LIFE is not sweet. One day it will be sweet To shut our eyes and die; Nor feel the wild flowers blow, nor birds dart by With flitting butterfly, Nor grass grow long above our heads and feet, Nor hear the happy lark that soars sky-high, Nor sigh that spring is fleet and summer fleet, Nor mark the waxing wheat, Nor know who sits in our accustomed seat. Life is not good. One day it will be good To die, then live again; To sleep meanwhile; so, not to feel the wane Of shrunk leaves dropping in the wood, Nor hear the foamy lashing of the main, Nor mark the blackened bean-fields, nor, where stood Rich ranks of golden grain, Only dead refuse stubble clothe the plain: Asleep from risk, asleep from pain. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...PROEM by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH THE LAST RACE by ERNEST HAROLD BAYNES MATRIMONIAL MELODIES: 6. TO ANY WIFE by BERTON BRALEY FOLD YOUR PALE HANDS by KATHLEEN CLOSE THE DONNYBROOK JIG by WENTWORTH DILLON FAREWELL SONG by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR |