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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
BUT FOR THE TEARS, by DORA SIGERSON SHORTER Poem Explanation Poet's Biography First Line: The world were a place to play in, said the children Last Line: "save for those tears." Alternate Author Name(s): Sigerson, Dora; Shorter, Mrs. Clement | |||
"THE World were a place to play in," said the children, "The playground of the present; all that is have we, No past is ours to sorrow, No clouding thought of morrow, And joy is slow in passing where we be. With knowledge of a soul's right scarce awake, Life had no fears: The World were good to play in," said the children, "But for the tears." "The World were good to love in," said the youth. "With a future all our own to dream and do, With a fate for our soul's making, Fame for our manhood's taking, And Hope will never shun as we pursue. Crowned with knowledge of a soul our calm and fair horizon clears; And the World were good to love in," said the youth, "But for the tears." "The World were good to die in," said the aged, "When lost years come to haunt you with their groans, When dead dreams won't be stilled, And hopes long unfulfilled Beat on your bleeding heart nor heed its moans. With knowledge of a soul's right gained and lost, Less love endears Some little your poor flesh: O welcome, death, to age, Save for those tears." | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A BALLAD OF MARJORIE by DORA SIGERSON SHORTER A BALLAD OF THE WAILING GHOST by DORA SIGERSON SHORTER A BIRD FROM THE WEST by DORA SIGERSON SHORTER A CARELESS HEART by DORA SIGERSON SHORTER A CATHOLIC TO HIS ULSTER BROTHER by DORA SIGERSON SHORTER A CHILD'S SONG by DORA SIGERSON SHORTER A CRY IN THE WORLD by DORA SIGERSON SHORTER A FAIRY PRINCE by DORA SIGERSON SHORTER A LITTLE DOG by DORA SIGERSON SHORTER A LOST FLOWER by DORA SIGERSON SHORTER |
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