Featured Poem: Among the Rocks by Robert Browning
Written by The Reader, 16th October 2017
An ode to the earth, Robert Browning's Among the Rocks provides some poetic relief to inspire us this Monday afternoon.
Born in May, 1812, Robert Browning was a poet and playwright. He was considered a defining writer of the Victorian era, incorporating irony, dark humour and social commentary in challenging verse.
In today's poem, he writes an ode to the earth in Among the Rocks.
Among the Rocks
Oh, good gigantic smile o’ the brown old earth,
This autumn morning! How he sets his bones
To bask i’ the sun, and thrusts out knees and feet
For the ripple to run over in its mirth;
Listening the while, where on the heap of stones
The white breast of the sea-lark twitters sweet.
That is the doctrine, simple, ancient, true;
Such is life’s trial, as old earth smiles and knows.
If you loved only what were worth your love,
Love were clear gain, and wholly well for you:
Make the low nature better by your throes!
Give earth yourself, go up for gain above!
Robert Browning
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