The Land Of Counterpane Poem by Robert Louis Stevenson
The Land Of Counterpane
When I was sick and lay a-bed,
I had two pillows at my head,
And all my toys beside me lay,
To keep me happy all the day.
And sometimes for an hour or so
I watched my leaden soldiers go,
With different uniforms and drills,
Among the bed-clothes, through the hills;
And sometimes sent my ships in fleets
All up and down among the sheets;
Or brought my trees and houses out,
And planted cities all about.
I was the giant great and still
That sits upon the pillow-hill,
And sees before him, dale and plain,
The pleasant land of counterpane.
I have been looking for this Poem for a long time. It is the very first poem I ever had to memorize. I remember the hours my mother spent with me helping me. It helps bring back fond memories of my mother.
I also remember learning this poem in primary school and lately have wanted to visit the poets I love. I also like John Masefield's 'Sea Fever'.
I remember my second English lesson at grammar school when we were asked to bring in our favourite poem to read aloud to the class. I was the only child in the class who came from a council estate with a father who had spent his life working in a factory, the other children had fathers who were doctors, solicitors, headmasters etc you get the picture! We didn't have many books but I did still have a board book with a colourful cover and broken spine which contained just 8 poems, The Land of Counterpane was my favourite - I liked the picture too! I remember turning bright red as I looked at the other children standing up and reading poems from Shakespeare, Browning, Tennyson, some from leather bound books, and here was I standing up reading my battered little board book and hearing the other children giggle and seeing the teacher smirk. I couldn't remember who wrote this poem and it was the last time I ever looked it as I throw the book away on the way home, but here it is and 49 years down the line I can read it again and actually enjoy it and be proud that at least I read out a poem from a renowned poet, even if I didn't realise that at the time!
Aw, that was sad! I think it's wonderful that you were in Grammar School as you were there without the same opportunities money buys. Yours would have been a poem you actually liked and enjoyed , it's very unlikely the rest of the class sat down and soaked in Shakespeare & other Victorian poets at that age! Stupid teacher!
I've just read this poem to my husband hes getting me a poem book by Robert Louis Stevenson lm so pleased l found this poem its reminds me of childhood thanks
This was a poem l remember from school.it was lovely to read it again.
awesome poem! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
This lovely little poem brings back such fond memories of my childhood. It was in one of two books, one blue, one pink which were entitled, I think, Tales for Little Folk. I remembered the first two lines and I am happy to rediscover it here and to know it is by such a renowned author.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
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10/26/2026 2:58:07 PM # rel_20261022T080914Z_e3039d4
I love this poem. It is only one of two poems I remember my granddad liking. Everytime I read it it brings back good memories. I must say this is my favorite poem.