208 Results in the "Poetry" category


    • Chapter

      Ballad: Haunted

      Ballad: Haunted Cover
      by LovelyMay "The earth holds here a social case, Haunted in life by too much surface." In this chapter, we're introduced to a man haunted not by the traditional ghosts of folklore but by the specters of social obligations and faux pas. The author engages us with a portrayal of hauntings of a peculiar kind—ones that society bestows. From Black Monday and its associated dread of school days with their loathsome routines, to the haunting memories of a love lost at seventeen to an "elderly Colonel," the narrative…
    • Ballad: The Bishop And The ‘Busman Cover
      by LovelyMay In "The Bishop and The 'Busman," a whimsical ballad from "The Bab Ballads," we encounter a narrative set in London, centered around a stout, zealous Bishop and a Jewish 'busman named Hash Baz Ben—who also bears the names Jedediah, Solomon, and Zabulon. The Bishop, determined to convert the 'busman to Christianity, embarks on a daily journey with him, riding the Putney bus from Fulham town, proclaiming the 'busman's Jewish identity and religious practices to the amusement and later, the annoyance, of…
    • Ballad: The Troubadour Cover
      by LovelyMay In the ballad "The Troubadour" from *The Bab Ballads*, a narrative unfolds outside a castle, where a dedicated troubadour plays his music. Within the castle's dismal dungeon, a maiden, trapped and despairing, hears his songs and responds, her heart heavy with sorrow. Despite not knowing her face or name, the troubadour vows not to rest until she is freed, motivated simply by her sad plight. Encouraged by his resolve, the maiden halts her tears and wails, singing gratefully in response to his…
    • Chapter

      PART II.

      PART II. Cover
      by LovelyMay In this whimsical and adventurous chapter of "The Bab Ballads," the narrator embarks on an eccentric quest to discover the author of the charming and elusive cracker mottoes that captivate his Elvira. His journey takes him to celebrated poets—Henry Wadsworth, Alfred Poet Close, and Mister Martin Tupper—in hopes that one of them might be the creator of these witty verses. Each poet, however, denies involvement with the cracker mottoes, and Tupper responds with a cryptic message, illustrating the…
    • Ballad: Lorenzo De Lardy Cover
      by LovelyMay "The Bab Ballads" presents a humorous and whimsical tale in the ballad of "Lorenzo De Lardy." Dalilah De Dardy, wealthy but aging, falls deeply for the charming and handsome Lorenzo De Lardy, a prestigious lord serving in Her Majesty's Guards. Despite Lorenzo's good looks and charm, attracting many a maiden's gaze, he is plagued by financial woes, primarily owing to considerable debts. His financial desperation leads him to frequent escapes to Paris, seeking respite and perhaps fortune in the city's…
    • VERSE:  A LEGEND OF BREGENZ Cover
      by LovelyMay In the shadow of rugged mountains and the placid Lake Constance, lies the quaint city of Bregenz. Encased in silence and under midnight's embrace, Bregenz's ancient form, with its battlements and towers, holds a sacred legend from three centuries past, a testament to the city's endurance and history. A Tyrol maid, far from her home, found herself in Swiss valleys, her days filled with labor and a quiet contentment that distanced her from her roots in Bregenz. Though her new life was peaceful and her…
    • VERSE:  THE SAILOR BOY Cover
      by LovelyMay The chapter, titled "The Sailor Boy," is a poignant tale narrated by a young boy reflecting on his life and the significant influences upon it, despite his tender age of twelve. He begins with aspirations of adventure at sea, possibly rescuing a princess or surviving on a deserted island, fostered by the stories and surroundings of his northern homeland. The boy's life is intricately tied to a grand castle presided over by an Earl and his countess, which stands as a silent sentinel to the legacy and power…
    • Legends and Lyrics- First Series Cover
      by LovelyMay Legends and Lyrics – First Series by Adelaide Anne Procter is a collection of lyrical poems that touch on themes of love, faith, and the human experience, written with emotional depth and spiritual insight. Published in the 19th century, the poems are known for their simplicity and beauty, resonating with readers through their tender reflections on life’s trials and virtues.
    • VERSE:  A LITTLE LONGER Cover
      by LovelyMay In this reflective and evocative poem from the "Legends and Lyrics--First Series," the author weaves a delicate tapestry of the transient beauty of life and the eternal promise of the afterlife. The poem is structured as a series of gentle reassurances, each beginning with "A little longer yet--a little longer," creating a rhythmic assurance that imbues the piece with a calm and persistent hope. As the poem unfolds, readers are immersed in a world where violets bloom, sweet birds sing, and the soft…
    • Chapter

      VERSE: GRIEF

      VERSE:  GRIEF Cover
      by LovelyMay In "Grief," the narrator confronts an unrelenting adversary—Grief itself—portrayed as an ancient enemy from which there is no escape. This enemy persistently shadows the narrator, denying any semblance of solace or peace. The representation of Grief is stark; it is depicted as a figure both pale and stern that extinguishes the joy and vibrancy of life whenever it draws near. The narrator's heart, metaphorically wounded by Grief's repeated assaults, trembles with fear and pain at its presence. An…
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