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No sun — no moon!
No morn — no noon —
No dawn — no dusk — no proper time of day.
No warmth, no cheerfulness, no healthful ease,
No comfortable feel in any member —
No shade, no shine, no butterflies, no bees,
No fruits, no flowers, no leaves, no birds! —
November!
This poem is in the public domain.
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Thomas Hood (1799 - 1845) was a poet, publisher, editor, and humorist. The son of a bookseller, he was born in London and lived there for most of his life, with stints in Scotland and Belgium. Well known for his puns and comic verse, Thomas also composed poems that drew attention to the social evils of his day.
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Maureen of Conesus:
I made a poster with the last 3 lines of this poem in November 1975 for my first classroom...I displayed it every November of my teaching career until 2010 when I retired. I STILL post it now in my home with my Thanksgiving decorations.
Posted 11/06/2024 11:38 AM
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THNDRacket:
Jack Sum - that's how I remember it. I'm pretty sure I first saw it in "Reader's Digest" and those words were included
Posted 11/02/2024 11:54 AM
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JACK SUM:
It is a great poem . It would be even better if , in a line before the last word ( NOVEVBER ) , he would have inserted these 2 words
NO WONDER
Posted 10/29/2024 07:04 PM
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Ken Lamb:
When there is a dreary day in November, I dig this out and ,somehow, it chees me up.
Posted 11/12/2023 07:35 AM
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plansley:
My wife has just come home on this dreary November afternoon having battled through yet another storm outside. I commiserated and immediately thought of this poem. Haven't read it for decades but suits the mood perfectly.
Posted 11/08/2023 07:15 AM
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jaykellyuk@gmail.com:
Have I misremembered this poem I thought there was a line No other side of street ?
Posted 10/13/2023 10:52 AM
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hackerb9:
This poem has moved me since I was a child when I heard it on the radio as "Opus 4" by "Art of Noise". No bees! No butterflies!
Posted 03/12/2023 12:36 PM
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NSFalcon:
On All Saints' Day I often think of this poem, and it seems especially appropriate in this bleak year. Perhaps the US election will bring some hope back to the world.
Posted 11/01/2020 12:32 PM
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Georgie49:
I'm looking out of the window at the grey cloudy sky and reading the flood warnings for our area on the weather app. Of the leaves on the trees that remain there is not a movement. Totally still. I hear the wetness on the road as a vehicle passes by. Every November I'm reminded of this poem.
Posted 11/15/2019 04:29 AM
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LindaCrosfield:
A personal favourite!
Posted 11/16/2018 05:10 PM
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barbsteff:
How delightful to read a poem by a 19th century writer which uses plain, un-fancy language and is succinct. If I lived in London then I might have a similar opinion, or in Scotland. Thanks for this.
Posted 11/16/2018 04:30 PM
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Jane Eva Cooper:
For November in London, especially today when the cloud is sitting on our heads, this poem is perfect. We do not have a 'Thanksgiving' to redeem the month.
Posted 11/16/2018 10:27 AM
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Gilbert Allen:
A delightful poem about the absence of delight!
Posted 11/16/2018 09:11 AM
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wordartdjc:
I cannot agree wholly with Mr. Hood.
Happiness is where we find it no matter the month. We all will give thanks for our lives on Thanksgiving Day. This is my thought of November.
Posted 11/16/2018 08:42 AM
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cork:
I love the repetition of "No" in November in the final line.
Posted 11/16/2018 08:28 AM
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Larry Schug:
Right on, Thomas Hood. Just think what November would be like without Thanksgiving Day. I give thanks for Thanksgiving.
Posted 11/16/2018 07:53 AM
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michael escoubas:
Kudos Jayne--let's hear it for Thomas Hood! However, in my experience, November does have its redemptive moments! (Just not very many of them!)
Posted 11/16/2018 07:32 AM
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bbatcher:
When I was teaching (many decades ago), I used to read this poem to my fifth graders, who found it an appropriate summation.
Posted 11/16/2018 07:30 AM
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suzanne:
What a great choice for today Jayne. The poem sums up this north central Massachusetts day perfectly! Thanks.
Posted 11/16/2018 07:05 AM
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