Mirth in Delirium

Format of a rondeau.

 

My mad laughter - that is contrite,

Menacing sound made in delight,

Whoso ever might find it queer

That you may be found, yea so near,

Wrought in mortal or godly fright?

 

Neither love nor ill-fated spite

Can assuage this odious slight,

Therefore give chance for all to hear

My mad laughter.

 

I heed the words of logic’s plight,

Yet never shall those words be right

To a heart whose aches are austere

And shivers beneath life’s cold spear,

So let them hear all through the night:

My mad laughter.