by Lewis Carroll There are certain things – as, a spider, a ghost, The income-tax, gout, an umbrella for three – That I hate, but the thing that I hate the most Is a thing they call the Sea. Pour some salt water over the floor – Ugly I’m sure you’ll allow it to be:Continue reading “A Sea Dirge”
Category Archives: poetry
August
by Boris Pasternak This was its promise, held to faithfully: The early morning came in this way Until the angle of its saffron beam Between the curtains and the sofa lay. And with its ochre heat spread across The village houses, and the nearby wood, Upon my bed and on my dampened pillow And toContinue reading “August”
A Welsh Testament
by RS Thomas All right, I was Welsh. Does it matter? I spoke a tongue that was passed on To me in the place I happened to be, A place huddled between grey walls Of cloud for at least half the year. My word for heaven was not yours. The word for hell had aContinue reading “A Welsh Testament”
My Mother
by Frieda Hughes They are killing her again. She said she did it One year in every ten, But they do it annually or weekly, Some even do it daily. Carrying her death around in their heads And practising it. She saves them The trouble of their own; They can die through her Without everContinue reading “My Mother”
The Common Cold
by Ogden Nash Go hang yourself, you old M.D.! You shall not sneer at me. Pick up your hat and stethoscope, Go wash your mouth with laundry soap; I contemplate a joy exquisite I’m not paying you for your visit. I did not call you to be told My malady is a common cold. ByContinue reading “The Common Cold”
Bridal Ballad
by Edgar Allan Poe The ring is on my hand, And the wreath is on my brow, Satins and jewels grand Are all at my command, And I am happy now. And my lord he loves me well; But, when first he breathed his vow, I felt my bosom swell — For the words rangContinue reading “Bridal Ballad”
Summer
by John Clare Come we to the summer, to the summer we will come, For the woods are full of bluebells and the hedges full of bloom, And the crow is on the oak a-building of her nest, And love is burning o in my true lover’s breast; She sits beneath the whitethorn a-plaiting ofContinue reading “Summer”
Litany in Time of Plague
by Thomas Nashe Adieu, farewell, life’s bliss; This world uncertain is; Fond are life’s lustful joys; Deathe proves them all but toys; None from his darts can fly; I am sick, I must die. Lord, have mercy on us! Rich men, trust not in wealth; Gold cannot buy you health; Physic himself must fade. AllContinue reading “Litany in Time of Plague”
And Death Shall Have No Dominion
by Dylan Thomas And death shall have no dominion. Dead men naked they shall be one With the man in the wind and the west moon; When their bones are picked clean and the clean bones gone, They shall have stars at elbow and foot; Though they shall go mad they shall be sane, ThoughContinue reading “And Death Shall Have No Dominion”
Poverty
by Thomas Traherne As in the house I sate, Alone and desolate, No creature but the fire and I, The chimney and the stool, I lift mine eye Up to the wall, And in the silent hall, Saw nothing mine, But some few cups and dishes shine, The table and the wooden stools Where peopleContinue reading “Poverty”
Robin's Nest 