The Embankment

The Embankment

By T. E. Hulme 1883–1917

(The fantasia of a fallen gentleman on a cold, bitter night.)

Once, in finesse of fiddles found I ecstasy,
In the flash of gold heels on the hard pavement.
Now see I
That warmth’s the very stuff of poesy.
Oh, God, make small
The old star-eaten blanket of the sky,
That I may fold it round me and in comfort lie.
back to top

RELATED CONTENT

Discover this poem’s context and related poetry, articles, and media.

Poet T. E. Hulme 1883–1917

POET’S REGION England

SCHOOL / PERIOD Imagist

Subjects Nature, Religion, Stars, Planets, Heavens, God & the Divine

Poetic Terms Free Verse, Imagist

More about this poem

Biography

Though not as prolific as several of his contemporaries, T. E. Hulme's influence in shaping twentieth-century thought in art and literature is indisputable. As one Nation writer noted in his review of Hulme's posthumous work Speculations, "Although he considered himself an amateur in speculation, he was positive, original, and acute; and it would be difficult to say how much was lost to thought when he died at Nieuport in . . .

Continue reading this biography

back to top

Poems by T. E. Hulme

back to top

Poem Categorization

SUBJECT Nature, Religion, Stars, Planets, Heavens, God & the Divine

POET’S REGION England

SCHOOL / PERIOD Imagist

Poetic Terms Free Verse, Imagist

If you disagree with this poem's categorization, make a suggestion.

Report a problem with this poem

Originally appeared in Poetry magazine.

This poem has learning resources.

This poem is good for children.

This poem has related video.

This poem has related audio.