Batter my heart, three-person'd God, for youAs yet but knock, breathe, shine, and seek to mend;That I may rise and stand, o'erthrow me, and bendYour force to break, blow, burn, and make me new.I, like an usurp'd town to another due,Labor to admit you, but oh, to no end;Reason, your viceroy in me, me should … Continue reading Poem – “Batter My Heart, Three-Person’d God”
Poetry
Poem – “The Past
The debt is paid,The verdict said,The Furies laid,The plague is stayed,All fortunes made;Turn the key and bolt the door,Sweet is death forevermore.Nor haughty hope, nor swart chagrin,Nor murdering hate, can enter in.All is now secure and fast;Not the gods can shake the Past;Flies-to the adamantine doorBolted down forevermore.None can re-enter there,—No thief so politic,No Satan … Continue reading Poem – “The Past
Poem – “Ruler of the Queen’s Navy”
When I was a lad I served a termAs office boy to an Attorney's firm.I cleaned the windows and I swept the floor,And I polished up the handle of the big front door. I polished up that handle so carefullyThat now I am the Ruler of the Queen's Navy! As office boy I made such … Continue reading Poem – “Ruler of the Queen’s Navy”
Poem – “The Three Wise Men” (Repost)
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” (Repost)
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)
Poem – “The Stream is Shrunk”
The stream is shrunk—the pool is dry,And we be comrades, thou and I;With fevered jowl and dusty flankEach jostling each along the bank;And, by one drouthy fear made still,Forgoing thought of quest or kill.Now 'neath his dam the fawn may seeThe lean Pack-wolf as cowed as he,And the tall buck, unflinching, noteThe fangs that tore … Continue reading Poem – “The Stream is Shrunk”
Poetry – “Hymn” (Repost)
At morn- at noon- at twilight dim- Maria! thou hast heard my hymn! In joy and woe- in good and ill- Mother of God, be with me still! When the hours flew brightly by, And not a cloud obscured the sky, My soul, lest it should truant be, Thy grace did guide to thine and … Continue reading Poetry – “Hymn” (Repost)
Poem – “The Destruction of Sennacherib”
The Assyrian came down like the wolf on the fold,And his cohorts were gleaming in purple and gold;And the sheen of their spears was like stars on the sea,When the blue wave rolls nightly on deep Galilee. Like the leaves of the forest when Summer is green,That host with their banners at sunset were seen:Like … Continue reading Poem – “The Destruction of Sennacherib”
Poem – “Background” (repost)
(Because yesterday was my birthday, and this one seems fitting) I never can be tied to raw, new things,For I first saw the light in an old town,Where from my window huddled roofs sloped downTo a quaint harbour rich with visionings.Streets with carved doorways where the sunset beamsFlooded old fanlights and small window-panes,And Georgian steeples … Continue reading Poem – “Background” (repost)
Poem – “My Boy Jack”
"Have you news of my boy Jack? "Not this tide."When d'you think that he'll come back?"Not with this wind blowing, and this tide. "Has any one else had word of him?"Not this tide.For what is sunk will hardly swim,Not with this wind blowing, and this tide. "Oh, dear, what comfort can I find?"None this tide,Nor … Continue reading Poem – “My Boy Jack”
Serpent's Den 