Black Flightless Widow
“I have not got over it and I never shall.” ~ Fanny Brawne
He died and then the girl Fanny soon
Keats on his deathbed
Fell ill. Her spirit’s heart contrived to take
Its toll upon her flesh. A black cocoon
Enveloped her, a widow’s dress. The ache
…..
…………………………Fanny Brawne
Came out as if dark threads of silk could save
Her from destruction or implosion. She
Became a caterpillar with a grave
Failure to grow wide wings. She could not see
Her way to weave material for life
With threads she spun from deep inside her soul
Despite his poetry for her, his wife
Never to be. No cocoon could console
Her though she made it from his love and lines
And memories. Dark grief has its own designs.