Author: Elizabeth Bishop

I am in need of music that would flow Over my fretful, feeling finger-tips, Over my bitter-tainted, trembling lips, With […]

Here is a coast; here is a harbor; Here, after a meager diet of horizon, is some scenery: Impractically shaped […]

You won’t become a gourmet* cook By studying our Fannie’s book Her thoughts on Food & Keeping House Are scarcely […]

There are too many waterfalls here; the crowded streams Hurry too rapidly down to the sea, And the pressure of […]

Wasted, wasted minutes that couldn’t be worse, Minutes of a barbaric condescension. Stare out the bathroom window at the fir-trees, […]

At four o’clock In the gun-metal blue dark We hear the first crow of the first cock Just below The […]

I dreamed that dead, and meditating, I lay upon a grave, or bed, (at least, some cold and close-built bower). […]

Across the floor flits the mechanical toy, Fit for a king of several centuries back. A little circus horse with […]

I am too big. Too big by far. Pity me. My eyes bulge and hurt. They are my one great […]

Out on the high “bird islands,” Ciboux and Hertford, The razorbill auks and the silly-looking puffins all stand With their […]

For Robert Lowell This is the time of year When almost every night The frail, illegal fire balloons appear. Climbing […]

From Brooklyn, over the Brooklyn Bridge, on this fine morning, please come flying. In a cloud of fiery pale chemicals, […]

Still dark. The unknown bird sits on his usual branch. The little dog next door barks in his sleep Inquiringly, […]

Now can you see the monument? It is of wood Built somewhat like a box. No. Built Like several boxes […]

The brown enormous odor he lived by Was too close, with its breathing and thick hair, For him to judge. […]

The tumult in the heart Keeps asking questions. And then it stops and undertakes to answer In the same tone […]

Moving from left to left, the light Is heavy on the Dome, and coarse. One small lunette turns it aside […]

Minnow, go to sleep and dream, Close your great big eyes; Round your bed Events prepare The pleasantest surprise. Darling […]

Caught the bubble In the spirit level, A creature divided; And the compass needle Wobbling and wavering, Undecided. Freed the […]

From narrow provinces Of fish and bread and tea, Home of the long tides Where the bay leaves the sea […]