A Chant

J. C. Squire 1884 (Plymouth) – 1958




Gently the petals fall as the tree gently sways
That has known many springs and many petals fall
Year after year to strew the green deserted ways
And the statue and the pond and the low, broken wall.
  
Faded is the memory of old things done,
Peace floats on the ruins of ancient festival;
They lie and forget in the warmth of the sun,
And a sky silver-blue arches over all.
  
O softly, O tenderly, the heart now stirs
With desires faint and formless; and, seeking not, I find
Quiet thoughts that flash like azure kingfishers
Across the luminous, tranquil mirror of the mind.
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Submitted on August 03, 2020

Modified on March 05, 2023

32 sec read
6

Quick analysis:

Scheme ABAB CXCB DEDE
Closest metre Iambic hexameter
Characters 566
Words 107
Stanzas 3
Stanza Lengths 4, 4, 4

J. C. Squire

Sir John Collings Squire was a British poet, writer, historian, and influential literary editor of the post-World War I period. His writings mostly discuss common experiences. more…

All J. C. Squire poems | J. C. Squire Books

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