wits supplied
suspended, in abeyance, impotent.
He tried to fight conformity, present
the world a contribution bona fide, –
He failed. The spirit is dissatisfied.
Some grief he wrought, feared fraudulent intent,
felt tenderness a threat – heart discontent.
Understanding free from bias, pride,
stays thankful for, thanks life which could provide
the opportunity to learn time lent
grants space to face oneself, to understand
how two should flow together, hand in hand ...
Parody John MILTON 1608_1674 – On His Blindness
Author notes
C.C.T.V. Closed Circuit TeleVision
John Milton's Sonnet XIX has been parodied several times ... please find below the original and some parodies ...
Enjoy !
http://oldpoetry.com/opoem/23355-John-Milton-Sonnet-XIX--On-His-Blindness
On his Blindness
When I consider how my light is spent
Ere half my days in this dark world and wide,
And that one talent which is death to hide
Lodg'd with me useless, though my soul more bent
To serve therewith my Maker, and present
My true account, lest he returning chide,
"Doth God exact day-labour, light denied ?"
I fondly ask. But Patience, to prevent
That murmur, soon replies: "God doth not need
Either man's work or his own gifts: who best
Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. His state
Is kingly; thousands at his bidding speed
And post o'er land and ocean without rest:
They also serve who only stand and wait."
John MILTON 1608_1674
Reminiscent Reflections
When I consider how my life is spent,
I hardly ever repent.
Ogden NASH 1902_1971
Parody John MILTON 1608_1674 – On His Blindness
Lament of a Subwayite
When I consider all those hours spent
As suff’ring on the Subway trains I ride,
And stand, and hang, and vainly seek to hide
My feet beneath the cross seats to prevent
The colored lady tall and corpulent
Who wheezes with exhaustion at my side
From crushing them beneath her massive stride
And maiming me before her swift descent –
Great words of fury sputter in my brain
And I am tempted to cry out in heat
“A seat ! a seat ! My kingdom for a seat !
Why should I bend and break beneath the s-train ?”
Methinks I hear the song the harsh wheels sang:
‘They also pay who only stand and hang.’
Eugene O'NEILL 1888_1953
Parody John MILTON 1608_1674 – On His Blindness
The Englishmen on his Drink
When I considered how the whisky went,
A mighty torrent, to the other side,
(While here our immemorial fountains dried)
To irrigate a thirsty continent,
And though my soul on victory more bent,
Must I wage war on bitter, Scotch denied ?
I murmured; but the Chancellor replied,
Far be this from the Government’s intent.
Supplies will gush with all convenient speed;
The appetite of inland revenue
Is boundless, that exported o’er the foam
Contributes somewhat to the nation’s need;
But since yet further millions must accrue
They also serve who only drink at home.
Olga Miller KATZIN 1896_1987 January 1942 Targets 1943
Parody John MILTON 1608_1674 – On His Blindness
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