And Hope and History Rhyme

Here’s a poem by Seamus Heaney:

“History says, Don’t hope

On this side of the grave,

But then, once in a lifetime

The longed-for tidal wave

Of justice can rise up,

And hope and history rhyme”

Seamus Heaney

and one by Sigfried Sassoon

Everyone Sang

Everyone suddenly burst out singing;

And I was filled with such delight

As prisoned birds must find in freedom

Winging wildly across the white

Orchards and dark green fields; on; on;

and out of sight.

Everyone’s voice was suddenly lifted,

And beauty came like the setting sun.

My heart was shaken with tears, and horror

Drifted away. . . . O, but everyone

Was a bird; and the song was wordless; the

singing will never be done.

– Siegfried Sassoon