I placed my soul in the sunlight And left it there all day, Thinking that the sun with its cleansing rays Would wash the stains away. I thoughtlessly spotted my soul, And I thought no one could see, For I kept it safely hidden away So none would know but me. I thoughtlessly spotted my soul, Not knowing it at the time, But I found that just one unkind word Made a stain like the reddest wine. I thoughtlessly spotted my soul By telling a wicked lie, Never dreaming that it would leave a mark— A mark like the deepest dye. I thoughtlessly spotted my soul By thinking ill of a friend, By repeating secrets entrusted to me, To gain my own selfish end. I placed my soul in the sunlight, And left it there all day, But all the sun in the universe now Cannot wash those stains away! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...WRITTEN IN KEATS' 'ENDYMION' by THOMAS HOOD WITH AN ALBUM by WALTER SAVAGE LANDOR A BATTLE BALLAD TO GENERAL J.E. JOHNSTON by FRANCIS ORRERY TICKNOR THE VILLAGE MUNITIONS CO., INC.; FORMERLY THE VILLAGE BLACKSMITH by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS I WOULD BE THE SUN by JOHANNA AMBROSIUS THE NEW SIRENS: A PALINODE by MATTHEW ARNOLD MIND IN CREATION by RICHARD BLACKMORE THE EXILE'S RETURN by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING EPITAPH ON THE LADY SALTER, WIFE TO SIR WILLIAM SALTER by THOMAS CAREW |