MELINDA KENDALL

11/9/2007 - POEM: THE WOULD-BE POET’S LAMENT

THE WOULD-BE POET’S LAMENT

Oh dear! oh dear! I wonder why

I cannot write that song,

For, when I try, it always seems

A foot too short or long.

I know that I have talents great

Brilliant ideas and strong –

But cannot get them into shape –

There must be something wrong.

Of grand ideas and imagery

I really have a host,

And things I want to write about –

But there – I must not boast.

My Pegasus does stumble so,

And though his eyes look bright,

I fear he cannot see his way –

He must have lost his sight.

I am afraid that to the “Mount” –

“Parnassus” – he wont climb;

For now again I’m in a fix,

I really can’t find rhyme.

(Illawarra Mercury, June 6, 1884)

About Me

The life and writings of Melinda Kendall, 19th-century Australian writer, pioneer, teacher and mother of the (presently) more-renowned Henry. The image here is that of Emily Kendall , Melinda's youngest daughter ( no image of Melinda has yet been recovered ) .

Recent Posts

• FOREWORD
• THE LIFE HISTORY OF MELINDA KENDALL THROUGH HER WRITINGS: PART 1
• THE LIFE HISTORY OF MELINDA KENDALL THROUGH HER WRITINGS: PART 2
• THE LIFE HISTORY OF MELINDA KENDALL THROUGH HER WRITINGS: PART 3
• THE LIFE HISTORY OF MELINDA KENDALL THROUGH HER WRITINGS: PART 4
• THE LIFE HISTORY OF MELINDA KENDALL THROUGH HER WRITINGS: END NOTES
• BASIL & MELINDA'S MARRIAGE
• POEM: HENRY KENDALL (BY HIS MOTHER)
• POEM: LOST IN THE BUSH
• POEM: A WASTED LIFE
• POEM: THE LATE HENRY KENDALL
• POEM: TO A LADY, ON HER BIRTHDAY
• POEM: FAIRY MEADOW
• PROSE PIECE: A DREAM IN ILLAWARRA
• POEM: HOME OF HOPE
• POEM: BETTER THAN GOLD
• PROSE PIECE: BROOKER'S NOSE
• POEM: IN MEMORIAM - WILLIAM WARREN JENKINS, ESQ. (& ANALYSIS)
• POEM: THE WOULD-BE POET’S LAMENT
• POEM: A SONG

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