Oh, callous Fates
Oh, heartless Muses
of you I do beseech
Make Me Vacuous!
Take from me the glorious torment
of wild imagination
that I may never crave
to visit distant realms
beyond the reach
of light or limb
Lend me Shallow Whims
that I may never weep for
a thousand unlived lives
a thousand un-beating hearts
a thousand un-known loves
and many more besides
too many for one mortal soul to bear
Oh, wicked Gods
Oh, hateful Spirits
of you I do implore
Make Me Dull!
Steal from me the splendid curse
of power in the arts
that I may never dream
of things unknown
in all of man’s
great sciences
lend me Turbid Mind
that I may never search for
a thousand un-seen worlds
a thousand un-built wonders
a thousand un-tamed beasts
and many more besides
too many for one mortal mind to know
Oh, malign Angels
Oh, fruitful Demons
of you I do demand
Make Me A Bore!
Wrench from me the wondrous plague
of witty tongue
that I may never sing
the exotic melody
of lyrics dreamt
in peaceful sleep
Lend me Bovine Heart
that I may never yearn for
a thousand un-told tales
a thousand un-sung songs
a thousand un-framed colours
and many more besides
too many for one mortal heart to hold
Oh, wanton needs
Oh, beastly appetites
of you I do entreat
Make Me Greedy!
Banish from me the hateful charity
of gracious altruism
that I may surely grow
slack and gross
on fruit of soil
tilled by other ploughs
Lend me Slobbering Lusts
that I may never fret for
a thousand un-opened gifts
a thousand un-blessed virtues
a thousand un-given alms
and many more besides
too many for one mortal son to share