Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THREE STAGES: 1. A PAUSE OF THOUGHT, by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THREE STAGES: 1. A PAUSE OF THOUGHT, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: I looked for that which is not, nor can be
Last Line: Turnest to follow it.
Alternate Author Name(s): Alleyne, Ellen; Rossetti, Christina
Variant Title(s): A Pause Of Thought


I looked for that which is not, nor can be,
And hope deferred made my heart sick in truth:
But years must pass before a hope of youth
Is resigned utterly.

I watched and waited with a steadfast will:
And though the object seemed to flee away
That I so longed for, ever day by day
I watched and waited still.

Sometimes I said: "This thing shall be no more;
My expectation wearies and shall cease;
I will resign it now and be at peace':
Yet never gave it o'er.

Sometimes I said: "It is an empty name
I long for; to a name why should I give
The peace of all the days I have to live? --
Yet gave it all the same.

Alas, thou foolish one! alike unfit
For healthy joy and salutary pain;
Thou knowest the chase useless, and again
Turnest to follow it.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


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