Leaving the realm called Melancholia

One of many images made
by Clive Hicks-Jenkins
for The Foliate Head

Perhaps it was that big birthday number, glimmering in the near distance, but not long ago I went through a melancholy patch where I wondered whether, in fact, I had done everything wrong. (Oh, I know that I've done plenty that was wrong in ignorance or insensibility. And hope I know better now.) But I meant the whole shape of