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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SPRING AND FALL: TO A YOUNG CHILD by GERARD MANLEY HOPKINS

Poem Explanation Poet Analysis

First Line: MARGARET, ARE YOU GRIEVING
Last Line: IT IS MARGARET YOU MOURN FOR.
Subject(s): AUTUMN; CHILDREN; GOD; GRIEF; HOLIDAYS; LABOR & LABORERS; MNEMONICS; MOURNING; NEW YEAR; SEASONS; SOCIAL PROTEST; SPRING; FALL; CHILDHOOD; SORROW; SADNESS; WORK; WORKERS; BEREAVEMENT;
Margaret, are you grieving
Over Goldengrove unleaving?
Leaves like the things of man, you
With your fresh thoughts care for, can you?
Ah as the heart grows older
It will come to such sights colder
By and by, nor spare a sigh
Though worlds of wanwood leafmeal lie;
And yet you will weep and know why.
Now no matter, child, the name:
Sorrow's springs are the same.
Nor mouth had, no nor mind, expressed
What heart heard of, ghost guessed:
It is the blight man was born for,
It is Margaret you mourn for.


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