An Abecedarian formed in Spenserian Verse
Scott and Zelda 1918-1921

A Princeton drop –out with some literary promise.
Began his Patriotic boyhood in trenches foreign.
Charmed America with short stories and a modest novel.
Deluded by his grandeur and Midas touch potential.
Enkindled to Zelda Sayer, the sunshine girl of twenty.
Fitzgerald’s both had magic God gifted, so well suited.
Great Gatsby’s in all deeds but mostly incidental.
Heroes of the twenties scène, flapped and so bootlegged.
In temperance, these two declined, fame made them so self-centred.
Just this side of paradise, the beautiful and the damned.
Killed their love with jealous friction so powerful intoxication.
Love should conquer all but not part of the Almighty plan.
Mental illness, tragic blows, poor interpretation.
Never let one sink so low then to an Institution.
Organise a marriage to survive in sickness and in health.
Parents have a duty once committed must stay permanently lucid.
Quintessential the love is a couple’s greatest single wealth.
Rare this day and age but so open to abuses.
Scott fated by America blinded by their clamour.
Temperance Poets couldn’t save this idol of the people.
Unless you are faithful to your body’s natural cycle.
Vindictive vices come to play on you in later life.
With failing liver, carbon lungs, estranged but loving wife.
Xpired young at forty-four, Fool or clever genius?
Zelda ! I saved you the waltz; your light will shine forever.

The thousandth man Oct 27th 2007