So if you guys are like me, you get so caught up in studying, homework, actual work, family obligations, what have you that you forget to take a few moments to appreciate nature, or something as refreshing as a poem. Every time that I feel overwhelmed, this poem always makes me happy and lifts my spirits up a little. I'm sure that some of you may have read it, as it is quite famous, but It's a good read regardless. It's religious in theme, but I love the poet's use of alliteration to create a sense of flow. Here it is: The Windhover, by Gerard Manley Hopkins


To Christ our Lord


I CAUGHT this morning morning’s minion, king-
dom of daylight’s dauphin, dapple-dawn-drawn Falcon, in his riding
Of the rolling level underneath him steady air, and striding
High there, how he rung upon the rein of a wimpling wing
In his ecstasy! then off, off forth on swing,
As a skate’s heel sweeps smooth on a bow-bend: the hurl and gliding
Rebuffed the big wind. My heart in hiding
Stirred for a bird,—the achieve of; the mastery of the thing!

Brute beauty and valour and act, oh, air, pride, plume, here
Buckle! AND the fire that breaks from thee then, a billion
Times told lovelier, more dangerous, O my chevalier!

No wonder of it: shéer plód makes plough down sillion
Shine, and blue-bleak embers, ah my dear,
Fall, gall themselves, and gash gold-vermillion.