Nardo by Geraint Jonathan

Nardo

I got the flasks of trebbiano

followed by the 8 shirts

thank you

Nardo

since receipt of the trebbiano

& the shirts

I have nothing else to tell you

Nardo

I have received the trebbiano

44 flasks in all

6 of which I gave to the Pope

I thank you

Nardo

I got the cheeses & the crate of pears

& the trebbiano

I thank you

Nardo

but since receipt of the cheeses

& the crate of pears

as well as the trebbiano

I’ve little else to tell you

but I thank you

& please no more

Nardo

I received the silks the wax cloth

& the trebbiano also

& the pears & cheeses

& I thank you

but Nardo

if I am alive next year

no more I beg you

yours

Michelangelo

Geraint Jonathan

(After Michelangelo’s many letters to his nephew Lionardo Buonarroti)

5 thoughts on “Nardo by Geraint Jonathan”

  1. Geraint

    This one causes interest. Why all the cool sounding gifts and why Michelangelo’s desire for them to stop. And it has a dry sense of humor. A beguiling little work. It forces me to Google!

    Leila

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  2. DWB's avatar DWB says:

    Geraint

    Most people, in a little over a hundred words or so, would be able to manage a character sketch, at best. You, here, however, have achieved a character STUDY within that small framework. That is the best of the best of brevity. And not only that, you’ve managed to say something fresh about one of the greatest artists and most titanic personalities who ever walked the face of the earth, whether East or West, whether then, or now. Amazing. Truly: amazing. Anyone who can write about Shakespeare like you can, AND can also write about Michelangelo like this, is truly an enigmatic force to be reckoned with.

    You’ve reinvented the purpose for the short free verse line in poems, in this piece. And you’ve also managed to transport the “surprise ending” from a short story into the realm of poetry, with authenticity and in a way that’s truly, and not cheaply, surprising. The use of the word “trebbiano” is masterful here, as well as the name “Nardo.” A wild humor, hidden behind the mask, also comes through.

    You’ve made me want to haul my copy of the Complete Poems of Michelangelo off the shelf. This poem is a gift that offers the discerning reader much food for thought!

    Dale

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