Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, AFTERMATH, by ROSELLE MERCIER MONTGOMERY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

AFTERMATH, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: She: / it was my life, the dream -- so real to me
Last Line: "life lies ahead! I am awake ... And free!"
Subject(s): Life


SHE:
It was my life, the dream—so real to me
It made all else seem unreality!
Yes, I have waked—and yet. ... I cannot find
Me in the waking world, or call to mind
What was my life, what filled my thoughts before!
Pain? Yes .. of course ... there would be that! But more
Elusive and more difficult—this queer,
New sense of vagueness ... of not being here. ...
I cannot find my place in life again!
Does numbness always come with mortal pain?
I am unlearned ... is grief forever so?
The years stretch long ahead—so much I know!

He:
The dream? Yes, while it lasted it was dear!
I grieve its passing ... and yet ... I could hear,
Even in dream, the beat, the summoning beat,
Of the world's drums; hear its hurrying feet. ...
All of its voices, calling, calling me,
Troubled and stirred me—would not let me be!
Pain? Yes—my lips have tasted of its cup.
Have drunk Grief's bitter chalice, lifted up
When the dream died. ... Still—my heart whispers me:
"Life lies ahead! I am awake ... and free!"





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