The Dark Ages, and Other Poems

A striking opening poem sets the tone, questioning the label “dark” that has been applied to centuries of history. It weaves together images of untamed landscapes, crumbling cathedrals, and the clash between ancient faith and the march of industry, inviting listeners to hear the lingering echoes of medieval voices in today’s world. The verse balances reverence for old myths with a sharp critique of modern complacency, making the past feel both distant and urgently relevant.

The collection then drifts through varied scenes—a lingering reverie over Venice’s resonant bells, a solemn meditation on an ancient stone church, and a lively portrait of wandering English gypsies. Each poem offers richly textured language that captures the music of distant canals, the hush of sacred arches, and the restless spirit of nomadic travelers. Together they form a lyrical tapestry that celebrates beauty, interrogates belief, and reminds us how history’s shadows still shape the present.