"Time and Grief"

Random Poetry List XLIII

O Time! who know'st a lenient hand to lay
Softest on sorrow's wound, and slowly thence
(Lulling to sad repose the weary sense)
The faint pang stealest unperceived away;
On thee I rest my only hope at last,
And think, when thou hast dried the bitter tear
That flows in vain o'er all my soul held dear,
I may look back on every sorrow past,
And meet life's peaceful evening with a smile:
As some lone bird, at day's departing hour,
Sings in the sunbeam, of the transient shower
Forgetful, though its wings are wet the while:—
   Yet ah! how much must this poor heart endure,
   Which hopes from thee, and thee alone, a cure!

William Lisle Bowles (British, 1762-1850)

Originally e-mailed on Wednesday, May 31, 2000 @ 9:59 PM.

Lane Core Jr. CIW P — Tue. 05/31/05 07:38:57 AM
Categorized as Literary & Random Poetry List.