Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE SHEPHERD TO THE POET by AGNES KENDRICK GRAY

First Line: OCH, WHAT'S THE GOOD O' SPINNIN' WORDS
Last Line: POETS AN' USEFUL MEN!
Subject(s): POETRY & POETS;

Och, what's the good o' spinnin' words
As fine as silken thread?
Will "golden gorse upon the hill"
Be gold to buy ye bread?

An' while ye're list'nin' in th' glen
"To catch the thrush's lay,"
Your thatch is scattered be th' wind,
Your sheep have gone astray.

Th' time ye're afther makin' rhymes
O' leppin' waves an' sea,
Arrah! ye should be sellin' then
Your lambs upon th' quay.

Sure, 'tis God's ways is very quare,
An' far beyant my ken,
How o' the selfsame clay he makes
Poets an' useful men!



Home: PoetryExplorer.net