Poems

audiobook

Poems

by Clive Bell

EN·~17 minutes·18 chapters

Chapters

18 total

PREFACE

1:07

THE CARD HOUSE

0:27

LETTER TO A LADY I - A Gli Alberetti - Venice - April, 1913

1:44

TO A.V.S. WITH A BOOK

1:29

MYSELF TO MYSELF

0:57

SPRING

0:47

REPLY TO MRS. JOWITT - WHO SENT ME A PIECE OF GOOD NEWS IN A RHYMED LETTER - Wittering, April 1915

1:15

TO GERALD SHOVE

0:32

MARCH

0:56

APRIL

0:15

Description

A modest yet striking collection of seventeen poems, this volume gathers verses that first appeared in the literary journals of the early twentieth century. The poet’s keen eye for detail and a gentle, sometimes wry humor unite pieces ranging from playful sketches of a card‑builder’s triumph to contemplations on the quiet power of books. Though the poems were originally scattered across periodicals, they now sit together, offering a cohesive glimpse into a mind that balances intellectual rigor with lyrical charm.

Among the highlights are a series of letters addressed to a mysterious lady, set against the luminous backdrop of Venice in spring, and a series of seasonal poems that capture the fleeting moods of March, June, and December. The work also includes a witty portrait of a card house that teeters and topples, revealing the poet’s affection for everyday absurdities. Throughout, themes of art, memory, and the interplay between the external world and inner thought swirl in elegant, understated rhyme.

Listening to these poems feels like strolling through a quiet garden, each stanza a different bloom that invites reflection. The language is accessible yet richly textured, making the collection a rewarding experience for both seasoned poetry lovers and newcomers alike. It’s an intimate invitation to pause, observe, and savor the subtle beauty hidden in ordinary moments.

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Details

Language

en

Duration

~17 minutes (16K characters)

Publisher of text edition

Project Gutenberg

Credits

Produced by Laura Natal Rodrigues at Free Literature (Images generously made available by Internet Archive.)

Release date

2019-09-05

Rights

Public domain in the USA.

About the author

Clive Bell

Clive Bell

1881–1964

An influential English art critic and a central figure in the Bloomsbury Group, he helped shape early 20th-century debates about modern painting. He is especially remembered for the idea of “significant form,” which became one of the best-known theories in modern art criticism.

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