How my heart sinks when I behold the sad reflection of my face, A wan and wistful wound, with oh, such meagre grace; How can you hold me dear withal and conjure charms withdrawn. Or does the Autumn twilight hold a charm unknown to dawn? Hold! Do not speak! some day perchance, I'll read the message dire Within the ashes of the flame, the aftermath of fire, Ere then perhaps I shall have found the highways of the soul Where one may read uncrucified, the blood-words of the scroll. Till then, uphold illusion's veil before my gaze the while That I may gather strength to fuse from agony, a smile! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TO A FRIEND I CAN'T FIND by JAMES GALVIN GLAMOUR by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON THE SEASONS by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON EARTH IS ENOUGH by EDWIN MARKHAM SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: BARNEY HAINSFEATHER by EDGAR LEE MASTERS GOOD-BYE DOROTHY GAYLE: HOME TO FARGO by KAREN SWENSON |