Gaily bedight,A gallant knight,In sunshine and in shadow,Had journeyed long,Singing a song,In search of Eldorado. But he grew old—This knight so bold—And o'er his heart a shadowFell as he foundNo spot of groundThat looked like Eldorado. And, as his strengthFailed him at length,He met a pilgrim shadow—"Shadow," said he,"Where can it be—This land of Eldorado?" … Continue reading Poem – “Eldorado”
Poetry
Poem – “The Power of the Dog”
There is sorrow enough in the natural wayFrom men and women to fill our day;And when we are certain of sorrow in store,Why do we always arrange for more?Brothers and Sisters, I bid you bewareOf giving your heart to a dog to tear. Buy a pup and your money will buyLove unflinching that cannot lie—Perfect … Continue reading Poem – “The Power of the Dog”
Poem – “The Three Wise Men”
When Christ was born in BethlehemBeneath a shining starThere came three wise men travellingIn joy to greet their new-born kingWith gifts from countries far. First stepped forth a mighty man,Of the seven hilled Rome,Whose feet on every coast had walked,Whose sword in every land had fought,Whose hand had raised a throne. He said, “An empire … Continue reading Poem – “The Three Wise Men”
Poem – “It Was a Very Good Year”
When I was 17, it was a very good yearIt was a very good year for small town girlsAnd soft summer nightsWe'd hide from the lightsOn the village greenWhen I was 17 When I was 21, it was a very good yearIt was a very good year for city girlsWho lived up the stairsWith all … Continue reading Poem – “It Was a Very Good Year”
Poem – “Christmas”
The bells of waiting Advent ring,The Tortoise stove is lit againAnd lamp-oil light across the nightHas caught the streaks of winter rainIn many a stained-glass window sheenFrom Crimson Lake to Hookers Green. The holly in the windy hedgeAnd round the Manor House the yewWill soon be stripped to deck the ledge,The altar, font and arch … Continue reading Poem – “Christmas”
Poem – “The Nightmare Before Christmas”
It was late one fall in Halloweenland,And the air had quite a chill.Against the moon a skeleton sat,Alone upon a hill. He was tall and thin with a bat bow tie;Jack Skellington was his name.He was tired and bored in Halloweenland -Everything was always the same. "I'm sick of the scaring, the terror, the fright.I'm … Continue reading Poem – “The Nightmare Before Christmas”
Poem – “To Solitude”
O Solitude! if I must with thee dwell,Let it not be among the jumbled heapOf murky buildings: climb with me the steep,—Nature's observatory—whence the dell,In flowery slopes, its river's crystal swell,May seem a span; let me thy vigils keep'Mongst boughs pavilioned, where the deer's swift leapStartles the wild bee from the foxglove bell.But though I'll … Continue reading Poem – “To Solitude”
Poetry – “Prometheus”
Titan! to whose immortal eyes The sufferings of mortality, Seen in their sad reality,Were not as things that gods despise;What was thy pity's recompense?A silent suffering, and intense;The rock, the vulture, and the chain,All that the proud can feel of pain,The agony they do not show,The suffocating sense of woe, Which speaks but in its loneliness,And then is … Continue reading Poetry – “Prometheus”
Poem – “A Psalm of Life”
Tell me not, in mournful numbers,Life is but an empty dream!For the soul is dead that slumbers, And things are not what they seem. Life is real! Life is earnest! And the grave is not its goal;Dust thou art, to dust returnest, Was not spoken of the soul. Not enjoyment, and not sorrow, Is our destined end or way;But … Continue reading Poem – “A Psalm of Life”
Poem – “The Song of the Strange Ascetic”
If I had been a Heathen,I'd have praised the purple vine,My slaves should dig the vineyards,And I would drink the wine.But Higgins is a Heathen,And his slaves grow lean and grey,That he may drink some tepid milkExactly twice a day. If I had been a Heathen,I'd have crowned Neaera's curls,And filled my life with love … Continue reading Poem – “The Song of the Strange Ascetic”