To kick off this very first blogspot edition of Verseday Thursday, I'm presenting you with today's post in addition to back-posts for a very special New Years Eve Verseday Thursday.
Cheers.
VERSEDAY THURSDAY (31 Dec. 2009): Gilbert Keith Chesterton
I nearly forgot today was a Thursday. But I remembered, and in honor of the new year, I've decided to share one of my favorite Chesterton poems.
A PRAYER IN THE DARKNESS - by G. K. Chesterton
This much, O heaven--if I should brood or rave
Pity me not, but let the world be fed.
Yea, in my madness if I strike me dead
Heed you the grass that grows upon my grave.
If I dare snarl between this sun and sod,
Whimper and clamour, give me grace to own
In sun and rain and fruit in season shown,
The shining silence of the scorn of God.
Thank God the stars are set beyond my power;
If I must travail in a night of wrath,
Thank God my tears will never vex a moth
Nor any curse of mine cut down a flower.
Men say the sun was darkened, yet I had
Thoughts it beat brightly, even on Calvary:
And He that hung upon the torturing Tree
Heard all the crickets singing, and was glad.
VERSEDAY THURSDAY (18 Dec. 2009): William Butler Yeats/Day-late edition [posted it on a Friday.
He Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven - W.B. Yeats
Had I the heavens’ embroidered cloths,
Enwrought with golden and silver light,
The blue and the dim and the dark cloths
Of night and light and the half light,
I would spread the cloths under your feet:
But I, being poor, have only my dreams;
I have spread my dreams under your feet;
Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.
(Very possibly my favorite Yeats poem)
VERSEDAY THURSDAY (10 Dec. 2009): Thomas Nashe
ADIEU, FAREWELL EARTH'S BLISS (A.D. 1592) –by Thomas Nashe
Adieu, farewell earth's bliss,
This world uncertain is;
Fond are life's lustful joys,
Death proves them all but toys,
None from his darts can fly:
I am sick, I must die.
Lord, have mercy on us!
Rich men, trust not in wealth,
Gold cannot buy you health;
Physic himself must fade;
All things to end are made;
The plague full swift goes by:
I am sick, I must die.
Lord, have mercy on us!
Beauty is but a flower
Which wrinkles will devour;
Brightness falls from the air,
Queens have died young and fair,
Dust hath clos'd Helen's eye:
I am sick, I must die.
Lord, have mercy on us!
Strength stoops unto the grave,
Worms feed on Hector brave,
Swords may not fight with fate,
Earth still holds ope her gate;
Come, come, the bells do cry.
I am sick, I must die.
Lord, have mercy on us!
Wit with his wantonness
Tasteth death's bitterness:
Hell's executioner
Hath no ears for to hear
What vain art can reply:
I am sick, I must die.
Lord, have mercy on us!
Haste, therefore, each degree
To welcome destiny:
Heaven is our heritage,
Earth but a player's stage:
Mount we unto the sky.
I am sick, I must die.
Lord, have mercy on us!
