Favourite Enid Blyton Poems

Discuss Blyton's magazines, short stories and poetry here.
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Anita Bensoussane
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Re: Favourite Enid Blyton Poems

Post by Anita Bensoussane »

Rob Houghton wrote:I bought a Sunny Stories calendar a few months ago, and I'm currently displaying it in a frame, turning it as the months change. It's 1944 and actually, by coincidence, the dates and days match up!

The poem for April is one I really enjoyed -

Gold and Blue

Gold and blue for April days,
Primroses in woodland ways,
Speedwell with her brilliant eye,
Blue as any April sky;
Gold of polished celandine,
Daffodils in dancing line,
Steely-blue the swallow's wing,
Ah, no wonder blackbirds sing,
Opening wide a golden beak
Ever-sweeter songs to seek,
Fluting down the woodland ways,
Gold and blue for April days.
Yes, that poem captures April perfectly. On Sunday my daughter and I went to Newstead Abbey, home of Lord Byron. It was a beautiful day and, as we walked through woods and gardens and around lakes and pools, gold and blue predominated (along with a haze of pink and white blossom).
"Heyho for a starry night and a heathery bed!" - Jack, The Secret Island.

"There is no bond like the bond of having read and liked the same books."
- E. Nesbit, The Wonderful Garden.


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Re: Favourite Enid Blyton Poems

Post by John Pickup »

I like the poem Gold And Blue, particularly the lines describing the blackbird singing.
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Re: Favourite Enid Blyton Poems

Post by Kate Mary »

We're lucky to have all the Sunny Stories Calendars in the Cave except for 1945. The 1944 one looks the most attractive of all. It has some charming poems in it, the April poem is lovely.
"I love everything that's old: old friends, old times, old manners, old books, old wines." Oliver Goldsmith

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Re: Favourite Enid Blyton Poems

Post by Rob Houghton »

I agree - I feel lucky to have the 1944 calendar - the only Sunny Stories calendar I have - as I too think its the most attractive one. :-)
'Oh voice of Spring of Youth
hearts mad delight,
Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'

(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)



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Re: Favourite Enid Blyton Poems

Post by Aussie Sue »

Kate Mary wrote:We're lucky to have all the Sunny Stories Calendars in the Cave except for 1945. The 1944 one looks the most attractive of all. It has some charming poems in it, the April poem is lovely.
I didn't realise the 1945 Sunny Stories Calendar was missing from the Cave. I have this calendar but my scanner doesn't do a very good job and Tony has not been able to use other things I have scanned. Tony if you think you could use my scanned copy I'll happily do that, let me know what you think.

I think these Sunny Stories Calendars are some of the loveliest Enid Blyton items.

cheers
Sue
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Re: Favourite Enid Blyton Poems

Post by Tony Summerfield »

I have only got the one calendar myself, the 1942 one, but I do have coloured photcopies of all the pages from every one apart from the 1945 one, which I would dearly love to put in the Cave to complete the series. Someone had just three pages of the 1945 one which he kindly sent me copies of, but I'm afraid that I have never even see a complete copy.
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Re: Favourite Enid Blyton Poems

Post by Aussie Sue »

Tony I will have a go at sending you something, not sure how good it will be. I will have to be very careful, as you know, they are very fragile & whilst my calendar is in good condition, I would hate to damage it.

Fingers crossed
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Re: Favourite Enid Blyton Poems

Post by Tony Summerfield »

It would be fantastic if you can, Sue, but if possible can you send it as a jpeg (jpg) image rather than a PDF. This is normally how images are sent to me and they are then very easy for me to play with.
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Re: Favourite Enid Blyton Poems

Post by Aussie Sue »

Tony, I'll take it to my daughters place tomorrow, she should be able to produce a jpeg of it for us. This is really a lovely calendar, the illustrations are gorgeous.

cheers
Sue
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Re: Favourite Enid Blyton Poems

Post by Anita Bensoussane »

I've just been reading 'The Lucky Postman', a 1929 poem published in The Teachers World. A slice of London history, beautifully expressed. I particularly like the lines:

In scarlet boat the postman rows,
He leaves the Customs House and goes
To London Bridge; the early sun
Gilds all the ripples as they run
Behind the boat; on either side
The steamers gossip with the tide,
And screaming gulls on outspread wings
Glide round about in airy rings.


http://www.enidblytonsociety.co.uk/blyt ... &perid=529" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
"Heyho for a starry night and a heathery bed!" - Jack, The Secret Island.

"There is no bond like the bond of having read and liked the same books."
- E. Nesbit, The Wonderful Garden.


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Re: Favourite Enid Blyton Poems

Post by Kate Mary »

Super poem. Thanks Anita. I don't remember ever seeing that one before.
"I love everything that's old: old friends, old times, old manners, old books, old wines." Oliver Goldsmith

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Re: Favourite Enid Blyton Poems

Post by Courtenay »

Gosh, that is lovely — a slice of history, as you say.
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Re: Favourite Enid Blyton Poems

Post by sixret »

Thank you so much, Anita for making us aware of this poem.

I agree that this poem is beautifully written. Love it!
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Re: Favourite Enid Blyton Poems

Post by Rob Houghton »

Yes - a brilliantly written poem - so visual! :-D
'Oh voice of Spring of Youth
hearts mad delight,
Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'

(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)



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Re: Favourite Enid Blyton Poems

Post by AlexH »

I had no idea Enid Blyton wrote poetry too. I'm enjoying reading these. :D
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