Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE LAMENT OF DARTHOOL, by WILLIAM SHARP


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE LAMENT OF DARTHOOL, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: O woods of oona, I can hear the singing
Last Line: The cuckoos calling by the murmuring stream.
Alternate Author Name(s): Macleod, Fiona
Subject(s): Goddesses & Gods; Home; Lament; Mourning; Mythology; Mythology - Celtic; Bereavement


O woods of Oona, I can hear the singing
Of the west wind among the branches green
And the leaping and laughing of cool waters springing,
And my heart aches for all that has been,
For all that has been, my Home, all that has been!

Glenmassan! O Glenmassan!
High the sorrel there, and the sweet fragrant grasses:
It would be well if I were listening now to where
In Glenmassan the sun shines and the cool west wind passes,
Glenmassan of the grasses!

Lock Etive, O fair Loch Etive, that was my first home,
I think of thee now when on the grey-green sea—
And beneath the mist in my eyes and the flying foam
I look back wearily,
I look back wearily to thee!

Glen Orchy, O Glen Orchy, fair sweet glen,
Was ever I more happy than in thy shade?
Was not Nathos there the happiest of men?
O may thy beauty never fade,
Most fair and sweet and beautiful glade.

Glen of the Roes, Glen of the Roes,
In thee I have dreamed to the full my happy dream:
O that where the shallow bickering Ruel flows,
I might hear again, o'er its flashing gleam,
The cuckoos calling by the murmuring stream.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


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