So To Bed

Entry by: Janine Booth

28th November 2016

THE DIARIST

And so to bed
The diarist said
Or rather, the diarist penned
Deeds fine and sordid
Have been recorded
The day has reached its end

He knew the Dutch
Knew much too much
Outfought the English fleet
And then made headway
Up the Medway
The Admiralty was beat

The Plague brought loss
Red-painted cross
On a stricken house's door
But the diarist's year
Was full of cheer
For he was rich, not poor

Aboard a boat
The diarist wrote
Of London flames that spread
And Mr Pepys
The diarist weeps
Before he goes to bed

The diarist chooses
Women and music
As great pursuits of leisure
Nell Gwyn was pretty
Fine and witty
His mistresses brought pleasure

And so to bed
The diarist said
His eyes were feeling pain
Put down his quill
For good and ill
And never wrote again

Marker 1

What I liked about this piece: a nice pace and rhythm to this poem and a lovely theme
Favourite sentence: Put down his quill
For good and ill
And never wrote again
Feedback: I enjoyed reading this - a nice bounce to it and it conjured up the era well. It was bouncy fun !

Marker 2

What I liked about this piece: Paints an interesting picture of "the Diarist".
Favourite sentence: He knew the Dutch
Knew much too much
Outfought the English fleet
And then made headway
Up the Medway
The Admiralty was beat
Feedback: I liked this poem.

Marker 3

What I liked about this piece: The light, rhyming verse was used to contrast with the darker subject matter.
Favourite sentence: But the diarist's year
Was full of cheer
For he was rich, not poor
Feedback: I would find it tough to write a poem in an hour, so I always admire writers that do. I like this one a lot, the history and the slightly dark and pointed twist on things is really effective. Thanks.