From “Cooper’s Hill” February 3, 2009

O could I flow like thee, and make thy stream
My great example, as it is my theme!
Though deep, yet clear, though gentle, yet not dull;
Strong without rage, without o’erflowing full.
- Sir John Denham

From “Cain: A Mystery” October 28, 2007

And this should be the human sum
Of knowledge, to know mortal nature’s nothingness;
Bequeath that science to thy children, an
‘Twill spare them many tortures
- Lord Byron

From “Milton, Book the Second” June 20, 2007

Thou hearest the Nightingale begin the Song of Spring;
The Lark sitting upon his earthy bed: just as the morn
Appears; listens silent; then springing from the waving Corn-field! loud
He leads the Choir of Day! trill, trill, trill, trill,
Mounting upon the wings of light into the Great Expanse:
Reechoing against the lovely blue & shining heavenly Shell:
His little [...]

From “Preface to ‘Prometheus Unbound’” June 20, 2007

“Didactic poetry is my abhorrence; nothing can be equally well expressed in prose that is not tedious and supererogatory in verse. My purpose has hitherto been simply to familiarise the highly refined imagination of the more select classes of poetical readers with beautiful idealisms of moral excellence; aware that until the mind can love, and [...]

Archaic Torso of Apollo November 9, 2005

We never knew his fantastic head,
where eyes like apples ripened. Yet
his torso, like a lamp, still glows
with his gaze which, although turned down low,
lingers and shines. Else the prow of his breast
couldn’t dazzle you, nor in the slight twist
of his loins could a smile run free
through that center which held fertility.
Else this [...]