You did not hear the scratching quill,
but just the words which linger still
on parchment all alone,
and centuries on it still exists
my beating thoughts which still persists
a part of me that's known.
No intriguing biography have I
no date of birth or place to die,
just poetry I've sown.
Will you build me a statue shrine
with bold features, that were mine?
Paint my portrait on canvas sheets?
Use my name when naming streets?
No?
Many times my words you'll see
yet not once have they paid me,
nor uttered promises of fame
or even the mention of my name.
Or
Was it all in subterfuge
so great my name my fame was huge
and dare not I to role the dice
between the critics vicious vice,
on subjects not fit for me
the poet they deemed me to be?
Anonymous
Written by Andrew Hide circa 2002
Author notes
oldpoety.com has several collections dedicated to these anonymous poets at:
oldpoetry.com/oauthor/show/Irish___Anonymous_
oldpoetry.com/oauthor/show/Americas_Anonymous
oldpoetry.com/oauthor/show/Asian_Anonymous
oldpoetry.com/oauthor/show/European__Anonymous_
oldpoetry.com/oauthor/show/_Oceania_Anonymous
oldpoetry.com/oauthor/show/Africas_Anonymous
oldpoetry.com/oauthor/show/Olde_English__Anonymous_
oldpoetry.com/oauthor/show/_English_Anonymous
Anonymous by Robert Service
oldpoetry.com/opoem/60117
When at the sign: Anthology
I climbed aboard the lyric bus,
The poems that appeal to me
Are often by Anonymous.
Behold amid the classic crew
Is one of whom Fame made no fuss,
A rhyming rascal no one knew,--Anonymous.
My name's a dud: 'mid poets I'm
A leek among asparagus;
Yet let me make a lilt of rhyme
And publish it anonymous;
Sweet, simple, short, a snatch of song
Anthologists might prize, and thus
My lyric life I might prolong,--Anonymous.
So when senile and all forgot
My memory is minimus,
In some anthology new-bought
I'll read a rhyme anonymous:
A saucy air that pleaseth me,
And I will say: "Who is this cuss?"
And wonder: "Are you he or she,--Anonymous
*Their words loved, their faces unknown.*
In a list
Comments
1 - 34 of 34
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This is great and I enjoyed every word. Just a small spelling query. "role the dice"? Surely not.
jjj -
Superbly penned, and a great addition to the essay I just read, but a tad more serious in tone (though fortunately not wholly.)
A "leek among asparagus" lol, only we gardeners (or vegetarians) will appreciate that one!
I've been on AP for what? three and a half years and until today I didn't know Old Poetry had a author page here on AP..see that I learned something new...so tomorrow I can take the day off and not learn a thing!
But the poem exceptional, but one question, is this collaborative or written by one author, and why not put your names at the bottom, AP names I mean, credit should be given where it is due.
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As pithyaplomb wrote below, this is absolutely absorbing. I was pulled in,--no!, better, lulled into this string of words. I swayed in my seat after having been frightened by the accompanying picture. It was like an old organ being played in a dreary house. I am haunted; my dreams will not be the same. This is splendid. Excellent work, whomever the author happens to be.
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Our missing poet - the author of this wonderful poem is Andrew Hide. He wrote this some years ago when he held the post as Site Supervisor for Oldpoetry. He did not want his name attached to this poem at the time but I think it's time this omission was corrected.
You may find him at: http://allpoetry.com/AndrewHide
Von - Oldpoetry Team
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Absorbingly enjoyable!
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Well done.
Very readable...like it.
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Thanks for reading and writing
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This is the first poem I have ever read that sounded anything this unique and original! I must admit that I have never read anything from oldpoetry but this write makes me a bit interested. It is a great write!
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thank You for visiting is the first thing I'd like to say. Secondly this poem is a few years old and is a good example of no matter how old a poem is it can still be appreciated.
It was actually written by Andrew Hide some years back when he was site supervisor for Oldpoetry and I'm glad you agree it's a worthwhile and interesting poem.
Thank you for your kind comment.
Vonnie
Oldpoetry Team
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Lovely sentiments
Many a great poet died and will die in obscurity. For me sowing words are an act of love, which grows flowers in the soil of many souls.
Thank you for an interesting post.
Love to you all,
Myra
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this was quite an inspiring piece. Thanks for sharing such work. I say i agree i havent read anyting of old poetry. and after this maybe i shall gander over and take a look, Thanks again and best wishes to you.
Vsutton -
Quite a unique and inspiring write. I think we would all like to be remembered by what we've done in life....not just our names. Enjoyed the read. Thanks for sharing.
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A wonderful poem that captures the essence of a poet well. A wonderful way with words.....
The first stanza could do to change some plurals to singulars, other than that (and yes, I'm aware it won't be changed) a brilliant piece of poetry, to this poets eyes.
~ ~ Sincerely, Janet ~ ~
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I like the air of mystry that goes with this piece and the truth it speaks of. It intrigues me and gives me a puzzle that is just itching for solving but with no way of doing so. I like that and the words speak of such truth yet it also speaks of anonyminty because couldn't we all be this anonomyous poet. Don't we all have a touch of him/her in us. Thanks for sharing
God Bless
Tammy -
Bravo!
"No intriguing biography have I
no date of birth or place to die,
just poetry I've sown."
Immortality is the best gift a poet can be given. Tier work lives on and they, in it.
Beautiful sentiment here!
Your poem also touched on the difficulties that beset the poet. Well, those are the polishings that the perfect gem goes through... it is from these that the poet comes out shining the brightest. The toughest critic though is the poet himself or herself.
Great write!
I adored this poem.
Gypsybelle.
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signing it off as 'anonymous' is brilliant i agree. i think u've captured the fact that they are forgotten- but i don't think their words are. Also, those who write do so purely for the love of it and not for the fame of it i think. It's nice when the recognition comes- but it should not be the aim.
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Ode to the Anonymous...>Brilliant! They who forgot their names on pens and papers will always be remembered for their words..awesome!
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Fabulously well written. A pleasure to read
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great job!
Oh, Ilove this so much. I didn't really get a chance to read it, because I have to go in a minute, but I skimmed it, and it looked awesome! -
This is a very nice piece.
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It's wonderful! It's like you are giving them voices to speak with. Empowering work.. very well done
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This is really neat. I've often wondered about those old unknown poets. I've never read much at OldPoetry, but perhaps I shall - I like what I see here.
~Elsie -
very nice, the last line was perhaps a little awkward.
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Their words loved, their faces unknown.
That phrase just abouts sums up the Anonymous poet from any country, and any century.
Well written 'anonymous' - perfect setting for this work.
~Von~ -
I love the mental images it gives me. Beautiful write. This is a wonderful invitation for everyone to visit Oldpoetry, a fantastic site within our community. No doubt, if you wish to be inspired in your own works, then a visit to Olpoetry is the order of the day!!
Thanks Oldpoetry staff for all your hard work.
Wayne -
wow
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Wow, thi sis a great poem which I liked a lot, excellently written and wonderful tribute to the great poets who we don't know the name of.
Great write, I like the irony that this is anomynous, all we know is that it's from you guys, so well done OP team - esp whoever wrote this
Pozo
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I have a poem called, "Poet Unknown" When I re-discover it under my pile of hard copies here in my cluttered office, I would like to post it here. I titled my first self-published book, in 1989, by the same title as my poem.
This poem panged my heart. In 1978 my husbands grandmother died and I wrote the poem for her obituary. Several years later I attended the funeral of another family members grandmother, and there was my poem on her obituary, guess who the author was? Anonymous
I Immdeiately went to the Funeral Home Director, and told him I wrote it, could prove it, and if he used it ever again to put my name on it. I did not mind that it was being used to help others in their grief, but Gee Willikers! Put my damn name on something I wrote, give me credit. I feel this poem so much. Thanks to whomever the author is/was. Thanks OP TEAM for posting this!
Renee
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Awesome
This is a wonderful piece of work.
I have enjoyed reading,great job.
Keep up the awesome writing,and thanks for sharing this piece of work with us. -
The way this was presented sounds so tragic. It's desperate and dark but breathtaking in the eyes of a struggling poet. I thouroughly enjoyed it and I appreciated the rhyme and rythm fully.
-Much Respect,
KTG -
Beautiful--I love the first stanza, sounds like something I'd write. Great job, whoever you are.
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Awesome. I love this form...what it is? This was great. Thank you for starting my day off with this lovely write.
~Lryical
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This is a wonderful thing to do, otherwise I'd never become acquainted with any of this poetry. The one featured here is absolutely stunning and has definitely spurred me on to read the others you've listed in the author comments. Thanks for that
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wow i liked it a lot
-tegan-*
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