Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE SUN USED TO SHINE, by PHILIP EDWARD THOMAS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE SUN USED TO SHINE, by             Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: The sun used to shine while we two walked
Alternate Author Name(s): Eastaway, Edward; Thomas, Edward
Subject(s): Environment; Fields; Frost, Robert (1874-1963); Herefordshire, England; Poetry & Poets; Walking; Environmental Protection; Ecology; Conservation; Pastures; Meadows; Leas


The sun used to shine while we two walked
Slowly together, paused and started
Again, and sometimes mused, sometimes talked
As either pleased, and cheerfully parted
The Sun used to shine.
And the dead leaves, in the depth of woods,
Rustled like rotted raincoats: Nothing stood
In our way; a world of sound, woods and streams
And winterfalls, blue cornflowers and reams
Of lark song, and miles and miles of hay.
Now the sun shines and warms and lights,
Everything that is but me. I am night,
And cannot see the stars, or hear the winds
That scamper like joyous fauns behind
Day's glowing chariot. And creatures born of grief
Can offer nothing to the gods but this old thief:
Time, and my sorrow, and a gnawing sense
That I'm not who I was, and never henceforth can be.




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