Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


SWEET APPLE by JAMES STEPHENS

First Line: AT THE END OF THE BOUGH!
Last Line: AT THE END OF THE BOUGH!
Subject(s): APPLES; DESIRE; FRUIT;

At the end of the bough!
At the top of the tree!
-- As fragrant, as high,
And as lovely, as thou --
One sweet apple reddens,
Which all men may see,
-- At the end of the bough!

Swinging full to the view!
Though the harvesters now
Overlook it, repass it,
And pass busily:
Overlook it!
Nay, pluck it!
They do not know how!

For it swings out of reach
Like a cloud! And as free
As a star; or thy beauty,
That seems too, I vow,
Remote as the sweet apple swinging
-- Ah me!
At the end of the bough!



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