Explore poems from our collection
With A Painted Ribbon
With A Painted Ribbon LITTLE leaves and flow'rets too, Scatter we with gentle hand, Kind young spring-gods to the view, Sporting on an airy band. Zephyr, bear it on the wing,…
Sick Room
Sick Room How quiet It is in this sick room Where on the bed A silent woman lies between two lovers- Life and Death, And all three covered with a sheet of pain.
Adieu To A Solider
Adieu To A Solider ADIEU, O soldier! You of the rude campaigning, (which we shared,) The rapid march, the life of the camp, The hot contention of opposing fronts--the long mano…
Thought-Magnets
Thought-Magnets With each strong thought, with every earnest longing For aught thou deemest needful to thy soul, Invisible vast forces are set thronging Between thee and that g…
Interim
Interim The room is full of you!—As I came in And closed the door behind me, all at once A something in the air, intangible, Yet stiff with meaning, struck my senses sick!— Sh…
Initial Love
Initial Love Venus, when her son was lost, Cried him up and down the coast, In hamlets, palaces, and parks, And told the truant by his marks, Golden curls, and quiver, and bow;—…
The Fitful Alternations of the Rain
The Fitful Alternations of the Rain The fitful alternations of the rain, When the chill wind, languid as with pain Of its own heavy moisture, here and there Drives through the g…
The Optimist
The Optimist The fields were bleak and sodden. Not a wing Or note enlivened the depressing wood, A soiled and sullen, stubborn snowdrift stood Beside the roadway. Winds came mu…
Over the fence
Over the fence 251 Over the fenceStrawberries- grow- Over the fence- I could climb-if I tried, I know- Berries are nice! But-if I stained my Apron- God would certainly scold!…
Picture-Books in Winter
Picture-Books in Winter Summer fading, winter comes-- Frosty mornings, tingling thumbs, Window robins, winter rooks, And the picture story-books. Water now is turned to stone Nu…
Daybreak. (Birds Of Passage. Flight The First)
Daybreak. (Birds Of Passage. Flight The First) A wind came up out of the sea, And said, 'O mists, make room for me.' It hailed the ships, and cried, 'Sail on, Ye mariners, the…
Robin's Mistake
Robin's Mistake What do you think Red Robin Found by a mow of hay? Why, a flask brimful of liquor, That the mowers brought that day To slake their thirst in the hayfield. And R…
Arcturus is his other name
"Arcturus" is his other name 70 "Arcturus" is his other nameI'd rather call him "Star." It's very mean of Science To go and interfere! I slew a worm the other day- A "Savant"…
After-Sensations
After-Sensations WHEN the vine again is blowing, Then the wine moves in the cask; When the rose again is glowing, Wherefore should I feel oppress'd? Down my cheeks run tears a…
Infant Sorrow
Infant Sorrow My mother groaned, my father wept, Into the dangerous world I leapt; Helpless, naked, piping loud, Like a fiend hid in a cloud. Struggling in my father's hands, St…
Staying at an inn
Staying at an inn Staying at an inn where prostitutes are also sleeping-- bush clover and the moon. Translated by Robert Hass
Sonnet: Beauty Of Her Face
Sonnet: Beauty Of Her Face For certain he hath seen all perfectness Who among other ladies hath seen mine: They that go with her humbly should combine To thank their God for su…
Where Be Ye Going, You Devon Maid?
Where Be Ye Going, You Devon Maid? WHERE be ye going, you Devon maid? And what have ye there i' the basket? Ye tight little fairy, just fresh from the dairy, Will ye give me so…
Ephemera
Ephemera 'YOUR eyes that once were never weary of mine Are bowed in sotrow under pendulous lids, Because our love is waning.' And then She: 'Although our love is waning, let us…
The Spanish Needle
The Spanish Needle Lovely dainty Spanish needle With your yellow flower and white, Dew bedecked and softly sleeping, Do you think of me to-night? Shadowed by the spreading man…
The Vain King
The Vain King In robes of Tyrian blue the King was drest, A jewelled collar shone upon his breast, A giant ruby glittered in his crown ----- Lord of rich lands and many a splen…
Fairy Land ii
Fairy Land ii YOU spotted snakes with double tongue, Thorny hedgehogs, be not seen; Newts and blind-worms, do no wrong; Come not near our fairy queen. Philomel, with melody,…
Claribel
Claribel Where Claribel low-lieth The breezes pause and die, Letting the rose-leaves fall: But the solemn oak-tree sigheth, Thick-leaved, ambrosial, With an ancient melody Of a…
Autumn moonlight
Autumn moonlight Autumn moonlight-- a worm digs silently into the chestnut. Translated by Robert Hass