© 2012 niall. All rights reserved.
Strong in the Rain by Kenji Miyazawa translation by Roger Pulvers Strong in the rain Strong in the wind Strong against the summer heat and snow He is healthy and robust Free from desire He never loses his temper Nor … Continue reading
© 2012 niall. All rights reserved.
I live alone, wounded by iron, Struck by a sword, tired of battle-work, Weary of blades. Often I see war, Fight a fearsome foe. I crave no comfort, That safety might come to me out of the war-strife Before … Continue reading
© 2012 niall. All rights reserved.
The Roman Road runs straight and bare As the pale parting-line in hair Across the heath. And thoughtful men Contrast its days of Now and Then, And delve, and measure, and compare; Visioning on the vacant air Helmeted legionnaires, who … Continue reading
© 2012 niall. All rights reserved.
(Roman Occupation of Britain, A.D. 300) Legate, I had the news last night – my cohort ordered home By ships to Portus Itius and thence by road to Rome. I’ve marched the companies aboard, the arms are stowed below: Now … Continue reading
© 2012 niall. All rights reserved.
Over the heather the wet wind blows, I’ve lice in my tunic and a cold in my nose. The rain comes pattering out of the sky, I’m a Wall soldier, I don’t know why. The mist creeps over the hard … Continue reading
© 2012 niall. All rights reserved.
As I came over Windy Gap They threw a halfpenny into my cap, For I am running to Paradise; And all that I need do is to wish And somebody puts his hand in the dish To throw me a … Continue reading
© 2012 niall. All rights reserved.
The great pulsation passed. Glass lay around me Resurrected from the end. I walked Along streets of slate-jabbering houses, Against an acrid cloud of dust, I saw The houses kneel, revealed each in its abject Prayer, my prayer as well: … Continue reading
© 2012 niall. All rights reserved.
First having read the book of myths, and loaded the camera, and checked the edge of the knife-blade, I put on the body-armor of black rubber the absurd flippers the grave and awkward mask. I am having to do this … Continue reading
Foundered March 24, 1878 1 The Eurydice – it concerned thee, O Lord: Three hundred souls, O alas! on board, Some asleep unawakened, all un- warned, eleven fathoms fallen 2 Where she foundered! One stroke Felled and furled them, the … Continue reading
My Last Duchess by Robert Browning Ferrara That’s my last Duchess painted on the wall, Looking as if she were alive. I call That piece a wonder, now: Frà Pandolf’s hands Worked busily a day, and there she stands. Will … Continue reading
For who is ever quite without his landscape, The straggling village street, the house in trees, All near the church, or else the gloomy town house, The one with the Corinthian pillars, or The tiny workmanlike flat: in any case … Continue reading
Fulbright Scholars by Ted Hughes Where was it, in the Strand? A display Of news items, in photographs. For some reason I noticed it. A picture of that year’s intake Of Fulbright Scholars. Just arriving – Or arrived. Or some … Continue reading