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Martin Mc Carthy's avatar

I wasn't aware that Google had ranked "Wil There Be Starlight" as your best, or most popular poem, and I am actually quite pleased to hear that. It is a truly remarkable piece of work for any poet to write at any time, but to do so at only 18 -- Wow!

Will there be starlight

tonight

while she gathers

damask

and lilac

and sweet-scented heathers?

And will she find flowers,

or will she find thorns

guarding the petals

of roses unborn?

Will there be starlight

tonight

while she gathers

seashells

and mussels

and albatross feathers?

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Michael R. Burch's avatar

I have always liked "Will There Be Starlight" so I was glad to see it ranked highly by Google, which means human readers liked it.

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Martin Mc Carthy's avatar

I was reading it again while I was restacking it and it really is timeless. So it has withstood the test of time very well. How long ago was it written?

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Michael R. Burch's avatar

According to my notes, I wrote it at age 18.

I don't believe I ever changed a word, one of those rare gifts that seem to write themselves, like "Something."

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Martin Mc Carthy's avatar

Another excellent poem!

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Michael R. Burch's avatar

I'm glad you think so.

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