GOOD oars, for Arnold’s sake
By Laleham lightly bound,
And near the bank, O soft,
Darling swan!
Let not the o’erweary wake
From this his natal ground,
But where he slumbered oft,
Slumber on.
About This Book
This collection gathers lyrical and narrative poems that range from ballads and sonnets to short meditations. The verses move between rural and urban settings, evoking English and Irish countryside, Italian art and London streets, and blend historical, religious, and classical allusion with close natural observation. Recurring concerns include time and memory, faith and loss, friendship and artistic response; many pieces treat ruined churches, portraiture, and small domestic scenes with musical language and formal polish. Alternating narrative storytelling and reflective shorter lyrics, the work balances nostalgic melancholy with bright sensory detail and a cultivated, songlike cadence.