An English Wood

by Robert Graves (1923) — a poem card from Justes Mots

A meditative nature poem describing an English woodland as a sanctuary of quietude and safety, protected from the dangers and sorrows of the larger world. Graves contrasts the peaceful, ordered reality of the wood with mythological threats and dangers that do not penetrate this refuge. The poem celebrates nature's capacity to soothe and protect, offering a retreat from chaos and harm.

This valley wood is hedged
With the set shape of things.
Here sorrows come not edged,
Here are no harpies fledged,
No roc has clapped his wings,
No gryphons wave their stings;
Here, poised in quietude
Calm elementals brood…

Themes: love · new-baby · wedding · friendship