O Captain! my Captain! our fearful trip is done,The ship has weather’d every rack, the prize we sought is won,The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring; But O heart! heart! heart! O the bleeding drops of red, Where on the … Continue reading Poem – “O Captain! My Captain!”
Poetry
Poetry – “The Land of Nod”
From breakfast on through all the dayAt home among my friends I stay;But every night I go abroadAfar into the land of Nod. All by myself I have to go,With none to tell me what to do—All alone beside the streamsAnd up the mountain-sides of dreams. The strangest things are there for me,Both things to … Continue reading Poetry – “The Land of Nod”
Poem – “A Land Without Ruins”
"A land without ruins is a land without memories --a land without memories is a land without history.A land that wears a laurel crown may be fair to see;but twine a few sad cypress leaves around the brow of any land,and be that land barren, beautiless and bleak, it becomes lovelyin its consecrated coronet of … Continue reading Poem – “A Land Without Ruins”
Poem – “Nemesis”
Thro’ the ghoul-guarded gateways of slumber,Past the wan-moon’d abysses of night,I have liv’d o’er my lives without number,I have sounded all things with my sight;And I struggle and shriek ere the daybreak, being driven to madness with fright. I have whirl’d with the earth at the dawning,When the sky was a vaporous flame;I have seen … Continue reading Poem – “Nemesis”
Poem – “Piano Man”
It's nine o'clock on a SaturdayThe regular crowd shuffles inThere's an old man sittin' next to meMakin' love to his tonic and gin He says, "Son can you play me a memory?I'm not really sure how it goesBut it's sad and it's sweet and I knew it completeWhen I wore a younger man's clothes" La, … Continue reading Poem – “Piano Man”
Poem – “No Way to Stop It”
Elsa:You dear, attractive, dewy-eyed idealist—Today you have to learn to be a realist! Max:You may be bent on doing deeds of derring-do,But up against a shark what can a herring do? Elsa:Be wise, compromise! Captain:Compromise and be wise. Elsa:Let them think you’re on their side,Be noncommital. Captain:I will not bow my head to the men … Continue reading Poem – “No Way to Stop It”
Poem – “The Sleeping Beauty”
I.Year after year unto her feet, The while she slumbereth alone,Over the purpled coverlet The maiden's jetblack hair hath grown,On either side her trancéd form Forthstreaming from a braid of pearl;The slumbrous light is rich and warm, And moves not on the rounded curl. II.The silk starbraided coverlidUnto her limbs itself doth mouldLanguidly ever, and amidHer full black ringlets … Continue reading Poem – “The Sleeping Beauty”
Poem – “Recessional”
God of our fathers, known of old,Lord of our far-flung battle-line,Beneath whose awful Hand we holdDominion over palm and pineLord God of Hosts be with us yet,Lest we forget - lest we forget! The tumult and the shouting dies;The Captains and the Kings depart:Still stands Thine ancient sacrifice,An humble and a contrite heart.Lord God of … Continue reading Poem – “Recessional”
Poem – “Christmas” (Repost)
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” (Repost)
Poetry – “Christmas Poem”
There fared a mother driven forthOut of an inn to roam;In the place where she was homelessAll men are at home.The crazy stable close at hand,With shaking timber and shifting sand,Grew a stronger thing to abide and standThan the square stones of Rome. For men are homesick in their homes,And strangers under the sun,And they … Continue reading Poetry – “Christmas Poem”
Serpent's Den 