Most Read... John McAuliffeBill Manhire in Conversation with John McAuliffe
(PN Review 259)
Patricia CraigVal Warner: A Reminiscence
(PN Review 259)
Joshua WeinerAn Exchange with Daniel Tiffany/Fall 2020
(PN Review 259)
Eavan BolandA Lyric Voice at Bay
(PN Review 121)
Vahni CapildeoOn Judging Prizes, & Reading More than Six Really Good Books
(PN Review 237)
Christopher MiddletonNotes on a Viking Prow
(PN Review 10)
Next Issue Sinead Morrissey 'The Lightbox' Philip Terry 'What is Poetry' Ned Denny 'Nine Poems after Verlaine' Sasha Dugdale 'On learning that Russian mothers buy their soldier sons lucky belts inscribed with Psalm 90 to wear into battle' Rod Mengham 'Cold War Hot Air'
Poems Articles Interviews Reports Reviews Contributors
Reader Survey
PN Review Substack

This poem is taken from PN Review 24, Volume 8 Number 4, March - April 1982.

The Questions of Boeotia N.S. Thompson

How can we best use wintertime and spring
So as to earn our rest in summer, when
Artichokes ripen and the cicala sings?
When fat kids and our temperate cups refresh
Us-sun-scorched workers from the dusty fields?
When should we start to reap the corn, pick beans?
How should the waggon's axle-tree be made?
Which is the best wood for plough-tail or pole?
...


Searching, please wait... animated waiting image