The Modern PoetFor your words and others.
Release 15
Always tinkering.

I use this place too. I keep finding things to add, change, or make a little better.

Latest check: 1,242 passed. Regular checks, ongoing improvements.

This round: quieter reading, book-style chapters, and one HH throughout.

THE MODERN POET

The River of Leith

By William Topaz McGonagall

As I stood upon the Dean Bridge and viewed the beautiful scenery, I felt fascinated and my heart was full of glee, And I exclaimed in an ecstasy of delight, In all my travels I never saw such a sight. The scenery is so enchanting to look upon That all tourists will say, "Dull care, be gone." 'Tis certainly a most lovely spot, And once seen it can never be forgot. Then away! away! to the River of Leith, That springs from the land of heather and heath, And view the gorgeous scenery on a fine summer day. I'm sure it will drive dull care away. The water-fall near the Bridge is most beautiful to be seen, As it falls and shines like crystal in the sunsheen; And the sound can be heard all day long, While the innocent trouts sing an aquatic song. The glen is a cool spot in the summer time. There the people can be shaded from the sunshine Under the spreading branches of the big trees, And there's seats there to rest on if they please. Then near St. Bernard's Well there's a shady bower, Where the lovers, if they like, can spend an hour; And while they rest there at their ease They can make love to each other if they please. The water of St. Bernard's Well is very nice, But to get a drink of it one penny is the price. I think in justice the price is rather high, To give a penny for a drink when one feels dry. The braes of the River Leith is most charming to be seen, With its beautiful trees and shrubberies green, And as the tourist gazes on the river in the valley below, His heart with joy feels all aglow. There the little trouts do sport and play During the live-long summer day, While the bee and butterfly is on the wing, And with the singing of birds the glen doth ring. The walk underneath the Dean Bridge is lovely to see. And as ye view the scenery it will fill your heart with glee. It is good for the people's health to be walking there As they gaze on the beauties of Nature and inhale pure air. The Dean Bridge is a very magnificent sight, Because from the basement it is a great height. And it seems most attractive to the eye, And arrests the attention of strangers as they pass by. The braes of Belgrave Crescent is lovely to see, With its beautiful walks and green shrubbery. 'Tis health for the people that lives near by there To walk along the bonny walks and breathe the sweet air. Therefore all lovers of the picturesque, bo advised by me And the beautiful scenery of the River Leith go and see, And I am sure you will get a very great treat, Because the River of Leith scenery cannot be beat.

Original source ↗

Poetry data from PoetryDB, curated by The Combed Thunderclap · metadata CC BY 4.0 · Public-domain poem text (USA)

Explore The Modern Poet ↗

POETRY. PHILOSOPHY. THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE.

Something to read.
Something to feel.

Your work, and voices from around the world.
Poetry, poetic philosophy, and the people behind it.

Riddle of the day ↗

A little rhyme. Something to turn over. Tomorrow, a possible answer.

Explore public sources. Read the work where it was shared.

A moment with the words.

A note on the rotation

Box one belongs to works shared here—pictures, poems, or both—with a new selection each hour. The other three change one at a time every fifteen minutes. One is a Halloween poem through October. Skip any card, or pause while you read.

THERE’S ROOM FOR YOUR VOICE.

Got something to say?
Leave it here.

A poem. A picture. Both. Sign your name, use a pen name,
or stay anonymous. You don’t owe anyone an explanation.

YOUR WORDS. YOUR WAY.

Leave something here.

Post a poem, a picture, or both. No profile needed.

Picture-only posts are welcome. No nudity or sexual images. Images stay in your private local queue pending review; automated screening is not connected in this preview.

A little bird, optional.

Artwork becomes the small icon; without artwork, your companion takes its place. You can also leave the small icon blank. Preview everything and change your mind before posting. No account needed.

You keep ownership of your work. Posting availability is checked before you submit. Passing work publishes; flagged work waits privately for the owner.