Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE FLY, FR. SONGS OF EXPERIENCE by WILLIAM BLAKE

Poem Explanation Poet Analysis

First Line: LITTLE FLY, / THY SUMMER'S PLAY
Last Line: OR IF I DIE.
Subject(s): BIBLE; FLIES; MYTHOLOGY;
Little Fly,
Thy summer's play
My thoughtless hand
Has brushed away.

Am not I
A fly like thee?
Or art not thou
A man like me?

For I dance
And drink, and sing,
Till some blind hand
Shall brush my wing.

If thought is life
And strength and breath
And the want
Of thought is death;

Then am I
A happy fly,
If I live,
Or if I die.



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