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James Stephens
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James Stephens Poems
- The Ancient Elf I am the maker, The builder, the ...
- Check The night was creeping on the ground; She crept and ...
- The Snare I hear a sudden cry of pain! There is a rabbit in ...
- Hate My enemy came nigh, And I Stared fiercely in his ...
- In The Poppy Field Mad Patsy said, he said to me, That every...
- I Heard A Bird At Dawn I heard a bird at dawn Singing ...
- The Spring In Ireland: 1916 I Do not forget my charge I ...
James Stephens was an Irish novelist and poet.
James Stephens produced many retellings of Irish myths and fairy tales. His retellings are marked by a rare combination of humor and lyricism (Deirdre, and Irish Fairy Tales are often especially praise). He also wrote several original novels (Crock of Gold, Etched in Moonlight, Demi-Gods) based loosely on Irish fairy tales. "Crock of Gold," in particular, achieved enduring popularity and was reprinted frequently throughout the author's lifetime.
Stephens began his career as a poet with the tutelage of "Æ" (George William Russell). His first book of poems, "Insurrections," was published during ... more »
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The Ancient Elf
I am the maker,
The builder, the breaker,
The eagle-winged helper,
The speedy forsaker!
The lance and the lyre,
The water, the fire,
The tooth of oppression,
The lip of desire!
The snare and the wing,
They honey, the sting!
When you seek for me--look
For a different thing!
I, careless and gay,
Never mean what I say,
For my thoughts and my eyes
Look the opposite way!
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Where is the brilliant James Stephens poem 'The Shell'? It should be here. The simple act of putting a shell to the ear caused him to produce a truly wonderful poem.