Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


MUFFLED by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN

Poet Analysis

First Line: BLACK PONDS AND BOUGHS OF CLAY AND SULKY SEDGE
Last Line: WHEN EVEN THE OWLS AND BATS ARE HESITATING.
Subject(s): ENGLAND; LANDSCAPE; ENGLISH;

BLACK ponds and boughs of clay and sulky sedge
Make their dull answer to the inquiring eye;
With worrying weakness wrens flit through the hedge,
And black rooks blot the south's thin jaundice sky;
Black over heavy plough the lonely inn
Stares without message at the far black mill,
The dry leaves creep, one even dares to spin,
The sun's last wish dies ere it reach the hill.

With wrapt throat in the courtyard of the farm
Maid waits for maid; bells call them, arm-in-arm,
To Advent prayer; the half-lit church is waiting.
Emmanuel, come! now, parson, hail that light --
God knows we need one in this glum black night,
When even the owls and bats are hesitating.



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