A Ballad of Leo Tolstoy

War and Peace

Introduction

by John Gregory Evans

© 5/13/2020 3:26:38 PM

Stanza I

To whom be known of Russia’s plight?

Siberian snow’s wilderness,

Decembrist’s Tolstoy’s wit does write,

Natasha and kindheartedness

playful and  lasciviousness –

Gentry and peasant’s feelings grow

A Mother Russia’s wispy tale,

Keeps warm her nape through snow and dance,

bells of victory thus do toll,

Schon Granbern’s march to Paris, France.

Stanza II

Does Tolstoy’s nerve run deep from bony sights?

Prince Andrew and Count Pierre, regis

royals, INK’g Tolstoy through the bitter nights,

regal integrity, thus finesse’

Russians march on in a desert snowiness –

The French cast piss on a freezing snow,

Yellow stains lend the moon a painful pale.

Keeps warm her nape through snow and dance,

bells of victory thus do toll,

Schon Granbern’s march to Paris, France.

Stanza III

His pen dashes out from the inkwells stash, and writes

A poignant clash of Russian ballads, epics’ stress

Recalled the memoirs stance, romance, and pretty sprites,

A lady’s hand upon Pierre’s heart does press.

Natasha smiles her impish smile, his heart thus sows

A weary smile, and yet, they break as wars are fought

Upon an Emperor’s terms? No! the Czar says not!

Keeps warm her nape through snow and dance,

bells of victory thus do toll,

Schon Granbern’s march to Paris, France.

Envoi

Why Helene, why? Pierre may think to flight

This mystical crusade that writes distress,

Confused and dazed she pitied him and his nights.

Keeps warm her nape through snow and dance,

bells of victory thus do toll,

Schon Granbern’s march to Paris, France.