Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE HOUSE OF LIFE: 83. BARREN SPRING, by DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI


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THE HOUSE OF LIFE: 83. BARREN SPRING, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Once more the changed year's turning wheel returns
Last Line: The white cup shrivels round the golden heart.
Alternate Author Name(s): Rossetti, Gabriel Charles Dante
Variant Title(s): Barren Spring
Subject(s): Spring


ONCE more the changed year's turning wheel returns;
And as a girl sails balanced in the wind,
And now before and now again behind
Stoops as it swoops, with cheek that laughs and burns,--
So Spring comes merry towards me here, but earns
No answering smile from me, whose life is twin'd
With the dead boughs that winter still must bind,
And whom to-day the Spring no more concerns.

Behold, this crocus is a withering flame;
This snowdrop, snow; this apple-blossom's part
To breed the fruit that breeds the serpent's art.
Nay, for these Spring-flowers, turn thy face from them,
Nor stay till on the year's last lily-stem
The white cup shrivels round the golden heart.





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