by Isaac Watts (1674-1728) Why should I join with those in Play, In whom I’ve no delight, Who curse and swear, but never pray, Who call ill Names, and fight. I hate to hear a wanton Song, Their Words offend my ears: I should not dare defile my Tongue With Language such as theirs. AwayContinue reading “Against Evil Company”
Author Archives: Robin
“I Said To Love”
by Thomas Hardy (1840-1928) I said to Love, “It is not now as in old days When men adored thee and thy ways All else above; Named the the Boy, the Bright, the One Who spread a heaven beneath the sun,” I said to Love. I said to him, “We now know more of theeContinue reading ““I Said To Love””
Happiness
by Wilfred Owen (1893‐1918) Ever again to breathe pure happiness, So happy that we gave away our toy? We smiled at nothings, needing no caress? Have we not laughed too often since with Joy? Have we not stolen too strange and sorrowful wrongs For her hands’ pardoning? The sun may cleanse, And time, and starlight.Continue reading “Happiness”
Kin to Sorrow
by Edna St. Vincent Millay (1892-1950) Am I kin to Sorrow, That so oft Falls the knocker of my door — Neither loud nor soft, But as long accustomed, Under Sorrow’s hand? Marigolds around the step And rosemary stand, And then comes Sorrow — And what does Sorrow care For the rosemary Or the marigoldsContinue reading “Kin to Sorrow”
Lives
by Derek Mahon (1941-2020) For Seamus Heaney First time out I was a torc of gold And wept tears of the sun. That was fun But they buried me In the earth two thousand years Till a labourer Turned me up with a pick In eighteen fifty-four. Once I was an oar But stuck inContinue reading “Lives”
Though The Last Glimpse Of Erin With Sorrow I See
by Thomas Moore (1779-1852) Though the last glimpse of Erin with sorrow I see, Yet wherever thou art shall seem Erin to me; In exile thy bosom shall still be my home, And thine eyes make my climate wherever we roam. To the gloom of some desert or cold rocky shore, Where the eye ofContinue reading “Though The Last Glimpse Of Erin With Sorrow I See”
The Law
by Emma Wheeler Wilcox (1850-1919) The sun may be clouded, yet ever the sun Will sweep on its course till the cycle is run. And when onto chaos the systems are hurled, Again shall the Builder reshape a new world. Your path may be clouded, uncertain your goal; Move on, for the orbit is fixedContinue reading “The Law”
Evening
by John Clare (1793-1864) ‘Tis evening; the black snail has got on his track, And gone to its nest is the wren, And the packman snail, too, with his home on his back, Clings to the bowed bents like a wen. The shepherd has made a rude mark with his foot Where his shadow reachedContinue reading “Evening”
Love and Harmony
by William Blake (1757-1827) Love and harmony combine, And around our souls entwine While thy branches mix with mine And our roots together join. Joys upon our branches sit, Chirping loud and singing sweet; Like gentle streams beneath our feet Innocence and virtue meet. Thou the golden fruit dost bear, I am clad in flowersContinue reading “Love and Harmony”
I Cried at Pity – Not at Pain
by Emily Dickinson (1830-1886) I cried at Pity – not at Pain – I heard a Woman say “Poor Child” – and something in her voice Convicted me – of me – So long I fainted, to myself It seemed the common way, And Health, and Laughter, Curious things – To look at, like aContinue reading “I Cried at Pity – Not at Pain”
Robin's Nest 