Poetry Catalog

My eyes are held wide open by a force beyond me in the smoke, as the fire of truth burns away the lies produced by fear. The human in me assumes the fetal position, in an attempt to preserve whatever defense I have left around my heart. But the thick layer of skin around my pupils ive for so long upheld has burnt into ash, and standing in front of me, I witness the … [Read more...] about A Fire Of Lies, By: Cole Schaafsma

As often as I murmur here My half-formed melodies, Straight from her osier mansion near, The Turtledove replies: Though silent as a leaf before, The captive promptly coos; Is it to teach her own soft lore, Or second my weak Muse? I rather think, the gentle Dove Is murmuring a reproof, Displeased that I from lays of love Have dared to keep aloof; That I, a Bard of hill and … [Read more...] about The Poet And The Caged Turtledove, By: William Wordsworth

Where towers are crushed, and unforbidden weeds O'er mutilated arches shed their seeds; And temples, doomed to milder change, unfold A new magnificence that vies with old; Firm in its pristine majesty hath stood A votive Column, spared by fire and flood:-- And, though the passions of man's fretful race Have never ceased to eddy round its base, Not injured more by touch of … [Read more...] about The Pillar Of Trajan, By: William Wordsworth

A pilgrim, when the summer day Had closed upon his weary way, A lodging begged beneath a castle's roof; But him the haughty Warder spurned; And from the gate the Pilgrim turned, To seek such covert as the field Or heath-besprinkled copse might yield, Or lofty wood, shower-proof. He paced along; and, pensively, Halting beneath a shady tree, Whose moss-grown root might serve for … [Read more...] about The Pilgrim’s Dream; Or The Star And The Glow-Worm, By: William Wordsworth

The pibroch's note, discountenanced or mute; The Roman kilt, degraded to a toy Of quaint apparel for a half-spoilt boy; The target mouldering like ungathered fruit; The smoking steam-boat eager in pursuit, As eagerly pursued; the umbrella spread To weather-fend the Celtic herdsman's head-- All speak of manners withering to the root, And of old honours, too, and passions … [Read more...] about The Pibroch’s Note, Discountenanced Or Mute, By: William Wordsworth