(Composed at Clevedon, Somersetshire)
My pensive Sara! thy soft cheek reclined
Thus on mine arm, most soothing sweet it is
To sit beside our Cot, our Cot o'ergrown
With white-flower'd Jasmin, and the broad-leav'd Myrtle,
(Meet emblems they of Innocence and Love!)
And watch the clouds, that late were rich with light,
Slow saddening round, and mark the star of eve
Serenely brilliant (such should Wisdom be)
......
WHEN FATE in ruthless rage assail'd my breast,
And Heaven relentless seal'd the harsh decree;
HOPE, placid soother of the mind distress'd;
To calm my rending sorrowsgave me THEE.
In all the charms of innocence array'd,
'Tis thine to sprinkle patience on my woes;
As from thy voice celestial comfort flows,
Glancing bright lustre o'er each dreary shade.
......
Love is no more.
It died as the mind dies: the pure desire
Relinquishing the blissful form it wore,
The ample joy and clarity expire.
Regret is vain.
Then do not grieve for what you would efface,
The sudden failure of the past, the pain
Of its unwilling change, and the disgrace.
......
Lovers eminent in love
Ever diversities combine;
The vocal chords of the cushat-dove,
The snake's articulated spine.
Such elective elements
Educate the eye and lip
With one's refreshing innocence,
The other's claim to scholarship.
......
When I was a windy boy and a bit
And the black spit of the chapel fold,
(Sighed the old ram rod, dying of women),
I tiptoed shy in the gooseberry wood,
The rude owl cried like a tell-tale tit,
I skipped in a blush as the big girls rolled
Nine-pin down on donkey's common,
And on seesaw sunday nights I wooed
Whoever I would with my wicked eyes,
The whole of the moon I could love and leave
......
Innocence of childhood,
Pure and untouched,
Like a blank canvas,
Waiting to be painted with colors of joy.
Giggles and laughter,
Fill the air with delight,
As little feet run freely,
Chasing after dreams.
......
Why, mummy?
Mummy, why is that man smelly,
In his pop-up little tent.
Where is his pretty little bed?
Mummy, what happened to his arm and face?
Locked into place.
And why is he so sad?
When you can go to fairyland.
......
I’ve been an open book so long
my binding’s come undone
my heart worn on my sleeve so long
I can’t wash out the blood
I walk through life with widened eyes
think everyone’s got Good inside
but if you ask the coroner,
he’ll readily attest
......
black cat in the woods
wide eyed amidst greenery
and the wild chorus
Two kids and a goat...
One’s wearing a coat....
One’s wearing a dress...
Plantation noblesse...
Living life on a farm...
Not causing no harm...
Just enjoying the sun...
Having nothing but fun...
......