COMING UNDONNE— Janis and John

Janis said–

‘Freedom’s just another word,

For nothing left to lose’.

But then she overdosed,

Her life the lived out blues.

Freedom isn’t sinning,

For when you linger there,

It’s only the beginning,

But you are unaware.

You find yourself trapped,

Like a man in a maize

Like a ship out to sea

Like an unquenchable blaze

Freedom’s not freedom

When it leaves you bound

Bound to succumb

Bound to fall down.

The pleasure’s momentary,

And there is no release,

You find yourself craving it,

But it gives you no peace.

Remorse and regret

And infinite sadness,

Downward spiral

Into the madness.

Donne was right when he said—

“Batter my heart, three person’d God; for, you

As yet but knocke, breathe, shine, and seeke to mend;

That I may rise, and stand, o’erthrow mee,’and bend

Your force, to breake, blowe, burn and make me new.

I, like an usurpt towne, to’another due,

Labour to’admit you, but Oh, to no end,

Reason your viceroy in mee, mee should defend,

But is captiv’d, and proves weake or untrue.

Yet dearely’ I love you,’and would be loved faine,

But am betroth’d unto your enemie:

Divorce mee,’untie, or breake that knot againe;

Take mee to you, imprison mee, for I

Except you’enthrall mee, never shall be free,

Nor ever chaste, except you ravish me.”

BW3 Feb. 21, 2008