Crib Death

[abu nuwas]

Like Isis, I was initially thrown by the title, and looked for a child-tragedy. Certainly, had such an event preceded the events of the poem, it would have been very likely to have been the cause. I did not find that, however, and although I rather liked the metaphors, and language, I felt something was missing when I finished. I think it is this: couched in figurative language, it nevertheless tells a straight-forward story, beginning at the beginning, and running through to an expected end -- so, while it is a relief to read something comprehensible, there is also a flat feeling. No twists, no punch-line.

I daren't say a thing about 'wrought', on account of being a convicted Archaist.