Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, WHICH ROAD?, by WILLIAM BARNES


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

WHICH ROAD?, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Still green on the limbs o' the woak wer the leaves
Last Line: Gaït o' walkèn, so smooth as an aïr-zwimmèn cloud
Subject(s): Farm Life; Festivals; Roads; Agriculture; Farmers; Fairs; Pageants; Paths; Trails


Still green on the limbs o' the woak wer the leaves,
Where the black slooe did grow, a-meal'd over wi' grey,
Though leäzes, a-burnt, wer wi' bennets a-brown'd,
An' the stubble o' wheat wer a-witherèn white,
While sooner the zunlight did zink vrom the zight,
An' longer did linger the dim-roaded night.

But bright wer the day-light a-dryèn the dew,
As foam wer a-villèn the pool in its vall,
An' a-sheenèn did climb, by the chalk o' the cliff,
The white road a-voun' steep to the wayweary step,
Where along by the knap, wi' a high-beätèn breast,
Went the maïd an' the chap to the feäst in their best.

There hosses went by wi' their neck in a bow,
An' did toss up their nose, over outspringèn knees;
An' the ox, heäiryhided, wi' low-swingèn head;
An' the sheep, little knee'd, wi' a quick-dippèn nod;
An' a maïd, wi' her head a-borne on, in a proud
Gaït o' walkèn, so smooth as an aïr-zwimmèn cloud





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net