Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, OPPORTUNITY, by WILLIAM BLAKE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

OPPORTUNITY, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: He who binds to himself a joy
Last Line: You can never wipe off the tears of woe.
Variant Title(s): Eternity;several Questions Answered;epigram
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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