Walter de la Mare

Walter de la Mare was an English poet, short story writer, and novelist of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His poetry is known for its exploration of childhood, imagination, and the supernatural, often creating an atmosphere of mystery and wonder. Biography ↓More ↓

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Walter de la Mare

Rachel

Rachel sings sweet-- Oh yes, at night, Her pale face bent In the candle-light, Her slim hands touch The answering keys, And she sings of hope And of memories: Sings to the little Boy that stands Watching those slim, Light, heedful hands. He looks in her face; Her dark eyes seem Dark with a beautiful Distant dream;

Walter de la Mare

Miss Loo

When thin-strewn memory I look through, I see most clearly poor Miss Loo, Her tabby cat, her cage of birds, Her nose, her hair--her muffled words, And how she'd open her green eyes, As if in some immense surprise, Whenever as we sat at tea She made some small remark to me. It's always drowsy summer when From out the past she comes again; The westering sunshine in a pool Floats in her parlour still and cool; While the slim bird its lean wires shakes, As into piercing song it breaks; Till Peter's pale-green eyes ajar Dream, wake; wake, dream, in one brief bar.

Biography

Walter de la Mare was an English poet, short story writer, and novelist who lived from 1873 to 1956. He wrote across several genres, but is best remembered for his lyrical and haunting poetry. His poems frequently explore themes of childhood innocence, the passage of time, dreams, and the presence of the supernatural or uncanny. He often used simple, musical language and vivid imagery to evoke a sense of wonder and mystery. Many of his works are set in twilight or nocturnal landscapes, where the boundary between the real and the imagined becomes blurred. His collection "Peacock Pie" is a classic of children's poetry, while "The Listeners" is among his most famous single poems, known for its eerie atmosphere. He also wrote psychological horror stories and novels, such as "Memoirs of a Midget", which further explored themes of alienation and perception. He was a significant figure in English literature, admired by contemporaries like W. H. Auden and T. S. Eliot. He was appointed to the Order of Merit in 1953, a rare honor for a writer. His work continues to be anthologized and studied for its unique blend of the lyrical and the uncanny.

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