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When This Is Done

When This is Done

A sonnet by Michael Jones


When this is done, I want to rest awhile
To take the time to watch the world go by
Relax and then remember how to smile
To drink good ale and dine on country pie

I want to sit in rooms of wood and brass
Enjoy the company of honest men
And watch my bitter settle in the glass
To win at crib and take my leave at ten

And Jack will put my glass back on its hook
As I walk home along a sheltered lane
Outside my cottage, stop to stand and look
As stars in glory cross the sky again

Then sleep in peace till wakened by the sun.
And I will be content, when this is done.

Done This When

Isn't this the deepest desire of most everyone? To end the day with contentment? To come to the end of life content and happy and relaxed? Great poem, love the symbolism. I can relate this sonnet to life just as easily as relating it to a day or a year or a situation.

When This Is Done UFO & Writing Art Education Sciences

Thanks for your comments. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

It is a very British poem, with references to British things - the pub, bitter, crib, (I'm not quite sure what 'country pie' is, but it seemed to fit.)

I hope that people in other nations will be able to get the feeling behind it.

I've purposely left the nature of "this" in "When this is done" un-defined. In my mind it refers to the writer's job, which he doesn't like much, and he's looking forward to retirement. But I guess it could refer to other things too - a period of illness, bringing up a family, a time of hardship - anything that makes you look forward to a period of peace without worry.

I must admit, though, that I hadn't though that it could refer to a single day in someones life, as you suggest. I like that idea.

Offtopic but, I've purposely put a hyphen in the word 'un-defined' as when I wrote it correctly, it was replaced by the word 'Cyber-person' in the preview. Wierd or what?