Breakfast Time (The Adventures Of Seumas Beg)

    The sun is always in the sky
        Whenever I get out of bed,
    And I often wonder why
        It's never late., My sister said
    She did not know who did the trick,
        And that she did not care a bit,
    And I should eat my porridge quick.
        ... I think it's mother wakens it.

James Stephens

James Stephens was an Irish novelist and poet, whose literary output includes many retellings of Irish myths and fairy tales. He was born on February 9, 1880, and passed away on December 26, 1950. Notable works include 'The Crock of Gold' and 'The Demi-Gods'. Stephens also wrote several well-regarded collections of poetry, including 'The Hill of Vision' and 'Insurrections'. His work is characterized by a blend of myth, fantasy, and modernism, capturing the spirit and culture of Ireland.

James Stephens

The Snare

James Stephens, Simple Poetry

Mary Ruane

James Stephens, Simple Poetry

Peggy Mitchell

James Stephens, Simple Poetry

O'Bruaidar

James Stephens, Simple Poetry

English

Suggested Poems

Explore a curated selection of verses that share themes, styles, and emotional resonance with the poem you've just read.

Day And Night (The Adventures Of Seumas Beg)

    When the bright eyes of the day
        Open on the dusk, to see
    Mist and shadow fade away
        And the sun shine merrily,
    Then I leave my bed and run
    Out to frolic in the sun.

    Through the sunny hours I play
        Where the stream is wandering,
    Plucking daisies by the way;
        And I laugh and dance and sing,
    While the birds fly here and there
    Singing on the sunny air.

    When the night comes, cold and slow,
        And the sad moon walks the sky,
    When the whispering wind says "Boh,
        Little boy!" and makes me cry,
    By my mother I am led
    Home again and put to bed.

James Stephens

The White Window (The Adventures Of Seumas Beg)

    The moon comes every night to peep
        Through the window where I lie,
    And I pretend to be asleep;
        But I watch the moon as it goes by,
    And it never makes a sound.

    It stands and stares, and then it goes
        To the house that's next to me,
    Stealing on its tippy-toes,
        To peep at folk asleep maybe;
    And it never makes a sound.

James Stephens

Midnight (The Adventures Of Seumas Beg)

    And then I wakened up in such a fright;
        I thought I heard a movement in the room
    But did not dare to look; I snuggled right
        Down underneath the bedclothes, then the boom
    Of a tremendous voice said, "Sit up, lad,
        And let me see your face."    So up I sat,
    Although I didn't want to.    I was glad
        I did though, for it was an angel that
    Had called me, and he said, he'd come to know
        Was I the boy who wouldn't say his prayers
    Nor do his sums, and that I'd have to go
        Straight down to hell because of such affairs.
    ... I said I'd be converted and do good
        If he would let me off, he said he would.

James Stephens

When I Was Young (The Adventures Of Seumas Beg)

    I will not know when I am dead
    If sun or moon is overhead;
    I'll stretch out flat without a sound
    Inside a box beneath the ground,
    And never rise again to see
    Branches lifting on a tree,
    Nor hear the song the finches sing
    In the spring.

    I'll not, while sunny ages go,
    Lift a hand or wag a toe;
    But in a wooden box will be
    Hidden for eternity
    From sea and sun, from sight and sound,
    From touch of people, voice of friend,
    From all that makes my heart to bound,
    Denying such an end:
    It is so strange, I wonder why
    People die!

James Stephens

Check (The Adventures Of Seumas Beg)

    The night was creeping on the ground;
    She crept and did not make a sound
    Until she reached the tree, and then
    She covered it, and stole again
    Along the grass beside the wall.

    I heard the rustle of her shawl
    As she threw blackness everywhere
    Upon the sky and ground and air,
    And in the room where I was hid:
    But no matter what she did
    To everything that was without,
    She could not put my candle out.

    So I stared at the night, and she
    Stared back solemnly at me.

James Stephens

April Showers (The Adventures Of Seumas Beg)

    The leaves are fresh after the rain,
        The air is cool and clear,
    The sun is shining warm again,
        The sparrows hopping in the lane
    Are brisk and full of cheer.

    And that is why we dance and play,
        And that is why we sing,
    Calling out in voices gay,
        We will not go to school to-day
    Or learn anything:

    It is a happy thing, I say,
    To be alive on such a day.

James Stephens