The Arches of the Years
This week’s choice is “The Hound of Heaven” by Francis Thompson.
It is a great poem, written by a man who plumbed the depths of Victorian England and chronicles his struggles with, and discovery of, God’s love.
The Chicken of Hell
This week’s choice is “Vindaloo in Merthyr Tydfil” by Les Murray, a tale of drink-fuelled hubris.
Your Goo or Bod
This week’s choice is Printer’s Error by P.G. Wodehouse, showcasing the agony of an author whose work is muddled by a printer.
No Country For Old Men
This week’s choice is Sailing to Byzantium by W.B. Yeats, a reflection on ageing.
Two Hearts Beating
This week’s choice is Meeting at Night, by Robert Browning. It marks what would have been our 19th wedding anniversary.
Feats of Arms
This week’s choice is “Faithless Nelly Gray” by Thomas Hood, a tour-de-force in double meanings and puns.
So Glad We Agree
This week’s choice is “You Will Be Hearing From Us Shortly” by U.A. Fanthorpe, which evokes the feeling of a hostile job interview.
We are conscious ourselves
Of the need for a candidate with precisely
The right degree of immaturity.
So glad we agree
— U.A. Fanthorpe (1929—2009)
Oh, To Be In England
This week’s choice is “Home Thoughts from Abroad” by Robert Browning which seems appropriate now that April has arrived.
Well-Heeled Poets
World Poetry Day is held every year on 21 March, so I have chosen one of my favourites this week: Wendy Cope’s “Engineers’ Corner”.
The Heart’s Need
This week’s choice is “The Lonely Farmer” by the Reverend R.S. Thomas.