Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE HOUSE OF LIFE: 97. A SUPERSCRIPTION, by DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE HOUSE OF LIFE: 97. A SUPERSCRIPTION, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Look in my face; my name is might-have-been
Last Line: Sleepless with cold commemorative eyes.
Alternate Author Name(s): Rossetti, Gabriel Charles Dante
Variant Title(s): The Nevermore;a Superscription
Subject(s): Grief; Love; Sorrow; Sadness


Look in my face; my name is Might-have-been;
I am aslo called No-more, Too-late, Farewell;
Unto thine ear I hold the dead-sea shell
Cast up thy Life's foam-fretted feet between;
Unto thine eyes the glass where that is seen
Which had Life's form and Love's, but my spell
Is now a shaken shadow intolerable,
Of ultimate things unuttered the frail screen.
Mark me, how still I am! but should there dart
One moment through my soul the soft surprise
Of that winged Peace which lulls the breath of sighs, --
Then shalt thou see me smile, and turn apart
Thy visage to mine ambush at thy heart
Sleepless with cold commemorative eyes.




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