1639
A poem of nostalgia tinged with regret.
Thomas Hood is better known for his humorous verse; this is a poignant little reflection on childhood innocence lost.
Picture: © Pauline E, Geograph. Licence: CC-BY-SA 2.0.. Source.
Posted January 17 2015
1640
In Coleridge’s epic poem, the Ancient Mariner, amid the horrors of a ship of dead men, sees a sight both beautiful and surreal.
The Ancient Mariner has wantonly killed an albatross, and brought death and destruction on his ship. Surrounded now by the dead bodies of the crew, a new and ghostly sight meets his eyes.
Picture: US National Archives and Records Administration, via Wikimedia Commons. Public domain image.. Source.
Posted January 17 2015
1641
Humorist Thomas Hood obviously didn’t like to see the nights drawing in
November weather isn’t always as miserable as Hood makes out. But the sun doesn’t rise until half-past seven in the morning, and it sets just after four o’clock, so the days are a little short.
Picture: © Lewis Clarke, Geograph. Licence: CC-BY-SA 2.0.. Source.
Posted January 17 2015
1642
The glory of political power soon passes away.
Percy Bysshe Shelley wrote this poem in friendly competition with fellow-poet Horace Smith. Ozymandias is an ancient Greek name for Egyptian Pharaoh Ramesses II (1279-1213 BC).
Picture: © Hajor, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC-BY-SA 3.0.. Source.
Posted January 17 2015
1643
The poet reflects on the obscure lives that most of us lead.
We find in a churchyard people who had the same talents as the great figures of English history and poetry, but not their chance to achieve fame.
Picture: © Stephen McKay, Geograph. Licence: CC-BY-SA 2.0.. Source.
Posted January 17 2015