The CBB :: View topic - A Little Poetry

#1: A Little Poetry Author: Xanthe, Location: London/Cambridge

Posted: Tue May 31, 2005 10:38 pm

A book, forgotten in the rush, fallen behind a bookcase and thought to be lost… Time passes, and the house rings with strange sounds – the heavy tramp of boots, and harsh words, no more the light tread of girls, the sound of laughter. The smell of polished wood ebbs, and the paint begins to peal.

Winter is harsh, and spring a long time coming. Firewood is scarce, and the bookcase becomes a Brandopfer* – dragged away, and chopped to pieces, while the book, released, lies forlornly on the floor. Keats’ poetry, collected in a slim volume. In another time, it belonged to the Senior Library. A little worn-looking, well-thumbed.

The book belongs to another time – endless summer afternoons by a shining lake. It is a book for reading in deckchairs on the sun-dappled lawn. The book belongs to another world, and a gust of wind through the shattered window ruffles its pages.

“Thou wast not born for death immortal bird,
No hungry generations tread thee down;
The voice I hear this passing night was heard
In ancient days by emperor and clown:
Perhaps the self-same song that found a path
Through the sad heart of Ruth, when, sick for home,
She stood in tears amongst the alien corn;”

If books could absorb their surroundings, soaking up the atmosphere into the pages, what would the book recall? Warmth and light and laughter. Fond words, and jest. Somewhere in the distance, Schubert, played haltingly on the piano and closer to, a figure bent, absorbed, deep in the words.

The wind blows harder, the pages turn, as rain, like slow falling tears, beats against the remaining panes.

“And this is why I sojourn here,
Alone and palely loitering,
Though the sedge is withered from the lake,
And no birds sing”

The title page flaps over, revealing the carefully pasted-in list of borrowers. “Luigia di Ferrara… Jeanne de Cadoulec…”

The rain falls through the window onto the ink, smudging it as it drives down harder. And somewhere in the distance, a voice can be heard “Hark, hark, the lark, at heaven’s gate sings…”

*Brandopfer = a burnt offering or sacrifice; it is also the title of a novel about Nazi Germany by Albrecht Goes

#2: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Tue May 31, 2005 10:57 pm

This took my breath away when I read it Xan. You do these short, telling pieces so well.

*wipes the tears*

Thank you.

#3: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Tue May 31, 2005 11:22 pm

Thanks Xanthe - beautifully written

Liz

#4: Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW

Posted: Tue May 31, 2005 11:43 pm

Xanthe, this was lovely.

#5: Author: Nell, Location: London, England

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 8:40 am

Beautiful. Thank you Xanthe.

#6: Author: Sophoife, Location: down under Down Under

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 8:50 am

Oh Xanthe you make me cry!

Thank you

#7: Author: keren, Location: Israel

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 9:40 am

goosepimples

#8: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 11:59 am

Very moving, Xanthe. Sent shivers up my spine.

Thank you.

#9: Author: MaryR, Location: Sale Cheshire

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 12:14 pm

Where on earth did that come from? It was pure inspiration.

So evocative and moving and reverent......

#10: Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!!

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 1:16 pm

That was beautiful Xanthe, thank you so much.

#11: Author: Nina, Location: Peterborough, UK

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 1:50 pm

thank you Xanthe, that was beautiful (and the other one you wrote last week too) - you are so good at these little one-off thought-provoking things Cool

#12: Author: Ann, Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, England

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 4:13 pm

Thank you Xanthe, that was incredible.

#13: Author: Nicci, Location: UK

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 7:42 pm

That made me go all shivery Xanthe. Thanks.

#14: Author: Xanthe, Location: London/Cambridge

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 7:44 pm

Thank you very much Embarassed

I'm glad you all liked it...

#15: Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!!

Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2005 5:25 pm

That was wonderful Xan!!!

*offers treats to Xan's bunny!*

#16: A Little Poetry Author: Elder in Ontario, Location: Ontario, Canada

Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2005 5:51 pm

I only just read this, Xanthe - you took my breath away! Extremely gentle and moving - but with all the horrors of war hidden beneath the surface.

Thank you

#17: Author: Liss, Location: Harrow, London

Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2005 11:01 pm

Oh. Wow.

#18: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2005 12:59 pm

Just read this Xanthe, as the other have said very beautiful, moving and sad. Thank you so much.

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