Poems

Desiderata Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy. by Max Ehrmann ©1927

1. placidly [ plas-id-lee ] adverb Meaning1: in a calm or peaceful manner; tranquilly: Example: The mural brings to life a world where mammoths still embark on ancient migrations, where giant ground sloths browse placidly, where saber-toothed tigers stalk their prey. Meaning2: in a way that shows a lack of energy or concern: Example: After playing fairly placidly in the first quarter and ending down three goals, the girls entered the second quarter with stronger, more dynamic play. 2. vexatious  /vekˈseɪ.ʃəs/ Adjective Meaning: difficult to deal with and causing a lot of anger, worry, or argument: Example: This settlement will resolve one of the most vexatious problems in the field of industrial relations. 3. feign /feɪn/ Verb Meaning: to pretend to have a feeling or condition: Example: He feigned sickness so he wouldn’t have to go to school. 4. cynical  /ˈsɪn·ɪ·kəl/ adjective Meaning: not trusting or respecting the goodness of other people and their actions, but believing that people are interested only in themselves: Examples: Listening to politicians for too long can make you cynical. She’s become cynical about men. 5. aridity US  /erˈɪd.ət̬i/ UK  /ær.ɪd.ə.ti/ Noun Meaning1: the state of being very dry and without enough rain for plants: Example: the aridity of much of the Australian interior Meaning2: Lack of interest; the state of not being interesting or successful: Example: the aridity of a life without love 6. perennial adjective US  /pəˈren.i.əl/ UK  /pəˈren.i.əl/ Meaning: lasting a very long time, or happening repeatedly or all the time: Examples: The movie "White Christmas" is a perennial favorite. We face the perennial problem of not having enough money. 7. sham noun US  /ʃæm/ UK  /ʃæm/ Meaning: something that is not what it seems to be and is intended to deceive people, or someone who pretends to be something they are not: Examples: It turned out that he wasn't a real doctor at all - he was just a sham. They claimed that the election had been fair, but really it was a sham. 8. drudgery noun US  /ˈdrʌdʒ.ɚ.i/ UK  /ˈdrʌdʒ.ər.i/ Meaning: hard, boring work: Example: Cleaning the oven is sheer drudgery.

"The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost: Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth; Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same, And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back. I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.

Here are the meanings of the vocabulary words from Robert Frost's poem "The Road Not Taken": 01. Diverged: To separate or branch off into different directions. 02. Yellow: The color of a ripe lemon or a golden sunset. 03. Woods: A forest or a group of trees. 04. Traveler: A person who journeys from place to place, especially on foot. 05. Stood: To remain in a standing position. 06. Looked: To direct one's gaze at something. 07. Bent: To curve or incline. 08. Undergrowth: Low-lying plants and shrubs in a forest. 09. Fair: Beautiful, pleasing, or just. 10. Claim: A right or title to something. 11. Grassy: Covered with grass. 12. Wear: The process of becoming worn or damaged from use. 13. Passing: The act of going by or moving past. 14. Equally: To the same degree or extent. 15. Trodden: To walk or step on something. 16. Black: The absence of light, a dark color. 17. Kept: To retain possession of something. 18. Doubted: To feel uncertain or unsure about something. 19. Ages: A very long period of time. 20. Less: A smaller amount or degree. 21. Traveled: To journey from one place to another. 22. Made: To create or produce something. 23. Difference: A distinction or variation between two things. The poem "The Road Not Taken" is about the choices we make in life and how those choices shape our paths. The speaker stands at a fork in the road, symbolizing a moment of decision, and chooses the less traveled path, suggesting a desire for individuality and a unique experience. The poem's vocabulary helps to create a sense of reflection and contemplation about the nature of choice and its impact on our lives.

"The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe: 01. Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary, Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore— While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping, As of someone gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door. “’Tis some visitor,” I muttered, “tapping at my chamber door— Only this and nothing more.” 02. Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December; And each separate dying ember writhed upon the floor. Eagerly I wished the morrow;—vainly I had sought to borrow From my books surcease of sorrow—sorrow for the lost Lenore— For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore— Nameless here for evermore. 03. And the silken, sad, uncertain rustling of each purple curtain Thrilled me—filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before; So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating “’Tis some visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door— Some late visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door;— This it is and nothing more.” 04. Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer, “Sir,” said I, “or Madam, truly your forgiveness I implore; But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping, And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door, That I scarce was sure I heard you”—here I opened wide the door;— Darkness there and nothing more. 05. Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing, Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before; But the silence was unbroken, and the stillness gave no token, And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, “Lenore!” This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the word, “Lenore!”— Merely this and nothing more. 06. Back into the chamber turning, all my soul within me burning, Soon I heard again a tapping somewhat louder than before. “Surely,” said I, “surely there is something at my window lattice; Let me see, then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore— Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore;— ’Tis the wind and nothing more!” 07. Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter, In there stepped a stately Raven of the saintly days of yore; Not the least obeisance made he; not a minute stopped or stayed he; But, with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door— Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door— Perched, and sat, and nothing more. 08. Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling, By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore, “Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, thou,” I said, “art sure no craven, Ghastly grim and ancient Raven wandering from the Nightly shore— Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night’s Plutonian shore!” Quoth the Raven “Nevermore.”

"The Raven" 01. Dreary: Gloomy, depressing, or monotonous. 02. Pondered: To think about something carefully. 03. Quaint: Oddly charming or picturesque. 04. Curious: Strange or unusual. 05. Volume: A book or a collection of written material. 06. Forgotten: No longer remembered or thought about. 07. Lore: Knowledge or information passed down through generations. 08. Nodded: To move one's head up and down, usually in agreement or sleepiness. 09. Napping: Sleeping lightly for a short time. 10. Tapping: To strike something lightly and repeatedly. 11. Chamber: A room, especially a bedroom. 12. Visitor: A person who comes to see someone or a place. 13. Bleak: Cold, barren, or gloomy. 14. December: The twelfth month of the year. 15. Ember: A small piece of burning coal or wood. 16. Writhed: To twist or squirm in pain or discomfort. 17. Morrow: The following day. 18. Vainly: Without success or effect. 19. Sought: To try to find or obtain something. 20. Borrow: To take something temporarily with the intention of returning it. 21. Surcease: A stop or end to something, especially pain or suffering. 22. Sorrow: A feeling of deep sadness or distress. 23. Lenore: The name of the speaker's lost love. 24. Radiant: Shining brightly with light or happiness. 25. Maiden: A young unmarried woman. 26. Angels: Spiritual beings believed to be messengers of God. 27. Nameless: Without a name. 28. Silken: Made of silk, smooth and soft. 29. Uncertain: Not clear or definite. 30. Rustling: A soft, gentle sound made by leaves or fabric moving. 31. Purple: A color that is a mix of red and blue. 32. Curtain: A piece of fabric used to cover a window or doorway. 33. Thrilled: To feel a sudden surge of excitement or fear. 34. Fantastic: Unbelievable, strange, or imaginative. 35. Terrors: Strong feelings of fear or dread. 36. Entreating: To beg or plead for something. 37. Entrance: The act of entering a place. 38. Presently: Soon or shortly. 39. Soul: The spiritual or immaterial part of a human being. 40. Grew: To increase in size or strength. 41. Stronger: Having greater physical or mental power. 42. Hesitating: To pause or delay because of uncertainty. 43. Forgiveness: The act of pardoning someone for a wrong. 44. Implore: To beg or plead earnestly. 45. Napping: Sleeping lightly for a short time. 46. Gently: In a soft or delicate way. 47. Faintly: Weakly or barely noticeable. 48. Scarce: Barely or hardly. 49. Darkness: The absence of light. 50. Peering: To look closely or intently. 51. Wondering: To feel curious or uncertain. 52. Fearing: To feel afraid or apprehensive. 53. Doubting: To feel uncertain or unsure about something. 54. Dreams: Visions or thoughts that occur during sleep. 55. Mortal: A human being. 56. Silence: The absence of sound. 57. Unbroken: Not interrupted or disturbed. 58. Stillness: A state of being quiet and calm. 59. Token: A sign or symbol. 60. Whispered: To speak very softly. 61. Echo: A sound that is reflected back. 62. Murmured: To speak softly and indistinctly. 63. Turning: To move around in a circle. 64. Burning: To be on fire or to feel intense emotion. 65. Lattice: A framework of crossed strips or bars. 66. Mystery: Something that is unknown or unexplained. 67. Explore: To investigate or search for something. 68. Shutter: A movable cover for a window. 69. Flung: To throw or hurl something with force. 70. Flirt: To move or dance lightly. 71. Flutter: To move quickly and irregularly, like the wings of a bird. 72. Stately: Impressive and dignified. 73. Raven: A large black bird with a deep croaking call. 74 Saintly: Holy or virtuous. 75. Yore: A long time ago. 76. Obeisance: A gesture of respect or submission. 77. Minute: A very short period of time. 78. Stopped: To cease moving or acting. 79. Stayed: To remain in a place or position. 80. Mien: A person's appearance or manner. 81. Lord: A man of high rank or authority. 82. Lady: A woman of high rank or authority. 83. Pallas: The Greek goddess of wisdom and warfare. 84. Bust: A sculpture of a person's head and shoulders. 85. Ebony: A very dark, almost black, wood. 86. Beguiling: Charming or enchanting. 87. Fancy: Imagination or a whim. 88. Smiling: To express happiness or amusement with a facial expression. 89. Grave: Serious or solemn. 90. Stern: Strict or severe. 91. Decorum: Proper behavior or conduct. 92. Countenance: A person's face or expression. 93. Crest: The top or highest point of something. 94. Shorn: To have been cut or trimmed. 95. Shaven: To have been shaved. 96. Craven: Cowardly or fearful. 97. Ghastly: Pale, frightening, or ghostly. 98. Grim: Severe, harsh, or unwelcoming. 99. Ancient: Very old. 100. Wandering: To move about without a fixed destination. 101. Nightly: Happening every night. 102. Shore: The land bordering a sea, lake, or river. 103. Lordly: Like a lord, powerful or impressive. 104. Name: A word or phrase used to identify a person or thing. 105. Night's Plutonian Shore: A poetic way of referring to the underworld or death. 106. Quoth: An archaic word meaning "said." 107. Nevermore: A word that means "never again."

"If" by Rudyard Kipling: If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you, If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too; If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies, Or being hated, don’t give way to hating, And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise: If you can dream—and not make dreams your master; If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim; If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster And treat those two impostors just the same; If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken, And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools: If you can make one heap of all your winnings And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss, And lose, and start again at your beginnings And never breathe a word about your loss; If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew To serve your turn long after they are gone, And so hold on when there is nothing in you Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’ If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch, If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you, If all men count with you, but none too much; If you can fill the unforgiving minute With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run, Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it, And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!

The poem "If" by Rudyard Kipling is a classic piece of advice, often quoted for its wisdom. Here are some of the key vocabulary words and their meanings: Stanza 1: 01. Head: Here, it means composure, clear thinking, and maintaining control of your emotions. 02. Losing theirs: People around you are panicking, losing their cool, or becoming irrational. 03. Blaming it on you: Others are unfairly placing the blame for their problems on you. 04. Trust yourself: Have faith in your own judgment and abilities. 05. Doubt you: People question your motives, capabilities, or decisions. 06. Make allowance: Be understanding and compassionate towards others' doubts. 07. Tired by waiting: Don't become discouraged or impatient when things take time. 08. Lied about: Don't let false accusations or gossip bother you. 09. Deal in lies: Don't resort to dishonesty or deception yourself. 10. Hating: Don't let anger or resentment consume you. 11. Look too good: Don't try to appear better than you are or boast about your accomplishments. 12. Talk too wise: Don't pretend to be smarter than you are or speak in a condescending way. Stanza 2: 13. Dream: To have aspirations, goals, or visions for the future. 14. Make dreams your master: Don't let your dreams control you or become your sole focus. 15. Think: To reason, analyze, and consider ideas. 16. Make thoughts your aim: Don't let your thoughts become your only purpose or obsession. 17. Triumph: Success, victory, or achievement. 18. Disaster: Failure, misfortune, or a setback. 19. Impostors: Things that appear to be something they are not. 20. Bear to hear: To endure or tolerate hearing something unpleasant. 21. Twisted by knaves: The truth you've spoken is distorted or manipulated by dishonest people. 22. Trap for fools: A deceitful scheme designed to trick unsuspecting people. 23. Broken: Things you've worked hard for are destroyed or ruined. 24. Stoop: To bend down or humble yourself. 25. Worn-out tools: To rebuild with limited resources or face challenges with depleted energy. Stanza 3: 26. Heap: A large pile or collection. 27. Winnings: Things you've gained or achieved through effort. 28. Risk it on one turn: To gamble everything you have on a single chance. 29. Pitch-and-toss: A game of chance, often involving coins or dice. 30. Beginnings: To start over from the beginning, without giving up. 31. Breathe a word: To speak or complain about your loss. 32. Force: To compel or push yourself to do something. 33. Heart: Your emotions, courage, and determination. 34. Nerve: Your mental strength and resilience. 35. Sinew: Your physical strength and endurance. 36. Serve your turn: To fulfill your purpose or duty. 37. Hold on: To persevere, remain steadfast, and not give up. 38. Will: Your inner strength, resolve, and determination. Stanza 4: 39. Talk with crowds: To communicate effectively with large groups of people. 40. Keep your virtue: To maintain your integrity, honesty, and moral compass. 41. Walk with Kings: To interact with powerful or influential people. 42. Common touch: To remain relatable and approachable, even when dealing with those in high positions. 43. Foes: Enemies or adversaries. 44. Loving friends: People who care about you deeply. 45. Hurt you: To cause you pain or harm, emotionally or physically. 46. Count with you: To value and respect you. 47. None too much: To avoid being arrogant or self-important. 48. Unforgiving minute: A moment that demands your full attention and effort. 49. Sixty seconds' worth: To use every second of your time effectively. 50. Distance run: To make progress, achieve goals, and move forward in life. 51. Earth: The world, representing all that exists. 52. Man: A person of strong character, integrity, and resilience. The poem "If" emphasizes the importance of inner strength, resilience, and integrity in facing life's challenges. It encourages readers to be honest, humble, persistent, and compassionate, regardless of the circumstances they encounter.

"Annabel Lee" by Edgar Allan Poe: It was many and many a year ago, In a kingdom by the sea, That a maiden there lived whom you may know By the name of Annabel Lee; And this maiden she lived with no other thought Than to love and be loved by me. I was a child and she was a child, In this kingdom by the sea, But we loved with a love that was more than love— I and my Annabel Lee— With a love that the wingèd seraphs of Heaven Coveted her and me. And this was the reason that, long ago, In this kingdom by the sea, A wind blew out of a cloud, chilling My beautiful Annabel Lee; So that her highborn kinsmen came And bore her away from me, To shut her up in a sepulchre In this kingdom by the sea. The angels, not half so happy in Heaven, Went envying her and me— Yes!—that was the reason (as all men know, In this kingdom by the sea) That the wind came out of the cloud by night, Chilling and killing my Annabel Lee. But our love it was stronger by far than the love Of those who were older than we— Of many far wiser than we— And neither the angels in Heaven above Nor the demons down under the sea Can ever dissever my soul from the soul Of the beautiful Annabel Lee; For the moon never beams, without bringing me dreams Of the beautiful Annabel Lee; And the stars never rise, but I feel the bright eyes Of the beautiful Annabel Lee; And so, all the night-tide, I lie down by the side Of my darling—my darling—my life and my bride, In her sepulchre there by the sea— In her tomb by the sounding sea.

Here are some of the key vocabulary words from Edgar Allan Poe's poem "Annabel Lee" and their meanings: Stanza 1: 01. Maiden: A young unmarried woman, often used to describe someone innocent and pure. 02. Thought: Here, it means Annabel Lee had no other desire than to love and be loved. Stanza 2: 03. Winged seraphs: Seraphs are the highest order of angels in Christian tradition, often associated with purity and love. "Winged" emphasizes their heavenly nature. 04. Coveted: To desire something intensely, often something belonging to another. The angels envied the love between the speaker and Annabel Lee. Stanza 3: 05. Chilling: To make something cold, but also suggests a sense of dread or fear. 06. Highborn kinsmen: Relatives of noble birth, implying Annabel Lee came from a wealthy and influential family. 07. Bore her away: To carry someone away, suggesting a forceful removal. 08. Sepulchre: A tomb or burial place, often a grand or elaborate one. Stanza 4: 09. Envying: To feel jealous or resentful of someone else's possessions or happiness. 10. Killing: To cause death, emphasizing the tragic nature of Annabel Lee's demise. Stanza 5: 11. Disseve: To separate or divide, suggesting that even death cannot break the bond between the speaker and Annabel Lee. Stanza 6: 12. Beams: To shine brightly, referring to the moon's light. 13. Night-tide: The time of night, often associated with dreams and longing. 14. Darling: A term of endearment for a loved one. 15. Bride: A woman who is newly married. 16. Tomb: A place where a dead person is buried, often a simpler term than "sepulchre." Overall, Poe uses rich vocabulary to create a sense of loss, love, and the supernatural. The poem's language is both beautiful and haunting, reflecting the enduring power of love and the tragedy of death.

A Dedication They are rhymes rudely strung with intent less Of sound than of words, In lands where bright blossoms are scentless, And songless bright birds; Where, with fire and fierce drought on her tresses, Insatiable Summer oppresses Sere woodlands and sad wildernesses, And faint flocks and herds. Where in drieariest days, when all dews end, And all winds are warm, Wild Winter's large floodgates are loosen'd, And floods, freed by storm; From broken-up fountain heads, dash on Dry deserts with long pent up passion-- Here rhyme was first framed without fashion, Song shaped without form. Whence gather'd?--The locust's glad chirrup May furnish a stave; The ring os rowel and stirrup, The wash of a wave. The chauntof a marsh frog in rushes That chimes through the pauses and hushes Of nightfall, the torrent that gushes, The tempests that rave. In the deep'ning of dawn, when it dapples The dusk of the sky, With streaks like the redd'ning of apples, The ripening of rye. To eastward, when cluster by cluster, Dim stars and dull planets, that muster, Wax wan in a world of white lustre That spreads far and high. In the gathering of night gloom o'er head, in The still silent change, All fire-flush'd when forest trees redden On slopes of the range. When the gnarl'd knotted trunks Eucalyptian Seemed carved like weird columns Egyptian With curious device--quaint inscription, And heiroglyph strange. In the Spring, when the wattle gold trembles 'Twixt shadow and shine, When each dew-laden air draught resembles A long draught of wine; When the skyline's blue burnished resistance Makes deeper the dreamiest distance, Some song in all hearts hath existence,-- Such songs have been mine.

Vocabulary Breakdown and Meaning This poem, rich in imagery and evocative language, paints a vivid picture of a harsh, yet beautiful, landscape. Here's a breakdown of some key vocabulary words and their meanings within the context of the poem: Stanza 1: 01. Rhymes rudely strung with intent less/Of sound than of words:  This line suggests that the rhymes are not melodious or musical but rather forced and focused on conveying meaning over aesthetic appeal. 02. Bright blossoms are scentless: This paradoxical phrase emphasizes the aridity of the land, where even beautiful flowers lack fragrance. 03. Songless bright birds:  Similar to the scentless blossoms, the birds, though visually appealing, lack the usual joy of song. 04. Insatiable Summer oppresses/Sere woodlands and sad wildernesses: The summer is depicted as relentlessly hot and dry, causing the land to become barren and desolate. 05. Faint flocks and herds:  The animals are weakened by the harsh conditions, reflecting the overall sense of struggle and hardship. Stanza 2: 06. Drieariest days, when all dews end:  The extreme dryness and lack of moisture are emphasized. 07. Wild Winter's large floodgates are loosen'd:  The contrast between the dry summer and the sudden, powerful floods of winter highlights the unpredictable nature of the climate. 08. Dry deserts with long pent up passion:  The floods are described as bursting forth with pent-up energy, reflecting the powerful force of nature in this harsh land. 09. Rhyme was first framed without fashion, Song shaped without form:  This line suggests that the poetry of this land is raw and unrefined, reflecting the unyielding nature of the environment. Stanza 3: 10. Locust's glad chirrup: This sound, despite being described as "glad," is likely a harsh and unsettling sound in the context of this harsh landscape. 11. Ring of rowel and stirrup, The wash of a wave: These sounds are associated with travel and movement, hinting at the potential for escape from the harsh conditions. 12. Chaunt of a marsh frog in rushes/That chimes through the pauses and hushes/Of nightfall, the torrent that gushes:  These sounds suggest a world of darkness and danger, where the forces of nature are powerful and unpredictable. Stanza 4: 13. Deep'ning of dawn, when it dapples/The dusk of the sky:  This image suggests a gradual transition from darkness to light, hinting at the possibility of hope and renewal. 14. Streaks like the redd'ning of apples, The ripening of rye: This imagery evokes a sense of abundance and life, even in the face of hardship. 15. Dim stars and dull planets, that muster,/Wax wan in a world of white lustre/That spreads far and high:  This description of the night sky suggests a vastness and emptiness, emphasizing the isolation of the landscape. Stanza 5: 16. Gathering of night gloom o'er head, in/The still silent change:  The stillness of the night suggests a sense of anticipation and uncertainty. 17. All fire-flush'd when forest trees redden/On slopes of the range:  The imagery of fire and red suggests a sense of danger and intensity. 18. Gnarl'd knotted trunks Eucalyptian/Seemed carved like weird columns Egyptian/With curious device--quaint inscription, And heiroglyph strange:  This description of the eucalyptus trees evokes a sense of ancient mystery and power. Stanza 6: 19. Wattle gold trembles/'Twixt shadow and shine: The wattle tree, with its golden blossoms, represents a fleeting moment of beauty and hope in an otherwise harsh landscape. 20. Dew-laden air draught resembles/A long draught of wine:  This image suggests a sense of refreshment and delight, even in the midst of hardship. 21. Skyline's blue burnished resistance/Makes deeper the dreamiest distance:  The vastness of the landscape is emphasized, creating a sense of both awe and isolation. 22. Some song in all hearts hath existence:  This line suggests that even in the face of hardship, there is a sense of inner strength and resilience. Overall Meaning: The poem explores the harsh beauty of a land where nature is both awe-inspiring and unforgiving. It celebrates the resilience of life in the face of adversity, drawing parallels between the raw, unrefined nature of the land and the poetry itself. The poem's focus on sound and imagery creates a powerful and lasting impression on the reader.

The Lost Chord 01. SEATED one day at the Organ, I was weary and ill at ease, And my fingers wandered idly Over the noisy keys. 02. I do not know what I was playing, Or what I was dreaming then ; But I struck one chord of music, Like the sound of a great Amen. 03. It flooded the crimson twilight, Like the close of an Angel's Psalm, And it lay on my fevered spirit With a touch of infinite calm. 04. It quieted pain and sorrow, Like love overcoming strife ; It seemed the harmonious echo From our discordant life. 05. It linked all perplexéd meanings Into one perfect peace, And trembled away into silence As if it were loth to cease. 06. I have sought, but I seek it vainly, That one lost chord divine, Which came from the soul of the Organ, And entered into mine. 07. It may be that Death's bright angel Will speak in that chord again, It may be that only in Heaven I shall hear that grand Amen

Here are the vocabulary words and their meanings from the poem 'The Lost Chord' 01. Organ - a large musical instrument with pipes of different lengths through which air is forced to produce notes 02. Weary - feeling or showing tiredness, especially as a result of excessive exertion or lack of sleep 03. Ill at ease - feeling uncomfortable or anxious in a situation 04. Idly - with no particular purpose, reason, or foundation 05. Amen - a word used to express agreement, affirmation, or approval, often at the end of a prayer or hymn 06. Crimson - a deep purplish-red color 07. Angel - a spiritual being believed to act as an attendant, agent, or messenger of God 08. Psalm - a sacred song or hymn, especially one of the biblical hymns collected in the Book of Psalms 09. Fevered - affected by fever, or showing symptoms of fever 10. Infinite - limitless or endless in space, extent, or size 11. Strife - angry or bitter disagreement over fundamental issues; conflict 12. Discordant - disagreeing or incongruous; lacking harmony 13. Perplexéd - confused or puzzled 14. Peace - freedom from disturbance; tranquility 15. Loth - unwilling or reluctant 16. Divine - of, from, or like God or a god; sacred or heavenly 17. Grand - impressive in size, appearance, or general effect These words help to convey the emotions, themes, and imagery present in the poem "The Lost Chord" by Adelaide Anne Procter.

A Carrion (From the French of Charles Baudelaire) 01. Remember now, my Love, what piteous thing We saw on a summer's gracious day: By the roadside a hideous carrion, quivering On a clean bed of pebbly clay, 02. Her legs flexed in the air like a courtesan, Burning and sweating venomously, Calmly exposed its belly, ironic and wan, Clamorous with foul ecstasy. 03. The sun bore down upon this rottenness As if to roast it with gold fire, And render back to nature her own largess A hundredfold of her desire. 04. Heaven observed the vaunting carcass there Blooming with the richness of a flower; And that almighty stink which corpses wear Choked you with sleepy power! 05. The flies swarmed on the putrid vulva, then A black tumbling rout would seethe Of maggots, thick like a torrent in a glen, Over those rags that lived and seemed to breathe. 06. They darted down and rose up like a wave Or buzzed impetuously as before; One would have thought the corpse was held a slave To living by the life it bore! 07. This world had music, its own swift emotion Like water and the wind running, Or corn that a winnower in rhythmic motion Fans with fiery cunning. 08. All forms receded, as in a dream were still, Where white visions vaguely start From the sketch of a painter s long-neglected idyl Into a perfect art! 09. Behind the rocks a restless bitch looked on Regarding us with jealous eyes, Waiting to tear from the livid skeleton Her loosed morsel quick with flies, 10. And even you will come to this foul shame, This ultimate infection, Star of my eyes, my being's inner flame, My angel and my passion! 11. Yes: such shall you be, O queen of heavenly grace, Beyond the last sacrament, When through your bones the flowers and sucking grass Weave their rank cerement. 12. Speak, then, my Beauty, to this dire putrescence, To the worm that shall kiss your proud estate, That I have kept the divine form and the essence Of my festered loves inviolate!

Here are the vocabulary words and their meanings from the poem 'A Carrion: 1. Piteous - deserving or arousing pity; pathetic 2. Carrion - the decaying flesh of dead animals 3. Quivering - shaking or trembling with a slight rapid motion 4. Courtesan - a prostitute, especially one with wealthy or upper-class clients 5. Venomously - in a way that is full of malice or spite 6. Ironic - using or characterized by irony; contrary to what is expected 7. Wan - pale and giving the impression of illness or exhaustion 8. Clamorous - making a loud and confused noise 9. Rottenness - the state of being decayed or decomposed 10. Roast - cook by exposure to direct dry heat 11. Largess - generosity in bestowing money or gifts upon others 12. Vaunting - boasting or bragging 13. Choked - filled with an obstructing material 14. Swarmed - move somewhere in large numbers 15. Putrid - decaying or rotting and emitting a fetid smell 16. Vulva - the external opening of the female reproductive organs 17. Maggots - the larva of a fly, typically found in decaying matter 18. Gorge - a narrow valley between hills or mountains, typically with steep rocky walls and a stream running through it 19. Seethe - be filled with intense but unexpressed anger 20. Winnow - blow a current of air through (grain) in order to remove the chaff 21. Cerement - a waxed cloth for wrapping a corpse 22. Vaguely - in a way that is uncertain, indefinite, or unclear 23. Inviolate - free or safe from injury or violation 24. Putrescence - the state of being decayed or putrid 25. Worm - a maggot or other creeping or burrowing invertebrate animal These words help to convey the vivid and intense imagery present in the poem.

A Ballad Of Footmen Now what in the name of the sun and the stars Is the meaning of this most unholy of wars? Do men find life so full of humour and joy That for want of excitement they smash up the toy? Fifteen millions of soldiers with popguns and horses All bent upon killing, because their 'of courses' Are not quite the same. All these men by the ears, And nine nations of women choking with tears. It is folly to think that the will of a king Can force men to make ducks and drakes of a thing They value, and life is, at least one supposes, Of some little interest, even if roses Have not grown up between one foot and the other. What a marvel bureaucracy is, which can smother Such quite elementary feelings, and tag A man with a number, and set him to wag His legs and his arms at the word of command Or the blow of a whistle! He's certainly damned, Fit only for mince-meat, if a little gold lace And an upturned moustache can set him to face Bullets, and bayonets, and death, and diseases, Because some one he calls his Emperor, pleases. If each man were to lay down his weapon, and say, With a click of his heels, 'I wish you Good-day,' Now what, may I ask, could the Emperor do? A king and his minions are really so few. Angry? Oh, of course, a most furious Emperor! But the men are so many they need not mind his temper, or The dire results which could not be inflicted. With no one to execute sentence, convicted Is just the weak wind from an old, broken bellows. What lackeys men are, who might be such fine fellows! To be killing each other, unmercifully, At an order, as though one said, 'Bring up the tea.' Or is it that tasting the blood on their jaws They lap at it, drunk with its ferment, and laws So patiently builded, are nothing to drinking More blood, any blood. They don't notice its stinking. I don't suppose tigers do, fighting cocks, sparrows, And, as to men - what are men, when their marrows Are running with blood they have gulped; it is plain Such excellent sport does not recollect pain. Toll the bells in the steeples left standing. Half-mast The flags which meant order, for order is past. Take the dust of the streets and sprinkle your head, The civilization we've worked for is dead. Squeeze into this archway, the head of the line Has just swung round the corner to `Die Wacht am Rhein'.

Here are some of the key vocabulary words from the poem "A Ballad Of Footmen " and their meanings: Stanza 1 01. Unholy: Wicked, sinful, or sacrilegious. 02. Wars: A period of fighting between states, groups, or people. Stanza 2 03. Humour: The quality of being amusing or comical. 04. Smash up: To destroy or break something completely. 05. Toy: Something that is played with, especially a child's plaything. Stanza 3 06. Popguns: A toy gun that makes a loud noise when fired, but does not shoot projectiles. 07. Bent upon: Determined to do something. 08. 'Of courses': This is a sarcastic reference to the justifications given for going to war. Stanza 4 09. Folly: Lack of good sense; foolishness. 10. Ducks and drakes: To waste something, especially money. 11. Supposes: To believe or think something is true. Stanza 5 12. Bureaucracy: A system of government in which most of the important decisions are made by state officials rather than elected representatives. 13. Smother: To suppress or stifle. 14. Tag: To attach a label or identifying mark to something. 15. Wag: To move back and forth. Stanza 6 16. Damned: Condemned to eternal punishment. 17. Mince-meat: A mixture of chopped meat, suet, and dried fruit used in mince pies. 18. Up-turned moustache: This is a symbol of militarism and aggression. 19. Bayonets: A long, pointed blade fixed to the end of a rifle. Stanza 7 20. Emperor: The supreme ruler of an empire. 21. Minions: A person who is a follower or servant of a powerful person. Stanza 8 22. Furious: Full of anger or rage. 23. Inflicted: To cause harm or suffering to someone. 24. Execute sentence: To carry out a punishment. 25. Convicted: Found guilty of a crime. 26. Lackeys: A servant, especially a man who acts as a servant to a wealthy person. Stanza 9 27. Unmercifully: Without mercy or compassion. Stanza 10 28. Ferment: A state of great excitement or agitation. Stanza 11 29. Sparrows: Small birds that are common in urban areas. 30. Marrows: The soft, fatty substance inside bones. 31. Gulped: To swallow something quickly. 32. Recollect: To remember something. Stanza 12 33. Toll: To ring a bell slowly and repeatedly, often to announce a death. 34. Steeples: A tall, pointed structure on a church tower. 35. Half-mast: To fly a flag at half its usual height, as a sign of mourning. Stanza 13 36. Civilization: A complex human society, often characterized by its advanced technology, culture, and social organization. Stanza 14 37. ** Die Wacht am Rhein' : A German patriotic song, which was popular during the period of the poem. This poem is a powerful critique of war and the senselessness of violence. The poet uses vivid imagery and strong language to express his disgust at the way in which humans are manipulated to kill each other.

A Fairy Tale 01. On winter nights beside the nursery fire We read the fairy tale, while glowing coals Builded its pictures. There before our eyes We saw the vaulted hall of traceried stone Uprear itself, the distant ceiling hung With pendent stalactites like frozen vines; And all along the walls at intervals, Curled upwards into pillars, roses climbed, And ramped and were confined, and clustered leaves Divided where there peered a laughing face. The foliage seemed to rustle in the wind, A silent murmur, carved in still, gray stone. High pointed windows pierced the southern wall Whence proud escutcheons flung prismatic fires To stain the tessellated marble floor With pools of red, and quivering green, and blue; And in the shade beyond the further door, Its sober squares of black and white were hid Beneath a restless, shuffling, wide-eyed mob Of lackeys and retainers come to view The Christening. A sudden blare of trumpets, and the throng About the entrance parted as the guests Filed singly in with rare and precious gifts. Our eager fancies noted all they brought, The glorious, unattainable delights! But always there was one unbidden guest Who cursed the child and left it bitterness. 02. The fire falls asunder, all is changed, I am no more a child, and what I see Is not a fairy tale, but life, my life. The gifts are there, the many pleasant things: Health, wealth, long-settled friendships, with a name Which honors all who bear it, and the power Of making words obedient. This is much; But overshadowing all is still the curse, That never shall I be fulfilled by love! Along the parching highroad of the world No other soul shall bear mine company. Always shall I be teased with semblances, With cruel impostures, which I trust awhile Then dash to pieces, as a careless boy Flings a kaleidoscope, which shattering Strews all the ground about with coloured sherds. So I behold my visions on the ground No longer radiant, an ignoble heap Of broken, dusty glass. And so, unlit, Even by hope or faith, my dragging steps Force me forever through the passing days.

Here are some of the key vocabulary words from the poem 'The Fairy Tale' and their meanings: Part 1: 01. Traceried: Decorated with intricate patterns of interwoven lines, like stained glass windows. 02. Pendent: Hanging down. 03. Stalactites: Icicle-shaped formations of calcium carbonate that hang from the ceilings of caves. 04. Ramped: To climb or ascend. 05. Confined: Restricted or limited. 06. Escutcheons: A shield-shaped device bearing a coat of arms. 07. Prismatic: Relating to or resembling a prism, which disperses light into a spectrum of colors. 08. Tessellated: Made up of small, regularly shaped pieces of stone or tile, forming a mosaic pattern. 09. Sober: Serious, restrained, or somber. 10. Lackeys: A servant, especially a man who acts as a servant to a wealthy person. 11. Retainers: A servant or attendant. 12. Christening: A ceremony in which a baby is given a name and formally welcomed into the Christian faith. 13. Blare: A loud, harsh, or insistent sound. 14. Unbidden: Not invited or requested. 15. Bitterness: A feeling of intense disappointment, anger, or resentment. Part 2: 16. Asunder: Apart; separated. 17. Fulfilled: Satisfied or complete. 18. Parching: Very dry or thirsty. 19. Semblances: Outward appearances that are deceptive or misleading. 20. Impostures: A person who deceives others by assuming a false identity. 21. Kaleidoscope: A tube containing small pieces of colored glass that create changing patterns when viewed through a lens. 22. Sherds: Fragments of broken pottery. 23. Ignoble: Not honorable or noble; mean or base. 24. Dragging: Moving slowly and with effort. Key Themes 25. Loss of Innocence: The poem contrasts the beauty and wonder of a childhood fairy tale with the harsh realities of adult life. 26. Unsatisfied Love: The speaker yearns for love but feels cursed to be alone, forever seeking but never finding true connection. 27. Disillusionment: The speaker's dreams and hopes are shattered, leaving behind a sense of brokenness and despair. The poet uses vivid imagery and metaphors to create a powerful and moving portrait of the speaker's emotional journey. The vocabulary is carefully chosen to evoke specific feelings and sensations, contributing to the poem's overall impact.

A Japanese Wood-Carving High up above the open, welcoming door It hangs, a piece of wood with colours dim. Once, long ago, it was a waving tree And knew the sun and shadow through the leaves Of forest trees, in a thick eastern wood. The winter snows had bent its branches down, The spring had swelled its buds with coming flowers, Summer had run like fire through its veins, While autumn pelted it with chestnut burrs, And strewed the leafy ground with acorn cups. Dark midnight storms had roared and crashed among Its branches, breaking here and there a limb; But every now and then broad sunlit days Lovingly lingered, caught among the leaves. Yes, it had known all this, and yet to us It does not speak of mossy forest ways, Of whispering pine trees or the shimmering birch; But of quick winds, and the salt, stinging sea! An artist once, with patient, careful knife, Had fashioned it like to the untamed sea. Here waves uprear themselves, their tops blown back By the gay, sunny wind, which whips the blue And breaks it into gleams and sparks of light. Among the flashing waves are two white birds Which swoop, and soar, and scream for very joy At the wild sport. Now diving quickly in, Questing some glistening fish. Now flying up, Their dripping feathers shining in the sun, While the wet drops like little glints of light, Fall pattering backward to the parent sea. Gliding along the green and foam-flecked hollows, Or skimming some white crest about to break, The spirits of the sky deigning to stoop And play with ocean in a summer mood. Hanging above the high, wide open door, It brings to us in quiet, firelit room, The freedom of the earth's vast solitudes, Where heaping, sunny waves tumble and roll, And seabirds scream in wanton happiness.

Here are some of the key vocabulary words from the poem 'A Japanese Wood-Carving' and their meanings: Part 1: 01. Dim: Faint, not bright or clear. 02. Waving: Moving gently from side to side. 03. Thick: Dense, crowded, or closely packed. 04. Eastern wood: A forest located in the east. 05. Bent: Caused to curve or bend. 06. Swollen: Increased in size, especially due to fluid accumulation. 07. Buds: Small, undeveloped shoots or flowers. 08. Pelted: Hit repeatedly with something thrown. 09. Burrs: A prickly covering on a seed or fruit. 10. Acorn cups: The cup-like structure that encloses an acorn. 11. Roared: Made a loud, deep sound. 12. Crashed: Collided with great force. 13. Limb: A branch of a tree. 14. Broad: Wide, large, or extensive. 15. Sunlit: Lit by the sun. 16. Lingering: Staying for a long time. Part 2: 17. Mossy: Covered in moss. 18. Whispering: Making a soft, rustling sound. 19. Shimmering: Shining with a soft, unsteady light. 20. Birch: A type of tree with smooth, white bark. 21. Quick: Fast, agile, or swift. 22. Stinging: Sharp and painful. 23. Untamed: Wild, uncontrolled, or not domesticated. 24. Uprear: To rise up or stand tall. 25. Gay: Bright, cheerful, or lively. 26. Gleams: Flashes of light. 27. Sparks: Tiny particles of burning material. 28. Swoop: To move quickly and suddenly downwards. 29. Soar: To fly high in the air. 30. Questing: Seeking or searching for something. 31. Glistening: Shining with a bright, wet light. 32. Glints: Flashes of light. 33. Pattering: Making a series of light, tapping sounds. 34. Hollows: Depressions or indentations in a surface. 35. Crest: The top of a wave. 36. Deigning: Condescending to do something. 37. Stoop: To bend down or lower oneself. Part 3: 38. Solitudes: Places that are remote and isolated. 39. Heaping: Large and abundant. 40. Tumble: To fall or roll over and over. 41. Wanton: Unrestrained, reckless, or without regard for consequences. Key Themes 42. Transformation: The poem traces the journey of a tree from its natural state to an artistic representation, highlighting the power of human creativity. 43. Nature's Beauty: The poem celebrates the beauty and wonder of the natural world, particularly the sea and its inhabitants. 44. Freedom: The carving evokes a sense of freedom and wildness, contrasting with the quiet, indoors space where it hangs. The poet uses rich imagery and sensory details to bring the artwork to life. The vocabulary is carefully chosen to convey the movement and energy of the sea, as well as the transformation of the tree into something new and beautiful.

A Tale Of Starvation 01. There once was a man whom the gods didn't love, And a disagreeable man was he. He loathed his neighbours, and his neighbours hated him, And he cursed eternally. 02. He damned the sun, and he damned the stars, And he blasted the winds in the sky. He sent to Hell every green, growing thing, And he raved at the birds as they fly. 03. His oaths were many, and his range was wide, He swore in fancy ways; But his meaning was plain: that no created thing Was other than a hurt to his gaze. 04. He dwelt all alone, underneath a leaning hill, And windows toward the hill there were none, And on the other side they were white-washed thick, To keep out every spark of the sun. 05. When he went to market he walked all the way Blaspheming at the path he trod. He cursed at those he bought of, and swore at those he sold to, By all the names he knew of God. 06. For his heart was soured in his weary old hide, And his hopes had curdled in his breast. His friend had been untrue, and his love had thrown him over For the chinking money-bags she liked best. 07. The rats had devoured the contents of his grain-bin, The deer had trampled on his corn, His brook had shrivelled in a summer drought, And his sheep had died unshorn. 08. His hens wouldn't lay, and his cow broke loose, And his old horse perished of a colic. In the loft his wheat-bags were nibbled into holes By little, glutton mice on a frolic. 09. So he slowly lost all he ever had, And the blood in his body dried. Shrunken and mean he still lived on, And cursed that future which had lied. 10. One day he was digging, a spade or two, As his aching back could lift, When he saw something glisten at the bottom of the trench, And to get it out he made great shift. 11. So he dug, and he delved, with care and pain, And the veins in his forehead stood taut. At the end of an hour, when every bone cracked, He gathered up what he had sought. 12. A dim old vase of crusted glass, Prismed while it lay buried deep. Shifting reds and greens, like a pigeon's neck, At the touch of the sun began to leap. 13. It was dull in the tree-shade, but glowing in the light; Flashing like an opal-stone, Carved into a flagon; and the colours glanced and ran, Where at first there had seemed to be none. 14. It had handles on each side to bear it up, And a belly for the gurgling wine. Its neck was slender, and its mouth was wide, And its lip was curled and fine. 15. The old man saw it in the sun's bright stare And the colours started up through the crust, And he who had cursed at the yellow sun Held the flask to it and wiped away the dust. 16. And he bore the flask to the brightest spot, Where the shadow of the hill fell clear; And he turned the flask, and he looked at the flask, And the sun shone without his sneer. 17. Then he carried it home, and put it on a shelf, But it was only grey in the gloom. So he fetched a pail, and a bit of cloth, And he went outside with a broom. 18. And he washed his windows just to let the sun Lie upon his new-found vase; And when evening came, he moved it down And put it on a table near the place 19. Where a candle fluttered in a draught from the door. The old man forgot to swear, Watching its shadow grown a mammoth size, Dancing in the kitchen there. 20. He forgot to revile the sun next morning When he found his vase afire in its light. And he carried it out of the house that day, And kept it close beside him until night. 21. And so it happened from day to day. The old man fed his life On the beauty of his vase, on its perfect shape. And his soul forgot its former strife. 22. And the village-folk came and begged to see The flagon which was dug from the ground. And the old man never thought of an oath, in his joy At showing what he had found. 23. One day the master of the village school Passed him as he stooped at toil, Hoeing for a bean-row, and at his side Was the vase, on the turned-up soil. 24. 'My friend,' said the schoolmaster, pompous and kind, 'That's a valuable thing you have there, But it might get broken out of doors, It should meet with the utmost care. 25. What are you doing with it out here?' 'Why, Sir,' said the poor old man, 'I like to have it about, do you see? To be with it all I can.' 26. 'You will smash it,' said the schoolmaster, sternly right, 'Mark my words and see!' And he walked away, while the old man looked At his treasure despondingly. 27. Then he smiled to himself, for it was his! He had toiled for it, and now he cared. Yes! loved its shape, and its subtle, swift hues, Which his own hard work had bared. 28. He would carry it round with him everywhere, As it gave him joy to do. A fragile vase should not stand in a bean-row! Who would dare to say so? Who? 29..Then his heart was rested, and his fears gave way, And he bent to his hoe again. . . . A clod rolled down, and his foot slipped back, And he lurched with a cry of pain. 30. For the blade of the hoe crashed into glass, And the vase fell to iridescent sherds. The old man's body heaved with slow, dry sobs. He did not curse, he had no words. 31. He gathered the fragments, one by one, And his fingers were cut and torn. Then he made a hole in the very place Whence the beautiful vase had been borne. 32. He covered the hole, and he patted it down, Then he hobbled to his house and shut the door. He tore up his coat and nailed it at the windows That no beam of light should cross the floor. 33. He sat down in front of the empty hearth, And he neither ate nor drank. In three days they found him, dead and cold, And they said: 'What a queer old crank!'

Here are some of the key vocabulary words from the poem 'A Tale Of Starvation' and their meanings: Part 1: 01. Loathed: Hated or detested. 02. Cursed: Uttered curses or swore angrily. 03. Etternally: Forever or endlessly. 04. Damned: Condemned or cursed. 05. Blasted: Criticized severely or cursed. 06. Hurt: Something that causes harm or pain. 07. Gaze: A steady or intent look. Part 2: 08. Soured: Turned bitter or resentful. 09. Curdled: Turned sour or spoiled. 10. Perished: Died or passed away. 11. Colic: Severe abdominal pain caused by digestive issues. 12. Nibbled: Chewed or gnawed gently. 13. Shrunken: Reduced in size or shriveled. 14. Curdled: Turned sour or spoiled. Part 3: 15. Prismed: Refracted like a prism, creating colors. 16. Opal-stone: A type of gemstone with shifting colors. 17. Flagon: A large container for holding liquid, typically wine. 18. Gurgling: Making a bubbling or flowing sound. 19. Belly: The rounded or curved part of a container. Part 4: 20. Despondingly: In a discouraged or gloomy manner. 21. Subtle: Delicate or nuanced. 22. Sherds: Fragments of broken pottery. 23. Iridescent: Showing rainbow-like colors that change with the angle of view. 24. Dry sobs: Silent, convulsive sobs without tears. 25. Hobbled: Walked with a limp or difficulty. 26. Cranks: Eccentric or peculiar individuals. Key Themes 27. Loss: The poem explores themes of loss, both material and emotional, as the old man's prized possession shatters. 28. Obsession: The old man's attachment to the vase symbolizes his need for beauty and joy in a life filled with hardship and bitterness. 29. Tragedy: The destruction of the vase represents the fragility of happiness and the fleeting nature of joy in the old man's life. The poet uses vivid imagery and emotive language to convey the old man's journey from bitterness to temporary joy and ultimately to a tragic end. The vocabulary choices contribute to the portrayal of the old man's struggles and the significance of the vase in his life.

A day 01.Talk not of sad November, when a day Of warm, glad sunshine fills the sky of noon, And a wind, borrowed from some morn of June, Stirs the brown grasses and the leafless spray. 02. On the unfrosted pool the pillared pines Lay their long shafts of shadow: the small rill, Singing a pleasant song of summer still, A line of silver, down the hill-slope shines. 03. Hushed the bird-voices and the hum of bees, In the thin grass the crickets pipe no more; But still the squirrel hoards his winter store, And drops his nut-shells from the shag-bark trees. 04. Softly the dark green hemlocks whisper: high Above, the spires of yellowing larches show, Where the woodpecker and home-loving crow And jay and nut-hatch winter’s threat defy. 05. O gracious beauty, ever new and old! O sights and sounds of nature, doubly dear When the low sunshine warns the closing year Of snow-blown fields and waves of Arctic cold! 06. Close to my heart I fold each lovely thing The sweet day yields; and, not disconsolate, With the calm patience of the woods I wait For leaf and blossom when God gives us Spring!

Vocabulary Words and Meanings This poem 'A Day' is rich with evocative language that paints a vivid picture of late autumn. Here are some key vocabulary words and their meanings: 01. Unfrosted pool: A pool of water that is not yet frozen over. 02. Pillared pines: Tall, straight pine trees that cast long shadows. 03. Rill: A small stream or brook. 04. Shag-bark trees: Trees with rough, shaggy bark, such as hickory trees. 05. Hemlocks: Evergreen trees with dark green needles. 06. Larches: Deciduous trees that turn yellow in the fall. 07. Woodpecker: A bird that pecks holes in trees to find insects. 08. Home-loving crow: A crow that stays in one area. 09. Jay: A noisy, colorful bird. 10. Nut-hatch: A small, active bird that climbs up and down tree trunks. 11. Disconsolate: Without hope or cheer. 12. Patience: The ability to wait calmly. 13. Leaf and blossom: The new growth that comes in the spring. The poet uses these words to create a sense of peace and tranquility, even though the season is coming to an end. The poem celebrates the beauty of nature, even in its quieter moments.

A Dream Of Summer 01. Bland as the morning breath of June The southwest breezes play; And, through its haze, the winter noon Seems warm as summer's day. The snow-plumed Angel of the North Has dropped his icy spear; Again the mossy earth looks forth, Again the streams gush clear. 02. The fox his hillside cell forsakes, The muskrat leaves his nook, The bluebird in the meadow brakes Is singing with the brook. 'Bear up, O Mother Nature!' cry Bird, breeze, and streamlet free; 'Our winter voices prophesy Of summer days to thee!' 03. So, in those winters of the soul, By bitter blasts and drear O'erswept from Memory's frozen pole, Will sunny days appear. Reviving Hope and Faith, they show The soul its living powers, And how beneath the winter's snow Lie germs of summer flowers! 04. The Night is mother of the Day, The Winter of the Spring, And ever upon old Decay The greenest mosses cling. Behind the cloud the starlight lurks, Through showers the sunbeams fall; For God, who loveth all His works, Has left His hope with all!

Vocabulary Words and Meanings This poem 'A Dream of Summer' uses a variety of vocabulary words to paint a vivid picture of the transition from winter to summer. Here are some of the key terms and their meanings: 01. Bland: Lacking in strong flavor or interest. In the poem, the "bland" southwest breezes are gentle and unassuming. 02. Haze: A light mist or fog that obscures vision. The haze in the poem suggests a sense of warmth and softness. 03. Snow-plumed: Covered with snow like plumes or feathers. The "snow-plumed Angel of the North" is a personification of winter. 04. Icy spear: A weapon made of ice, symbolizing the cold and piercing nature of winter. 05. Mossy earth: The ground covered with moss, a sign of life and regeneration. 06. Gush clear: Flow freely and abundantly. The clear streams in the poem symbolize the return of life and vitality. 07. Forsakes: Leaves or abandons. The fox and muskrat leave their winter shelters as the weather warms. 08. Meadow brakes: Thickets or bushes in a meadow. The bluebird sings in the brakes, a sign of the coming summer. 09. Prophesy: To predict or foretell. The bird, breeze, and streamlet are symbolic voices that predict the arrival of summer. 10. Drear: Depressing or dismal. The winters of the soul are characterized by dreariness and despair. 11. O'erswept: Covered or swept over by something. The "bitter blasts" have swept over the "frozen pole" of Memory, representing a period of hardship. 12. Reviving Hope and Faith: Bringing new life and energy to hope and faith. The sunny days that appear in the winters of the soul represent a renewal of spirit. 13. Germs of summer flowers: The seeds or beginnings of summer flowers, hidden beneath the snow, waiting to bloom. 14. Decay: The process of rotting or breaking down. This is contrasted with the greenness of the mosses, which cling to old decay, signifying the cycle of life and death. 15. Starlight lurks: The starlight is hidden behind the clouds, but it still exists, waiting to be revealed. 16. Sunbeams fall: The sun's rays penetrate through the clouds, bringing warmth and light. 17. Left His hope with all: God's hope is present in all of creation, even in the midst of hardship.

A Greeting 01.Thrice welcome from the Land of Flowers And golden-fruited orange bowers To this sweet, green-turfed June of ours! To her who, in our evil time, Dragged into light the nation's crime With strength beyond the strength of men, And, mightier than their swords, her pen! To her who world-wide entrance gave To the log-cabin of the slave; Made all his wrongs and sorrows known, And all earth's languages his own,-- North, South, and East and West, made all The common air electrical, Until the o'ercharged bolts of heaven Blazed down, and every chain was riven! 02. Welcome from each and all to her Whose Wooing of the Minister Revealed the warm heart of the man Beneath the creed-bound Puritan, And taught the kinship of the love Of man below and God above; To her whose vigorous pencil-strokes Sketched into life her Oldtown Folks; Whose fireside stories, grave or gay, In quaint Sam Lawson's vagrant way, With old New England's flavor rife, Waifs from her rude idyllic life, Are racy as the legends old By Chaucer or Boccaccio told; To her who keeps, through change of place And time, her native strength and grace, Alike where warm Sorrento smiles, Or where, by birchen-shaded isles, Whose summer winds have shivered o'er The icy drift of Labrador, She lifts to light the priceless Pearl Of Harpswell's angel-beckoned girl! To her at threescore years and ten Be tributes of the tongue and pen; Be honor, praise, and heart-thanks given, The loves of earth, the hopes of heaven! 03. Ah, dearer than the praise that stirs The air to-day, our love is hers! She needs no guaranty of fame Whose own is linked with Freedom's name. Long ages after ours shall keep Her memory living while we sleep; The waves that wash our gray coast lines, The winds that rock the Southern pines, Shall sing of her; the unending years Shall tell her tale in unborn ears. And when, with sins and follies past, Are numbered color-hate and caste, White, black, and red shall own as one The noblest work by woman done.

The vocabulary words and their meanings from the poem 'A Greeting' are as follows: 01. Bowers - Noun, meaning leafy shelters or alcoves in a garden or wooded area. 02. Log-cabin - Noun, a small, rough-hewn dwelling made of logs. 03. Riven - Verb, past participle of "rive," meaning to split or tear apart violently. 04. Wooing - Noun, the act of seeking the affection or love of someone. 05. Puritan - Noun, a member of a group of English Protestants in the 16th and 17th centuries who sought to simplify and regulate forms of worship. 06. Pencil-strokes - Noun, the marks made by a pencil. 07. Idyllic - Adjective, extremely happy, peaceful, or picturesque. 08. Racy - Adjective, lively, entertaining, and slightly shocking. 09. Vagrant - Adjective, wandering or roaming without a fixed destination or home. 10. Idyllic - Adjective, extremely happy, peaceful, or picturesque. 11. Tributes - Noun, expressions of gratitude, respect, or admiration. 12. Guarantee - Noun, a pledge or assurance. 13. Unending - Adjective, without end or limit. 14. Caste - Noun, a social class or system based on heredity or occupation. These are the key vocabulary words and their meanings from the poem.

A Lament 01. The circle is broken, one seat is forsaken, One bud from the tree of our friendship is shaken; One heart from among us no longer shall thrill With joy in our gladness, or grief in our ill. 02. Weep! lonely and lowly are slumbering now The light of her glances, the pride of her brow; Weep! sadly and long shall we listen in vain To hear the soft tones of her welcome again. 03. Give our tears to the dead! For humanity's claim From its silence and darkness is ever the same; The hope of that world whose existence is bliss May not stifle the tears of the mourners of this. 04. For, oh! if one glance the freed spirit can throw On the scene of its troubled probation below, Than the pride of the marble, the pomp of the dead, To that glance will be dearer the tears which we shed. 05. Oh, who can forget the mild light of her smile, Over lips moved with music and feeling the while, The eye's deep enchantment, dark, dream-like, and clear, In the glow of its gladness, the shade of its tear. 06. And the charm of her features, while over the whole Played the hues of the heart and the sunshine of soul; And the tones of her voice, like the music which seems Murmured low in our ears by the Angel of dreams! 07. But holier and dearer our memories hold Those treasures of feeling, more precious than gold, The love and the kindness and pity which gave Fresh flowers for the bridal, green wreaths for the grave! 08. The heart ever open to Charity's claim, Unmoved from its purpose by censure and blame, While vainly alike on her eye and her ear Fell the scorn of the heartless, the jesting and jeer. 09. How true to our hearts was that beautiful sleeper With smiles for the joyful, with tears for the weeper, Yet, evermore prompt, whether mournful or gay, With warnings in love to the passing astray. 10. For, though spotless herself, she could sorrow for them Who sullied with evil the spirit's pure gem; And a sigh or a tear could the erring reprove, And the sting of reproof was still tempered by love. 11. As a cloud of the sunset, slow melting in heaven, As a star that is lost when the daylight is given, As a glad dream of slumber, which wakens in bliss, She hath passed to the world of the holy from this.

Here are some vocabulary words from the poem 'A Lament' along with their meanings: 01. Forsaken: Abandoned or deserted. 02. Thrill: To feel a sudden wave of intense emotion or excitement. 03. Glances: Brief or casual looks. 04. Pride: Feeling of satisfaction or pleasure in one's achievements. 05. Welcome: Greetings or reception. 06. Humanity: The human race; human beings collectively. 07. Bliss: Perfect happiness; great joy. 08. Probation: Trial or testing period. 09. Marble: A type of hard, crystalline form of limestone. 10. Enchantment: Magical or captivating quality. 11. Charity: Kindness and tolerance in judging others. 12. Censure: Strong disapproval or criticism. 13. Jesting: Joking or playful banter. 14. Astray: Away from the right path or direction. 15. Spotless: Completely clean and free from blemishes. 16. Sullied: Spoiled or tainted. 17. Gem: A precious or valuable stone. 18. Reproof: Expression of blame or disapproval. 19. Sting: Sharp feeling of pain or distress. 20. Slumber: Sleep or a state of rest. These are just a few of the words from the poem along with their meanings. Let me know if you need more assistance with any specific words!

A Lay Of Old Time 01. One morning of the first sad Fall, Poor Adam and his bride Sat in the shade of Eden's wall-- But on the outer side. 02. She, blushing in her fig-leaf suit For the chaste garb of old; He, sighing o'er his bitter fruit For Eden's drupes of gold. 03. Behind them, smiling in the morn, Their forfeit garden lay, Before them, wild with rock and thorn, The desert stretched away. 04. They heard the air above them fanned, A light step on the sward, And lo! they saw before them stand The angel of the Lord! 05. 'Arise,' he said, 'why look behind, When hope is all before, And patient hand and willing mind, Your loss may yet restore? 06. 'I leave with you a spell whose power Can make the desert glad, And call around you fruit and flower As fair as Eden had. 07. 'I clothe your hands with power to lift The curse from off your soil; Your very doom shall seem a gift, Your loss a gain through Toil. 08. 'Go, cheerful as yon humming-bees, To labor as to play.' White glimmering over Eden's trees The angel passed away. 09. The pilgrims of the world went forth Obedient to the word, And found where'er they tilled the earth A garden of the Lord! 10. The thorn-tree cast its evil fruit And blushed with plum and pear, And seeded grass and trodden root Grew sweet beneath their care. 11. We share our primal parents' fate, And, in our turn and day, Look back on Eden's sworded gate As sad and lost as they. 12. But still for us his native skies The pitying Angel leaves, And leads through Toil to Paradise New Adams and new Eves!

Here are the vocabulary words from the poem "A Lay Of Old Time " by John Greenleaf Whittier along with their meanings: 01. Drupes - Fleshy fruits with a hard seed inside, like peaches or plums. 02. Sward - Grass-covered land. 03. Forfeit - Something that is lost or surrendered as a penalty. 04. Garb - Clothing or dress. 05. Toil - Hard work or labor. 06. Plum - A type of sweet fruit. 07. Eve - In this context, referring to the biblical character who was Adam's wife. 08. Pilgrims - Travelers or wanderers on a journey. 09. Thorn-tree - A tree that produces thorns. 10. Paradise - A place of perfect happiness; heaven.

A Memorial 01. Oh, thicker, deeper, darker growing, The solemn vista to the tomb Must know henceforth another shadow, And give another cypress room. 02. In love surpassing that of brothers, We walked, O friend, from childhood's day; And, looking back o'er fifty summers, Our footprints track a common way. 03. One in our faith, and one our longing To make the world within our reach Somewhat the better for our living, And gladder for our human speech. 04. Thou heard'st with me the far-off voices, The old beguiling song of fame, But life to thee was warm and present, And love was better than a name. 05. To homely joys and loves and friendships Thy genial nature fondly clung; And so the shadow on the dial Ran back and left thee always young. 06. And who could blame the generous weakness Which, only to thyself unjust, So overprized the worth of others, And dwarfed thy own with self-distrust? 07. All hearts grew warmer in the presence Of one who, seeking not his own, Gave freely for the love of giving, Nor reaped for self the harvest sown. 08. Thy greeting smile was pledge and prelude Of generous deeds and kindly words; In thy large heart were fair guest-chambers, Open to sunrise and the birds; 09. The task was thine to mould and fashion Life's plastic newness into grace To make the boyish heart heroic, And light with thought the maiden's face. 10. O'er all the land, in town and prairie, With bended heads of mourning, stand The living forms that owe their beauty And fitness to thy shaping hand. 11. Thy call has come in ripened manhood, The noonday calm of heart and mind, While I, who dreamed of thy remaining To mourn me, linger still behind, 12. Live on, to own, with self-upbraiding, A debt of love still due from me,-- The vain remembrance of occasions, Forever lost, of serving thee. 13. It was not mine among thy kindred To join the silent funeral prayers, But all that long sad day of summer My tears of mourning dropped with theirs. 14. All day the sea-waves sobbed with sorrow, The birds forgot their merry trills All day I heard the pines lamenting With thine upon thy homestead hills. 15. Green be those hillside pines forever, And green the meadowy lowlands be, And green the old memorial beeches, Name-carven in the woods of Lee. 16. Still let them greet thy life companions Who thither turn their pilgrim feet, In every mossy line recalling A tender memory sadly sweet. 17. O friend! if thought and sense avail not To know thee henceforth as thou art, That all is well with thee forever I trust the instincts of my heart. 18. Thine be the quiet habitations, Thine the green pastures, blossom-sown, And smiles of saintly recognition, As sweet and tender as thy own. 19. Thou com'st not from the hush and shadow To meet us, but to thee we come, With thee we never can be strangers, And where thou art must still be home.

Here are the vocabulary words and their meanings from the poem 'A Memorial': 01. Solemn - characterized by deep sincerity or seriousness 02. Cypress - a type of coniferous tree often associated with mourning 03. Surpassing - exceeding or going beyond 04. Genial - friendly and cheerful 05. Distrust - lack of trust or confidence 06. Plastic - capable of being molded or shaped 07. Heroic - brave, noble, or courageous 08. Ripened - matured or fully developed 09. Upbraiding - scolding or reproachful 10. Saintly - resembling or characteristic of a saint

A Mystery 01. The river hemmed with leaning trees Wound through its meadows green; A low, blue line of mountains showed The open pines between. 02. One sharp, tall peak above them all Clear into sunlight sprang I saw the river of my dreams, The mountains that I sang! 03. No clue of memory led me on, But well the ways I knew; A feeling of familiar things With every footstep grew. 04. Not otherwise above its crag Could lean the blasted pine; Not otherwise the maple hold Aloft its red ensign. 05. So up the long and shorn foot-hills The mountain road should creep; So, green and low, the meadow fold Its red-haired kine asleep. 06. The river wound as it should wind; Their place the mountains took; The white torn fringes of their clouds Wore no unwonted look. 07. Yet ne'er before that river's rim Was pressed by feet of mine, Never before mine eyes had crossed That broken mountain line. 08. A presence, strange at once and known, Walked with me as my guide; The skirts of some forgotten life Trailed noiseless at my side. 09. Was it a dim-remembered dream? Or glimpse through ions old? The secret which the mountains kept The river never told. 10. But from the vision ere it passed A tender hope I drew, And, pleasant as a dawn of spring, The thought within me grew, 11. That love would temper every change, And soften all surprise, And, misty with the dreams of earth, The hills of Heaven arise.

Here are the vocabulary words from the poem 'A Mystery' along with their meanings: 01. Hemmed - surrounded or bordered 02. Meadows - a piece of grassland, especially one used for hay 03. Lean - to incline or bend from a vertical position 04. Sharp - having a thin edge or point that can cut something 05. Peak - the pointed top of a mountain 06. Sprang - moved suddenly and quickly in a particular direction 07. Ensign - a flag or banner 08. Shorn - cut or trimmed with shears or scissors 09. Creep - to move slowly and quietly in a way that prevents others from noticing 10. Wonted - usual or habitual 11. Rim - the outer edge or border of something 12. Ions - a particle with a positive or negative charge

A Legacy Friend of my many years! When the great silence falls, at last, on me, Let me not leave, to pain and sadden thee, A memory of tears, But pleasant thoughts alone. Of one who was thy friendship's honored guest And drank the wine of consolation pressed From sorrows of thy own. I leave with thee a sense Of hands upheld and trials rendered less, The unselfish joy which is to helpfulness Its own great recompense. The knowledge that from thine, As from the garments of the Master, stole Calmness and strength, the virtue which makes whole And heals without a sign. Yea more, the assurance strong That love, which fails of perfect utterance here, Lives on to fill the heavenly atmosphere With its immortal song. Here are the vocabulary words from the poem along with their meanings: 01. Silence - the absence of sound or noise 02. Sadden - to make someone feel sad or sorrowful 03. Consolation - comfort provided to someone who is experiencing sorrow or disappointment 04. Recompense - compensation or reward given for loss or harm suffered 05. Virtue - behavior showing high moral standards 06. Garments - clothing 07. Calmness - the state of being tranquil or peaceful 08. Utterance - the act of speaking or expressing oneself 09. Immortal - living forever; never dying or decaying 10. Atmosphere - the pervading tone or mood of a place