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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
COMPLINE, by PATRICK F. KIRBY First Line: The day is over, mother, see Last Line: And, mother, here we are at last. | |||
The day is over, Mother, see How all are gathered at your knee; If we forgot you all the day And spent the time in idle play, Forgive us now. At least you knew That night would bring us back to you, And when the last brief prayer was said Your arms would fold us safe in bed. Some of us danced the hours away Or sat at table all the day, And others, playing in the sand Built towns and temples, -- there they stand! What matter if we built beside The sea's relentless, reckless tide; We found it pleasant sport to play, -- How else could we have spent the day? And many played a soldier's game For crowns and victories and fame; A few were presidents and kings, Perplexed about a thousand things. Some of us (Was the wisdom ours?) Looked on as others spent the hours, And laughed. Now our brief day is past, And, Mother, here we are at last. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SEQUEL TO FINALITY by PATRICK F. KIRBY SONG FOR THESE DAYS by PATRICK F. KIRBY EVENTIDE by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON THE LAND OF HEART'S DESIRE by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS THE DESERTED GARDEN by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING FLOWER-GATHERING by ROBERT FROST SUMMER. THE SECOND PASTORAL, OR ALEXIS by ALEXANDER POPE |
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