tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91383000699195155212024-02-07T10:04:18.576+00:00Poetry - A Personal ChoicePoetry boring? Surely not! Have a look at some of my favourites.Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902634877966762520noreply@blogger.comBlogger450125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138300069919515521.post-84697545588247833702016-11-24T08:30:00.000+00:002016-11-24T09:36:38.917+00:00<div style="text-align: center;">
LONGING</div>
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<i>Matthew Arnold 1822-88</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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Come to me in my dreams, and then</div>
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By day I shall be well again!</div>
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For so the night will more than pay</div>
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The hopeless longing of the day.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Come, as thou cam'st a thousand times,</div>
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A messenger from radiant climes,</div>
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And smile on thy new world, and be</div>
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As kind to others as to me!</div>
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<br /></div>
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Or, as thou never cam'st in sooth,</div>
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Come now, and let me dream it truth,</div>
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And part my hair, and kiss my brow,</div>
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And say, My love why sufferest thou?</div>
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<br /></div>
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Come to me in my dreams, and then</div>
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By day I shall be well again!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
For so the night will more than pay</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The hopeless longing of the day.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
POETRY - A PERSONAL CHOICE </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
COMES TO AN END TODAY AND A NEW BLOG WILL BEGIN TOMORROW.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
POETRY TO PLEASE</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
WILL CONTAIN 4/5 POEMS AND WILL BE UPDATED EVERY WEEKEND</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://poetrytoplease.blogspot.com/">http://poetrytoplease.blogspot.com</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-o=0=o-</div>
Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902634877966762520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138300069919515521.post-76279026115841462352016-11-23T08:30:00.000+00:002016-11-23T09:27:12.230+00:00<div style="text-align: center;">
THE SKYLARK</div>
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<i>James Hogg 1770-1835</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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Bird of the wilderness,</div>
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Blithesome and cumberless,</div>
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Sweet be thy matin o'er moorland and lea!</div>
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Emblem of happiness,</div>
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Blest is thy dwelling-place,</div>
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Oh, to abide in the desert with thee!</div>
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<br /></div>
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Wild is thy lay and loud,</div>
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Far in the downy cloud,</div>
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Love gives it energy, love gave it birth.</div>
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Where, on thy dewy wing,</div>
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Where art thou journeying?</div>
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Thy lay is in heaven, thy love is on earth.</div>
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<br /></div>
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O'er fell and fountain sheen,</div>
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O'er moor and mountain green,</div>
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O'er the red streamer that heralds the day,</div>
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Over the cloudlet dim,</div>
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Over the rainbow's rim,</div>
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Musical cherub, soar, singing, away!</div>
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<br /></div>
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Then, when the gloaming comes,</div>
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Low in the heather blooms</div>
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Sweet will thy welcome and bed of love be!</div>
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Emblem of happiness,</div>
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Blest is thy dwelling-place,</div>
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Oh, to abide in the desert with thee!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
POETRY - A PERSONAL CHOICE </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
COMES TO AN END ON THURSDAY AND A NEW BLOG WILL BEGIN ON FRIDAY.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
POETRY TO PLEASE</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
WILL CONTAIN 4/5 POEMS AND WILL BE UPDATED EVERY WEEKEND</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://poetrytoplease.blogspot.com/">http://poetrytoplease.blogspot.com</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-o=0=o-</div>
Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902634877966762520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138300069919515521.post-72724492893613601702016-11-22T08:30:00.000+00:002016-11-22T08:30:46.332+00:00<div style="text-align: center;">
A CALM</div>
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<i>George Santayana 1863-1952</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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When the towering heights of the middle heavens</div>
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Deep down in the ocean appear,</div>
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How pleasant to see the great summer clouds</div>
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Reflect in the water so clear.</div>
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<br /></div>
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There are trees above,</div>
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There are trees below,</div>
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Huge rocks and sloping hills;</div>
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And another Sun with its mellow glow</div>
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The pictured landscape fills.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The deep, silent mountains beneath the calm wave</div>
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Uphold their companions above.</div>
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Until hurrying winds from the breezy west</div>
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Sky, mountains, and landscape remove.</div>
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<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
POETRY _ A PERSONAL CHOICE </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
COMES TO AN END ON THURSDAY AND A NEW BLOG WILL BEGIN ON FRIDAY.</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
POETRY TO PLEASE<br />
WILL CONTAIN 4/5 POEMS AND WILL BE UPDATED EVERY WEEKEND<br />
<i><a href="http://poetrytoplease.blogspot.com/">http://poetrytoplease.blogspot.com</a></i><br />
<br />
-o=0=o-</div>
Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902634877966762520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138300069919515521.post-65797450640449128742016-11-21T08:30:00.000+00:002016-11-21T08:30:23.933+00:00<div style="text-align: center;">
FROM A WINDOW</div>
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<i>Charlotte Mew 1869-1928</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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Up here, with June, the sycamore throws</div>
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Across the window a whispering screen;</div>
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I shall miss the sycamore more, I suppose,</div>
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Than anything else on this earth that is out in green.</div>
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But I mean to go through the door without fear,</div>
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Not caring much what happens here</div>
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When I’m away -</div>
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How green the screen is across the panes</div>
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Or who goes laughing along the lanes</div>
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</div>
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With my old lover all summer day. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-o=0=o-</div>
Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902634877966762520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138300069919515521.post-35134510942329011472016-11-20T08:30:00.000+00:002016-11-20T08:30:02.180+00:00THE THOMAS HARDY PAGE<div style="text-align: center;">
SITTING ON THE BRIDGE</div>
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<br /></div>
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Sitting on the bridge</div>
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Past the barracks, town and ridge,</div>
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At once the spirit seized us</div>
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To sing a song that pleased us -</div>
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As "The Fifth" were much in rumour;</div>
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It was "Whilst I'm in the humour,</div>
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Take me, Paddy, will you now?"</div>
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And a lancer soon drew nigh,</div>
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And his Royal Irish eye</div>
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Said, "Willing, faith, am I,</div>
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O, to take you anyhow, dears,</div>
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To take you anyhow."</div>
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<br /></div>
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But, lo! - dad walking by,</div>
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Cried, "What, you lightheels! Fie!</div>
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Is this the way you roam</div>
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And mock the sunset gleam?"</div>
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And he marched us straightway home,</div>
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Though we said, "We are only, daddy,</div>
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Singing, 'Will you take me, Paddy?'"</div>
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- Well, we never saw from then</div>
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If we sang there anywhen,</div>
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The soldier dear again,</div>
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Except at night in dream-time,</div>
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Except at night in dream.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Perhaps that soldier's fighting</div>
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In a land that's far away,</div>
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Or he may be idly plighting</div>
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Some foreign hussy gay;</div>
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Or perhaps his bones are whiting</div>
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In the wind to their decay! . . .</div>
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Ah! - does he mind him how</div>
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The girls he saw that day</div>
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On the bridge, were sitting singing</div>
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At the time of curfew-ringing,</div>
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"Take me, Paddy; will you now, dear?</div>
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Paddy, will you now?"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-o=0=o-</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
POETRY PATHWAYS</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i><a href="http://poetrypathways.blogspot.com/">http://poetrypathways.blogspot.com</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902634877966762520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138300069919515521.post-58684405347211863172016-11-19T08:30:00.000+00:002016-11-19T14:48:56.899+00:00<div style="text-align: center;">
THE ROAD TO THE ISLES</div>
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<i>Kenneth Macleod (dates not known)</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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A far croonin' is pullin' me away</div>
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As take I wi' my cromach to the road.</div>
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The far Cuillins are puttin' love on me</div>
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As step I wi' the sunlight for my load.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Sure by Tummel and Loch Rannoch and Lochaber I will go</div>
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By heather tracks wi' heaven in their wiles.</div>
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If it's thinkin' in your inner heart the braggart's in my step,</div>
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You've never smelled the tangle o' the Isles.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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It's by Shiel water the track is to the west</div>
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By Ailort and by Morar to the sea,</div>
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The cool cresses I am thinkin' of for pluck</div>
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And bracken for a wink on Mother´s knee.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The blue islands are pullin' me away</div>
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Their laughter puts the leap upon the lame,</div>
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The blue islands from the Skerries to the Lews</div>
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Wi' heather honey taste upon each name.</div>
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Oh the far Cuillins are puttin' love on me</div>
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As step I wi' my cromach to the Isles.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-o=0=o-<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
POETRY PATHWAYS</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i><a href="http://poetrypathways.blogspot.com/">http://poetrypathways.blogspot.com</a></i></div>
</div>
Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902634877966762520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138300069919515521.post-69221964221090361352016-11-18T08:30:00.000+00:002016-11-18T08:30:05.914+00:00<div style="text-align: center;">
QUIET NIGHT THOUGHTS</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Li Bai 701-62</i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I wake, and moonbeams play around my bed,</div>
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Glittering like hoar-frost to my wandering eyes;</div>
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Up towards the glorious moon I raise my head,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then lay me down - and thoughts of home arise.<br />
<br />
-o=0=o-<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
POETRY PATHWAYS</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i><a href="http://poetrypathways.blogspot.com/">http://poetrypathways.blogspot.com</a></i></div>
</div>
Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902634877966762520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138300069919515521.post-73707557511675692672016-11-17T08:30:00.000+00:002016-11-17T08:30:00.149+00:00<div style="text-align: center;">
A MAGIC MOMENT I REMEMBER</div>
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<i>Alexander Sergeyevich Poushkin 1799-1837</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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A magic moment I remember:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I raised my eyes and you were there,</div>
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A fleeting vision, the quintessence</div>
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Of all that's beautiful and rare.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I pray to mute despair and anguish,</div>
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To pursuits the vain world esteems,</div>
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Long did I hear your soothing accents,</div>
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Long did your features haunt my dreams. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Time passed. A rebel storm-blast scattered</div>
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The reveries that once were mine</div>
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And I forgot your soothing accents,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Your features gracefully divine. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In dark days of enforced retirement</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I gazed upon grey skies above</div>
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With no ideals to inspire me</div>
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No one to cry for, live for, love. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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Then came a moment of renaissance,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I looked up - you again are there</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A fleeting vision, the quintessence</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Of all that's beautiful and rare.</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
POETRY PATHWAYS</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i><a href="http://poetrypathways.blogspot.com/">http://poetrypathways.blogspot.com</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-o=0=o-</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902634877966762520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138300069919515521.post-25099422098792511032016-11-16T08:30:00.000+00:002016-11-16T08:30:12.023+00:00<div style="text-align: center;">
A BIRD FROM THE WEST</div>
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<i>Dora Sigerson Shorter 1866-1918</i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
At the grey dawn, amongst the falling leaves,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A little bird outside my window swung,</div>
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High on a topmost branch he trilled his song,</div>
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And "Ireland! Ireland! Ireland!" ever sung.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Take me, I cried, back to my island home;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sweet bird, my soul shall ride between thy wings;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
For my lone spirit wide his pinions spread,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And home and home and home he ever sings.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We lingered over Ulster stern and wild.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I called: "Arise! doth none remember me?"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
One turnèd in the darkness murmuring,</div>
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"How loud upon the breakers sobs the sea!"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We rested over Connaught – whispering said:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Awake, awake, and welcome! I am here."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
One woke and shivered at the morning grey;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"The trees, I never heard them sigh so drear."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We flew low over Munster. Long I wept:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"You used to love me, love me once again!"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They spoke from out the shadows wondering;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"You'd think of tears, so bitter falls the rain."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Long over Leinster lingered we. "Good-bye!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My best beloved, good-bye for evermore."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sleepless they tossed and whispered to the dawn;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"So sad a wind was never heard before."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Was it a dream I dreamt? For yet there swings</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In the grey morn a bird upon the bough,</div>
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And "Ireland! Ireland! Ireland!" ever sings.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Oh! fair the breaking day in Ireland now.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-o=0=o-</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
POETRY PATHWAYS</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i><a href="http://poetrypathways.blogspot.com/">http://poetrypathways.blogspot.com</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902634877966762520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138300069919515521.post-82383490414954605352016-11-15T08:30:00.000+00:002016-11-15T08:30:04.489+00:00<div style="text-align: center;">
THE HARVEST MOON</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Henry Wadsworth Longfellow 1807-82</i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It is the Harvest Moon! On gilded vanes</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And roofs of villages, on woodland crests</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And their aerial neighbourhoods of nests</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Deserted, on the curtained window-panes</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Of rooms where children sleep, on country lanes</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And harvest-fields, its mystic splendour rests!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Gone are the birds that were our summer guests,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
With the last sheaves return the labouring wains!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
All things are symbols: the external shows</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Of Nature have their image in the mind,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
As flowers and fruits and falling of the leaves;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The song-birds leave us at the summer’s close,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Only the empty nests are left behind,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And pipings of the quail among the sheaves.<br />
<br />
-o=0=o-<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
POETRY PATHWAYS</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i><a href="http://poetrypathways.blogspot.com/">http://poetrypathways.blogspot.com</a></i></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902634877966762520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138300069919515521.post-54047938071094673152016-11-14T08:30:00.000+00:002016-11-14T08:30:02.812+00:00<div style="text-align: center;">
SUNSET</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Florence Peacock (dates not known)</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"The setting sun of old age ever gilds with rosy tints the days gone by."</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The setting sun of life gilds with its rays</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The unforgotten but far distant days,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The days when youth and hope walked hand in hand.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It sheds around the past a rosy glow,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That past which never was a present, though</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
On looking back o'er life it seems to stand</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bathed in a crimson glory, - and old age</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lingers with loving fondness o'er the page</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Thus lighted up by memory's golden rays.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-o=0=o-</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
POETRY PATHWAYS</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i><a href="http://poetrypathways.blogspot.com/">http://poetrypathways.blogspot.com</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902634877966762520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138300069919515521.post-72545425660771685062016-11-13T08:30:00.000+00:002016-11-13T08:30:02.902+00:00THE THOMAS HARDY PAGE<div style="text-align: center;">
AFTER THE FAIR</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The singers are gone from the Cornmarket-place</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
With their broadsheets of rhymes,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The street rings no longer in treble and bass</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
With their skits on the times,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And the Cross, lately thronged, is a dim naked space</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That but echoes the stammering chimes.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
From Clock-corner steps, as each quarter ding-dongs,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Away the folk roam</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
By the "Hart" and Grey's Bridge into byways and drongs,*</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Or across the ridged loam;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The younger ones shrilling the lately heard songs,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The old saying, "Would we were home."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The shy-seeming maiden so mute in the fair</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now rattles and talks,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And that one who looked the most swaggering there</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Grows sad as she walks,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And she who seemed eaten by cankering care</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In statuesque sturdiness stalks.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And midnight clears High Street of all but the ghosts</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Of its buried burghees,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
From the latest far back to those old Roman hosts</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Whose remains one yet sees,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Who loved, laughed, and fought, hailed their friends, drank their toasts</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
At their meeting-times here, just as these!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>*drong = a passageway or lane especially between walls or hedges</i></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
POETRY PATHWAYS</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i><a href="http://poetrypathways.blogspot.com/">http://poetrypathways.blogspot.com</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902634877966762520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138300069919515521.post-73597096321556550632016-11-12T08:30:00.000+00:002016-11-12T08:30:36.878+00:00<div style="text-align: center;">
HALFWAY DOWN</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>A.A. Milne </i><i>1882-1956</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Halfway down the stairs</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Is a stair</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Where I sit.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There isn't any</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Other stair</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Quite like</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm not at the bottom,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm not at the top;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So this is the stair</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Where</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I always</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Stop.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Halfway up the stairs</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Isn't up</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And it isn't down.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It isn't in the nursery,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It isn't in town.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And all sorts of funny thoughts</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Run round my head.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It isn't really</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Anywhere!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's somewhere else</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Instead!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-o=0=o-</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
POETRY PATHWAYS</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i><a href="http://poetrypathways.blogspot.com/">http://poetrypathways.blogspot.com</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902634877966762520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138300069919515521.post-8978233696656618062016-11-11T08:30:00.000+00:002016-11-11T08:30:00.196+00:00<div style="text-align: center;">
THE REDBREAST CHASING THE BUTTERFLY</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>William Wordsworth 1770-1850</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Art thou the bird whom Man loves best,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The pious bird with the scarlet breast,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Our little English Robin;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The bird that comes about our doors</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When Autumn-winds are sobbing?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Art thou the Peter of Norway Boors?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Their Thomas in Finland,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And Russia far inland?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The bird, that by some name or other</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
All men who know thee call their brother,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The darling of children and men?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Could Father Adam open his eyes</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And see this sight beneath the skies,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He'd wish to close them again.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
—If the Butterfly knew but his friend,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hither his flight he would bend;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And find his way to me,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Under the branches of the tree:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In and out, he darts about;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Can this be the bird, to man so good,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That, after their bewildering,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Covered with leaves the little children,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So painfully in the wood?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What ailed thee, Robin, that thou could'st pursue</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A beautiful creature,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That is gentle by nature?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Beneath the summer sky</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
From flower to flower let him fly;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
'Tis all that he wishes to do.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The cheerer Thou of our in-door sadness,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He is the friend of our summer gladness:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What hinders, then, that ye should be</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Playmates in the sunny weather,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And fly about in the air together!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
His beautiful wings in crimson are drest,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A crimson as bright as thine own:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Would'st thou be happy in thy nest,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
O pious Bird! whom man loves best,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Love him, or leave him alone! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-o=0=o-</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
POETRY PATHWAYS</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i><a href="http://poetrypathways.blogspot.com/">http://poetrypathways.blogspot.com</a></i></div>
Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902634877966762520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138300069919515521.post-7796376200490640942016-11-10T08:30:00.000+00:002016-11-10T08:30:16.186+00:00<div style="text-align: center;">
NOVEMBER</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Thomas Hood 1789-1845</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
No sun - no moon! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
No morn - no noon - </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
No dawn - no dusk - no proper time of day. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
No warmth, no cheerfulness, no healthful ease, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
No comfortable feel in any member - </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
No shade, no shine, no butterflies, no bees, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
No fruits, no flowers, no leaves, no birds! - </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
November! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-o=0=o-</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
POETRY PATHWAYS</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i><a href="http://poetrypathways.blogspot.com/">http://poetrypathways.blogspot.com</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902634877966762520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138300069919515521.post-49120361477179960682016-11-09T08:30:00.000+00:002016-11-09T08:30:33.094+00:00<div style="text-align: center;">
O MISTRESS MINE, WHERE ARE YOU ROAMING? <i>(from Twelfth Night)</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>William Shakespeare 1564-1616</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
O mistress mine, where are you roaming? </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
O stay and hear! your true-love's coming </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That can sing both high and low; </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Trip no further, pretty sweeting, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Journey's end in lovers' meeting - </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Every wise man's son doth know. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What is love? 'tis not hereafter; </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Present mirth hath present laughter; </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What's to come is still unsure: </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In delay there lies no plenty - </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then come kiss me, Sweet and twenty, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Youth's a stuff will not endure. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-o=0=o-</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
POETRY PATHWAYS</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i><a href="http://poetrypathways.blogspot.com/">http://poetrypathways.blogspot.com</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902634877966762520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138300069919515521.post-7469811954870789822016-11-08T08:30:00.000+00:002016-11-08T08:30:20.641+00:00<div style="text-align: center;">
QUICK! WE HAVE BUT A SECOND</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Thomas Moore 1779-1852</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Quick! we have but a second,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Fill round the cup while you may;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
For time, the churl, hath beckon'd,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And we must away, away!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Grasp the pleasure that's flying,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
For oh, not Orpheus' strain</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Could keep sweet hours from dying,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Or charm them to life again.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then, quick! we have but a second,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Fill round the cup while you may!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
For Time, the churl hath beckon'd,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And we must away, away.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
See the glass, how it flushes,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Like some young Hebe's lip,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And half meets thine, and blushes</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That thou shouldst delay to sip.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Shame, oh shame unto thee,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If ever thou see'st that day,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When a cup or lip shall woo thee,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And turn untouch'd away!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then, quick! we have but a second,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Fill round, fill round while you may,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
For Time, the churl, hath beckon'd,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And we must away, away!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
POETRY PATHWAYS</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i><a href="http://poetrypathways.blogspot.com/">http://poetrypathways.blogspot.com</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902634877966762520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138300069919515521.post-59374514679440695702016-11-07T08:30:00.000+00:002016-11-07T08:30:13.776+00:00<div style="text-align: center;">
SHE WALKS IN BEAUTY</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>George Gordon, Lord Byron 1788-1824</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She walks in Beauty, like the night </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Of cloudless climes and starry skies; </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And all that's best of dark and bright </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Meet in her aspect and her eyes: </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Thus mellowed to that tender light </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Which Heaven to gaudy day denies.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
One shade the more, one ray the less, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Had half impaired the nameless grace </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Which waves in every raven tress, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Or softly lightens o'er her face; </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Where thoughts serenely sweet express, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And on that cheek, and o'er that brow, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The smiles that win, the tints that glow, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But tell of days in goodness spent, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A mind at peace with all below, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A heart whose love is innocent!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-o=0=o-</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
POETRY PATHWAYS</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i><a href="http://poetrypathways.blogspot.com/">http://poetrypathways.blogspot.com</a></i></div>
Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902634877966762520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138300069919515521.post-42264310367979172892016-11-06T08:30:00.000+00:002016-11-06T08:30:10.450+00:00THE THOMAS HARDY PAGE<div style="text-align: center;">
A NIGHT IN NOVEMBER</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I marked when the weather changed,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And the panes began to quake,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And the winds rose up and ranged,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That night, lying half-awake.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Dead leaves blew into my room,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And alighted upon my bed,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And a tree declared to the gloom</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Its sorrow that they were shed.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
One leaf of them touched my hand,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And I thought that it was you</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There stood as you used to stand,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And saying at last you knew! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-o=0=o-</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
POETRY PATHWAYS</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i><a href="http://poetrypathways.blogspot.com/">http://poetrypathways.blogspot.com</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902634877966762520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138300069919515521.post-77931471479085884972016-11-05T08:30:00.000+00:002016-11-05T08:30:07.126+00:00<div style="text-align: center;">
KEEP A-GOIN'</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Frank L. Stanton 1857-1927</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If you strike a thorn or rose,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Keep a-goin'!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If it hails or if it snows,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Keep a-goin'!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
'Taint no use to sit an' whine</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When the fish ain't on your line;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bait your hook an' keep a-tryin' - </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Keep a-goin'!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When the weather kills your crop,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Keep a-goin'!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Though 'tis work to reach the top,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Keep a-goin'!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
S'pose you're out o' ev'ry dime,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Gittin' broke ain't any crime;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Tell the world you're feelin' prime -</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Keep a-goin'!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When it looks like all is up,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Keep a-goin'!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Drain the sweetness from the cup,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Keep a-goin'!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
See the wild birds on the wing, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hear the bells that sweetly ring,</div>
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When you feel like singin', sing -</div>
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Keep a-goin'!</div>
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POETRY PATHWAYS has been updated today</div>
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-o=0=o-</div>
Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902634877966762520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138300069919515521.post-82336651176613870982016-11-04T08:30:00.000+00:002016-11-04T08:30:03.934+00:00<div style="text-align: center;">
BEN LOMOND</div>
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<i>Thomas Campbell 1777-1844</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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Hadst thou a genius on thy peak,</div>
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What tales, white-headed Ben,</div>
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Could'st thou of ancient ages speak,</div>
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That mock th'historian's pen!</div>
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Thy long duration makes our lives</div>
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Seem but so many hours;</div>
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And likens, to the bees' frail hives,</div>
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Our most stupendous towers.</div>
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<span style="text-align: right;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: right;">Temples and towers thou seest begun,</span></div>
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New creeds, new conquerors sway;</div>
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And, like their shadows in the sun,</div>
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Hast seen them swept away.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Thy steadfast summit, heaven-allied</div>
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(Unlike life's little span),</div>
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Looks down a mentor on the pride</div>
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Of perishable man.</div>
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<br /></div>
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-o=0=o-</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
POETRY PATHWAYS</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i><a href="http://poetrypathways.blogspot.com/">http://poetrypathways.blogspot.com</a></i></div>
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<br /></div>
Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902634877966762520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138300069919515521.post-42843516840322236472016-11-03T08:30:00.000+00:002016-11-03T08:30:10.653+00:00<div style="text-align: center;">
TRUE LOVE</div>
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<i>Anon</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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True love is a sacred flame</div>
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That burns eternally,</div>
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And none can dim its special glow</div>
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Or change its destiny.</div>
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<br /></div>
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True love speaks in tender tones</div>
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And hears with gentle ear,</div>
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True love gives with open heart</div>
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And true love conquers fear.</div>
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True love makes no harsh demands</div>
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It neither rules nor binds,</div>
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And true love holds with gentle hands</div>
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The hearts that it entwines.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-o=0=o-</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
POETRY PATHWAYS</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i><a href="http://poetrypathways.blogspot.com/">http://poetrypathways.blogspot.com</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902634877966762520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138300069919515521.post-22864345094304333102016-11-02T08:30:00.000+00:002016-11-02T08:30:10.348+00:00<div style="text-align: center;">
THE FAIRIES</div>
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<i>William Allingham. 1824–89</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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Up the airy mountain, </div>
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Down the rushy glen, </div>
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We daren't go a-hunting </div>
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For fear of little men; </div>
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Wee folk, good folk, </div>
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Trooping all together; </div>
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Green jacket, red cap, </div>
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And white owl's feather! </div>
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Down along the rocky shore </div>
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Some make their home, </div>
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They live on crispy pancakes </div>
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Of yellow tide-foam; </div>
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Some in the reeds </div>
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Of the black mountain lake, </div>
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With frogs for their watch-dogs, </div>
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All night awake. </div>
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High on the hill-top </div>
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The old King sits; </div>
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He is now so old and grey </div>
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He's nigh lost his wits. </div>
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With a bridge of white mist </div>
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Columbkill he crosses, </div>
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On his stately journeys </div>
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From Slieveleague to Rosses; </div>
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Or going up with music </div>
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On cold starry nights </div>
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To sup with the Queen </div>
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Of the gay Northern Lights. </div>
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<br /></div>
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They stole little Bridget </div>
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For seven years long; </div>
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When she came down again </div>
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Her friends were all gone. </div>
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They took her lightly back, </div>
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Between the night and morrow, </div>
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They thought that she was fast asleep, </div>
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But she was dead with sorrow. </div>
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They have kept her ever since </div>
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Deep within the lake, </div>
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On a bed of flag-leaves, </div>
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Watching till she wake.</div>
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By the craggy hill-side, </div>
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Through the mosses bare, </div>
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They have planted thorn-trees </div>
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For pleasure here and there. </div>
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If any man so daring </div>
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As dig them up in spite, </div>
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He shall find their sharpest thorns </div>
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In his bed at night. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Up the airy mountain, </div>
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Down the rushy glen, </div>
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We daren't go a-hunting </div>
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For fear of little men; </div>
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Wee folk, good folk, </div>
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Trooping all together; </div>
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Green jacket, red cap, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And white owl's feather! </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-o=0=o-</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
POETRY PATHWAYS</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i><a href="http://poetrypathways.blogspot.com/">http://poetrypathways.blogspot.com</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902634877966762520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138300069919515521.post-71534092269279315532016-11-01T08:30:00.000+00:002016-11-01T08:30:34.741+00:00<div style="text-align: center;">
Extract from THE LADDER OF St.AUGUSTINE</div>
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<i>Henry Wadsworth Longfellow 1807-82</i></div>
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We have not wings, we cannot soar;</div>
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But we have feet to scale and climb</div>
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By slow degrees, by more and more,</div>
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The cloudy summits of our time. </div>
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<br /></div>
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The mighty pyramids of stone</div>
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That wedge-like cleave the desert airs,</div>
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When nearer seen, and better known,</div>
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Are but gigantic flights of stairs. </div>
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<br /></div>
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The distant mountains, that uprear</div>
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Their solid bastions to the skies,</div>
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Are crossed by pathways, that appear</div>
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As we to higher levels rise. </div>
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The heights by great men reached and kept</div>
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Were not attained by sudden flight,</div>
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But they, while their companions slept,</div>
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Were toiling upward in the night. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-o=0=o-</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
POETRY PATHWAYS</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i><a href="http://poetrypathways.blogspot.com/">http://poetrypathways.blogspot.com</a></i></div>
Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902634877966762520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138300069919515521.post-81439621776826978512016-10-31T08:30:00.000+00:002016-10-31T08:30:28.047+00:00<div style="text-align: center;">
A PLAIN LIFE</div>
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<i>W.H. Davies 1871-1940</i></div>
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No idle gold - since this fine sun, my friend,</div>
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Is no mean miser, but doth freely spend.</div>
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No precious stones - since these green mornings show,</div>
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Without a charge, their pearls where'er I go.</div>
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No lifeless books - since birds with their sweet tongues</div>
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Will read aloud to me their happier songs.</div>
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No painted scenes - since clouds can change their skies</div>
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A hundred times a day to please my eyes.</div>
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No headstrong wine - since, while I drink, the spring</div>
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Into my eager ears will softly sing.</div>
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No surplus clothes - since every simple beast</div>
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Can teach me to be happy with the least.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-o=0=o-</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
POETRY PATHWAYS</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i><a href="http://poetrypathways.blogspot.com/">http://poetrypathways.blogspot.com</a></i></div>
Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902634877966762520noreply@blogger.com0