The Cuckoo's Calling - Poem and book

I’ve recently read The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith – which is a male alias that the famous J.K. Rowling used, to write her first (?) crime fiction novel.

The reason for using this alias was to receive proper criticism on her writing, and not have a new book applauded or destroyed by critics, just because of who she is.

I have to say that I enjoyed the book tremendously, what a page turner! ( and very happy to now have the second ( of which I can only assume will be a series of 4-7 books) Robert Galbraith book in hand.

The poem from which J.K. got her inspiration for the name of the book, has been stuck in my head since reading it. It is such a beautiful heartfelt poem – and that is what I which to share with you today.

    A Dirge     BY CHRISTINA ROSSETTI

     Why were you born when the snow was falling?

     You should have come to the cuckoo’s calling,

    Or when grapes are green in the cluster,

    Or, at least, when lithe swallows muster

       For their far off flying

       From summer dying.

    Why did you die when the lambs were cropping?

    You should have died at the apples’ dropping,

    When the grasshopper comes to trouble,

    And the wheat-fields are sodden stubble,

       And all winds go sighing

       For sweet things dying.