"The Funeral of Shelley" - Louis Edouard Fournier He knew foul weather was due
yet still set sail on his tragic journey
at Lerici with his boat Don Juan
perishing in a sudden summer storm.
Shelley's body was found 10 days later
with poems from Keats in his pocket
and after a month his corpse was dug up,
pitiful remains burnt on the beach
though the heart was not consumed,
kept by Mary until her dying day.
It must have been a terrible scene
immortalised by a poignant painting,
the flames on the sand devouring his form
but his fine words survived the fire and storm.
yet still set sail on his tragic journey
at Lerici with his boat Don Juan
perishing in a sudden summer storm.
Shelley's body was found 10 days later
with poems from Keats in his pocket
and after a month his corpse was dug up,
pitiful remains burnt on the beach
though the heart was not consumed,
kept by Mary until her dying day.
It must have been a terrible scene
immortalised by a poignant painting,
the flames on the sand devouring his form
but his fine words survived the fire and storm.
