NaPM April 22nd 2019

[dukealien]

Mission Accomplished


What constitutes the mission of a ghost
which hovers near its body’s dying-place?
Revenge, perhaps, but that is but one point
of setting what his death left out of joint
to rights. Thus Hamlet’s kingly father’s shade
calls trivially for his murderer
to die in turn.  What’s death to one who dwells
within its lightless hall?  But, kingly still,
his murmurings procure a double death:
of his usurper and his feckless get
that Denmark might be ruled by Fortinbras–
a princely son more worthy than his own.

Palinode to........


Damned Old Mole

What does it profit Hamlet’s father’s ghost
to pour his poison into his son’s ear?
Condemned to Hell when he, unshriven, died,
what benefit does he, afire, derive
from dragging down his murderer to face
like torments?  Not to mention his own son
who died red-handed, likewise regicide,
and, too, unshriven.  What this revenant
affirms is his unwillingness to grant
forgiveness, for which he deserves his Hell.

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(Oddly enough, just as I finished this the classical radio station piped up with “The Prince of Denmark’s March.”)