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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE PARTING HOUR by OLIVE CUSTANCE

First Line: NOT YET, DEAR LOVE, NOT YET: THE SUN IS HIGH
Last Line: "AH! BITTER WORD ""FAREWELL."
Subject(s): FAREWELL; PARTING;

NOT yet, dear love, not yet: the sun is high;
You said last night "At sunset I will go."
Come to the garden, where when blossoms die
No word is spoken; it is better so:
Ah! bitter word "Farewell."

Hark! how the birds sing sunny songs of spring!
Soon they will build, and work will silence them;
So we grow less light-hearted as years bring
Life's grave responsibilities -- and then
The bitter word "Farewell."

The violets fret to fragrance 'neath your feet,
Heaven's gold sunlight dreams aslant your hair:
No flower for me! your mouth is far more sweet.
O, let my lips forget, while lingering there,
Love's bitter word "Farewell."

. . . . . . . . .

Sunset already! have we sat so long?
The parting hour, and so much left unsaid!
The garden has grown silent -- void of song,
Our sorrow shakes us with a sudden dread!
Ah! @3bitter@1 word "Farewell."



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