Almanac Poetry: Another Song for Severed Head
Géricault, Four Studies of a Severed Head, c. 1818. [Wikimedia Commons.]
Another Song for Severed Head
Well. Here’s the shtick.
Write an opera libretto / play.
Get the hero (or villain,
it doesn’t matter)
decapitated by sword, guillotined,
headless in some way.
Then write a lyric to be sung
by the severed head.
Of course, like everything, it’s been done.
But why not do it again?
Rhetorically, it’s intriguing.
The audience will think you’re clever.
Definitely worth a try.
Read more from Kevin Densley HERE
Kevin Densley’s latest poetry collection, Please Feed the Macaws…I’m Feeling Too Indolent, is available HERE
Read more Almanac Poetry HERE
If you would like to receive the Almanac Music and Poetry newsletter we will add you to the list. Please email us: [email protected]
To return to our Footy Almanac home page click HERE.
Our writers are independent contributors. The opinions expressed in their articles are their own. They are not the views, nor do they reflect the views, of Malarkey Publications.
Do you enjoy the Almanac concept?
And want to ensure it continues in its current form, and better? To help things keep ticking over please consider making your own contribution.
Become an Almanac (annual) member – click HERE.
About
Kevin Densley is a graduate of both Deakin University and The University of Melbourne. He has taught writing and literature in numerous Victorian universities and TAFES. He is a poet and writer-in-general. His fifth book-length poetry collection, Please Feed the Macaws ... I'm Feeling Too Indolent, was published in late 2023 by Ginninderra Press. He is also the co-author of ten play collections for young people, as well as a multi Green Room Award nominated play, Last Chance Gas, published by Currency Press. Other writing includes screenplays for educational films.
Poor Yorick
Alas, yes, Matt!
Thanks for your response.
Love the idea, Kevin. A singing, decapitated bonce. Just to get attention.
Why not cash in on the Hamilton craze and write a musical about the British civil wars? Have the be-piked Cromwell sing the big reveal, and have Charlie go tete a tete with his jolly, rapping executioner? Add a refrain about the snicker-snackering vorpal blade to make it a bit meta an’ all.
Iris Murdoch could get a run, too.
Thanks for the additional ideas, Matt. There are all sorts of possibilities!