Words Poem by Edward Thomas

Words

Rating: 3.5


Out of us all
That make rhymes
Will you choose
Sometimes -
As the winds use
A crack in a wall
Or a drain,
Their joy or their pain
To whistle through -
Choose me,
You English words?

I know you:
You are light as dreams,
Tough as oak,
Precious as gold,
As poppies and corn,
Or an old cloak:
Sweet as our birds
To the ear,
As the burnet rose
In the heat
Of Midsummer:
Strange as the races
Of dead and unborn:
Strange and sweet
Equally,
And familiar,
To the eye,
As the dearest faces
That a man knows,
And as lost homes are:
But though older far
Than oldest yew, -
As our hills are, old, -
Worn new
Again and again:
Young as our streams
After rain:
And as dear
As the earth which you prove
That we love.

Make me content
With some sweetness
From Wales
Whose nightingales
Have no wings, -
From Wiltshire and Kent
And Herefordshire, -
And the villages there, -
From the names, and the things
No less.
Let me sometimes dance
With you,
Or climb
Or stand perchance
In ecstasy,
Fixed and free
In a rhyme,
As poets do.

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Ravi A 06 September 2009

The poet has rightly captured the heart of words. An excellent write. Born and unborn words. Sweet and rhyming words. Dancing words. Soothing words. The feelings are great.

7 2 Reply
Ayush Anand 06 September 2012

Wow, just wow, this is great! ! ! !

3 4 Reply
Carlos Echeverria 06 September 2012

The choppy, staccato-like meter complements the Fixed and free rhyme scheme.

4 2 Reply
Ramesh T A 06 September 2011

Yes, indeed poet has the magical power to create jollity in creative words that make one sing and dance sure!

4 2 Reply
Manohar Bhatia 06 September 2013

I think the poet wants to convey an important message on {ryhming}.He says that just as ryhming creates waves in a poem, but think of the other side of the rainbow, and write your words in such a way that ordinary words like a crack, whistle can send an outstanding meaning. Manohar Bhatia.

4 0 Reply
Kesav Venkat Easwaran 26 February 2024

Great piece. Much attractive. Liked

0 0 Reply
Dr Dillip K Swain 26 February 2024

Above all, you are precious as gold

0 0 Reply
Sylvia Frances Chan 26 February 2024

LAST BUT NOT LEAST: Absolute TOP MARKS for this Classic Poem Of The Day by Edward Thomas. This is great Beauty

0 0 Reply
Sylvia Frances Chan 26 February 2024

FOUR: The poem's rhythm and tone evoke a distinctly Celtic sensibility, reflecting his Welsh heritage. Although addressing "English words, " the poem resonates with Thomas's Celtic origins. His fascination with language and rhythm, as well as concerns about national identity, echo Welsh poetry.

0 0 Reply
Sylvia Frances Chan 26 February 2024

THREE: the poet explores the power of language and its connection to nature. He treats words as an elemental force, akin to the wind. He asks English words to choose him, emphasizing their significance and impact.

0 0 Reply
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Edward Thomas

Edward Thomas

London / England
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