Thomas Hood wrote at the start of the nineteenth century, but his tone is surprisingly modern. Expressions like 'no go' are still used. There are references to different ways of living then, but we can work out what they mean from the context
Double-click on any word and see its definition from Cambridge Dictionaries Online.
After reading the poem, try this comprehension activity followed by this vocabulary activity. Finally, try some writing.
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(Print poem and do activity on paper) (pdf file - 70 KB)
No sun - no moon!
No morn - no noon -
No dawn - no dusk - no proper time of day -
No sky - no earthly view -
No distance looking blue -
No road - no street - no "t'other side the way" -
No end to any Row -
No indications where the Crescents go -
No top to any steeple -
No recognitions of familiar people -
No courtesies for showing 'em -
No knowing 'em! -
No travelling at all - no locomotion,
No inkling of the way - no notion -
"No go" - by land or ocean -
No mail - no post -
No news from any foreign coast -
No Park - no Ring - no afternoon gentility -
No company - no nobility -
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!
Thomas Hood
Can you write a humorous complaint in the style of Thomas Hood about some time when you cannot enjoy life because of the weather or some other cause? Alternatively, write on the theme of "Yes!" celebrating a time when life is very enjoyable and everything goes the right way for you. Send us your poem.
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