Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, BITTER-SWEET, by MARGARET ELIZABETH MUNSON SANGSTER


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

BITTER-SWEET, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Whence that fragrant name of thine
Last Line: And our lips uplift a song.
Alternate Author Name(s): Van Deth, Gerrit, Mrs.
Subject(s): Life


WHENCE that fragrant name of thine,
Spicy as the beaded wine?
In what cup of fairy mould,
First were poured thy berries cold,
And what dainty revellers meet
Round thy clusters, Bitter-sweet?

Haply in the deep greenwood
Hebe near thee sponsor stood;
Venus cast thy perfect shape
Tinier than the mountain grape;
And such gods as Homer knew
Gathered thee in dusk and dew.

Lovely birth of frost and fire,
Satisfying all desire;
Though the aster blooms no more,
And the gentian's smile is o'er,
They who rest and they who toil
Count thee Nature's richest spoil.

Life itself is bitter-sweet,
In its rhythm most complete.
Through its loftiest choral strain
Steals the undertone of pain,
And its sober autumn days
Often wake profoundest praise.

Therefore, when the loosened leaf,
Robed in glory bright and brief,
Silent through the crystal air
Floats ethereal as a prayer,
It is joy thy blush to meet,
Jewel-gleaming Bitter-sweet.

For so plain we hear thee say,
"Love is in the world to stay,
Though the seasons wax and wane,
Though the winter come again,"
That our faltering hearts grow strong,
And our lips uplift a song.





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