We have changed our privacy policy. In addition, we use cookies on our website for various purposes. By continuing on our website, you consent to our use of cookies. You can learn about our practices by reading our privacy policy.

The Guitarist Tunes Up

Easy Peasy

Many of Cornford's poems are on the short side, and they are often observational, commenting on the world she sees around her. Her poems are filled with natural imagery: birds, trees, animals, flowers, and sunlight galore. Shmoop figures that, being Charles Darwin's granddaughter, the nature stuff was probably in her blood.

Despite occasionally dealing with some heavy, universal topics (death, the meaning of life, that kind of thing) her use of strong end rhyme and meter keeps things bouncing along and many of the poems have a light, musical quality. The poems also tend to be fairly direct. Cornford isn't the kind of poet that sends you running for (or clicking over to) your dictionary every other line. So, her poems tend to be pretty easy reads. Thanks, Frances.

What's that? You want some examples? Glad you asked. Check out "Autumn Morning at Cambridge," "The New-born Baby's Song," and "The Watch," for more of Cornford doing her thing.