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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
SHIELD OF LAUGHTER, by AVIS TURNER FRENCH First Line: If death became my laughter's early doom Last Line: If mirth should fail, I'd be no longer I. | |||
If death became my laughter's early doom And I were left to live and feel no mirth, I could not armorless confront the gloom And would no longer be of use on earth. But bearing a shield of merriment I go In tune to music surging through the heart, In readiness to meet a friend or foe. Aware that soon gay youth from me will part, The days and years too quickly pass away, And I must tread the shore that all would shun And wait the coming tide, yet still I pray To keep of all my youthful weapons, one. Let me be armed with laughter till I die. If mirth should fail, I'd be no longer I. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SHEAF OF MEMORIES by AVIS TURNER FRENCH LAUS INFANTIUM by WILLIAM CANTON BATTLE SONG by EBENEZER ELLIOTT VENUS OF THE LOUVRE by EMMA LAZARUS IMITATIONS OF HORACE: ODE IV, 1 by ALEXANDER POPE WALT WHITMAN'S CAUTION by WALT WHITMAN |
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