When the gorgeous butterfly In the jubilee of spring Floats voluptuously by, Borne on gold and purple wing: Oft those damask wings are torn By the faithless rose's thorn. So—when life is fresh and gay, Mortals, with capricious joy, Flutter heedlessly away, Whither fairest flowers decoy: Soon, alas! their wings are torn By perfidious Pleasure's thorn! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...WHITE NOCTURNE by CONRAD AIKEN MISSING THE BO IN THE HENHOUSE by HAYDEN CARRUTH AFTER THE PAPAGO by JAMES GALVIN THE AUDACIOUS by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON THE HARD TIMES IN ELFLAND; A STORY OF CHRISTMAS EVE by SIDNEY LANIER THE WALL STREET PIT, MAY, 1901 by EDWIN MARKHAM SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: ELIZABETH CHILDERS by EDGAR LEE MASTERS |