Here they trysted, here they strayed, In the leafage dewy and boon, Many a man and many a maid, And the morn was merry June. 'Death is fleet, Life is sweet,' Sang the blackbird in the may; And the hour with flying feet, While they dreamed, was yesterday. Many a maid and many a man Found the leafage close and boon; Many a destiny began -- O, the morn was merry June! Dead and gone, dead and gone, (Hark the blackbird in the may!) Life and Death went hurrying on, Cheek on cheek -- and where were they? Dust on dust engendering dust In the leafage fresh and boon, Man and maid fulfill their trust -- Still the morn turns merry June. Mother Life, Father Death (O, the blackbird in the may!), Each the other's breath for breath, Fleet the times of the world away. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...PREFATORY POEM TO MY BROTHER'S SONNETS by ALFRED TENNYSON LATIMER AND RIDLEY, BURNED AT THE STAKE IN OXFORD, 1555 by WILLIAM EDMONSTOUNE AYTOUN BRIEF LIFE by KATHARINE LEE BATES THE FARMER'S SOLILOQUY by ROBERT CHARLES O'HARA BENJAMIN OCTOBER XXIX, 1795 (KEATS' BIRTHDAY) by WILLIAM STANLEY BRAITHWAITE THE CAMPUS IN VACATION by ANNE MILLAY BREMER ON A DREAM by WILLIAM BROWNE (1591-1643) |