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Written Long Ago

Blog Posted:5/13/2024 2:17:00 PM

I love this poem because it has so many edges on it. It was written by a then 25 year old Rupert Brooke in around 1912. No one has truly figured it out (does that matter), but it can create many different emotions depending on the reader.

Home

I came back late and tired last night
Into my little room,
To the long chair and the firelight
And comfortable gloom.

But as I entered softly in
I saw a woman there,
The line of neck and cheek and chin,
The darkness of her hair,
The form of one I did not know
Sitting in my chair.

I stood a moment fierce and still,
Watching her neck and hair.
I made a step to her; and saw
That there was no one there.

It was some trick of the firelight
That made me see her there.
It was a chance of shade and light
And the cushion in the chair.

Oh, all you happy over the earth,
That night, how could I sleep?
I lay and watched the lonely gloom;
And watched the moonlight creep
From wall to basin, round the room,
All night I could not sleep.


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Date: 5/27/2024 8:35:00 PM
Charming, enchanting, a bit haunting, and mysterious --- all rolled into one. Thanks for posting this one, Craig. Shadows of the Night ~ Gershon
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Date: 5/20/2024 8:45:00 AM
As you know I rarely visit (PS) anymore, but your blog caught my eye, and I'm glad I read this haunting/thought-provoking poem. For me, it seems to stir up a longing, perhaps a wishful thinker, whose imagination captures a brief image to fulfill a dream, or an empty heart? Haven't we all fantasized at one time or another, while in a lonely place, or lonely or sad frame of mind?
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Date: 5/15/2024 12:07:00 AM
I love this poem too. It’s so easy to read in terms of the language used and captivating. As you said dear Craig, it creates different perceptions. I picked up on the words, ‘ late, tired and lonely gloom’. When I’m really tired, I have almost hallucinations and see things through shapes and shadows. I’m thinking perhaps this has to do with what he thought he saw in his chair upon arriving home. I’m also thinking that he’s very lonely and it’s a wish to see and have someone there waiting for him. Whatever the reason, it clearly bothered him and disturbed his night! Or maybe, it was a spooky visitation?? Thank you for sharing. Really enjoyed it :)
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James Marshall Goff
Date: 5/18/2024 5:01:00 AM
Cool take, nice!
Date: 5/14/2024 8:54:00 AM
Could be a ghost.
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Tom Woody
Date: 5/19/2024 3:47:00 PM
Boo!
Date: 5/13/2024 5:39:00 PM
Reminds me of when my husband was on a business trip and this long painting fell off the wall. I came out of a deep sleep, “What the h@$@ happened?” I could not sleep the rest of the night. I was puzzled as to why a painting that was secure for a long time should suddenly fall. Spooky. Thanks for sharing. I think I read this great poem before.
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My Past Blog Posts

 
Silence
Date Posted: 6/10/2025 11:29:00 AM
Wilderness of Mirrors
Date Posted: 5/22/2025 11:09:00 AM
Contest
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Date Posted: 11/30/2024 1:09:00 PM
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Date Posted: 10/8/2024 11:41:00 AM
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Date Posted: 10/4/2024 8:28:00 AM
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Date Posted: 10/1/2024 2:04:00 PM
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Date Posted: 8/5/2024 10:28:00 AM
Contest etc
Date Posted: 7/23/2024 3:17:00 PM
The Old Gentleman with the Amber Snuff-Box
Date Posted: 6/26/2024 1:06:00 PM
Melancholy Moon - Greg Barden
Date Posted: 6/23/2024 10:22:00 AM
The empty room contest
Date Posted: 6/10/2024 12:52:00 PM
Written Long Ago
Date Posted: 5/13/2024 2:17:00 PM
Silence SPEAKS
Date Posted: 5/11/2024 12:29:00 PM
Who Wrote about a Lamb Where?
Date Posted: 4/20/2024 7:13:00 AM
Some Tidbits on Writing
Date Posted: 3/27/2024 11:19:00 AM
Black and White
Date Posted: 3/22/2024 10:21:00 AM
Shizumano Taiyo Contest etc.
Date Posted: 3/3/2024 9:40:00 AM
Haiku 201
Date Posted: 12/27/2023 11:56:00 AM
Haiku
Date Posted: 12/23/2023 1:00:00 PM

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