Blackberry Picking

by Seamus Heaney (13 April 1939-30 August 2013) Late August, given heavy rain and sun For a full week, the blackberries would ripen. At first, just one, a glossy purple clot Among others, red, green, hard as a knot. You ate that first one and its flesh was sweet Like thickened wine: summer’s blood wasContinue reading “Blackberry Picking”

Little Nell’s Funeral

by Charles Dickens (1812-1870) And now the bell, — the bell She had so often heard by night and day And listened to with solemn pleasure E’en as a living voice, — Rung its remorseless toll for her, So young, so beautiful, so good. Decrepit age, and vigorous life, And blooming youth, and helpless infancy,Continue reading “Little Nell’s Funeral”

Kubla Khan

by Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834) In Xanadu did Kubla Khan A stately pleasure-dome decree: Where Alph, the sacred river, ran Through caverns measureless to man Down to a sunless sea. So twice five miles of fertile ground With walls and towers were girded round: And there were gardens bright with sinuous rills, Where blossomed manyContinue reading “Kubla Khan”

Armies in the Fire

by Robert Louis Stevenson (1850‐1894) The lamps now glitter down the street; Faintly sound the falling feet; And the blue even slowly falls About the garden trees and walls. Now in the falling of the gloom The red fire paints the empty room: And warmly on the roof it looks, And flickers on the backContinue reading “Armies in the Fire”

A soldier’s farewell to his old mother

As long as there have been stories there have been storytellers. Even if the story is just about hunting a bear. Back in prehistory somebody had to tell the tribe about the bravery of the hunters who faced the fury of a giant animal who could rip you open with a slash of its claws.Continue reading “A soldier’s farewell to his old mother”

A Ballad of Nursery Rhyme

by Robert Graves (1895‐1985) Strawberries that in gardens grow Are plump and juicy fine, But sweeter far as wise men know Spring from the woodland vine. No need for bowl or silver spoon, Sugar or spice or cream, Has the wild berry plucked in June Beside the trickling stream. One such to melt at theContinue reading “A Ballad of Nursery Rhyme”