Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


IN THE SHADOWS: 20 by DAVID GRAY (1838-1861)

First Line: DIE DOWN, O DISMAL DAY! AND LET ME LIVE
Last Line: O GOD, FOR ONE CLEAR DAY, A SNOWDROP, AND SWEET AIR!
Subject(s): LIFE;

DIE down, O dismal day, and let me live;
And come, blue deeps, magnificently strewn
With colored clouds,--large, light, and fugitive,--
By upper winds through pompous motions blown.
Now it is death in life,--a vapor dense
Creeps round my window, till I cannot see
The far snow-shining mountains, and the glens
Shagging the mountain-tops. O God! make free
This barren shackled earth, so deadly cold,--
Breathe gently forth thy spring, till winter flies
In rude amazement, fearful and yet bold,
While she performs her customed charities;
I weigh the loaded hours till life is bare,--
O God, for one clear day, a snowdrop, and sweet air!



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