Nothing after was quite the same.

Couplet quoted in Robert Robinsons book Memoirs. Anyone know any more? Google didn't work.

It's from Autobiography by Louis McNiece. It's quoted here:


[readers.penguin.co.uk] />

Les

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/12/2021 08:55PM by lg.

Here's the poem for anyone who's interested:

Autobiography
---Louis McNiese


In my childhood trees were green
And there was plenty to be seen.

Come back early or never come.

My father made the walls resound,
He wore his collar the wrong way round.

Come back early or never come.

My mother wore a yellow dress;
Gently, gently, gentleness.

Come back early or never come.

When I was five the black dreams came;
Nothing after was quite the same.

Come back early or never come.

The dark was talking to the dead;
The lamp was dark beside my bed.

Come back early or never come.

When I woke they did not care;
Nobody, nobody was there.

Come back early or never come.

When my silent terror cried,
Nobody, nobody replied.

Come back early or never come.

I got up; the chilly sun
Saw me walk away alone.

Come back early or never come.


Les

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/12/2021 08:55PM by lg.

It's misquoted in the book, that's why I couldn't find it - thanks so much, Les.

However, I think there's a typo - it seems to be by Louis McNeice

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/12/2021 01:53PM by marian2.

Thanks, Marian, I've corrected my references above.


Les

McNiece had quite a range of talent. Compare his poem "No Go" to the one cited:[66.102.7.104] />
Les

Yes, that is an old favourite of mine, but I know it under the title 'Bagpipe Music' and then there's Swing Song, Jigsaw II and my all-time favourite, Prayer Before Birth. Autobiography was new to me.