Writing competition - 4 - Entry B (John Bennett)

Yellow?

There is no rhyme for orange, it is said,
Though other colour words are much more mellow.
Purple would be tricky, blue instead?
But Robert Browning, that most skilful fellow
Writing couplets, did not use "Sordello"
As a rhyme word. I'm not feeling keen;
This verbal cherry's like a sharp Morello.
It's hard to write exactly what I mean.

The ballade's verse form, if I'm not misled
Should be quite perfect, like a Donatello.
And, sound and meaning harmonised and wed,
Aspire to music (published by Novello
Or even suites by J.S.Bach for 'cello).
Be realistic; this one isn't clean,
But more like rough and squeaky Punchinello.
It's hard to say exactly what I mean.

A ballade if not written is unread,
As though the Bard had never staged Othello,
Had kept the tragic sequence in his head.
But verse for Shakespeare wasn't hard duello
And I'm in seige before a grim Martello,
Embattled on an ochre coloured scene.
I've said this all before, a ritornello?
It's hard to know exactly what I mean.

"And now we've reached the envoi", I can bellow.
And dedicate the lot to Prince or Queen.
(Let's patronise that vineyard down in Wellow)
It's hard to think exactly what I mean.

notes