BW9: I think Continually by Stephen Spender

Courtesy of Encyclopedia Britannica
Sir Stephen Spender  
(28 February 1909 – 16 July 1995)

I think Continually

by

Sir Stephen Spender 

I think continually of those who were truly great.

Who, from the womb, remembered the soul's history

Through corridors of light where the hours are suns

Endless and singing. Whose lovely ambition

Was that their lips, still touched with fire,

Should tell of the Spirit clothed from head to foot in song.

And who hoarded from the Spring branches

The desires falling across their bodies like blossoms.

What is precious is never to forget

The essential delight of the blood drawn from ageless springs

Breaking through rocks in worlds before our earth.

Never to deny its pleasure in the morning simple light

Nor its grave evening demand for love.

Never to allow gradually the traffic to smother

With noise and fog the flowering of the spirit.

Near the snow, near the sun, in the highest fields

See how these names are feted by the waving grass

And by the streamers of white cloud

And whispers of wind in the listening sky.

The names of those who in their lives fought for life

Who wore at their hearts the fire's centre.

Born of the sun they travelled a short while towards the sun,

And left the vivid air signed with their honour. 

Read his poems and learn more about Sir Stephen Spender through Poemhunter.com, WWD's   Family Unit: Matthew Spender on His Parents’ Marriage.  Also listen to his BBC Desert Island Disc's Podcast conversation with Sue Lawley about poetry, his favorite music and life which is quite interesting as well as humorous. (Click download to listen)

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