Night is a dissident changeling born To the sun-king by the bride of dawn, Measureless the intervals when, half-waking, He witnesses the straining desperation Of a people seeking mercy in the sweet release of dark. Life is a crust of blackened hope Moistened by grief to a tasteless mouthful Swallowed by death. Briefly are shredded our last illusions: Knowledge is shown as a poorly dyed garment, Power the frame of an empty caravel, Fame but the marks of a shifting rod In the hands of the blind. People must be unbearable to themselves, Unbearable. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...HALF-WAKING by WILLIAM ALLINGHAM BABY MAY by WILLIAM COX BENNETT SUMTER by HENRY HOWARD BROWNELL THE GUARDIAN ANGEL (A PICTURE AT FANO) by ROBERT BROWNING ELEGY: 3. CHANGE by JOHN DONNE ULTIMA THULE: THE TIDE RISES by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW |