Featured Poet: Astrid Grahn-Farley

Astrid Grahn-Farley

My name is Astrid Grahn-Farley, I am 15 years old and I go to school in Uppsala, Sweden, but live with my dad in Boston during as much of the year as possible. He is an American from Jamaica and my mom is a Swede from Korea. I am from Boston and went to St. Columbkille until moving to Sweden with my mom. I write poetry in English and Swedish, and a little in French. I like to rhyme and to write in form.

The Poet and the Pious

First a paradise came falling to land in the lap of Eve

When she lay beneath the canopy among which sparrows weave

So came the tale you all must know from Natalia to Nieve

Of how her pretty arbor fell and the whole world now must grieve

Then to partake in mild delight came little sister Lilith

When she ran with armfuls of the fruit, and vanished into myth

So passed the tale you all must know from Emeline to Edith

Of gardens and of ardent stars that never reach their zenith

Last came the blow of sorrow dealt by the eldest son called Cain

When he wept into his hands and did not join the great refrain

So ends the tale you all must know from Eliza to Elaine

Of pomegranates and apple pips and things which leave a stain

Now for the time of prophets and the teachings of Elias

When he wrote the word on sacred scrolls by the sword or stylus

So goes the tale you all must know from Thomas to Tobias

Of prayer and of fable, of the poet and the pious