[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Collected Poems of John Shaw Neilson (1934).] The Lad Who Started Out October and the shining air put wondrous thoughts in him; And he could fight and climb and ride, and he could shoot and swim: The baby was … [Read more...] about The Lad Who Started Out [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
year1934
Half a Life Back [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Collected Poems of John Shaw Neilson (1934).] Half a Life Back Half a life back now the faces careworn or sunny, Stare as we knew them, patient with heavy goodbyes; Yet they give still the good warmth and the … [Read more...] about Half a Life Back [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
Lament for Early Buttercups [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Collected Poems of John Shaw Neilson (1934).] Lament for Early Buttercups The lambs are white and lavender, the frost is with the moon, The mushrooms go to God and say they cannot die so soon: Oh, they would see … [Read more...] about Lament for Early Buttercups [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
So Sweet a Mouth Had She [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Collected Poems of John Shaw Neilson (1934).] So Sweet a Mouth Had She Her eyes foretold of happiness As grapes foretell of wine: Her feet were as the lights that fall In greeneries divine. Her forehead seemed … [Read more...] about So Sweet a Mouth Had She [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
He Sold Himself to the Daisies [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Collected Poems of John Shaw Neilson (1934).] He Sold Himself to the Daisies He stayed too long in the sunlight, He was so thin and shy, He sold himself to the daisies When no one strove to buy. They called … [Read more...] about He Sold Himself to the Daisies [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
The Child Being There [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Collected Poems of John Shaw Neilson (1934).] The Child Being There She will be looking at all the bright shops in the town, Some like the sunrise, and some like the sun going down: — “Such lights,” she says, “are … [Read more...] about The Child Being There [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
Love in Absence [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Collected Poems of John Shaw Neilson (1934).] Love in Absence When thou art gone but a little way I am in a cold fear: The day like a long sickness is, And I count the moon a year. When thou art gone but a … [Read more...] about Love in Absence [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
The Flight of the Weary [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Collected Poems of John Shaw Neilson (1934).] The Flight of the Weary Your feet have been made for the fairies: Your seventeen sorrows are there: The moonlight has been with the sunlight And both have misgoverned … [Read more...] about The Flight of the Weary [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
The Moon was Seven Days Down [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Collected Poems of John Shaw Neilson (1934).] The Moon was Seven Days Down “Peter!” she said, “the clock has struck At one and two and three; You sleep so sound, and the lonesome hours They seem so black to … [Read more...] about The Moon was Seven Days Down [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
The Hen in the Bushes [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Collected Poems of John Shaw Neilson (1934).] The Hen in the Bushes Call me the man seeing Too much in air: Low by the little hen Love it is there. Winds of the Summer, The red, the unkind, Tilt at her … [Read more...] about The Hen in the Bushes [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
Colour Yourself for a Man [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Collected Poems of John Shaw Neilson (1934).] Colour Yourself for a Man The seers may chasten; the fools may bid the waters dance uphill; The seers may sorrow that little of all in the world can heed their … [Read more...] about Colour Yourself for a Man [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
The Irish Welcome [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Collected Poems of John Shaw Neilson (1934).] The Irish Welcome All the good drinks are unworthy! No food is too fine! (Though you did hate them, you love them: you cannot decline). Angels are with you! and ten … [Read more...] about The Irish Welcome [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
April Weather [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Collected Poems of John Shaw Neilson (1934).] April Weather How long — but, nay! it is not long Since we two chirped together: And, oh! we spoke unwittingly, And it was April weather. The sun did seem as one … [Read more...] about April Weather [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
The Blue Wren in the Hop-Bush [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Collected Poems of John Shaw Neilson (1934).] The Blue Wren in the Hop-Bush His home is in the wild hop, in brown and lemon green, And all the orange followers of gold that come between: He often says, to mock me, … [Read more...] about The Blue Wren in the Hop-Bush [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
Those Shaded Eyes [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Collected Poems of John Shaw Neilson (1934).] Those Shaded Eyes Eyes of a damsel In the ungoverned Spring Would send me the long roads Adventuring! Reason the unwelcome As a coward cries, “Look not too long … [Read more...] about Those Shaded Eyes [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
To an Early-Flowering Almond [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Collected Poems of John Shaw Neilson (1934).] To an Early-Flowering Almond Gowned as a bride thou art Caught with the glow, Giving with ruddy heart Blood to the snow. Thou hast come in to make Dreams to the … [Read more...] about To an Early-Flowering Almond [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
Stony Town [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Collected Poems of John Shaw Neilson (1934).] Stony Town If ever I go to Stony Town, I’ll go as to a fair, With bells and men and a dance-girl with the heat-wave in her hair: I’ll ask the birds that live on the … [Read more...] about Stony Town [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
Green Lover [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Collected Poems of John Shaw Neilson (1934).] Green Lover “Froggie was caught while crossing a brook: A lily-white duck came and gobbled him up.” Old Rhyme. Ghosts in plenty about the world Step lightly here … [Read more...] about Green Lover [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
Out to the Green Fields [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Collected Poems of John Shaw Neilson (1934).] Out to the Green Fields Here there is crying, cruelty, every tone: Cruel is iron, and where is the pity in stone? The ancient tyrannies tower, they cannot yield: Let … [Read more...] about Out to the Green Fields [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
The Sweetening of the Year [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Collected Poems of John Shaw Neilson (1934).] The Sweetening of the Year When old birds strangely-hearted strive to sing and young birds face the Great Adventuring: When manna from the Heaven-appointed … [Read more...] about The Sweetening of the Year [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
The Birds Go By [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Collected Poems of John Shaw Neilson (1934).] The Birds Go By Westward at even . . . yet never, never to die! Surely they live as ever the laugh and the sigh: After the fight and the fall, the defeat of the … [Read more...] about The Birds Go By [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
The Magpie in the Moonlight [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Collected Poems of John Shaw Neilson (1934).] The Magpie in the Moonlight Gold he has poured out and silver on this tent of mine: He leaves in the last of the moonlight his song without wine. Sable and … [Read more...] about The Magpie in the Moonlight [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
Ride Him Away [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Collected Poems of John Shaw Neilson (1934).] Ride Him Away Now that I weary, lad o’ my heart, I will not say that the sun is cold — The days go heavily, joys depart, The feet can never be quite so bold — But … [Read more...] about Ride Him Away [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
The Woman of Ireland [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Collected Poems of John Shaw Neilson (1934).] The Woman of Ireland It was a woman of Ireland in old days I knew Being far down was embittered — her little voice grew Loaded with all the sweet honey and having love … [Read more...] about The Woman of Ireland [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
Show Me the Song [poem by John Shaw Neilson]
[Editor: This poem by John Shaw Neilson was published in Collected Poems of John Shaw Neilson (1934).] Show Me the Song It is of Love and lovers — all the old dream in me — Weary am I of Hate and Pride and its finery: Summer is soon behind and the Autumn stays not … [Read more...] about Show Me the Song [poem by John Shaw Neilson]