Tag Archives: poems

Edward Lear’s “Rich and rare were the gems she wore”

Posted on March 1, 2018 by Marco Graziosi

I have already discussed Edward Lear’s Irish sources here, here and here. Another fine instance is the parody in four pictures that Lear drew of Thomas Moore’s “Rich and rare were the gems she wore” from the first volume of Moore’s Irish … Continue reading →

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Three Limerick Drawings by Edward Lear

Posted on October 18, 2017 by Marco Graziosi

Three original pen & ink drawings by Edward Lear, taken from ‘A Book of Nonsense,’ first published in 1846. The drawings have been examined and fully authenticated as Lear’s work by the late Vivien Noakes, the world expert on Edward … Continue reading →

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Ann Mortimer’s Owl and Pussy-cat

Posted on August 30, 2017 by Marco Graziosi

Anne Mortimer R.M.S., S.B.A., (b.1958) They dined on mince and slices of quince, which they ate with a runcible spoon Signed. Watercolour, mounted, unframed. 18.5 x 38cm; 7¼ x 15in. Illustration from The Owl and the Pussycat by Edward Lear, published by … Continue reading →

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Dear Edward Lear I Love Your Birds

Posted on September 29, 2016 by Marco Graziosi

Dear Edward Lear I Love Your Birds by Jeredith Merrin The Red and Yellow Macaw resplendent, And clearly your puff-chested model, Arching head over the arc of half-extended Red yellow blue wing, intended us to look. My first was in … Continue reading →

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Jennie Feldman, The Grey Bird

Posted on September 24, 2016 by Marco Graziosi

No bright rhyme for this backward glare, the oboe-squawk half throttled with hindsight’s effort. Barely, acrobatically, hanging on. Is it in the way fear squiggles a frown and overdoes the eye’s black brow that we glimpse relief? Gravity resisted against … Continue reading →

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Jennie Feldman, The Black and White Bird

Posted on September 22, 2016 by Marco Graziosi

Lifted birdily out of the sober quirks of sadness, not to be weighed down. Forget the palette, the easel-hours stuck sitting like a petrified gorilla— here’s quick strokes, dark washes. Poised ambiguities: landing / taking off? One bright eye unfailing dares … Continue reading →

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Jennie Feldman, The Pink Bird

Posted on September 20, 2016 by Marco Graziosi

How to get a grip – scant-toed chick number twenty-one at Bowman’s Lodge (Holloway), dislodged unfledged pink & clueless – sixty-odd years on? Eye skyward, whence come fantastical figments marvellous skews that fly thin air against our limits. Flap-flap absolomly … Continue reading →

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John Mole, The Edward Lear Poem (1989)

Posted on April 30, 2016 by Marco Graziosi

John Mole, “The Edward Lear Poem.” The Spectator, 2 December 1989, p. 42. He kept his wife in a box he did And she never complained though the neighbours did Because of the size of the box and the way … Continue reading →

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John Ashbery, The Dong with the Luminous Nose (1998)

Posted on December 4, 2015 by Marco Graziosi

The Dong With the Luminous Nose (a cento) Within a windowed niche of that high hall I wake and feel the fell of dark, not day. I shall rush out as I am, and walk the street The lights begin … Continue reading →

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Christopher Middleton, Edward Lear in February

Posted on December 2, 2015 by Marco Graziosi

Since last September I’ve been trying to describe Two moonstone hills, And an ochre mountain, by candlelight, behind, But a lizard has been sick into the ink, A cat keeps clawing at me, you should see my face, I’m too … Continue reading →

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