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Downhill and other Parodies - Christina ROSSETTI - Uphill

Yes, the clock ticks downhill all the way,
until the very end.
Will the day's journey take the whole long day?
From light to mo[u]rn, my friend.
But is there for the spring a resting-place,
a ring before the last dark hours begin,
may not time fleeting mask it from my face?
No second chance for sin.
Will timesharing ease the fears and fright?
Toc ticks till all’s in hock which went before.
May not Time’s knocks be reined in by insight?
There is no reign resistant to scythe sure.
Who may find comfort, travel-sore and weak?
Time echoes onwards though the soul’s struck dumb.
Will there be time for me and all who seek?
Come, come! - the tocsin ticks to each his sum.

(c) Jonathan Robin Parody Christina ROSSETTI - Uphill
15 October 2005

Uphill

Does the road wind up-hill all the way?
Yes, to the very end.
Will the day's journey take the whole long day?
From morn to night, my friend.
But is there for the night a resting-place?
A roof for when the slow dark hours begin.
May not the darkness hide it from my face?
You cannot miss that inn.
Shall I meet other wayfarers at night?
Those who have gone before.
Then must I knock, or call when just in sight?
They will not keep you standing at that door.
Shall I find comfort, travel-sore and weak?
Of labor you shall find the sum.
Will there be beds for me and all who seek?
Yea, beds for all who come.

Christina G ROSSETTI 1830_1894

Uphill Holiday

Will the long journey take the whole long day?
From morn to night, my friend.
And shall I have to stand the whole long way?
Of standing you shall have no end.

Is there no rest, then for my weary feet?
For comfort you shall seek in vain.
Must I take drinke, and sandwiches to eat?
You will get nothing on the train.

Shall there be cheer, and beds for all who seek?
Some seek who shall not find.
Will there be sunshine through the livelong week?
Rain, too, and cloud and wind.

Shall I pay dear for my brief breathing space?
You shall give richly of your little store.
Will there be ample board at Seaview Place?
So much – and nothing more.

George Henry VALLINS
Sincere Flattery 1954 Parody Christina ROSSETTI Uphill

Uphill Train Travel

Will the 8.20 take me all the way?
Yes, and round the bend.
And how long is the journey, would you say?
From morn to night, my friend.
And are there light refreshments on the train?
Refreshments? That’s a laugh.
And once I’m there, will I get back again?
God, no, they’re short of staff.
Shall I be seated? Will the signals fail?
A seat? You won’t get in.
How are they packed who go by British Rail?
Like sardines in a tin.
Do they reduce the service at the peak?
You’re lucky if they run.
And will it be the same again next week?
Too bloody true, old son.

Roger WODDIS 1917_1993 Parody Christina ROSSETTI Uphill

Uphill, What Inn is This

What inn is this
Where for the night
Peculiar traveller comes?
Who is the landlord?
Where the maids?
Behold what curious rooms!
No ruddy fires on the hearth,
No brimming tankards flow.
Necromancer, landlord,
Who are these below?

Emily DICKINSON - see Dorothy Parker – The Last Question
and Christina ROSSETTI Uphill

The Last Question

New love, new love, where are you to lead me?
All along a narrow way that marks a crooked line.
How are you to slake me, and how are you to feed me?
With bitter yellow berries, and a sharp new wine.

New love, new love, shall I be forsaken?
One shall go a-wandering, and one of us must sigh.
Sweet it is to slumber, but how shall we awaken —
Whose will be the broken heart, when dawn comes by?

Dorothy PARKER 1893_1967 –
See Emily Dickinson Uphill, What Inn is This?
and Christina ROSSETTI Uphill

PARKER Dorothy 1893_1967 park1_0014_park1_0000 PXX_LUX The Last Question_New love, new love, where are you to lead me

PARKER Dorothy 1893_1967 park1_0014_park1_0000 PXX_LUX The Last Question_New love, new love, where are you to lead me

The Inn of Life

‘As It was in the Beginning, - Is Now, - And...? Anno Domini I’.

* * *

'No room!
No room!
The Inn is full,
Yea - overfull.
No room have we
for such as ye -
Poor folk of Galilee,
Pass on! Pass on! '

'Nay then! -
Your charity
Will ne'er deny
Some corner mean,
Where she may lie unseen.
For see! -
Her time is nigh.'

'Alack! And she
So young and fair!
Place have we none;
And yet - how bid ye gone?
Stay then! - out there
Among the beasts
Ye may find room,
And eke a truss
To lie upon.'

‘Anno Domini 1913, etc.

* * *

'No room!
No room!
No room for Thee,
Thou Man of Galilee!
The house is full,
Yea, overfull.
There is no room for Thee, -
Pass on! Pass on!

Nay - see!
The place is packed.
'We scarce have room
For our own selves,
So how shall we
Find room for Thee,
Thou Man of Galilee, -
Pass on! Pass on!

But - if Thou shouldst
This way again,
And we can find
So much as one small corner
Free from guest,
Not then in vain
Thy quest.
But now -
The house is full.
Pass on! '

Christ passes
On His ceaseless quest,
Nor will He rest
With any,
Save as Chiefest Guest.

John OXENHAM 1852_1941 Parody After Christina ROSSETTI Uphill
And Emily Dickinson – Uphill, what Inn is this?

Re-Thrill

Does each dream overspill, thrill reach, fresh flight?
Yes, views that have no end …
Will astral journeys teach to breach new height?
From dusk to dawn, my friend.

But is there for the day a resting place?
A roof aloof from suffering, chagrin.
Pray daylight may not chide that cheerful place,
Nor resurrect grim sin.

Will I greet other travelers by day?
Those who may bliss restore ~
Must I then talk, balk at blasé, cliché?
Consider, recognize - step to the ‘fore.

Shall I find solace wash away what’s bleak?
Find favor through free smiles, fair fun.
Will there be joy all day until soul's sleep?
Yes! unafraid you will be made welcome...

Joy A BURKI-WATSON 1950_20 30 July 2007

Parody After Christina ROSSETTI Uphill
And Emily Dickinson – Uphill, what Inn is this?
Integrating suggestions JR.

The Death-Watch Beetle

“What manner of time does your watch keep
strange timekeeper? ” “The time of sleep.”

“I see no movement in the hands.”
“And yet the sleeper understands.”

“The sleeper understands! But how? ”
“You cannot understand it now.”

“And shall I never? ” “In the end
you’ll ask no other timepiece, friend.”

Humbert WOLFE 1885_1940

Parody After Christina ROSSETTI Uphill
And Emily Dickinson – Uphill, what Inn is this?

poem by Jonathan Robin
Added by Poetry Lover
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