Category Archives: Poetry

In the end, it’s misleading, and perhaps false, to speak of reviews as ‘negative’ or ‘positive’. A good review should contain both elements, judiciously balanced. We live in an age of shameless puffery. A good critic, a just judge, will resist this. But let’s face it: in the case of poetry (and of the novel,Continue reading “True criticism”

Lord, if I preferred the fine degrees Of Thy justice to the antipodes Of mercy, count it not a fault. Judgment may not with love’s vehemence assault Thy multiple mansion, yet count me, Count me among the just. Count me with those who must renounce a mind Confined By its own infinity. The pollen ofContinue reading “A Private Prayer of the Rev. Blacklock”

Whose woods these are I think I know. His house is in the village though; He will not see me stopping here To watch his woods fill up with snow. My little horse must think it queer To stop without a farmhouse near Between the woods and frozen lake The darkest evening of the year.Continue reading “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening”

Breathe on me, Breath of God,       Fill me with life anew, That I may love what Thou dost love,       And do what Thou would’st do. Breath on me, Breath of God,       Until my heart is pure, Until with Thee I will one will,       To do and to endure. Breathe on me, Breath of God,       BlendContinue reading ““Spiritus Dei””

They have brought gold and spices to my King,       Incense and precious stuffs and ivory; O holy Mother mine, what can I bring       That so my Lord may deign to look on me? They sing a sweeter song than I can sing,       All crowned and glorified exceedingly: I, bound on earth, weep for my trespassing,–Continue reading “All Saints”

How did she come here, when it was new and sparkling, White and immaculate against the huge and spongy cliffs, The great Queen, how did she come, in the cool of winter, To review her voyages, perhaps, or admire her politics? Not like the tourist, with his camera and serious weary step, Not like theContinue reading “Deir El Bahari: Temple of Hatshepsut”

I despise them. Enough said.

I watched a rosebud very long      Brought on by dew and sun and shower,      Waiting to see the perfect flower : Then, when I thought it should be strong,      It opened at the matin hour And fell at evensong. I watched a nest from day to day      A green nest full of pleasant shade,      WhereinContinue reading “Symbols”

Athirst in soul for truth and grace In desert gloom I walked alone, And there a six-winged seraph shone Upon the night before my face. He touched my eyes with fingers light And soft as sleep at eventide; My eyes became with vision wide, Alarmed as eagles in the night. He touched my ears, IContinue reading “The Prophet”

I remember when I was a kid riding in the back of the station wagon telling my little brother that I had the moon on a string and I gave the string to him. I still love you, brother.