Poems « Country House Essays

Valentine Poetry from the Cotswold Explorer

February 15th, 2021

St. Valentine kneeling in supplication – 1677 by David Teniers III

There is nothing more delightful than a great poetry reading to warm ones heart on a cold winter night fireside. Today is one of the coldest Valentine’s days on record, thus, nothing could be better than listening […]

The Billesden Coplow Run

May 9th, 2021

Smith, Charles Loraine; The Billesdon Coplow Run

*note – Billesdon and Billesden have both been used to name the hunt.

BILLESDEN COPLOW POEM

[From “Reminiscences of the late Thomas Assheton Smith, Esq”]

The run celebrated in the following verses took place on the 24th of February, 1800, […]

The Hunt Saboteur

May 9th, 2021

The Hunt Saboteur is a national disgrace barking out loud, black mask on her face get those dogs off, get them off she did yell until a swift kick from me mare her voice it did quell and sent the Hunt Saboteur scurrying up vale to the full cry of hounds drowning out her […]

Here’s Many a Year to You

May 9th, 2021

” Here’s many a year to you ! Sportsmen who’ve ridden life straight. Here’s all good cheer to you ! Luck to you early and late.

Here’s to the best of you ! You with the blood and the nerve. Here’s to the rest of you ! What of a weak moment’s swerve ? […]

The Cremation of Sam McGee

July 4th, 2019

Robert W. Service (b.1874, d.1958)

There are strange things done in the midnight sun By the men who moil for gold; The Arctic trails have their secret tales That would make your blood run cold; The Northern Lights have seen queer sights, But the queerest they ever did see Was that night […]

Kenilworth by Sir Walter Scott

April 2nd, 2019

Click here to read Kenilworth by Sir Walter Scott

Click here to view Kenilworth Glossary

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The Human Seasons

August 20th, 2018

Four Seasons fill the measure of the year; There are four seasons in the mind of man: He has his lusty spring, when fancy clear Takes in all beauty with an easy span; He has his Summer, when luxuriously Spring’s honied cud of youthful thoughts he loves To ruminate, and by such dreaming high […]

The Charge of the Light Brigade

July 3rd, 2018

Half a league, half a league, Half a league onward, All in the valley of Death Rode the six hundred. “Forward, the Light Brigade! Charge for the guns!” he said. Into the valley of Death Rode the six hundred. Top of Pg. […]

Motel

July 2nd, 2018

Motel, Motel Do Tell

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The Warmth of a Country Christmas

July 2nd, 2018

Tucked into all corners of the large stately farm house Loquacious aunts, uncles of letters, adventure and public house, Grandmother wrapped in wool, grandfather’s pipe Gas fired ceramic tiled fireplaces, a Christmas delight Glowing red ember warming through the night

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Indian Summer

July 2nd, 2018

We opened the doors on the old Dodge van parked under the big oak tree the old farm house etched with memory ropes hanging down and an old plank swing She kicked her bare feet playfully in the dirt and then soared to the sky Looking out over Illinois corn fields full in growth, […]

Bleak City

June 26th, 2018

Exhaust blackened dirty snow Bleak City cold winter sting Cars in ditches Tire chains and rock salt Doughnut shop at four am Factory whistle blows at five Hot coffee on the dashboard Eyes on the road Front wheel drive Cadillac I’ll make it on time

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The Damp Dark Plight of Rainy Day Books

June 26th, 2018

Awakened to mild rumbles of thunder and pounding rain washed down by a steady drizzle and more downpour coating asphalt with mirrored reflections of oily alluvial runoff easing back into a soothing pattern of velvety rain drops drizzling down the foliage encased wrought iron balcony rails

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Pussy Willow Wielded a Real Broad Sword

June 26th, 2018

The Interrogation of Joan of Arc by Cardinal Winchester

Pussy Willow wielded a real broad sword Honed with diamonds and emery board They say she cut her own umbilical chord The day she strapped it on to serve her Lord

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Prairie Steel and Golden Lace

June 26th, 2018

Western prairie quiet broken by forged steel Sage Grouse dance, feathers of resplendent golden lace oblivious to Manifest Destiny’s race Juniper trees observe from high peaks Wisps of threadbare clouds converging on progress

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Flotsam and Jetsam

June 26th, 2018

Pirate plunder, sailboat trash, cruise ship waste oil cargo leaks, party boat beer cans, trawler diesel hurricane timber, tsunami tin, maelstrom hulls 1452, 1633, 1785, 1823, 1900, 1956, 1989, 2005 skulls, bones, kneecaps, shoulder blade, hip bones doubloons, pieces of eight, gold, pearls, emeralds daggers, dirks, walking planks, broadswords, canon balls sloshing, swooshing, swaying, […]

Reading Glasses

June 26th, 2018

Once you get your first pair You’ll find them everywhere Up and down the stairs Even a pair in your chair

A pair in the kitchen For cutting up chicken One made of hard plastic to take a licking

A fine gold pair for putting on airs a silver pair too, looks good on […]