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The Alembick



Vol. XIV

I. All Saint’s Day 2019
II. Christmas 2019
III. Shrovetide 2020
IV. Quarantine 2020
  1. Editor’s Note
  2. Letters
  3. Reader’s Doubts Resolved
  4. To His Coy Mistress
  5. Cavalier Lyric
  6. A Shropshire Pig
  7. Elegiacs
  8. The Year
  9. Inkblots
  10. The Man Who Made His Exit
  11. Splitting the Atom
  12. Self-Control
  13. Antique Fragment
  14. Canzonetta
  15. Zen Poem 

Vol. XV

I. Michaelmas 2020

Submissions     ︎

Cavalier Lyric


I’ve tried a thousand times
To sing your praises
Worthily in rhymes
Or well-wrought phrases -

But what poor words could rise
To loveliness
Like yours? Those words are lies
Or else say this:

The feeling in my heart
Won’t reach my lips
Unless you use your art
My art to eclipse.

As you’re the one I’d sing
And, singing, miss,
So you your self must bring
To me. A kiss:

Then on my lips would be
The things I’d say,
Expressing you in me
This better way -

For you exceed all things
That could be said.
Who’d choose words if life brings
Me you instead?

                        A. Pinguis
Running on Cargo