A Poem a Day Series 2019 – Day 30

Remember Christina Rossetti, 1830 - 1894 Remember me when I am gone away, Gone far away into the silent land; When you can no more hold me by the hand, Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay. Remember me when no more day by day You tell me of our future that you planned: Only remember …

A Poem a Day Series 2019 – Day 29

Let the Light Enter Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, 1825 - 1911 The dying words of Goethe. “Light! more light! the shadows deepen,    And my life is ebbing low, Throw the windows widely open:    Light! more light! before I go.” “Softly let the balmy sunshine    Play around my dying bed, E’er the dimly lighted valley   …

A Poem a Day Series 2019 – Day 28

April 28th marks the observation of National Great Poetry Reading Day. Not from the stars do I my judgment pluck (Sonnet 14) William Shakespeare, 1564 - 1616 Not from the stars do I my judgment pluck, And yet methinks I have astronomy; But not to tell of good or evil luck, Of plagues, of dearths, or seasons’ quality; Nor can …

A Poem a Day Series 2019 – Day 27

Song John Rollin Ridge, 1827 - 1867 I saw her once—her eye’s deep light Fell on my spirit’s deeper night, The only beam that e’er illumed Its shadows drear. The glance was slight, But oh, what softness it assumed! I saw her twice—her glance again Lit up its fire within my brain; My thoughts leaped up, like lightning …

A Poem a Day Series 2019 – Day 26

National Arbor Day is celebrated every year on the last Friday in April; it is a civic holiday in Nebraska. Winter Branches Margaret Widdemer When winter-time grows weary, I lift my eyes on high And see the black trees standing, stripped clear against the sky; They stand there very silent, with the cold flushed sky behind, …

A Poem a Day Series 2019 – Day 25

On Reason and Passion Kahlil Gibran, 1883 - 1931 And the priestess spoke again and said: Speak to us of Reason and Passion. And he answered, saying: Your soul is oftentimes a battlefield, upon which your reason and your judgement wage war against your passion and your appetite. Would that I could be the peacemaker in your soul, …

A Poem a Day Series 2019 – Day 24

Your Name Winifred M. Letts, 1882 - 1972 When I can dare at last to speak your name It shall not be with hushed and reverent speech As if your spirit were beyond the reach Of homely merry things, kind jest or game. Death shall not hide you in some jewelled shrine Nor set you in marmoreal pomp …

A Poem a Day Series 2019 – Day 23

April 23 is Lover's Day, a day to celebrate your significant other and let them know how much they mean to you. Rain Jean Starr Untermeyer I have always hated the rain, And the gloom of grayed skies. But now I think I must always cherish Rain-hung leaf and the misty river; And the friendly screen of dripping green …

A Poem a Day Series 2019 – Day 22

Earth Day is an annual event celebrated on April 22. A Moment’s Interlude Richard Aldington, 1892 - 1962 One night I wandered alone from my comrades’ huts; The grasshoppers chirped softly In the warm misty evening; Bracken fronds beckoned from the darkness With exquisite frail green fingers; The tree gods muttered affectionately about me, And from the distance came the …

A Poem a Day Series 2019 – Day 21

Donal Og Isabella Augusta, Lady Gregory Translated from an anonymous eighth-century Irish poem It is late last night the dog was speaking of you; the snipe was speaking of you in her deep marsh. It is you are the lonely bird through the woods; and that you may be without a mate until you find …