
POEMS OF THE PAST AND THE PRESENT
A sweeping collection that bridges the quiet intimacy of personal reverie with the clamor of historic upheaval, these verses move from timeless musings on love and loss to vivid snapshots of a world on the brink of change. The poet’s keen eye captures fleeting moments—sun‑lit mornings, whispered promises, the lingering echo of a distant melody—while also turning a reflective gaze toward the larger currents that shape societies. Each poem feels like a conversation with both the past and the present, inviting listeners to linger on the familiar and the unfamiliar alike.
Among the most striking pieces are the war‑related poems that unfold at the bustling Southampton docks, where soldiers embark and families bid tear‑stained farewells. The language balances stark realism with lyrical tenderness, portraying the heavy weight of departure, the hope for peace, and the quiet heroism of those left behind. These verses echo the conflicted spirit of an era caught between imperial ambition and the yearning for a gentler world.
Rendered aloud, the collection’s rhythm and cadence bring its imagery to life, letting each line resonate in the listener’s mind. The varied tones—from solemn soliloquies to hopeful refrains—make for an engaging auditory journey that feels both historically grounded and deeply personal. Whether you’re drawn to quiet contemplation or the pulse of a bygone battlefield, the poems invite you to explore the enduring ties between memory and moment.
Language
en
Duration
~1 hours (100K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
David Price, email ccx074@pglaf.org from the 1919 Macmillan and Co. “Wessex Poems and Other Verses; Poems of the Past and the Present”
Release date
2002-04-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1840–1928
Best known for bringing the countryside of southwest England vividly to life, this major Victorian writer paired memorable stories with a deep sense of fate, chance, and human longing. His novels and poems still feel strikingly modern in the way they look at love, class, and the pressures of society.
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