by Bob Dylan b. 1941 They’re selling postcards of the hanging, they’re painting passports brown The beauty parlor is filled with sailors, the circus is in town Here comes the blind commissioner, they’ve got him in a trance One hand is tied to the tightrope walker, the other is in his pants And the riotContinue reading “Desolation Row”
Category Archives: poetry
A Poison Tree
by William Blake 1757-1827 I was angry with my friend: I told my wrath, my wrath did end. I was angry with my foe: I told it not, my wrath did grow. And I watered it in fears, Night and morning with my tears; And I sunned it with smiles, And with soft, deceitful wiles.Continue reading “A Poison Tree”
Absolution
by Siegfried Sassoon b. 1886 The anguish of the earth absolves our eyes Till beauty shines in all that we can see. War is our scourge, yet war has made us wise. And, fighting for our freedom, we are free. Horror of wounds and anger at the foe, And loss of things desired; all theseContinue reading “Absolution”
The Mother
by Pádraig Pearse b 10 November 1879 executed 3 May 1916 I do not grudge them: Lord, I do not grudge My two strong sons that I have seen go out To break their strength and die, they and a few, In bloody protest for a glorious thing, They shall be spoken of among theirContinue reading “The Mother”
A Song: “Men of England”
by Percy Bysshe Shelley 1792-1822 Men of England, wherefore plough For the lords who lay ye low? Wherefore weave with toil and care The rich robes your tyrants wear? Wherefore feed and clothe and save From the cradle to the grave Those ungrateful drones who would Drain your sweat – nay, drink your blood? Wherefore,Continue reading “A Song: “Men of England””
Tomorrow
by Mal Melville Australian poet: on refugees and war Today another town in flames another army bears the blame. Before the bullets the people flee, nowhere to hide for you and me. My heavy heart is filled with sorrow. Where will you be tomorrow? Desperate and lonely refugees the unknown our new reality. Children cryContinue reading “Tomorrow”
The armed militias
by Naji Almurisi Yemeni poet The armed militias Plant gunpowder in gardens And harvest the holes on the streets Crushing dreams Robbing smiles Spreading pains Everywhere Here Dove of peace Looking for peace Here The olive branch An arrow Dripping with bloods Here All flowers Smelling of crying Here The truth becomes a kind ofContinue reading “The armed militias”
Poem for the Children of Gaza
by Michael Rosen January 15, 2009 In Gaza, children, you learn that the sky kills and that houses hurt. You learn that your blanket is smoke and breakfast is dirt. You learn that cars somersault clothes turn red, friends become statues, bakers don’t sell bread. You learn that the night is a gun, that toysContinue reading “Poem for the Children of Gaza”
The Day War Came
by Nicola Davies UK children’s poet The day war came there were flowers on the window sill and my father sang my baby brother back to sleep. My mother made my breakfast, kissed my nose and walked with me to school. That morning I learned about volcanoes, I sang a song about how tadpoles turnedContinue reading “The Day War Came”
Yon Wild Mossy Mountain
by Robert Burns 1759-1796 Yon wild mossy mountains sae lofty and wide, That nurse in their bosom the youth o’ the Clyde, Where the grouse lead their coveys thro’ the heather to feed, And the shepherd tends his flock as he pipes on his reed. Not Gowrie’s rich valley, nor Forth’s sunny shores, To meContinue reading “Yon Wild Mossy Mountain”
Robin's Nest 