{"sf1_id":1705633,"sf2_id":"4nA2VM1l","title":"Haunted Ballade","author":"Rob MacWolf","words":232,"posted_at":"2021-04-11T18:18:00.000Z","tags":["Ballade","Poetry"],"url":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/1705633-haunted-ballade","original_url":"https://sofurry.com/s/4nA2VM1l","image_url":"https://cdn.sofurryfiles.com/submissions/thumbnails/6b/96/6b96676a-bc92-4b58-8800-ab1f27742a82","description":"#30 of poetry\n\nWhen I wrote it this was entitled \"Ballade of the Walking Dead\" but that's a title that's gonna be culturally unavailable for a decade or so yet.","content":"Where is the home that once I knew, that stood  \nDeep in the meadow drifts, encircled nigh  \nWith tender orchard groves, then emerald woods  \nThat slumbered as the summer clouds slipped by?  \nBeneath the twisted briars those meadows lie.  \nThe fallow fields go down to furze and fen.  \nThe cracked foundation stones none can espy.  \nSo tell me, ghosts, who is the victor then?\n\nThe wealth of nations founders in the sea  \nFor bankers fly in horror of the land.  \nGrey manifestos swear to set us free  \nAmid much contradictory command.  \nAcross the skies they stretch their scarring hands  \nAnd when they strike, on what may we depend  \nSave that, whoever wins, our loss is planned?  \nSo tell me, ghosts, who is the victor then?\n\nWeep not for me, ye ghosts. I am beyond  \nYour haunting wails. Weep rather for the child  \nOf these cold latter days, where is not found  \nHearth, homeland, fruit of life not tame nor wild.  \nIf there be no sweet earth yet undefiled  \nAnd none to tend it- well, here is my end:  \nI think you will grow hungry soon, I smiled,  \nAnd asked the ghost who was the victor then?\n\nPrince unashamed, you took my love, my land,  \nMy life, my sky, then took them all again.  \nI may be dead and gone, but you are damned,  \nSo tell me, Prince, who is the victor then?\n\n  \n  \n\n","series":{"name":"poetry","previous":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/1705625-ballade-against-cheesemongery.json","next":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/1705640-ballade-on-leavetaking.json"}}