Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, GRIEF, by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING


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First Line: I tell you, hopeless grief is passionless
Last Line: If it could weep, it could arise and go.
Variant Title(s): Hopeless Grief
Subject(s): Grief; Sorrow; Sadness


I tell you, hopeless grief is passionless, --
That only men incredulous of despair,
Half-taught in anguish, through the midnight air
Beat upwards to God's throne in loud access
Of shreiking and reproach. Full desertness,
In souls as countries, lieth silent-bare
Under the blanching, vertical eye-glare
Of the absolute heavens. Deep-hearted man, express
Grief for thy Dead in silence like to death;
Most like a monumental statue set
In everlasting watch and moveless woe,
Till itself crumble to the dust beneath.
Touch it: the marble eyelids are not wet --
If it could weep, it could arise and go.




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