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New Collected Poems of Stephen Spender

This book brings together a selection of Stephen Spender's most celebrated poems, showcasing his unique voice and thematic concerns throughout his career. more

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Stephen Spender
Stephen Spender

Stephen Spender was a British poet known for his lyrical poetry and prose. His works often explore the relationship between the individual and society, as well as profound insights into history and culture. Born on February 28, 1909, he passed away on July 16, 1995. more

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“The seen and seeing softly mutually strike Their glass barrier that arrests the sight. But the world's being hides in the volcanoes And the foul history pressed into its core; And to myself my being is my childhood And passion and entrails and the roots of senses; I'm pressed into the inside of a mask At the back of love, the back of air, the back of light.”

WorldLightPassionSeeingAirChildhoodRootsSightGlassesStrikesCoreSensesMaskBarriersFoulVolcanoes
Book:New Collected Poems of Stephen Spender
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“Near the snow, near the sun, in the highest fields, See how these names are fêted in the waving grass And by the streamers of the white cloud And whispers of the wind in the listening sky. The names of those who in their lives fought for life, Who wore at their hearts the fire's centre. Born of the sun, they travelled a short while toward the sun And left the vivid air signed with their honour.”

HeartNamesLeftBornWhiteSunFireAirSkyFieldsWindListeningHighestCloudsSnowGrassHonourCentreVividWhite Clouds
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“All the lessons learned, unlearned; The young, who learned to read, now blind, Their eyes with an archaic film; The peasant relapses to a stumbling tune, Following the donkey's bray; These only remember to forget. But somewhere some word presses, On the high door of a skull and in some corner, Of an irrefrangible eye, Some old man memory jumps to a child - Spark from the days of energy. And the child hoards it like a bitter toy.”

MenChildrenEyeRememberFilmYoungEnergyMemoriesForgetDoorsLessonsBlindPressesFollowingCornersBitterTunesOld ManSparksToysPeasantsSkullsStumblingDonkeyLesson LearnedRelapse
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