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LATE WISDOM by PAUL VERLAINE

Poem Explanation Poet Analysis

First Line: ABOVE THE ROOF, THE SKY EXPANDS
Last Line: OF LONG AGO.
Subject(s): LIFE; TEARS;

ABOVE the roof, the sky expands
So blue, so calm;
Above the roof a tall tree stands
And rocks its palm.

The bell that in the sky you see
Chimes sweet and faint,
A bird in the familiar tree
Sings its low plaint.

Dear God, dear God, life glides on there
In tranquil wise.
That peaceful murmur comes from where
The city lies.

O you who stand here full of tears
That flow and flow,
What have you done with the lost years
Of long ago.



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