I’m Afire (Victorian Version)

Earl Fowler
Nov 12, 2025
1 min read

Little lass, is thy consort fled? Left thee lone in the lamplit stead? A blister burns in my breast’s attire — Heart’s hearth hurteth hot: I’m afire.

Tell, tender one, is he kind to thee? Can his craft quick thee as mine could be? My breath could bear thee heaven’s higher spire — Sings scorch and sigh: afire, afire.

Ah! Some dull blade, edge-drab, unkeen, Hath cleaved my soul — six inches clean! Through marrowed me the mortal lyre Sings scorch and sigh: afire, afire.

At night I start from sweat-slicked dream, Freight-thrum floods through my fevered seam; Only thou, cool mercy’s choir, Can quench, can quiet my heart’s desire — Heart’s hearth hurteth hot: I’m afire.

2 Comments

Larry Johnsrude

Nov 13, 2025

Excellent.

Now can you make a Victorian version of these lyrics:

The screen door slams, Mary's dress sways

Like a vision she dances across the porch

as the radio plays

Roy Orbison singing for the lonely

That's me and I want you only

Don't turn me out again I just can face myself alone.

There were ghosts in the eyes of all the boys you sent away

They haunt this dusty beach road in skeleton frames

of burned-out Chevrolets

They scream your name at night in the street

your graduation gown lies in rags at your feet

Earl Fowler

Nov 14, 2025

Replying to

The screen door sighs; the twilight fades, And Mary’s gown is stirred with grace; A vision glides across the place, She dances where the music fades.

Within, a voice of sorrow plays— Sweet Roy for all the lonely cries; I hear his song, my spirit sighs— For thee alone my heart obeys.

Turn not away, nor let me stand Once more before my soul’s own door; I dare not meet myself no more, Nor face the silence of the land.

The ghosts of boys whom thou didst send Still wander by the whispering sea; Their hollow eyes remember thee, Their voices on the night-winds blend.

Through ruins of their cars they go, The shells of youth, the frames of flame; They shriek upon the wind thy name, Through haunted roads where dead dreams blow.

Thy…