Ethel Lillian Voynich’s book, The Gadfly,
Centred on the brooding revolution,
Where the oppressed in Russia
Knew only inequity.

Religion, Rebellion
Revolution, contagious
Swept from Russia into China
In time the story was filmed.

Dmitry Shostakovich composed
The Opus 97, music to the film,
Sublime, almost weeping
A violin score, in the mind of genius.

Extraordinary music
Did Dmitry know the books background
Ethel and Arthur Burton
Found more than love in Italy’s Alps?

It should be compulsory
For all romantics
To silently appreciate
The beautiful Gadfly.

(Mike)