Careers
Father is quite the greatest poet That ever lived anywhere. You say you’re going to write great music— I chose that first: it’s unfair. Besides, now I can’t be the greatest painter and do Christ and angels, or lovely pears and apples and grapes on a green dish, or storms at sea, or anything lovely, Because that’s been taken by Claire. It’s stupid to be an engine-driver, And soldiers are horrible men. I won’t be a tailor,
I won’t be a sailor, And gardener’s taken by Ben. It’s unfair if you say that you’ll write great music, you horrid, you unkind (I sim- ply loathe you, though you are my sister), you beast, cad, coward, cheat, bully, liar! Well?
Say what’s left for me then! But we won’t go to your ugly music. (Listen!) Ben will garden and dig, And Claire will finish her wondrous pictures All flaming and splendid and big. And I’ll be a perfectly marvellous carpenter, and I’ll make cupboards and benches and tables and… and baths, and nice wooden boxes for studs and money, And you’ll be jealous, you pig!
Robert Graves
Other author posts
The Cruel Moon
The cruel Moon hangs out of reach Up above the shadowy beech Her face is stupid, but her eye Is small and sharp and very sly Nurse says the Moon can drive you mad No, that’s a silly story, lad
Two Fusiliers
And have we done with War at last Well, we’ve been lucky devils both, And there’s no need of pledge or oath To bind our lovely friendship fast, By firmer Close bound enough By wire and wood and stake we’re bound, By Fricourt and by ...
Down Wanton Down!
Down, wanton, down Have you no shame That at the whisper of Love's name, Or Beauty's, presto up you raise Your angry head and stand at gaze
Escape
August 6, 1916 —Officer previously reported died of wounds, now reported wounded: Graves, Captain R
