Last Poems: XI -- A E Housman

Guest poem submitted by Stephen Axbey, who writes
prefatorily, "Great theme - is there still time to squeeze this one in? - the
definitive 'at work' poem" :

(Poem #539) Last Poems: XI Yonder see the morning blink: The sun is up, and up must I, To wash and dress and eat and drink And look at things and talk and think And work, and God knows why. Oh often have I washed and dressed And what's to show for all my pain? Let me lie abed and rest: Ten thousand times I've done my best And all's to do again. -- A E Housman

Don't have any time for a biog. of Housman - who needs it anyway? - but this
poem I think is a tremendous tour-de-force - just reading it at my desk fills me
with depression and lethargy. It should probably be banned from the workplace
<grin>. But who hasn't felt that way from time to time?

Steve.

[thomas adds]

This week's theme seems to have struck a chord with our readers - several people
have written in with suggestions and submissions. Our thanks to all of you;
we'll continue running 'work poems' until we run out. (Both Martin and myself
have a few to contribute as well; you have been warned!).

Housman biographies can, by the way, be found at poem #33 and poem #377.

thomas.