Today's poet

Oooophs! Just noticed this thread is perhaps getting a bit too heavy (where is Freckle when you need her?). So to add some 'upbeat'...

The Example

HERE'S an example from
A Butterfly;
That on a rough, hard rock
Happy can lie;
Friendless and all alone
On this unsweetened stone.
Now let my bed be hard
No care take I;
I'll make my joy like this
Small Butterfly;
Whose happy heart has power
To make a stone a flower.

W.H. Davies

I know Polly-Anna-ish but I'm trying (yeah really trying!!!!):D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Derby Tup

Hes, something that fits the 'alone not lonely' bill:

Happy the man, and happy he alone,
He who can call today his own:
He who, secure within, can say,
Tomorrow do thy worst, for I have lived today.
Be fair or foul or rain or shine
The joys I have posessed, in spite of fate, are mine.
Not Heaven itself upon the past has power,
But what has been, has been, and I have had my hour.

John Dryden Happy the Man

---

Good one DT. I felt like that on Saturday while running the Teesdale / Weardale ridge on hard, very runnable snow, bathed in sunlight for 4 plus hours and 25 miles of bliss, and not another soul in sight, and it lasted...well...certainly to Monday and the return to work:D

Heavy is good now and again.

I'd never heard of WHD before this thread, and now he's one of my favourites.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mossdog

Oooophs! Just noticed this thread is perhaps getting a bit too heavy (where is Freckle when you need her?). So to add some 'upbeat'...

The Example

HERE'S an example from
A Butterfly;
That on a rough, hard rock
Happy can lie;
Friendless and all alone
On this unsweetened stone.
Now let my bed be hard
No care take I;
I'll make my joy like this
Small Butterfly;
Whose happy heart has power
To make a stone a flower.

W.H. Davies

I know Polly-Anna-ish but I'm trying (yeah really trying!!!!):D

---

Valentine by Carol Ann Duffy

Not a red rose or a satin heart.

I give you an onion.
It is a moon wrapped in brown paper
It promises light
like the careful undressing of love.

Here.

It will blind you with tears
like a lover.
It will make your reflection
a wobbling photo of grief

I am trying to be truthful.

Not a cute card or a kissogram.

I give you an onion.
Its fierce kiss will stay on your lips
possessive and faithful
as we are
for as long as we are.

Take it.
Its platinum loops shrink to a wedding-ring
if you like.
Lethal.
Its scent will cling to your fingers
cling to your knife

I know I'm a couple of weeks early but I really like this :p

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mossdog

With this month bearing some unbearable date,
let's not too full enfold that state,
which makes a claim on many a heart,
that at first can seem to gleam so bright,
but leave us then in the coldest night.
So let's just be more circumspect,
and careful of the dreams we may erect,
and more measured in our affect.

Or as John put it more eloquently...

A Lecture upon the Shadow

STAND still, and I will read to thee
A lecture, love, in love's philosophy.
These three hours that we have spent,
Walking here, two shadows went
Along with us, which we ourselves produc'd.
But, now the sun is just above our head,
We do those shadows tread,
And to brave clearness all things are reduc'd.
So whilst our infant loves did grow,
Disguises did, and shadows, flow
From us, and our cares; but now 'tis not so.
That love has not attain'd the high'st degree,
Which is still diligent lest others see.
Except our loves at this noon stay,
We shall new shadows make the other way.
As the first were made to blind
Others, these which come behind
Will work upon ourselves, and blind our eyes.
If our loves faint, and westwardly decline,
To me thou, falsely, thine,
And I to thee mine actions shall disguise.
The morning shadows wear away,
But these grow longer all the day;
But oh, love's day is short, if love decay.
Love is a growing, or full constant light,
And his first minute, after noon, is night.

John Donne

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Mossy you are clever ! ;) i loved your poem and john's isn't half bad either!.....valentine's day ( a bit like christmas) can be a right pain in the proverbial.....and more "measure" would be useful i think!

on a different note i found this nice little poem...like the sentiment...

The Waking

I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.
I feel my fate in what I cannot fear.
I learn by going where I have to go.

We think by feeling. What is there to know?
I hear my being dance from ear to ear.
I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.

Of those so close beside me, which are you?
God bless the Ground! I shall walk softly there,
And learn by going where I have to go.

Light takes the Tree; but who can tell us how?
The lowly worm climbs up a winding stair;
I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.

Great Nature has another thing to do
To you and me, so take the lively air,
And, lovely, learn by going where to go.

This shaking keeps me steady. I should know.
What falls away is always. And is near.
I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.
I learn by going where I have to go.

Theodore Roethke

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Derby Tup

Valentine by Carol Ann Duffy

Not a red rose or a satin heart.

I give you an onion.
It is a moon wrapped in brown paper
It promises light
like the careful undressing of love.

Here.

It will blind you with tears
like a lover.
It will make your reflection
a wobbling photo of grief

I am trying to be truthful.

Not a cute card or a kissogram.

I give you an onion.
Its fierce kiss will stay on your lips
possessive and faithful
as we are
for as long as we are.

Take it.
Its platinum loops shrink to a wedding-ring
if you like.
Lethal.
Its scent will cling to your fingers
cling to your knife

I know I'm a couple of weeks early but I really like this :p

---

Ooooo i do like an onion with a fierce kiss!!!!!...............:D nice one DT!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tri-mind

Honesty ?.

How can i write honestly,
When all i am is a concoction of chemicals,
Put together by the medical fraternity,
Whatever was me left fleeing crying,
Into the vacuum that was called my heart,
Is my poetry the last sole soldier,
Fighting for my soul with all it's might,
Or is this just an induced action,
Created in a laboratory to make me good for society,
I don't know anymore it's too long gone,
So i say prayer and dig the grave,
Of the young boy that was once me,
At least for a fleeting moment,
Cover the casket with soil lay down the hyacinth,
And hope like hell one day he might return,
In all his youth and beauty,
Until then i wait within the prison of my mind.

By Matt Harmston.

---

beautiful and poignant x

Ha ha. I had that one lines up for the day itself. I'll have to find another one now! :)



.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Derby Tup

Valentine by Carol Ann Duffy

Not a red rose or a satin heart.

I give you an onion.
It is a moon wrapped in brown paper
It promises light
like the careful undressing of love.

Here.

It will blind you with tears
like a lover.
It will make your reflection
a wobbling photo of grief

I am trying to be truthful.

Not a cute card or a kissogram.

I give you an onion.
Its fierce kiss will stay on your lips
possessive and faithful
as we are
for as long as we are.

Take it.
Its platinum loops shrink to a wedding-ring
if you like.
Lethal.
Its scent will cling to your fingers
cling to your knife

I know I'm a couple of weeks early but I really like this :p

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Harry H Howgill

Ha ha. I had that one lines up for the day itself. I'll have to find another one now! :)

---

I've got the Poem for the Day book One and its in there. Just seemed appropriate after Mossy's earlier post :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Derby Tup

I've got the Poem for the Day book One and its in there. Just seemed appropriate after Mossy's earlier post :)

---

It is a good one, so no need to wait until then.

Something a little different. Mother in Laws of the past should stay there firm and fast!

Mother-in law of the past
out of touch these 10 years last
called today out of the blue

A moment of panic it was for me
What emergency could this be?
My heart sunk to the bottom of my boots

Are the children injured or ill?
Ex-husband found dead at the bottom of a hill?
But first the pleasantries; always polite

You see mother-in-laws have a reputation to hold
Well at least this is what I'm told!
Does this apply when they are ex?

Perhaps you might be interested to know
the end to this silly little tale of woe
Bear with me, be patient I'm nearly done

All she wanted was my hard earned cash
For golf club membership on my youngest to splash
Of course I say, no problem I'll send a cheque

So be warned if you have an ex mother-in-law
beware the devil with her sharp claw
hide your cheque book and batten down the hatches!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Stef F

Something a little different. Mother in Laws of the past should stay there firm and fast!

Mother-in law of the past
out of touch these 10 years last
called today out of the blue

A moment of panic it was for me
What emergency could this be?
My heart sunk to the bottom of my boots

Are the children injured or ill?
Ex-husband found dead at the bottom of a hill?
But first the pleasantries; always polite

You see mother-in-laws have a reputation to hold
Well at least this is what I'm told!
Does this apply when they are ex?

Perhaps you might be interested to know
the end to this silly little tale of woe
Bear with me, be patient I'm nearly done

All she wanted was my hard earned cash
For golf club membership on my youngest to splash
Of course I say, no problem I'll send a cheque

So be warned if you have an ex mother-in-law
beware the devil with her sharp claw
hide your cheque book and batten down the hatches!

---

Stef your second poem made me laugh out loud!.....tee hee :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by freckle

Stef your second poem made me laugh out loud!.....tee hee :D

---

The old bag :D

I liked your mum poem :)

To My Sons.

Do not take pity on me,
For i have lived a goodly life,
Two strong sons who stride out into the world,
An honest wife who cared,
When I am vexed she soothes my brow,
Take care of her now i am gone,
Know your father is proud,
Live strong and true.

By Matt Harmston.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Derby Tup

Hes, something that fits the 'alone not lonely' bill:

Happy the man, and happy he alone,
He who can call today his own:
He who, secure within, can say,
Tomorrow do thy worst, for I have lived today.
Be fair or foul or rain or shine
The joys I have posessed, in spite of fate, are mine.
Not Heaven itself upon the past has power,
But what has been, has been, and I have had my hour.

John Dryden Happy the Man

---

Great, I really enjoyed this DT, thanks.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Stef F

Something a little different. Mother in Laws of the past should stay there firm and fast!

Mother-in law of the past
out of touch these 10 years last
called today out of the blue

A moment of panic it was for me
What emergency could this be?
My heart sunk to the bottom of my boots

Are the children injured or ill?
Ex-husband found dead at the bottom of a hill?
But first the pleasantries; always polite

You see mother-in-laws have a reputation to hold
Well at least this is what I'm told!
Does this apply when they are ex?

Perhaps you might be interested to know
the end to this silly little tale of woe
Bear with me, be patient I'm nearly done

All she wanted was my hard earned cash
For golf club membership on my youngest to splash
Of course I say, no problem I'll send a cheque

So be warned if you have an ex mother-in-law
beware the devil with her sharp claw
hide your cheque book and batten down the hatches!

---

Tee hee:D:D:D like it Stef.

This has been an excellent night for original work on the thread! It is great to see such range...Stef, yours made me laugh a lot and Freckle's moved me. Going back to reread and appreciate the others.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by tri-mind

To My Sons.

Do not take pity on me,
For i have lived a goodly life,
Two strong sons who stride out into the world,
An honest wife who cared,
When I am vexed she soothes my brow,
Take care of her now i am gone,
Know your father is proud,
Live strong and true.

By Matt Harmston.

---

Strength and Honour;)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Derby Tup

Hes, something that fits the 'alone not lonely' bill:

Happy the man, and happy he alone,
He who can call today his own:
He who, secure within, can say,
Tomorrow do thy worst, for I have lived today.
Be fair or foul or rain or shine
The joys I have posessed, in spite of fate, are mine.
Not Heaven itself upon the past has power,
But what has been, has been, and I have had my hour.

John Dryden Happy the Man

---

Like that Andy, i'm a Happy Man:)

I spent the most perfect day reccying a new arts space opening in Saltburn and talking to some inspirational people before pottering around on the beach for a few hours and driving back past a snow-capped Roseberry Topping. It was one of those truly happy days. I love this poem.

"Sea-Fever"

I must down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,
And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking,
And a grey mist on the sea's face, and a grey dawn breaking.

I must down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

I must down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull's way and the whale's way where the wind's like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over.

By John Masefield (1878-1967).

REGRETS! REGRETS! REGRETS!

Regrets, regrets, regrets
You can never get enough of them
You can’t run from them
You cant’ hide from then
You’ll never have the time to decide
Whether or not it will become one
You’ll end up blowing like a leaf in the wind
You will wither
Wither until you’re gone
Unless you can pick yourself up from the dangerous fall

anthony colon

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Hes

I spent the most perfect day reccying a new arts space opening in Saltburn and talking to some inspirational people before pottering around on the beach for a few hours and driving back past a snow-capped Roseberry Topping. It was one of those truly happy days. I love this poem.

"Sea-Fever"

I must down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,
And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking,
And a grey mist on the sea's face, and a grey dawn breaking.

I must down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

I must down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull's way and the whale's way where the wind's like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over.

By John Masefield (1878-1967).

---

Like that Hes, even get a mention in it.
My Dad had Sea Fever, retired to Wales and lived about 100 yards from the beach, it was a religion to walk down there every night and sit for a while, whatever the weather, Happy Days:)

Life without TV, my kids have lots of books and Roald Dahl DVD's:confused::D

TELEVISION

The most important thing we've learned,
So far as children are concerned,
Is never, NEVER, NEVER let
Them near your television set --
Or better still, just don't install
The idiotic thing at all.
In almost every house we've been,
We've watched them gaping at the screen.
They loll and slop and lounge about,
And stare until their eyes pop out.
(Last week in someone's place we saw
A dozen eyeballs on the floor.)
They sit and stare and stare and sit
Until they're hypnotised by it,
Until they're absolutely drunk
With all that shocking ghastly junk.
Oh yes, we know it keeps them still,
They don't climb out the window sill,
They never fight or kick or punch,
They leave you free to cook the lunch
And wash the dishes in the sink --
But did you ever stop to think,
To wonder just exactly what
This does to your beloved tot?
IT ROTS THE SENSE IN THE HEAD!
IT KILLS IMAGINATION DEAD!
IT CLOGS AND CLUTTERS UP THE MIND!
IT MAKES A CHILD SO DULL AND BLIND
HE CAN NO LONGER UNDERSTAND
A FANTASY, A FAIRYLAND!
HIS BRAIN BECOMES AS SOFT AS CHEESE!
HIS POWERS OF THINKING RUST AND FREEZE!
HE CANNOT THINK -- HE ONLY SEES!
'All right!' you'll cry. 'All right!' you'll say,
'But if we take the set away,
What shall we do to entertain
Our darling children? Please explain!'
We'll answer this by asking you,
'What used the darling ones to do?
'How used they keep themselves contented
Before this monster was invented?'
Have you forgotten? Don't you know?
We'll say it very loud and slow:
THEY ... USED ... TO ... READ! They'd READ and READ,
AND READ and READ, and then proceed
To READ some more. Great Scott! Gadzooks!
One half their lives was reading books!
The nursery shelves held books galore!
Books cluttered up the nursery floor!
And in the bedroom, by the bed,
More books were waiting to be read!
Such wondrous, fine, fantastic tales
Of dragons, gypsies, queens, and whales
And treasure isles, and distant shores
Where smugglers rowed with muffled oars,
And pirates wearing purple pants,
And sailing ships and elephants,
And cannibals crouching 'round the pot,
Stirring away at something hot.
(It smells so good, what can it be?
Good gracious, it's Penelope.)
The younger ones had Beatrix Potter
With Mr. Tod, the dirty rotter,
And Squirrel Nutkin, Pigling Bland,
And Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle and-
Just How The Camel Got His Hump,
And How the Monkey Lost His Rump,
And Mr. Toad, and bless my soul,
There's Mr. Rate and Mr. Mole-
Oh, books, what books they used to know,
Those children living long ago!
So please, oh please, we beg, we pray,
Go throw your TV set away,
And in its place you can install
A lovely bookshelf on the wall.
Then fill the shelves with lots of books,
Ignoring all the dirty looks,
The screams and yells, the bites and kicks,
And children hitting you with sticks-
Fear not, because we promise you
That, in about a week or two
Of having nothing else to do,
They'll now begin to feel the need
Of having something to read.
And once they start -- oh boy, oh boy!
You watch the slowly growing joy
That fills their hearts. They'll grow so keen
They'll wonder what they'd ever seen
In that ridiculous machine,
That nauseating, foul, unclean,
Repulsive television screen!
And later, each and every kid
Will love you more for what you did.

Roald Dahl

And they fight over which channel to watch:rolleyes:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Hes

I spent the most perfect day reccying a new arts space opening in Saltburn and talking to some inspirational people before pottering around on the beach for a few hours and driving back past a snow-capped Roseberry Topping. It was one of those truly happy days. I love this poem.

"Sea-Fever"

I must down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,
And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking,
And a grey mist on the sea's face, and a grey dawn breaking.

I must down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

I must down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull's way and the whale's way where the wind's like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over.

By John Masefield (1878-1967).

---

Your day sounds inspiring Hes and I loved this poem, i'm off to bed soon but it made me think that i will go and hunt down some more sea poems....perhaps tomorrow, a lovely night on here with some great original stuff and introductions to poems and authors i hadn't seen before , lovely!........night all:)

Night freckle:)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by merrylegs

Like that Hes, even get a mention in it.
My Dad had Sea Fever, retired to Wales and lived about 100 yards from the beach, it was a religion to walk down there every night and sit for a while, whatever the weather, Happy Days:)

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I just get stuck into the thread and the phone goes but it was nice to chat to my mate who has finally passed his driving test aged 42! So where were we? My mum sounds like your dad Merry. After Dad died, she moved to Penzance and spends most days by the sea at some point. I am a little obsessed with it myself but seem to have managed to live equidistant between east and west coasts!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by freckle

Your day sounds inspiring Hes and I loved this poem, i'm off to bed soon but it made me think that i will go and hunt down some more sea poems....perhaps tomorrow, a lovely night on here with some great original stuff and introductions to poems and authors i hadn't seen before , lovely!........night all:)

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I have a poetry book called 'The sea, the sea!' could be a good source for tomorrow evenings poems! Night Freckle.x

As someone who doesn't own a tv, I really love the Dahl poem Merry! :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Hes

I just get stuck into the thread and the phone goes but it was nice to chat to my mate who has finally passed his driving test aged 42! So where were we? My mum sounds like your dad Merry. After Dad died, she moved to Penzance and spends most days by the sea at some point. I am a little obsessed with it myself but seem to have managed to live equidistant between east and west coasts!

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Well done your mate, suppose insurance is cheaper if you leave it longer.
Love the sea, but only see it on holidays, not sure what equidistant means, but i live smack- bang in the middle of the country:D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by merrylegs

Well done your mate, suppose insurance is cheaper if you leave it longer.
Love the sea, but only see it on holidays, not sure what equidistant means, but i live smack- bang in the middle of the country:D

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Ha ha...its this poetry thread...it gets me all thesaurused and vocabularised!:D

I only passed my test one and half years ago, had to make do with a bicycle for a year (I was blooming fit but my race times have improved now I no longer cycle to them) and then my motorbike. It is so nice to have a car for some of the time and actually be able to arrive at races intact, with some energy left, warm and on time!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Hes

As someone who doesn't own a tv, I really love the Dahl poem Merry! :)

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Reckon Derby Tup will like it too!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by merrylegs

Reckon Derby Tup will like it too!

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Oh yes...I wonder how that is going? He has been posting some great haikus so maybe he has been out and about more, finding inspiration.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Hes

Ha ha...its this poetry thread...it gets me all thesaurused and vocabularised!:D

I only passed my test one and half years ago, had to make do with a bicycle for a year (I was blooming fit but my race times have improved now I no longer cycle to them) and then my motorbike. It is so nice to have a car for some of the time and actually be able to arrive at races intact, with some energy left, warm and on time!

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Plus it's nice to give it all in a race, knowing you don't have to cycle home.

happiness is found
where the sea meets the sky
and gulls soar between

Quote:

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Originally Posted by merrylegs

Plus it's nice to give it all in a race, knowing you don't have to cycle home.

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Exactly!

I'm off to my bed now Merry, so I'll say goodnight (and I like your new avatar;)).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Hes

Exactly!

I'm off to my bed now Merry, so I'll say goodnight (and I like your new avatar;)).

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Goodnight Hes;)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Hes

happiness is found
where the sea meets the sky
and gulls soar between

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Lovely, and congratulations on becoming a Master Hes;)
Master, Grandmaster
It matters not, what's important
Is to continue to trot

Got to stop these rhyming haiku's:rolleyes:

Not sure i'm doing the correct sillybillies either, maybe nonsense poems are my forte:)

winter daybreak sky
charcoal and scarlet melange
one giant bruise

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Derby Tup

winter daybreak sky
charcoal and scarlet melange
one giant bruise

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Another beauty! Also educational, I had to look up 'melange'.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by merrylegs

Lovely, and congratulations on becoming a Master Hes;)
Master, Grandmaster
It matters not, what's important
Is to continue to trot

Got to stop these rhyming haiku's:rolleyes:

Not sure i'm doing the correct sillybillies either, maybe nonsense poems are my forte:)

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Thanks Merry. I won't let my new status go to my head.;) I like your rhyming haiku:

grandmaster merry
rhyming haiku maverick
wise and funny too