There is an old legend of St. Barbara, patron saint of artillery and of those in danger of sudden death. And there are, I suppose, few better places to tell it than in the trenches of World War I. The Ballad of St. Barbara is written in two parts, both verse, alternating the legend of…
Tag: poem
A Poem and its Parody
Years ago, while reading through an old volume of G. K. Chesterton poetry, I came across this poem: THE PHILANTHROPIST (With apologies to a Beautiful Poem) ABOU BEN ADHEM (may his tribe decrease By cautious birth-control and die in peace) Mellow with learning lightly took the word That marked him not with them that love…
The Pardon of Christmas
Here is a Christmas poem by G. K. Chesterton. Comments at the end. The Pardon of Christmas Roofed in with the snows of December It returns, it is left to us yet —A day: with one day to remember. —A day: with long days to forget. Undeterred, recurring, soft-footed It comes down o’er the world,…