Two Short Poems by Emily and Anne Bronte

[Captain Sir Roddy, R.N. (Ret.)]

Here are some short verses written by Emily at about 16 years of age at the school at Roehead, and by Anne when she was about 21 or 22 and away as a governess. Both of the little poems are about missing their Haworth parsonage home on the moors. Even though these verses are separated in years and by author, I was struck by the similarity of voice, tone, and emotion.

Emily's verses:

"There is a spot, 'mid barren hills,
Where winter howls, and driving rain;
But, if the dreary tempest chills,
There is a light that warms again.

The house is old, the trees are bare,
Moonless above bends twilight's dome,
But what on earth is half so dear--
So longed for--as the hearth of home?

The mute bird sitting on the stone,
The dank moss dripping from the wall,
The thorn trees gaunt, the walks o'ergrown,
I love them--how I love them all!

***

Anne's poem, entitled "Home"

For yonder garden, fair and wide,
With groves of evergreen,
Long winding walks and borders trim,
And velvet lawns between--

Restore to me that little spot,
With gray walls compassed round,
Where knotted grass neglected lies,
And weeds usurp the ground.

Though all around this mansion high
Invites the foot to roam,
And though its halls are fair within--
Oh, give me back my Home!

***

What amazing women these sisters were...

[The Book Whisperer (aka Boof)]

I love those! I especially love Anne's poem. I have been meaning to get a book of the Bronte sisters poetry for a while ans this has inpired me to see if I can track one down.

[Hope]

That is very inspiring, and quite sad. I am glad I live at my home, although I wish to travel to many places, it is wonderful to have a place that I can call home.