The other day I gave you the lyrics of a Bob Dylan song from 57 years ago and suggested that lyrics are basically poetry without words. Then again some of the finest lyricists in the world are really poets first who then have their poetry put to music. This does not mean all poems couldContinue reading “Poetry or song? It’s just words”
Tag Archives: poetry
The Pied Piper of Hamelin
Robert Browning 1812-1889 Hamelin town’s in Brunswick, By famous Hanover city; The river Weser, deep and wide, Washes its wall on the southern side; A pleasanter spot you never spied; But, when begins my ditty, Almost five hundred years ago, To see the townsfolk suffer so From vermin, was a pity. Rats! They fought theContinue reading “The Pied Piper of Hamelin”
Death Be Not Proud
by John Donne Death be not proud, though some have called thee Mighty and dreadfull, for, thou art not soe, For, those, whom thou think’st, thou dost overthrow, Die not, poore death, nor yet canst thou kill mee. From rest and sleepe, which but thy pictures bee, Much pleasure, then from thee, much more mustContinue reading “Death Be Not Proud”
Poetry: so much more than just words on a page
I love poetry. I loved poetry since before I loved Shakespeare I have loved poetry since before I can remember. It is highly likely my first poem was actually a nursery rhyme. Maybe “Hickory Dickory Dock” or “Ring a’ring of Roses”. By the time I reached primary school I was already reading poetry from booksContinue reading “Poetry: so much more than just words on a page”
A Curse For Kings
by Vachel Lindsay (1879-1931) A curse upon his king who leads his state, No matter what his plea, to this foul game, And may it end his wicked dynasty, And may he die in exile and black shame. If there is vengeance in the Heaven of Heavens, What punishment could Heaven devise for these, WhoContinue reading “A Curse For Kings”
A Sea Dirge
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”
La Belle Dame Sans Merci
by John Keats Ah, what can ail thee, wretched wight, Alone and palely loitering; The sedge is withered from the lake, And no birds sing. Ah, what can ail thee, wretched wight, So haggard and so woe-begone? The squirrel’s granary is full, And the harvest’s done. I see a lily on thy brow, With anguishContinue reading “La Belle Dame Sans Merci”
She Walks in Beauty
by George Gordon Byron I She walks in beauty, like the night Of cloudless climes and starry skies; And all that’s best of dark and bright Meet in her aspect and her eyes: Thus mellowed to that tender light Which heaven to gaudy day denies. II One shade the more, one ray the less, HadContinue reading “She Walks in Beauty”
Love Sonnet XI
by P Neruda I crave your mouth, your voice, your hair. Silent and starving, I prowl through the streets. Bread does not nourish me, dawn disrupts me, all day. I hunt for the liquid measure of your steps. I hunger for your sweet laugh, Your hands the color of a savage harvest, Hunger for theContinue reading “Love Sonnet XI”
What Kind of Times are these
by Adrienne Rich There’s a place between two stands of trees where the grass grows uphill and the old revolutionary road breaks off into shadows near a meeting-house abandoned by the persecuted who disappeared into those shadows. I’ve walked there picking mushrooms at the edge of dread, but don’t be fooled this is not aContinue reading “What Kind of Times are these”
Robin's Nest 