by George Eliot If you sit down at set of sun And count the acts that you have done, And, counting, find One self-denying deed, one word That eased the heart of him who heard, One glance most kind That fell like sunshine where it went – Then you may count that day well spent.Continue reading “Count That Day Lost”
Tag Archives: poet
No Swan So Fine
by Marianne Moore “No water so still as the dead fountains of Versailles.” No swan, with swart blind look askance and gondoliering legs, so fine as the chinz china one with fawn- brown eyes and toothed gold collar on to show whose bird it was. Lodged in the Louis Fifteenth candelabrum-tree of cockscomb- tinted buttons,Continue reading “No Swan So Fine”
A poet who speaks to all ages
I adore poetry and cannot remember a time when I didn’t. I suppose my parents must have read to me when I was very young, possibly nursery rhymes. It is amazing how many of those I know without actually remembering reading them myself. As I got older I was introduced to more “serious” poetry. TheContinue reading “A poet who speaks to all ages”
An Elegy On The Death Of Kenneth Patchen
by Lawrence Ferlinghetti (1919-2021) A poet is born A poet dies And all that lies between is us and the world And the world lies about it making as if it had got his message even though it is poetry but most of the world wishing it could just forget about him and his awfulContinue reading “An Elegy On The Death Of Kenneth Patchen”
Ave Maria Plena Gratia
by Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) Was this His coming! I had hoped to see A scene of wondrous glory, as was told Of some great God who in a rain of gold Broke open bars and fell on Danae: Or a dread vision as when Semele Sickening for love and unappeased desire Prayed to see God’sContinue reading “Ave Maria Plena Gratia”
Bright Star
by John Keats (1795-1821) Bright star, were I as stedfast as though art – Not in lone splendour hung aloft the night And watching, with eternal lids apart Like nature’s patient, sleepless Emerite, The moving waters at their priestlike task Of pure ablution round earth’s human shores, Or gazing on the new soft-fallen mask OfContinue reading “Bright Star”
A Mind’s Journey to Diss
by John Betjamin (1906-1984) Dear Mary, Yes, it will be bliss To go with you by train to Diss, Your walking shoes upon your feet, We’ll meet, my sweet, at Liverpool Street. That levellers we may be reckoned Perhaps we’d better travel second; Or, lest reporters on us burst, Perhaps we’d better travel first. AboveContinue reading “A Mind’s Journey to Diss”
A Shropshire Lad
by John Betjeman (1906-1984) The gas was on in the institute, The flare was up in the gym, A man was running a mineral line, A lass was singing a hymn, When Captain Webb the Dawley man, Captain Webb from Dawley, Came swimming along the old canal That carried the bricks to Lawley. Swimming alongContinue reading “A Shropshire Lad”
A Bay in Anglesey
by John Betjeman (1906-1984) The sleepy sound of a tea-time tide Slaps at the rocks that the sun has dried, Too lazy, almost, to sink and lift Round low peninsulas pink with thrift. The water, enlarging shells and sands, Glows greener emerald out from land And brown over shadowy shelves below The waving forests ofContinue reading “A Bay in Anglesey”
A Memory of June
Claude McKay (1889-1948) When June comes dancing o’er the death of May, With scarlet roses tinting her green breast, And mating thrushes ushering in her day, And Earth on tiptoe for her golden guest, I always see the evening when we met – The first of June baptized in tender rain – And walked homeContinue reading “A Memory of June”
Robin's Nest 