by Benjamin Zephaniah (b. 1958) They put a leather belt around her 13 feet of tape and bound her Handcuffs to secure her And only God knows what else, She’s illegal, so deport her Said the Empire that brought her She died, nobody killed her And she never killed herself. It is our job toContinue reading “The Death of Joy Gardner”
Category Archives: poetry
On Virtue
by Phillis Wheatley (1753‐1784) O thou bright jewel in my aim I strive To comprehend thee. Thine own words declare Wisdom is higher than a fool can reach. I cease to wonder, and no more attempt Thine heights t’explore, or fathom thy profound. But, O my soul, sink not in despair, Virtue is near thee,Continue reading “On Virtue”
Bituminous?
by Shel Silverstein (1930-1999) The hard coal’s called bituminous, Or is that anthracite? Stalactites grow down from caves, Or do I mean stalagmites? Those fluffy clouds are nimbus — No — wait — they might be cumulus. And that kid who was raised by wolves — Was he Remus — or Romulus? The brothauruses ateContinue reading “Bituminous?”
The Old Bark School
by Henry Lawson (1867-1922) It was built of bark and poles, and the floor was full of holes Where each leak in rainy weather made a pool; And the walls were mostly cracks lined with calico and sacks — There was little need for windows in the school. Then we rode to school and backContinue reading “The Old Bark School”
Anecdote for Fathers
by William Wordsworth (1770-1850) I have a boy of five years old; His face is fresh and fair to see; His limbs are cast in beauty’s mold And dearly he loves me. One morn we strolled on our dry walk, Our quiet home all full in view, And held such intermitted talk As we areContinue reading “Anecdote for Fathers”
Peace
By George Herbert (1593-1633) Sweet Peace, where dost thou dwell? I humbly crave, Let me once know. I sought thee in a secret cave, And asked, if Peace were there, A hollow wind did seem to answer, No: Go seek elsewhere. I did; and going did a rainbow note: Surely, thought I, This is theContinue reading “Peace”
Hope Is Not Lost
by Jessica Millsaps When the desperation hit When the people cried in the streets When everything felt at loss Hope stayed, even though fleeing would be easier When the eyes were full of tears When kids and family were torn apart By that last desperate gasp Hope tried When all else gave up When allContinue reading “Hope Is Not Lost”
Mystics Are the Sons And Daughters Of Silence
by Kenneth Maswabi We consume Silence We are consumed by Silence We thrive in Silence Silence thrives in us. We are the sons and daughters of Silence. We are the emptiness that walks the path of eternity The shadow of things to come We are the silent warriors The sons and daughters of Light WeContinue reading “Mystics Are the Sons And Daughters Of Silence”
The Fathers
by Edwin Muir Our fathers all were poor, Poorer our fathers’ fathers; Beyond we dare not look. We, the sons, keep store Of tarnished gold that gathers Around us from the night, Record it in this book That, when the line is drawn, Credit and creditor gone, Column and figure flown, Will open into light.Continue reading “The Fathers”
The Ass and the Lamb
by Ignacy Krasicki “How hard is my fate! What sorrows await,” Said the Ass to the Sheep, “my deplorable state! Cold, naked, ill-fed, I sleep in a shed And the snow, wind and rain come in over my head. All this day did I pass In a yard without grass — What a pity thatContinue reading “The Ass and the Lamb”
Robin's Nest 