The New Faber Book of Love Poems edited by James Fenton

W.H Auden

I was recently given The Faber Book of Love Poems, collected by James Fenton. This really delightful book is a must for poetry-lovers, whether lovers or not, and for lovers whether poetry-lovers or not. It is full of everything you can think of, all the old chocolate-box favourites, and full of everything you might not know. Plenty here to memorise for that special moment, and plenty just for the great pleasure of reading it aloud by the fire (you do have an open fire, don’t you?) Or take it outside, or into the bath, or get your lover to read to you while you cook.

W.H AUDEN –1907-1973

Dear, though the night is gone,
Its dream still haunts today,
That brought us to a room
Cavernous, lofty as
A railway terminus,
And crowded in that gloom
Were beds, and we in one
In a far corner lay:

Our whisper woke no clocks,
We kissed and I was glad
At everything you did,
Indifferent to those
Who sat with hostile eyes
In pairs on every bed,
Arms round each other’s necks
Inert and vaguely sad.

What hidden worm of guilt
Or what malignant doubt
Am I the victim of,
That you then, unabashed,
Did what I never wished,
Confessed another love;
And I, submissive, felt
Unwanted and went out.

AND ANOTHER JUST FOR FUN – THIS ONE BY FLEUR ADCOCK.

Send Off.

Half an hour before my flight was called
he walked across the airport bar towards me
carrying what was left of our future
together; two drinks on a tray.

AND ANOTHER FOUR-LINER, THIS TIME BY ‘ANON’

Western wind, when wilt thou blow
The small rain down can rain?
Christ, if my love were in my arms
And I in my bed again!