November
November
Original Text
Bell, Julian. Work from the Winter and Other Poems. London: Hogarth Press, 1936: 56.
1The seeds we sowed a year ago
2Bring in their harvest now:
3A pleasing straw to those who know
4They must forsake the plough.
5God speed the plough! And broad and even
6Drive on an honest furrow straight:
7The schoolmasters of Carlyle's heaven
8Give prizes at the honours gate.
9But who from serious tasks would turn
10Race with wind, or play with fire,
11Contempt from honest men shall earn,
12Emptiness from all desire.
13And who with blistered hands turns back
14Shall hear the blackbird chacking dark,
15When at his shoulder, endless black,
16Cold fogs obliterate his mark.
17In jubilation bonfires blaze:
18So well entrenched the dragon's teeth
19We broadcast, Caesar's self shall praise
20The cenotaphs we lie beneath.
RPO poem Editors
Ian Lancashire, assisted by Ana Berdinskikh
RPO Edition
2009
Rhyme
Form