
by T. S. ELIOT
New York Alfred A. Knopf 1920
To Jean Verdenal 1889-1915 - Certain of these poems first appeared in Poetry, Blast, Others, The Little Review, and Art and Letters.
POEMS
Gerontion
Burbank with a Baedeker: Bleistein with a Cigar
Sweeney Erect
A Cooking Egg
Le Directeur
Mélange adultère de tout
A striking collection of early‑twentieth‑century poems, this volume invites listeners into a world of fragmented memories and haunting images. The verses move from a weary old narrator’s quiet reflections on loss and history to vivid, almost cinematic snapshots of war‑torn cities, fleeting encounters, and the restless pulse of modern life. Eliot’s language is spare yet richly allusive, weaving together classical references, contemporary slang, and moments of stark realism that linger long after the line ends.
The poems unfold like a mosaic, each piece offering a glimpse of personal and cultural dislocation—whether it’s the desolate house that echoes with ghostly whispers or the fleeting glimpse of a tiger in a spring garden. Themes of aging, spiritual yearning, and the search for meaning in a fractured world resonate throughout, making the work both a product of its time and a timeless meditation on what it means to be human. Listeners will find themselves drawn into a lyrical labyrinth where every turn reveals another layer of subtle insight.
Language
en
Duration
~40 minutes (38K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
Dec 1, 1998
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1888–1965
A central voice of modern poetry, he transformed the sound and shape of English verse with works like The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, The Waste Land, and Four Quartets. His writing can feel challenging at first, but it rewards close listening with wit, music, and unforgettable images.
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