A Song of Travel by Rudyard Kipling

Where’s the lamp that Hero lit Once to call Leander home? Equal Time hath shovelled it ‘Neath the wrack of Greece and Rome. Neither wait we any more That worn sail which Argo bore. Dust and dust of ashes close All the Vestal Virgin’s care; And the oldest altar shows But an older darkness there. […]

A Song of the White Men by Rudyard Kipling

1899 Now, this is the cup the White Men drink When they go to right a wrong, And that is the cup of the old world’s hate– Cruel and strained and strong. We have drunk that cup–and a bitter, bitter cup– And tossed the dregs away. But well for the world when the White Men […]

A Song of the English by Rudyard Kipling

Fair is our lot — O goodly is our heritage! (Humble ye, my people, and be fearful in your mirth!) For the Lord our God Most High He hath made the deep as dry, He hath smote for us a pathway to the ends of all the Earth! Yea, though we sinned — and our […]

A Song of Kabir by Rudyard Kipling

Oh, light was the world that he weighed in his hands! Oh, heavy the tale of his fiefs and his lands! He has gone from the guddee and put on the shroud, And departed in guise of bairagi avowed! Now the white road to Delhi is mat for his feet. The sal and the kikar […]

A Song In Storm by Rudyard Kipling

Be well assured that on our side The abiding oceans fight, Though headlong wind and heaping tide Make us their sport to-night. By force of weather, not of war, In jeopardy we steer. Then welcome Fate’s discourtesy Whereby it shall appear How in all time of our distress, And our deliverance too, The game is […]

A Song at Cock-Crow by Rudyard Kipling

The first time that Peter denied his Lord He shrank from the cudgel, the scourge and the cord, But followed far off to see what they would do, Till the cock crew–till the cock crew– After Gethsemane, till the cock crew! The first time that Peter denied his Lord ‘Twas only a maid in the […]

A Smuggler’s Song by Rudyard Kipling

If you wake at midnight, and hear a horse’s feet, Don’t go drawing back the blind, or looking in the street. Them that ask no questions isn’t told a lie. Watch the wall, my darling, while the Gentlemen go by! Five and twenty ponies, Trotting through the dark — Brandy for the Parson, ‘Baccy for […]

A Ripple Song by Rudyard Kipling

Once red ripple came to land In the golden sunset burning– Lapped against a maiden’s hand, By the ford returning. Dainty foot and gentle breast– Here, across, be glad and rest. “Maiden, wait,” the ripplee saith; “Wait awhile, for I am Death!” “Where my lover calls I go– Shame it were to treat him coldly– […]

A Recantation by Rudyard Kipling

1917 (To Lyde of the Music Halls) What boots it on the Gods to call? Since, answered or unheard, We perish with the Gods and all Things made–except the Word. Ere certain Fate had touched a heart By fifty years made cold, I judged thee, Lyde, and thy art O’erblown and over-bold. But he–but he, […]

A Pict Song by Rudyard Kipling

Rome never looks where she treads. Always her heavy hooves fall On our stomachs, our hearts or our heads; And Rome never heeds when we bawl. Her sentries pass on–that is all, And we gather behind them in hordes, And plot to reconquer the Wall, With only our tongues for our swords. We are the […]

A Nativity by Rudyard Kipling

1914-18 The Babe was laid in the Manger Between the gentle kine — All safe from cold and danger — “But it was not so with mine, (With mine! With mine!) “Is it well with the child, is it well?” The waiting mother prayed. “For I know not how he fell, And I know not […]

A General Summary by Rudyard Kipling

We are very slightly changed From the semi-apes who ranged India’s Prehistoric clay; He that drew the longest bow Ran his brother down, you know, As we run men down to-tday. “Dowb,” the first of all his race, Met the Mammoth face to face On the lake or in the cave: Stole the steadiest canoe, […]

A Code of Morals by Rudyard Kipling

Now Jones had left his new-wed bride to keep his house in order, And hied away to the Hurrum Hills above the Afghan border, To sit on a rock with a heliograph; but ere he left he taught His wife the working of the Code that sets the miles at naught. And Love had made […]

A Charm by Rudyard Kipling

Take of English earth as much As either hand may rightly clutch. In the taking of it breathe Prayer for all who lie beneath. Not the great nor well-bespoke, But the mere uncounted folk Of whose life and death is none Report or lamentation. Lay that earth upon thy heart, And thy sickness shall depart! […]

A Carol by Rudyard Kipling

Our Lord Who did the Ox command To kneel to Judah’s King, He binds His frost upon the land To ripen it for Spring — To ripen it for Spring, good sirs, According to His Word. Which well must be as ye can see — And who shall judge the Lord? When we poor fenmen […]

Weak by Tanisha Avarsekar

I think my memories are starting to wrinkle, Bonds seem to have started to shrivel. My energy to duel with reality is slowly depleting. But until this battle is over, I don’t think I’ll be leaving. The future is fogged up, The past turning pale. Not sure where I’m standing anymore. Not sure where to […]

The battle of fire by Tanisha Avarsekar

The battle of fire, rages on and on. Turning all black. Turning all hard. No difference does it make of the arrival of dawn. However affected the outside world is barred. Fiercely ablaze, everything here is equal. There is no difference, between the next sequel. You fight back, and the fire will rebel. A little […]

Taketh away by Tanisha Avarsekar

When what was there now is gone. When now it’s dusk, but what I’d seen was dawn. When what I’d embraced, now is mist. When I held a hand, but found an empty fist. All is lost and it’s a lonely day. ‘Cos what the Lord giveth, he taketh away. ————— The End And that’s […]

So tired by Tanisha Avarsekar

Sometimes, I get tired of never being able to forgive myself. Tired of being forced to repeat my mistakes. Sometimes, I get tired of being misunderstood. Tired of choosing to battle alone. Sometimes, I get tired of having to be who I’m not. Tired of lying to myself. Sometimes, I get tired of having to […]

Silent consolation by Tanisha Avarsekar

When I sit alone in the quiet of the night, Knowing that I’m all alone. Surrounded by what has generously been showered on me, Nothing that I’m worth. The silence of midnight comes to offer consolation, With a gentle breeze and a rush of strength. Poetry In Englishwww.poetry.monster

Life a chess game by Tanisha Avarsekar

Life is like a chess game. Every move you make is challenged. The slightest of your mistakes is avenged. The entire game lies on your choices. It is hard to keep a count of your losses. To get something you have to give up something else. And what you get is always compared to what […]

Life a battlefield by Tanisha Avarsekar

An armor of love you enter wearing. This war is a tough one, so say even the most daring. When betrayal stabs in the heart, and your self confidence starts to fall apart. Someone’s kindness comes to help you heal. Teaching you to for others feel. Then just when you’re recovering there is a new […]

Late realizations by Tanisha Avarsekar

Failed at every part. Failed at every stage. With the dark ink of past fears, ruined every fresh page. Permitted myself to drown in the ocean of my tears. Let my future by others be steered. Walked stamping on all the new leaves, I had once turned. And realized my mistakes, only after it all […]

Halo by Tanisha Avarsekar

Have a clean conscience, As white as can be. Pure and transparent, Not a speck of negativity. Not a bout of guilt, or a drop of grief, All your thoughts, a little more deep. And then you’ll see a halo… Poetry In Englishwww.poetry.monster

Grey eyed Goddess by Tanisha Avarsekar

Oh Athena! Oh Grey eyed Goddess! Oh queen of wisdom! Oh lady of knowledge! Oh mother of all skill! Oh Pallas! Oh virgin mother! Oh sister of love! Bless me. Blessed be. ————— The End And that’s the End of the Poem © Poetry Monster, 2021. Poems by topic and subject. Poetry Monster — the ultimate […]

Everything ends by Tanisha Avarsekar

Flames will turn to ash, Feelings will be abashed. Thrills will come to an end, Rules are meant to be bent. Money will not forever survive, We will be bored of everything that we’ve tried. It will rain on a sunny day, The sea will rise and wash the glee away. Poetry In Englishwww.poetry.monster

Damned by Tanisha Avarsekar

The burden I carry, I shouldn’t be. Just one question… I don’t deserve it. Why me? Forced to trust and smile. Forced to cherish that I’m alive. Punish myself harder, but not the guilt. The land is there, but never the silt. ————— The End And that’s the End of the Poem © Poetry Monster, 2021. […]

Compromising my ego by Tanisha Avarsekar

Only for the sake of victory, am I taking this. Otherwise I would’ve long showed you your place. I’m not afraid to disrupt your pride. My obedience to your wishes is only because I have been taught to respect. Don’t cross the line with me. You won’t win the fight with my fury. Remember, you […]

Both ways I lose by Tanisha Avarsekar

When you jog, I’ll run. And when you run, I’ll sprint. When you win, I’ll lose. But when you lose, I still won’t win. Poetry In Englishwww.poetry.monster

Blue flower by Tanisha Avarsekar

Just when life was starting to bloom, Karma came and turned it to gloom. With only anguish the plant was fed, It had a beautiful blue flower, Now all its petals are dead. Their colors lost in my memory. Copyright ©:  2011 Tanisha Avarsekar ————— The End And that’s the End of the Poem © Poetry […]

Blue eyes by Tanisha Avarsekar

Those blue eyes, they tell a story, Of far beyond and life not merely. Their mysterious coldness too has a reason. Sometime ago, they too had freedom. Now they just beg to be heard. Loss of glory once occurred. They just want another chance. Another look or another glance. ————— The End And that’s the […]

Be there for me by Tanisha Avarsekar

When it finally happens, I expect you to be there for me. I may not have enough energy then to be able to ask… But stand by me, and tell me what’s right. Be my courage, and make me fight. Make sure I survive that ugly phase. ‘Cause I may not even want to live […]

An ode to you by Tanisha Avarsekar

I have made many mistakes in my life. Quite a few of which, you have had to pay for. For some of them, I have gotten an opportunity to apologize. And for some I never will. But however, you must know… That I appreciate everything you do for me. All the misery that you bear. […]