Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

OPPORTUNITY by WILLIAM BLAKE

Poet Analysis

First Line: HE WHO BINDS TO HIMSELF A JOY
Last Line: YOU CAN NEVER WIPE OFF THE TEARS OF WOE.
Subject(s): BIBLE; FUTURE LIFE; MYTHOLOGY; OPPORTUNITY; RETRIBUTION; ETERNITY; AFTER LIFE;
He who binds to himself a joy
Does the winged life destroy;
But he who kisses the joy as it flies
Lives in eternity's sunrise.
If you trap the moment before it is ripe,
The tears of repentance you'll certainly wipe;
But if once you let the ripe moment go,
You can never wipe off the tears of woe.


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