The Modern Appeal of Classic Short Poems
- Feb 26
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 11
At SomeThink Publications, we believe that sometimes the smallest phrases carry the greatest weight. It is with immense pride that we announce our debut publication: "Pansies & Figs", an anthology dedicated to the enduring power of the very short poem.
The "Pansies" in our title refer to the "thoughts" of D.H. Lawrence—derived from the French pensées. Lawrence used this term for his collection of brief, channeled poems that were intended to be "snapped up" like a quick mental snack. The "Figs" are a nod to Edna St. Vincent Millay’s most famous, defiant quatrain.
Together, they represent our mission: to publish books that make you think and hopefully smile. Poetry falls into the heartland of that mission and provides relaxation, inspiration and supports mental health.
Short Poems and the Art of Compression
Why short poems? Because they require a rare kind of discipline. There is no room for digression; the image must arrive cleanly, the rhythm must carry weight, and the line must hold.
The One Short Poem That Started It All
A stray encounter with a volume of Edna St. Vincent Millay's poetry while at university developed a love for short poems and also sonnets. Vincent Millay, as she was often called, was the woman who proved that four lines could hold enough fire to light up a decade.
FIRST FIG My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night; But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends— It gives a lovely light!
This tiny masterpiece is the essence of the "Fig"—a brief, bright flare of rebellion. It’s why we felt her work was the only natural successor to our first collection..
The "Pansies" Connection: D.H. Lawrence
While Millay gave us the "Figs," D.H. Lawrence provided the "Pansies." If you are looking for the quintessential example of a Lawrence "Pansy" to understand our debut's namesake, look no further than "Let Us Be Men":
LET US BE MEN For God's sake, let us be men not monkeys minding machines or sitting with our tails curled while the machine amuses us, the radio or film or gramophone. Monkeys with a bland grin on our faces.
Part poet, part social commentator, Lawrence challenges in just a few lines in a way that's as relevant today as in the 1920s. And like Millay's candle, there is no padding, no waste—only the "thought" itself, captured perfectly.
A Poetry Collection for the Modern Soul
Whether it is a snapshot of love by Sara Teasdale or the rhythmic precision of Paul Laurence Dunbar, every poem in this collection was chosen because it can be read in a single breath but remembered for a lifetime.
These are poems to be carried quietly through your day—verses that offer "blossoms and sustenance" when the world feels a little too loud.
The Ultimate Short Poem Anthology
More than just Millay and Lawrence, we have gathered masters of the small form from across centuries and continents. In these pages, you will find:
Emily Dickinson: The "Belle of Amherst," who captured the infinite in just a few lines of startling punctuation and profound insight.
Sara Teasdale: Whose lyrical snapshots of love and nature remain some of the most musical verses in the English language.
Christina Rossetti: A master of the Victorian "short" who used simple language to explore deep spiritual and emotional landscapes.
Percy Bysshe Shelley: Proving that even the most radical Romantic energy could be distilled into a single, haunting image.
A. E. Housman: Whose sparse, rhythmic poems from A Shropshire Lad capture the bittersweet passage of youth.
Joyce Kilmer: Whose direct and evocative verse remains a testament to the power of accessible, heartfelt poetry.
And many more...
Our First Step
As the first release from SomeThink Publications, Pansies & Figs sets the standard for everything we do: logic, beauty, and the satisfaction of finding something clever and deep. It is the perfect companion for anyone who believes that numbers aren't the only things that tell stories—words do, too.
"Pansies & Figs" is available now in a premium 5.5 x 8.5" edition either in paperback, hardcover or Kindle.
"If of thy mortal goods thou art bereft, And of thy slender store two loaves alone are left, Sell one, and with the dole Buy hyacinths to feed the soul."
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