PoemHunter.com   
Advent by Patrick Kavanagh   
Search:     
Home Poets Poems Lyrics Quotations Music Forum Search Member Area Poetry E-Books Sites Mini Quiz
 
Patrick Kavanagh
Patrick Kavanagh (1904 - 1967 / County Monaghan / Ireland)
Biography   Poems   Quotations   Comments   More Info   Stats  
Kavanagh was born on the 21st of October 1904, in the village of Inniskeen, Co. Monaghan, Ireland. His father was a shoemaker and had a small farm of .. more >>
17 poems of Patrick Kavanagh
File Size:110 k 
File Format: Acrobat Reader
To download the eBook right-Click on the title and select "Save Target As". more ebooks >>
 
<< prev. poem Poems by Patrick Kavanagh : 1 / 17 next poem >>
  
  Advent

User Rating:

9.1 /10
(19 votes)



  We have tested and tasted too much, lover-
Through a chink too wide there comes in no wonder.
But here in the Advent-darkened room
Where the dry black bread and the sugarless tea
Of penance will charm back the luxury
Of a child's soul, we'll return to Doom
The knowledge we stole but could not use.

And the newness that was in every stale thing
When we looked at it as children: the spirit-shocking
Wonder in a black slanting Ulster hill
Or the prophetic astonishment in the tedious talking
Of an old fool will awake for us and bring
You and me to the yard gate to watch the whins
And the bog-holes, cart-tracks, old stables where Time begins.

O after Christmas we'll have no need to go searching
For the difference that sets an old phrase burning-
We'll hear it in the whispered argument of a churning
Or in the streets where the village boys are lurching.
And we'll hear it among decent men too
Who barrow dung in gardens under trees,
Wherever life pours ordinary plenty.
Won't we be rich, my love and I, and
God we shall not ask for reason's payment,
The why of heart-breaking strangeness in dreeping hedges
Nor analyse God's breath in common statement.
We have thrown into the dust-bin the clay-minted wages
Of pleasure, knowledge and the conscious hour-
And Christ comes with a January flower.


Submitted by Andrew Mayers

Patrick Kavanagh


Poem Share:


Read poems about / on: january, christmas, flower, children, child, god, tree

 
  Comments about this poem (Advent by Patrick Kavanagh )
Click here to write your comments about this poem (Advent by Patrick Kavanagh )
 
  Roisin Reilly  (5/26/2009 8:30:00 AM)

Are there any Patrick Kavanagh Poems /Prose on audio books or cds?
 
  People who read Patrick Kavanagh

 
 
  More classic poets:

      The complete list >>

 
 
  Lyrics

      The complete list >>

 
 

 Search in the World Poetry Database => 

 Search:    tips
Hide the search box!
 
 
  E-MAIL THIS PAGE TO A FRIEND - Found this page interesting? Recommend it to your friend!
 
 Your E-mail:  
 Friend's Email:  
   
Your
Message:

 

  
  QuickPoll
How often do you visit our website?
 
Once a day
Once a week
Once a month
Once a year

 

(c) Poems are the property of their respective owners. All information has been reproduced here for educational and informational purposes to benefit site visitors, and is provided at no charge..  About Us | Copyright notice | Privacy statement | Help
7/4/2009 7:48:24 AM . You Are Here: Advent by Patrick Kavanagh

#.1#

Home | Poets | Poems | Lyrics | Music | Quotations | Forum | Search | Random Poem | Free Poetry eBooks | Contests | Sites |
Submit a Poem | Manage Your Poems | Contact Us

Christmas Poems | Love Poems | Pablo Neruda | Death Poems | Sad Poems | Birthday Poems | Wedding Poems | Annabel Lee | Sorry Poems