Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ALONE by CAROLYN WELLS

Poet Analysis

First Line: THERE SHOULD BE TWO WORDS, DEAREST, ONE MADE UP
Last Line: THE OTHER MEANING WE'RE ALONE -- APART.
Subject(s): ABSENCE; SEPARATION; ISOLATION;
There should be two words, dearest, one made up
Of all glad sounds that ever breathed on earth;
Of all the ecstasies that fill joy's cup,
Of love, and peace, and happiness, and mirth.

The other, like a weary, wailing sigh,
Full of sad tones in longing, hungry strain,
Hopeless, despairing, just a baffled cry
Of love and loneliness and blank, numb pain.

One I would love -- the other I would fear,
These two words, chosen with consummate art;
One meaning we're @3alone@1 together, dear,
The other meaning we're @3alone@1 -- apart.



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