Classic and Contemporary Poetry
IN HOSPITAL: 17. INTERLUDE, by WILLIAM ERNEST HENLEY Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: O, the fun, the fun and frolic Last Line: New year comes but once a twelvemonth. Alternate Author Name(s): Henley, W. E. Subject(s): Holidays; Hospitals; New Year | ||||||||
O, the fun, the fun and frolic That The Wind that Shakes the Barley Scatters through a penny-whistle Tickled with artistic fingers! Kate the scrubber (forty summers, Stout but supportive) treads a measure, Grinning, in herself a ballet, Fixed as fate upon her audience. Stumps are shaking, crutch-supported; Splintered fingers tap the rhythm; And a head all helmed with plasters Wags a measured approbation. Of their mattress-life oblivious, All the patients, brisk and cheerful, Are encouraging the dancer, And applauding the musician. Dim the gas-lights in the output Of so many ardent smokers, Full of shadow lurch the corners, And the doctor peeps and passes. There are, maybe, some suspicions Of an alcoholic presence . . . 'Tak' a sup of this, my wumman!' . . . New Year comes but once a twelvemonth. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...NEW YEAR'S POEM by MARGARET AVISON A SPEED OF HISTORY by MARGARET AVISON NEW YEAR'S DAY by DAVID LEHMAN LINES FOR THE NEW YEAR by JULIE CARR I AM RUNNING INTO A NEW YEAR by LUCILLE CLIFTON FOR THE NEW YEAR (2) by ROBERT CREELEY BALLADE OF DEAD ACTORS by WILLIAM ERNEST HENLEY |
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