Although summer isn’t quite over for most students, I thought I would get a head start on welcoming everyone back to school (or even those who are still going, like those of you in year-round states or the southern hemisphere). Either way, here is a list of my top 10 back to school poems: 10. [...]
“Let us now praise famous men”– Men of little showing– For their work continueth, And their work continueth, Broad and deep continues, Greater then their knowing! Western wind and open surge Took us from our mothers– Flung us on a naked shore (Twelve bleak houses by the shore. Seven summers by the shore! ) ‘Mid [...]
Being a translation of the song that was made by a Mohammedanschoolmaster of Bengal Infantry (some time on service at Suakim)when he heard that Kitchener was taking money from the English tobuild a Madrissa for Hubshees — or a college for the Sudanese. Oh Hubshee, carry your shoes in your hand and bow your head [...]
AN old man’s thought of School; An old man, gathering youthful memories and blooms, that youth itself cannot. Now only do I know you! O fair auroral skies! O morning dew upon the grass! And these I see—these sparkling eyes, These stores of mystic meaning—these young lives, Building, equipping, like a fleet of ships—immortal ships! [...]
(For My Mother) The halls that were loud with the merry tread of young and careless feet Are still with a stillness that is too drear to seem like holiday, And never a gust of laughter breaks the calm of the dreaming street Or rises to shake the ivied walls and frighten the doves away. [...]
Awake, of Muse, the echoes of a day Long past, the ghosts of mem’ries manifold — Youth’s memories that once were green and gold But now, alas, are grim and ashen grey. The drowsy schoolboy wakened up from sleep, First stays his system with substantial food, Then off for school with tasks half understood, Alas, [...]
Our game was his but yesteryear; We wished him back; we could not know The self-same hour we missed him here He led the line that broke the foe. Blood-red behind our guarded posts Sank as of old and dying day; The battle ceased; the mingled hosts Weary and cheery went their way: “To-morrow well [...]
It was built of bark and poles, and the floor was full of holes Where each leak in rainy weather made a pool; And the walls were mostly cracks lined with calico and sacks – There was little need for windows in the school. Then we rode to school and back by the rugged gully-track, [...]
The cloakroom pegs are empty now, And locked the classroom door, The hollow desks are lined with dust, And slow across the floor A sunbeam creeps between the chairs Till the sun shines no more. Who did their hair before this glass? Who scratched ‘Elaine loves Jill’ One drowsy summer sewing-class With scissors on the [...]
Full fifty merry maids I heard One summer morn a-singing; And each was like a joyous bird With spring-clear not a-ringing. It was an old-time soldier song That held their happy voices: Oh how it’s good to swing along When youth rejoices! Then lo! I dreamed long years had gone, They passed again ungladly. Their [...]
