The Child on the Cliffs
Edward Thomas
1878 to 1917
Track 1
Reconstruct the poem by dragging each line into its correct position. Your goal is to reassemble the original poem as accurately as possible. As you move the lines, you'll see whether your arrangement is correct, helping you explore the poem's flow and meaning. You can also print out the jumbled poem to cut up and reassemble in the classroom. Either way, take your time, enjoy the process, and discover how the poet's words come together to create something truly beautiful.
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And certain that you would often come
With fishes or gulls ringing its bell,—hark!—
Dead, but able to hear the sound of the bell,
Like a green knight in a dazzling market-place,—
Sweeter I never heard, mother, no, not in all Wales.
I should be happy if that could be.
I should like to be lying under that foam,
Among the stones has the taste of quinine.
And the grasshopper works at his sewing-machine
Somewhere under the sea or up in heaven.
And rest, listening happily.
On the buoy. It does sound sweet to-day."
And listen now. Can you hear what I hear
A chapel or church between here and Devon,
Your book to the grasshopper, mother dear,—
So hard. Here's one on my hand, mother, look;
But I have something to tell more strange. So leave
Fishes and gulls ring no bells. There cannot be
"It's the bell, my son, out in the bay
And stretches a white arm out like a girl's.
Things are strange to-day on the cliff. The sun shines so bright,
I lie so still. There's one on your book.
Far out? Now and then the foam there curls
Mother, the root of this little yellow flower