During the next four months I will be studying “The Lady of Shalott,” by Alfred, Lord Tennyson. The first two posts will feature the complete poem alongside artwork and music. The final two posts will be summaries of my research on the background of the poem, its connection to Arthurian legend (also called the Matter of Britain), … Continue reading The Lady of Shalott, by Alfred, Lord Tennyson (Part III & IV)
Category: Poetry
The Lady of Shalott, by Alfred, Lord Tennyson (Part I & II)
During the next four months I will be studying “The Lady of Shalott,” by Alfred, Lord Tennyson. The first two posts will feature the complete poem alongside artwork and music. The final two posts will be summaries of my research on the background of the poem, its connection to Arthurian legend (also called the Matter … Continue reading The Lady of Shalott, by Alfred, Lord Tennyson (Part I & II)
House of Christmas, by G.K. Chesterton (Christmas 2023)
Flight into Egypt, by Henry Ossawa Tanner, 1923 House of Christmasby G.K. Chesterton 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 … Continue reading House of Christmas, by G.K. Chesterton (Christmas 2023)
The Pilgrims, by John McCrae (Remembrance Day 2023)
Gassed, by John Singer Sargent, 1919 The Pilgrimsby John McCrae An uphill path, sun-gleams between the showers, Where every beam that broke the leaden skyLit other hills with fairer ways than ours; Some clustered graves where half our memories lie;And one grim Shadow creeping ever nigh: And this was Life. Wherein we did another's burden … Continue reading The Pilgrims, by John McCrae (Remembrance Day 2023)
Glastonbury, by Geoffrey Bache Smith (Selections)
The most recent Arthurian landmark I researched was Glastonbury Tor. The 20th century poet Geoffrey Bache Smith wrote a poem called “Glastonbury” wherein he relates the coming of Bedivere, “weary and travel-stained and sick at heart,” to the hermit of Glastonbury. The hermit reveals that he was Arthur’s bishop before his court fell apart, whereupon … Continue reading Glastonbury, by Geoffrey Bache Smith (Selections)
“The Hosts of Faery,” translated by Kuno Meyer
Riders of the Sidhe, by John Duncan, 1911 The Hosts of Faerytranslated by Kuno Meyer White shields they carry in their hands,With emblems of pale silver;With glittering blue swords,With mighty stout horns. In well-devised battle array,Ahead of their fair chieftainThey march amid blue spears,Pale-visaged, curly-headed bands. They scatter the battalions of the foe,They ravage every … Continue reading “The Hosts of Faery,” translated by Kuno Meyer
You Came Slow, by Miriam Novotny – A poem for Advent 4 (2022)
Adoration of the Child, by Gerard von Honthorst, circa 1620 You Came Slowby Miriam Novotny You could have come with thunderstroke,With lightning-spikéd wheel-spoke,With cracking whip and blasting horn,On cloud-enshrouded wings of storm.You could have come with cyclone-speedThat rips away the roots of trees,As quick as wind, as fierce as snow,But you came slow. You could … Continue reading You Came Slow, by Miriam Novotny – A poem for Advent 4 (2022)
The Annunciation, by Edwin Muir – A poem for Advent 2 (2022)
Annunciation, by Leonardo da Vinci, circa 1472 The Annunciationby Edwin Muir The angel and the girl are met.Earth was the only meeting place.For the embodied never yetTravelled beyond the shore of space. The eternal spirits in freedom go.See, they have come together, see,While the destroying minutes flow,Each reflects the other’s faceTill heaven in hers and … Continue reading The Annunciation, by Edwin Muir – A poem for Advent 2 (2022)
In Flanders Fields, by John McCrae (Remembrance Day 2022)
Hier ruht, by Willy Werner, c. 1922 In Flanders Fieldsby John McCrae In Flanders fields the poppies blowBetween the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, flyScarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days agoWe lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, … Continue reading In Flanders Fields, by John McCrae (Remembrance Day 2022)
The Poet’s Song, by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
The Poet’s Songby Alfred, Lord Tennyson The rain had fallen, the Poet arose, He passed by the town and out of the street,A bright wind blew from the gates of the sun, And waves of wind went over the wheat,And he sat him down in a lonely place, And chanted a melody loud and sweet,That … Continue reading The Poet’s Song, by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Remembered Lore 