Rhymes a la Mode

In this charming anthology the poet gathers a variety of short lyrical pieces that first appeared in 19th‑century periodicals on both sides of the Atlantic. From playful rondeaux to tender ballades, each verse celebrates ordinary scenes—a garden, a manor, the passing of empires—while whispering a gentle melancholy for things that fade. The opening dedication to a lady of White Staunton sets a personal tone, inviting listeners into a world where history and nature mingle in graceful rhyme.

The centerpiece is a vivid dream‑like voyage titled “The Fortunate Islands.” The narrator drifts on a phantom barque through a sky of soft twilight, discovering an airborne archipelago scented with lilies, hyacinths and crystal‑clear rivers. Here airy cities of ivory and gold rise, populated by ageless figures bathed in perpetual, silver light. The poem’s lush imagery and musical cadence make it a perfect escape for anyone who loves mythic travel and the quiet wonder of imagined realms.