English Poetry Options

[catch22]

Jump-Rope Rhyme (Tom Hansen)

Tat tvam asi:
thou art that-
that leaf, that tree,
that cow, that cat,
that cloud, that sky,
that moon, that sun,
that you, that I-
for all are one.
So here you are
and there you go
and who you were
you hardly know.

I think this I
is only me:
a drip, a drop,
but not the sea.
Yet when I wake
from all these dreams,
then like the snake,
I'll shed what seems:
this mask, this skin,
this ball and chain.
I will begin
to fall like rain.

Our heart's last home:
the wind-whipped foam,
the sweet, deep sea.
Tat tvam asi.

[catch22]

Young and Old
by Charles Kingsely


When all the world is young,
And all the trees are green
And every goose a swan,
And every lass a queen;
Then hey for boot and horse,
And 'round the world away
Young blood must have its course,
And every dog his day.

When all the world is old,
And all the trees are brown
And all the sport is stale,
And all the wheels run down
Creep home and take your place there
The spent and maimed among
God grant you find one face there
You loved when all was young.