Page 34 - English Expedition Class 6

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The Little Green Orchard

Walter de la Mare

Have you ever felt any mysterious presence around you without being able to see it? In which places
do you think such experiences are most likely to happen? Discuss in class.
The speaker of this poem has a constant ‘companion’ with her in the little green orchard. Read the
poem to fi nd the ways in which she feels the presence of this ‘companion’.

Someone is always sitting there,
In the little green orchard;

Even when the sun is high
In noon’s unclouded sky,
1
And faintly droning goes
Th e bee from rose to rose,

Someone in shadow is sitting there,
In the little green orchard.

2
Yes, and when twilight is falling soft ly
In the little green orchard;

When the grey dew distils 3
And every fl ower-cup fi lls;
When the last blackbird says,
‘What – what!’ and goes her way – s-sh!

I have heard voices calling soft ly
In the little green orchard.

1 droning: making a continuous low humming sound
2 twilight: a soft light in the sky when the sun is below the
horizon
3 distils: (here) falls in tiny drops
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