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    257 Results with the "Poetry" genre


    • A Ballad of Footmen Cover
      by LovelyMay In "Men, Women and Ghosts," amidst the tumult of conquerors entering the city, an old man on his deathbed yearns to immortalize the moment of conquest not in the sounds of war but through the vibrant life of roses, symbolizing a peaceful resistance to the chaos outside. This juxtaposition sets the stage for a reflective and poignant critique on the absurdity of war in "A Ballad of Footmen." The ballad questions the rationale behind war, portraying it as an irrational destruction of life's essence,…
    • The Tale of Balen Cover
      by LovelyMay The Tale of Balen by Algernon Charles Swinburne is a poetic retelling of the tragic Arthurian legend of Sir Balin, a knight whose life is marked by loyalty, courage, and a fateful destiny. First published in 1896, the poem follows Sir Balin’s quest for honor and his encounters with themes of fate, vengeance, and the consequences of his actions. Swinburne’s vivid, lyrical verse captures the medieval atmosphere of King Arthur’s court while delving into the hero’s inner conflict and moral struggles. This work highlights Swinburne’s fascination with chivalric ideals and the tragic beauty of knightly legends, bringing to life one of the darker tales from Arthurian mythology.
    • Off the Turnpike Cover
      by LovelyMay In "Men, Women and Ghosts," we encounter a harrowing narrative divided into segments, each carrying its weight of human emotion, ranging from betrayal to the uncanny. The first part delves into the tale of a rural relationship strained and eventually ruptured by infidelity. Amidst the idyllic setting of budding apple trees on a serene morning, a wife, left behind by her indifferent husband, succumbs to the companionship and advances of another man, Elmer. Her confession unfolds as a defiant assertion of…
    • VI-The tale of Balen Cover
      by LovelyMay In Chapter VI of "The Tale of Balen," set against an autumnal backdrop vivid with life's exuberance, we find Balen, a noble knight, embarking on a journey away from King Arthur and the lavish commendations due for his valor, driven by a mysterious foresight granted by Merlin of impending doom and sorrow. Meanwhile, Arthur yearns for the return of his valiant knights, Balen and Balan, unaware of the fateful paths their lives are destined to tread. Balen encounters a despondent knight lamenting a life…
    • Chapter

      The Grocery

      The Grocery Cover
      by LovelyMay In the poignant narrative of "Men, Women, and Ghosts," the chapter unfolds with a deeply personal and unsettling account of an individual grappling with the haunting memory of discovering a severed hand. The protagonist, haunted by the recollection, is driven by a compulsion to verify the reality of the event, leading them to unearth the spot between two apple roots where the grim discovery was made. Expecting to confront the tangible remnants of this memory, the individual is instead met with emptiness,…
    • VII-The tale of Balen Cover
      by LovelyMay In the heart of winter, when the world quiets under the snow's embrace and the northern men's spirits rise high against the harsh elements, we find ourselves drawn into the epic journey of Sir Balen, the protagonist of our tale. This is a story of valor, sorrow, and fateful encounters, unfolding in a landscape where the natural world reflects the tumultuous hearts of men. Balen's saga begins with him traversing through harsh and unforgiving territories. The metaphorical wind of fate blows strong against…
    • Number 3 on the Docket Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter 1 of "Men, Women, and Ghosts" opens with a poignant dialogue between Alice and her partner, underscoring themes of disillusionment and betrayal within personal relationships. Alice confronts her partner about his admiration for Arthur, a character who embroils himself in scandal and deceit to maintain a facade of prosperity and allure. Despite Arthur's questionable morals, Alice's partner envies his lifestyle, which is marked by external signs of success like fine clothing and dining in…
    • Men, Women, and Ghosts Cover
      by LovelyMay Men, Women, and Ghosts by Elizabeth Stuart Phelps is a collection of short stories blending realism with supernatural elements, exploring the lives, emotions, and inner struggles of its characters. Published in 1869, the book delves into themes of love, loss, war, and the human psyche, often with a focus on the impact of the Civil War on individuals and families. Phelps’ stories are known for their psychological depth and moral complexity, as well as their daring exploration of women’s roles and inner lives. With a mix of ghostly encounters and poignant human experiences, *Men, Women, and Ghosts* is celebrated for its sensitive, sometimes haunting portrayal of the spiritual and emotional dimensions of everyday life.
    • Nightmare:  A Tale for an Autumn Evening Cover
      by LovelyMay In "Nightmare: A Tale for an Autumn Evening," the reader is whisked into a vivid scene of tumult and whimsy. The story begins on a gusty night, where the wind itself becomes a character of force and caprice, playing a mischievous game with Mr. Spruggins, a man slightly unsteady from an evening dining in the city. The wind, described as booming, swooping, and careering, makes a plaything of Mr. Spruggins, rolling him along the streets, his movements comically exaggerated—the swaying of his coat-tails, the…
    • Chapter

      Preface

      Preface Cover
      by LovelyMay In the preface to "Men, Women and Ghosts," the author outlines the expansive definition of "stories" used in this collection, encompassing narrative poems, tales divided into scenes, and pieces where nature and inanimate objects play central roles. A significant portion of the preface is dedicated to exploring the potential of `vers libre` (free verse), inspired by the rhythmic similarities between poetry and music, notably sparked by the compositions of Debussy. The author describes experiments with…
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