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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE FADED VIOLET by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH

Poem Explanation Poet Analysis

First Line: WHAT THOUGHT IS FOLDED IN THY LEAVES!
Last Line: FOR THIS, I FOLD THEE IN MY SONG.
Subject(s): FLOWERS; VIOLETS;
WHAT thought is folded in thy leaves!
What tender thought, what speechless pain!
I hold thy faded lips to mine,
Thou darling of the April rain!

I hold thy faded lips to mine,
Though scent and azure tint are fled --
O dry, mute lips! ye are the type
Of something in me cold and dead:

Of something wilted like thy leaves;
Of fragrance flown, of beauty dim;
Yet, for the love of those white hands
That found thee by a river's brim --

That found thee when thy dewy mouth
Was purpled as with stains of wine --
For love of her who love forgot,
I hold thy faded lips to mine.

That thou shouldst live when I am dead,
When hate is dead, for me, and wrong,
For this, I use my subtlest art,
For this, I fold thee in my song.



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