Fringford Brook by Violet Jacob

Fringford Brook by Violet Jacob

Author: Maggie Devers July 8, 2025 Duration: 3:04

Fringford Brook

Violet Jacob 1863 – 1946

The willows stand by Fringford brook,
From Fringford up to Hethe,
Sun on their cloudy silver heads,
And shadow underneath.

They ripple to the silent airs
That stir the lazy day,
Now whitened by their passing hands,
Now turned again to grey.

The slim marsh-thistle's purple plume
Droops tasselled on the stem,
The golden hawkweeds pierce like flame
The grass that harbours them;

Long drowning tresses of the weeds
Trail where the stream is slow,
The vapoured mauves of water-mint
Melt in the pools below;

Serenely soft September sheds
On earth her slumberous look,
The heartbreak of an anguished world
Throbs not by Fringford brook.

All peace is here. Beyond our range,
Yet 'neath the selfsame sky,
The boys that knew these fields of home
By Flemish willows lie.

They waded in the sun-shot flow,
They loitered in the shade,
Who trod the heavy road of death,
Jesting and unafraid.

Peace! What of peace? This glimpse of peace
Lies at the heart of pain,
For respite, ere the spirit's load
We stoop to lift again.

O load of grief, of faith, of wrath,
Of patient, quenchless will,
Till God shall ease us of your weight
We'll bear you higher still!

O ghosts that walk by Fringford brook,
'Tis more than peace you give,
For you, who knew so well to die,
Shall teach us how to live.

Mentioned in this episode:

Write After: National Poetry Month with One Poem Only

Write After is a way to encourage poets to listen and write, and use National Poetry Month to highlight how listening to poetry makes us better poets. I know I write the best when I’m surrounded by beautiful poetry–it’s part of the reason I created this podcast, and I want to encourage others to share this practice. We'll get started in April. You can share to #WriteAfterOPO.

#WriteAfterOPO


Each day, One Poem Only offers a brief, deliberate pause. Hosted by Maggie Devers, this podcast is built on a simple, consistent premise: a single poem, read aloud, without analysis or introduction. It’s an audio space where the words themselves are the event, a performance meant to be absorbed in the few minutes it takes to hear it. The daily rhythm of the show creates a quiet ritual, a point of reflection woven into a busy life. You might hear a classic sonnet, a piece of modern free verse, or a work from a poet you’ve never encountered. The selection is varied, touching on themes from the natural world to the intricacies of human emotion, always leaving room for your own interpretation. The effect is cumulative; listening regularly becomes a subtle form of education in the sound and scope of poetry, and a small act of self-care. This isn't a lecture or a book club, but a performing art delivered directly to your ears. Maggie’s clear, thoughtful readings provide the only framework needed, allowing each poem to stand entirely on its own. The curtain falls, and the moment passes, but the podcast invites you to return tomorrow when a new piece takes center stage, offering another quiet moment, one poem only.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 355

One Poem Only
Podcast Episodes
i promised myself i will not write about you by Bushra Iqbal [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:48
i promised myself i will not write about you Bushra Iqbal but here i ambreaking it in twolike the flesh of a fruitgone terribly badthe sand breaks softlywith every step i takei like the progressuntil they're swept awayth…
Silence the Foe by Gloriaea [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:14
Silence the Foe Gloriaea Horror Horror Blood poured from my eyes Every word you penned Dug through my irisesBut why foil the ink Stuff it back in the pen Hold one end to their jugular Until they eat their stained paper W…
Sunday Recap & Circe by Maggie Devers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:20
Here’s your recap of this week’s poems plus one new poem to carry us into the week ahead.Aug 4 - Until We Are Soft Again by Shauna Richmond @shauna_lee_art_poetry on Instagram. Her book, It’s Time to Love Yourself First,…
Voice by Yvette Francis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:03
Voice Yvette Francis Voice to speakWhy don’t they listen?Voice to teachDo they really learn?Voice to whisper… to sootheWill they take comfort?Voice to declare… truthWill they run away?Voice of courageVoice of beautyVoice…
I've had too much to drink today by Precious [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:24
I've had too much to drink today The haze of smoke blurs the edges of my deepest musingand leads my mind to wonderLike a restless travelerThese songs I ruminate on arethe blood curling around my ribsechoing stories I don…
Episode 99 - Speak by Maggie Devers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:26
Speak Maggie Devers She speaks in poetryLike she doesn’t know another way.Seriously, there is a soundtrack to her life.It’s not even main character energy,It’s ‘I embody me’ energy.How brave to live for yourselfAnd all y…
Ancient Remedies by Raquel Medora [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:52
ancient remedies Raquel Medora can you tell me?how the roots and the leaves listen while i place my hand on their trunks and ask them to whisper their wisdom as if the bark could bark orders at me about how to save a mar…
"meet me under the celestial croissant” by Irina Vérène [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:52
meet me under the celestial croissantwith its ridged crispy doughand cream-colored insidesdreamy cratersperfect for scooping up spacelike blueberry jamedible stardustspeckled throughoutfind mewhere silver cutlery lightin…
Until We Are Soft Again by Shauna Richmond [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:59
Until We Are Soft Again Shauna Richmond I know a place where living takes flight where we can plant willow and watch them grow gracefully cascade to the ground and together we can bring life to the parts forever shaded a…
Sunday Recap & Ask the Bear by Maggie Devers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:40
Here’s your recap of this week’s poems plus one new poem to carry us into the week ahead.Jul 28 - Unholy Hunger by katherine kier. @katherinekier on Instagram and Substack. You can listen to her soundscapes at katherinek…