Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


TO MARY by JOHN CLARE

Poet Analysis

First Line: I SLEEP WITH THEE AND WAKE WITH THEE
Last Line: AND WHISPERS TALES OF MARY.
Subject(s): LOVE;

I sleep with thee and wake with thee,
And yet thou art not there;
I fill my arms with thoughts of thee --
And press the common air.
Thy eyes are gazing upon mine
When thou art out of sight,
My lips are always touching thine
At morning, noon, and night.

I think and speak of other things
To keep my mind at rest,
But still to thee my memory clings
Like love in woman's breast.
I hide it from the world's wide eye
And think and speak contrary;
But soft the wind comes from the sky
And whispers tales of Mary.



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