Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TO CARA, AFTER AN INTERVAL OF ABSENCE, by THOMAS MOORE


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO CARA, AFTER AN INTERVAL OF ABSENCE, by             Poem Explanation         Poet's Biography
First Line: Conceal'd within the shady wood
Last Line: O cara! -- does the infant live?
Alternate Author Name(s): Little, Thomas
Subject(s): Absence; Separation; Isolation


CONCEAL'D within the shady wood
A mother left her sleeping child,
And flew to cull her rustic food,
The fruitage of the forest wild.

But storms upon her pathway rise,
The mother roams, astray and weeping;
Far from the weak appealing cries
Of him she left so sweetly sleeping.

She hopes, she fears; a light is seen,
And gentler blows the night wind's breath;
Yet no -- 'tis gone -- the storms are keen,
The baby may be chill'd to death!

Perhaps his little eyes are shaded
Dim by death's eternal chill --
And yet, perhaps, they are not faded;
Life and love may light them still.

Thus, when my soul, with parting sigh,
Hung on thy hand's bewildering touch,
And, timid, ask'd that speaking eye,
If parting pain'd thee half so much:

I thought, and, oh, forgive the thought!
For who, by eyes like thine inspired,
Could e'er resist the flattering fault
Of fancying what his soul desired?

Yes -- I did think, in Cara's mind,
Though yet to Cara's mind unknown,
I left one infant wish behind,
One feeling, which I call'd my own!

Oh, blest! though but in fancy blest,
How did I ask of pity's care,
To shield and strengthen, in thy breast,
The nursling I had cradled there.

And many an hour beguiled by pleasure,
And many an hour of sorrow numbering,
I ne'er forgot the new-born treasure
I left within thy bosom slumbering.

Perhaps, indifference has not chill'd it,
Haply, it yet a throb may give --
Yet no -- perhaps a doubt has kill'd it!
O Cara! -- does the infant live?





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net