by John Donne Mark but this flea, and mark in this, How little that which deniest me is; It sucked me first, and now sucks thee, And in this flea our two bloods mingled be; Thou knows’t that this cannot be said A sin, nor shame, nor loss of maidenhead, Yet this enjoys before itContinue reading “The Flea”
Author Archives: Robin
Playing our part
We all know Shakespeare described the world as a stage which makes us all actors whether or not we have learned the lines. How many of us see ourselves in that way and if we do are we a spear bearer, the star or Dandini to someone else’s Prince Charming? If we merely stick toContinue reading “Playing our part”
Mid-Term Break
by Seamus Heaney I sat all morning in the college sick bay Counting bells knelling classes to a close At two o’clock our neighbours drove me home. In the porch I met my father crying – He had always taken funerals in his stride – And Big Jim Evans saying it was a hard blow.Continue reading “Mid-Term Break”
Taking a break
Unexpected occurrences today means no new posting. Watch out for tomorrow’s poem and a post later in the day.
A Daughter of Eve
by Christina Rossetti A fool I was to sleep at noon, And wake when night is chilly Beneath the comfortless cold moon; A fool to pluck my rose too soon, A fool to snap my lily. My garden-plot I have not kept; Faded and all-forsaken, I weep as I have never wept: Oh it wasContinue reading “A Daughter of Eve”
A voyage of discovery
As the old year ended and the New Year of 1966 began I made the most of the last week or so of my holidays before getting my head down for studies in my home classroom. Naturally I was enjoying the English studies, especially the literature. I have read, seen or appeared in a numberContinue reading “A voyage of discovery”
You’re
by Sylvia Plath Clownlike, happiest on your hands, Feet to the stars, and moon-skulled, Gilled like a fish. A common-sense Thumbs-down on the dodo’s mode. Wrapped up in yourself like a spool, Trawling your dark as owls do. Mute as a turnip from the Fourth Of July to All Fools’ Day,O high-riser, my little loaf. Vague as fog and looked for likeContinue reading “You’re”
Making my name
Studying at home while getting work experience with a recently-launched local newspaper was working well in the run-up to Christmas 1965. Naturally I took a break from studying over what would have been a school holiday and spent a little bit longer at the Gazette offices while also having time to spend at the LittleContinue reading “Making my name”
The Thought Fox
by Ted Hughes I imagine this midnight moment’s forest: Something else is alive Beside the clock’s loneliness And this blank page where ny fingers move. Through this window I see no star Something more near Though deeper within darkness Is entering the loneliness: Cold, delicately as the dark snow A fox’s nose touches twigs, leaf;Continue reading “The Thought Fox”
Out in the world
If I had been born a few years later I would not have had the option to leave the regimented education system of the grammar school behind me. As it was in 1965 the age was still set at 15 even though attempts had begun a year earlier to raise it to 16. Luckily forContinue reading “Out in the world”
Robin's Nest 