Poem by William Barnes

Third Collection. Lwonesomeness

As I do zew, wi’ nimble hand,
 In here avore the window’s light,
How still do all the housegear stand
 Around my lwonesome zight.
How still do all the housegear stand
Since Willie now ’ve a-left the land.

The rwose-tree’s window-sheädèn bow
 Do hang in leaf, an’ win’-blow’d flow’rs,
Avore my lwonesome eyes do show
 Theäse bright November hours.
Avore my lwonesome eyes do show
Wi’ nwone but I to zee em blow.

The sheädes o’ leafy buds, avore
 The peänes, do sheäke upon the glass,
An’ stir in light upon the vloor,
 Where now vew veet do pass,
An’ stir in light upon the vloor,
Where there’s a-stirrèn nothèn mwore.

This win’ mid dreve upon the maïn,
 My brother’s ship, a-plowèn foam,
But not bring mother, cwold, nor raïn,
 At her now happy hwome.
But not bring mother, cwold, nor raïn,
Where she is out o’ pain.

Zoo now that I’m a-mwopèn dumb,
 A-keepèn father’s house, do you
Come of’en wi’ your work vrom hwome,
 Vor company. Now do.
Come of’en wi’ your work vrom hwome,
Up here a-while. Do come.

1. Second Collection. Light or Sheäde
2. Third Collection. Shaftesbury Feäir
3. Third Collection. The Neäme Letters
4. Third Collection. Tweil
5. Second Collection. Slow to come, quick agone

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