Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SLEEP by RICHARD ALDINGTON

Poem Explanation Poet Analysis

First Line: IF BUT TO SLEEP ALONE BE FAIR
If but to sleep alone be fair
āàAs poets say,
How piercing sweet to lie all night
āàUntil the day
With all her flower-like body pressed
āàClose unto mine,
To feel her moving heart, to taste
āàHer breath like wine,
To hold her pointed, smooth, soft breast
āàIn one firm hand
And let the other lie at rest
āàIn love's own land.
Ah, it were good to cease and die
āàSo sweet a way,
Never to waken from her bed
āàTo the chill day,
But sleep forever in a dream
āàHead beside head,
Warm in a golden swoon of love-
āàDivinely dead.




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