Yorkshiremen in Pub Gardens, by Gavin Ewart (1916-1995) As they sit there, happily drinking, their strokes, cancers and so forth are not in their minds. Indeed, what earthly good would thinking about the future (which is Death) do? Each summer finds beer in their hands in big pint glasses. And so their leisure passes. Perhaps […]
The Skylark, by John Clare(1793-1864) The rolls and harrows lie at rest beside The battered road; and spreading far and wide Above the russet clods, the corn is seen Sprouting its spiry points of tender green, Where squats the hare, to terrors wide awake, Like some brown clod the harrows failed to break. Opening their […]
by Izumi Shikibu, (c. 976-????) Although the wind blows terribly here, the moonlight also leaks between the roof planks of this ruined house. (trans. Jane Hirsfield & Mariko Aratani)
The Apparition, by John Donne (1572-1631) When by thy scorn, O murd’ress, I am dead, And that thou thinkst thee free From all solicitation from me, Then shall my ghost come to thy bed, And thee, feign’d vestal, in worse arms shall see : Then thy sick taper will begin to wink, And he, whose thou […]
In a Prominent Bar in Secaucus One Day, by X. J. Kennedy (1929-) In a prominent bar in Secaucus one day Rose a lady in skunk with a topheavy sway, Raised a knobby red finger–all turned from their beer– While with eyes bright as snowcrust she sang high and clear: ‘Now who of you’d think […]
Let Evening Come, by Jane Kenyon (1947-1995) Let the light of late afternoon shine through chinks in the barn, moving up the bales as the sun moves down. Let the cricket take up chafing as a woman takes up her needles and her yarn. Let evening come. Let dew collect on the hoe abandoned in long […]
Cameo Appearance, by Charles Simic (1938-) I had a small nonspeaking part In a bloody epic. I was one of the Bombed and fleeing humanity. In the distance the great leader Crowed like a rooster from a balcony, Or was it a great actor Impersonating the great leader? There’s me there, I said to […]
Discrimination, by Kenneth Rexroth (1905-1982) I don’t mind the human race. I’ve got pretty used to them In these past twenty-five years. I don’t mind if they sit next To me on streetcars, or eat In the same restaurants, if It’s not at the same table. However, I don’t approve Of a woman I respect […]
Luke Havergal, by Edwin Arlington Robinson (1869-1935) Go to the western gate, Luke Havergal, There where the vines cling crimson on the wall, And in the twilight wait for what will come. The leaves will whisper there of her, and some, Like flying words, will strike you as they fall; But go, and if you listen […]
Bell Tower, by Leonie Adams (1899-1988) I have seen, O desolate one, the voice has its tower, The voice also, builded at secret cost, In temple of precious tissue. Not silent then Forever – casting silence in your hour. There marble boys are leant from the light throat, Thick locks that hang with […]