WHAT shall I tell you, child, in this new Sonnet? Life's art is to forget, and last year's sowing Cast in Time's furrow with the storm winds blowing Bears me a wild crop with strange fancies on it. Last year I wore your sole rose in my bonnet. This year—who knows—who, even the All-knowing, What to my vagrant heart, for its undoing, Of weeds shall blossom ere my tears atone it? —New Spring is in the air with new desirings; New wonders fructify Earth, Sea, and Heaven, And happy birds sing loud from a new nest. Ah, why then grieve Love's recreant aspirings, His last year's hopes, his vows forgot, forgiven? Child, be we comforted! New things are best. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: JOHN WASSON by EDGAR LEE MASTERS HOLY POEMS: 2 by GEORGE BARKER HIRAM POWERS' GREEK SLAVE by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING ROBERT E. LEE by JULIA WARD HOWE ECHO AND THE FERRY by JEAN INGELOW ON MILTON'S PARADISE LOST by ANDREW MARVELL AUTUMN DAY by RAINER MARIA RILKE |