Poetry

This month is National Poetry Month. What's your favorite poem and why?
I don't read a lot of poetry, but I do have some favorites. I love Robert Burns (even though I need a translator for it most of the time!) and I enjoy Robert Frost, simply because I think I get it. I'll post my favorite Robert Burns poem here, which I only know because an Irish group (the Crossing) set it to a tune, but I really love it because I think when I read it I can feel a cold Scottish winter, with a hint of the hope that spring will come.

Winter: A Dirge

The wintry west extends his blast,
And hail and rain does blaw;
Or the stormy north sends driving forth
The blinding sleet and snaw:
While, tumbling brown, the burn comes down,
And roars frae bank to brae;
And bird and beast in covert rest,
And pass the heartless day.

"The sweeping blast, the sky o'ercast,"
The joyless winter day
Let others fear, to me more dear
Than all the pride of May:
The tempest's howl, it soothes my soul,
My griefs it seems to join;
The leafless trees my fancy please,
Their fate resembles mine!

Thou Power Supreme, whose mighty scheme
These woes of mine fulfil,
Here firm I rest; they must be best,
Because they are Thy will!
Then all I want-O do Thou grant
This one request of mine!-
Since to enjoy Thou dost deny,
Assist me to resign.

--Thanks, Pat. Now I'll have that song in my head all day :)