‘That you, in the dim coming times,
May know how my heart went with them
After the red-rose-bordered hem.’
—W.B. Yeats
Anthem
oh say can you see the pale dawning light
flickering remnants of once starry nights
‘hail all hail!’ the prideful proclaim
patriots kneel, driving zealots insane
the meek are disdained by fools on the right
armed, the militia, and ready to fight
gallantly ignorant, cowards in flight
red glaring demons who must not be named
oh say can you see…
the treason, collusion, hidden from sight
insomniac liars craving limelight
tempest torn islands, coastlands aflame
the star-spangled, brave resistance reclaims
liberty’s honor and freedom’s remains
oh, say can you see…
~kat
A Rondeau (aabba aabR aabbaR. Lines 9 and 15 are short – a refrain (R) consisting of a phrase taken from line one. The other lines are longer but all of the same metrical length) for Jane Dougherty’s A Month with Yeats: Day Fourteen. Today’s quote is from ‘To Ireland in the Coming Times’. The photo is Francis Scott Key’s original manuscript copy of his “Star-Spangled Banner” poem. It is now on display at the Maryland Historical Society.
like mercury colliding... 
November 14th, 2017 at 11:19 pm
What a strong indictment! My poem was of a similar theme but not as strong as yours.
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November 15th, 2017 at 6:05 am
It is complete madness.
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November 15th, 2017 at 3:34 am
Wow! You have really got the bit between your teeth. Excelsior!
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November 15th, 2017 at 6:11 am
That is a new phrase to me…yep, I suppose I do. Thank you Jane.
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November 15th, 2017 at 6:38 am
It’s a very common one in British English. Funny how linguistic paths have diverged.
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November 15th, 2017 at 12:42 pm
I truly enjoy trotting the globe from my keyboard. We are so much more connected than we realize. 🙂
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November 15th, 2017 at 1:13 pm
I know what you mean. No doubt there are masses of people sharing the same views and preoccupations, who also spend their time writing and blogging, but it’s much easier to meet them like this than going round knocking on doors and asking 🙂
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November 15th, 2017 at 7:03 am
I agree with Jane, Kat.
A bit is a mouthpiece that is used to control a horse’s movements. It is normally fitted so that pressure on the reins presses the bit against the soft parts of the horse’s mouth, causing it to turn its head. This expression alludes to a horse biting on the bit and taking control away from the rider.
The earliest known use of the phrase is in John Dryden’s satirical poem The Medal, 1682:
A magnificent poem. You continue to astound and delight Kat!
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November 15th, 2017 at 12:32 pm
Thanks for the background Peter. I would say I am generally not a compliant horse in that sense. A bit of a renegade. 😉
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November 15th, 2017 at 1:01 pm
That’s it exactly. The renegade Kat takes the bit between her teeth and takes over command. You lead, we’ll follow. Washington DC here we come!
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November 15th, 2017 at 1:09 pm
Haha…I am picturing “Dame” Quixote charging ahead! 😉
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November 15th, 2017 at 1:10 pm
Brava.. 🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀
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November 15th, 2017 at 2:31 pm
Thank you Dorna!
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November 17th, 2017 at 11:35 am
Excellent!💜
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