And what of old age without memories, The only wealth life leaves us at the end? Who would exchange remembered ecstasies, A bough of comets, for the cold gray blend Of comfort and immunity's dry laurel? Better the acrid embers than no fire; Better the bloodthirsty steel of a quarrel Severing the thundered veins, than no desire. Only the coward heart refuses love; Afraid to suffer, bars its cautious door; Crouched by its bare hearth fondles the tame dove Of peace, unheeding -- till love knocks no more. @3Then shall silence fall like stone on the mind And time stand still, and the last frail hope go blind.@1 | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...LIBERTY FOR ALL by WILLIAM LLOYD GARRISON SATIRES OF CIRCUMSTANCE. 6. IN THE CEMETERY by THOMAS HARDY SONNET: 15. TO THE LORD GENERAL FAIRFAX by JOHN MILTON HUGH SELWYN MAUBERLEY: 7. 'SIENA MI FE' by EZRA POUND HYMN OF FREEDDOM by MICHAEL JOSEPH BARRY SONNETS FROM THE PORTUGUESE: 7 by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING |