All Poems

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Long Distance I

© Tony Harrison

Them sweets you brought me, you can have 'em back.
Ah'm diabetic now. Got all the facts.
(The diabetes comes hard on the track
of two coronaries and cataracts.)

I thought it made me look more 'working class'
(as if a bit of chequered cloth could bridge that gap!)
I did a turn in it before the glass.
My mother said: It suits you, your dad's cap.
(She preferred me to wear suits and part my hair:
You're every bit as good as that lot are!)

Book Ends

© Tony Harrison

Back in our silences and sullen looks,
for all the Scotch we drink, what's still between 's
not the thirty or so years, but books, books, books.

Where bells no more affright the morn

© Emily Dickinson

Where bells no more affright the morn --
Where scrabble never comes --
Where very nimble Gentlemen
Are forced to keep their rooms --

When I count the seeds

© Emily Dickinson

When I count the seeds
That are sown beneath,
To bloom so, bye and bye --

The Missing All -- prevented Me

© Emily Dickinson

The Missing All -- prevented Me
From missing minor Things.
If nothing larger than a World's
Departure from a Hinge --

Reverse cannot befall

© Emily Dickinson

Reverse cannot befall
That fine Prosperity
Whose Sources are interior --
As soon -- Adversity

One need not be a Chamber -- to be Haunted --

© Emily Dickinson

One need not be a Chamber -- to be Haunted --
One need not be a House --
The Brain has Corridors -- surpassing
Material Place --

Your thoughts don't have words every day

© Emily Dickinson

Your thoughts don't have words every day
They come a single time
Like signal esoteric sips
Of the communion Wine

Your Riches -- taught me -- Poverty.

© Emily Dickinson

Your Riches -- taught me -- Poverty.
Myself -- a Millionaire
In little Wealths, as Girls could boast
Till broad as Buenos Ayre --

You've seen Balloons set -- Haven't You?

© Emily Dickinson

You've seen Balloons set -- Haven't You?
So stately they ascend --
It is as Swans -- discarded You,
For Duties Diamond --

You're right -- "the way is narrow"

© Emily Dickinson

You're right -- "the way is narrow" --
And "difficult the Gate" --
And "few there be" -- Correct again --
That "enter in -- thereat" --

You'll know it -- as you know 'tis Noon

© Emily Dickinson

You'll know it -- as you know 'tis Noon --
By Glory --
As you do the Sun --
By Glory --
As you will in Heaven --
Know God the Father -- and the Son.

You'll know Her -- by Her Foot --

© Emily Dickinson

You'll know Her -- by Her Foot --
The smallest Gamboge Hand
With Fingers -- where the Toes should be --
Would more affront the Sand --

You'll find -- it when you try to die --

You'll find -- it when you try to die --
The Easier to let go --
For recollecting such as went --
You could not spare -- you know.

You taught me Waiting with Myself --

You taught me Waiting with Myself --
Appointment strictly kept --
You taught me fortitude of Fate --
This -- also -- I have learnt --

You see I cannot see -- your lifetime

You see I cannot see -- your lifetime --
I must guess --
How many times it ache for me -- today -- Confess --
How many times for my far sake

You said that I "was Great" -- one Day --

You said that I "was Great" -- one Day --
Then "Great" it be -- if that please Thee --
Or Small -- or any size at all --
Nay -- I'm the size suit Thee --

You love the Lord -- you cannot see

You love the Lord -- you cannot see --
You write Him -- every day --
A little note -- when you awake --
And further in the Day.

You know that Portrait in the Moon --

You know that Portrait in the Moon --
So tell me who 'tis like --
The very Brow -- the stooping eyes --
A fog for -- Say -- Whose Sake?