Marie Marshall

In 2007 I had a run-in with an editor who, in my opinion, was WAY above himself, as a result of which I wrote a poem called ‘The Pope and Michelangelo’, subtitled ‘A Song of Editorial Prerogative’. Since then of course, not only have I become even better acquainted with editors, I have been an editor myself for several years, so maybe my perspective has shifted a wee bit. Still, I thought I would share this piece of rhyming nonsense with you, just for the heck of it.

The Pope said, “Buonarroti,
Paint on this ceiling tall,
Some scenes from Holy Scripture
And frescoes on the wall.”
The Artist set about it.
He laboured all year long,
And every wondrous brush-stroke
Was like an angel’s song.

Ars longa – vita brevis.
Pontifex esse nolo.
I don’t want to be the Pope,
I’m Michelangelo.

The Pope came for a look-see;
He gazed around and said,
“Oh yes, it’s very nice, but
You should use much more red
This work just isn’t finished,
It’s not a perfect ten.
Splash on some extra scarlet,
I’ll papal-seal it then.”

Ars longa – vita brevis.
Pontifex esse nolo.
I don’t want to be the Pope,
I’m Michelangelo.

The artist started over
(I must say – in a huff!).
The Pontiff popped his head in,
And said, “Still not enough.”
The artist mixed his colours
With sunset-crimson full,
And, making his work ruddy,
Said, “Ruddy Papal Bull!”

Ars longa – vita brevis.
Pontifex esse nolo.
I don’t want to be the Pope,
I’m Michelangelo.

His Holiness came back there,
And said, “You’ve used too much.
The way it was a month ago
Showed such a gentle touch.”
The artist held his temper,
And started work once more,
To make the Sistine Chapel
The way it was before.

Ars longa – vita brevis.
Pontifex esse nolo.
I don’t want to be the Pope,
I’m Michelangelo.

The Pope came to the Chapel,
And thence to Mich’s home,
To say he thought the ceiling
The best in all of Rome;
But leaving, paused at David
And, pointing with his stick,
Said as an afterthought, “Put
A fig-leaf on that dick!”

Ars longa – vita brevis.
Pontifex esse nolo.
Would you rather be the Pope,
Or Michelangelo?

MORAL:

The moral of this story
(easy enough to follow);
Ars longs – vita brevis,
Pontifex esse nolo!
Crowds flock to the Chapel,
For Buonarroti’s fame;
But as for the poor Pontiff –
Why! – no one knows his name!