When I was young, I said I'd never grow Too fond of life, that I would never keep A thing beyond its use ... but gaily throw It far away when I was done. No sleep To lose for loss of it. No tears to shed ... No sudden wrench of pain would I endure Nor suffer pangs of parting's grief. Instead By cool detachment I'd become secure. Ah yes ... when I was young. But now I'm old Enough to understand life's pattern clear And know that empty hands will strive to hold Fast-fading glory close, by keepsakes dear. Mementos that but speak to only one, Like this pressed flower that knew a summer's sun. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MY HEART'S IN THE HIGHLANDS by ROBERT BURNS LOVE NOT by CAROLINE ELIZABETH SARAH SHERIDAN NORTON THE CITY DEAD-HOUSE by WALT WHITMAN LUCY (5) by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH MR. PETER'S STORY: THE BAGMAN'S DOG by RICHARD HARRIS BARHAM |