A couple of days ago, browsing in a poetry book I came across a short poem. I never realised a poem could be so short! Keeping this intro short, I hope you enjoy the brief read.
Short, Sweet, and Succinct
The Shortest and Sweetest of Songs is a poem by Scottish Victorian author George MacDonald. It is short. And when I say short, I mean short! It is very short. Extremely short. The title is longer than the poem.
Are you sitting comfortably? Have you made sure you will not be disturbed or interrupted while you read his poem? Do you have enough time?
The Shortest and Sweetest of Songs
Come Home. George MacDonald 1824-1905
George MacDonald
George MacDonald was a children’s writer. He was friend and influencer to Lewis Carrol who regarded MacDonald as a literary master after reading his fantasy novel ‘Phantastes’ (1858). It was this book that helped establish MacDonald as the ‘father of fantasy writing’. The list of the famous literary names he mentored and inspired is long, and full of better known names than his. A veritable ‘Who’s Who’ of the literary elite of the time—J. R. R. Tolkien, Mark Twain, J. M. Barrie, Walter de la Mare, etc.
“Work is not always required. There is such a thing as sacred idleness.”
—George MacDonald
MacDonald was also a Church minister delivering fervent sermons that were met with little enthusiasm. Because of this, and ill health (asthma, pleurisy and TB), he resigned from pastoral duties, and went in search of fresher air in other climes. He and his large family settled in Bordighera, Liguria, Italy, where he built a house naming it “Casa Correggio” (House of Courage).
Performances and recitals
At the Casa Correggio he formed a cultural hub, entertaining visitors and locals, presenting plays and readings.
I wonder if he ever recited his poem The Shortest and Sweetest of Songs? What was the audience’s reaction? Was there silence at the end? A long pause before they erupted into thunderous applause?—or was it received with a similar lack of enthusiasm to his early sermons?
I am fascinated by the idea of performing such a short poem in public. Not many lines to learn.
Short and Shorter
You might think that George MacDonald’s poem is short, yet it is not the shortest poem in the world. It is beaten by Gavin Ewart’s poem The Lover Writes a One-Word Poem (short poem, long title). The poem is romantic. A love poem expressing his passion for his amour.
The Lover Writes a One-Word Poem
You! Gavin Ewart 1916-1995
I wonder who ‘YOU!’ was?
Gavin Ewart
Inspired and influenced by Modernist poets T. S. Eliot and Ezra Pound, Gavin Ewart wrote his first successful poem at 17, titled The Phallus in Wonderland. Philip Larkin thought he was great!
“The most remarkable phenomenon of the English poetic scene… has been the advent, or perhaps I should say the irruption of Gavin Ewart”
— Philip Larkin
Gavin Ewart fought in the Second World War and wrote the poem When a Beau Goes in during active service. I find this poem touching. Perhaps the subject of his poem—the ‘You!’ in The Lover Writes A One-Word Poem is someone he knew on the battlefield?
When a Beau Goes in
When a beau goes in, It makes you think, Because, you see, they always sink But nobody says ’Poor lad’ Or goes about looking sad Because, you see, it’s war, it’s the unalterable law. Gavin Ewart - WW11
Despite successes during their lives, neither Gavin Ewart nor George MacDonald are as famous today as their illustrious friends and contemporaries. Their former fame seems to be short-lived, and fading into history…
Short, shorter, and shortest?
Inspired and influenced by these two poets George MacDonald and Gavin Ewart, I aspired to write a short poem to compete with theirs. The title is Self-possession in a Time of Doubt and Uncertainty.
“Why expend energy writing a long poem when a short one will suffice?”
—Lesley Scoble
My poem is about identity. One expressing a sense of self. A state of being one.
It shall be a poem that depends on how you, the reader, interpret and feel about it. It can be significant in how you envisage yourself. Are you self-effacing or self-confident?
I dedicate this serious work to everyone who believes in themselves.
If you don’t think you believe in yourself, perhaps add a question-mark at the end, instead of the full-stop? or an exclamation! (*by changing the punctuation you will alter the entire meaning of this poem). Whatever you decide, say it with conviction and cast away disbelief and BELIEVE!
How to read this poem out loud
Take a confident positive stance. Plant your feet firmly down on the floor. Hold your head up high with your neck stretching upwards and the top of your scalp reaching for the sky. Pull yourself up. Pose in a powerful position and stand tall (or sit). Keep your back straight, and your shoulders down, head up, buttocks in, chest out, and raise your chin! (I learnt these important tips from my elocution tutor).
This posture will show self-confidence and assertiveness. Then. Read the words (oops, I mean word!). And project your voice!
Be brave! And shout this new poem out, LOUD!
Self-possession in a Time of Doubt and Uncertainty
I Lesley Scoble - September 2021
Did I just write the shortest poem in the world? I think “I” did.
Take care and keep safe.
See you shortly 😊
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The book in which I discovered the short poems of William MacDonald and Gavin Ewart is A Poet for Every Day of the Year. Edited by Allie Esiri. Published by Macmillan Children’s Books. ISBN 978-1-5290-5482-8
Lesley lives in the City of London Square Mile. An artist, actor and sculptor (her first ceramic sculpture won the V&A inspired by… Award). Scenic artist & book illustrator, playwright, (her musical play, Rapscallion performed in inner city schools and theatre school); TV dancer; Animator and illustrator for TV production. Set up Pinecone Studios Ltd and IIMSI Ltd drama and filmmaking workshops in London – producing award-winning films made by children.
LesleyScoble.com 
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