Pied Beauty

Pied Beauty Gerard Manley Hopkins (1844-1889) Overview All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small!  This is about the only hymn I remember from my days at a Church of England primary school, but what a belter. No, I am not looking back on a missed opportunity of becoming a choir singing sensation. […]

The Fly

Little Fly William Blake (1757-1827) Overview Bloody flies, always sitting on our food and making irritating buzzing noises. Squashing or swatting one of these buggers is normally one of the happiest moments of our lives, making us feel like untapped ninja talent, but Blake spoils all this by getting philsophical about it. This poem is […]

Golden Slumbers

Golden Slumbers Thomas Dekker (1598-1632) Overview This is getting easier. Believe it or not, this is a lullaby designed to send a little baby off to the land of nod. It is about one person (mother or father) dealing with all the worries of another so they can be truly relaxed and serene. Context Unfortunately, […]

I Grieve, And Dare Not Show My Discontent

I Grieve, And Dare Not Show My Discontent Sir John Suckling (1609-1642) Overview This poem is about someone having to hide their true emotions, as Queen Elizabeth hides her unhappiness at being unable to marry a potential suitor. However, can also be perceived to be more generally about someone in a role of great responsibility […]

A Mind Content

A Mind Content Robert Greene (1560-1592) Overview Do you have worries? Things that keep you awake at night? Of course you do; exams are coming up oh so quickly! Sorry, shouldn’t joke as I’m sure you’re already irritable and liable to lash out given the slightest provocation. This poem sings the praises of a life […]