Classic and Contemporary Poetry
WAS, IS, AND YET-TO-BE, by ELLA WHEELER WILCOX Poet Analysis Poet's Biography Last Line: "and this alone,"" said practical is" Alternate Author Name(s): Wilson, Robert, Mrs. Subject(s): Life | ||||||||
Was, Is, and Yet-to-Be Were chatting over a cup of tea. In tarnished finery smelling of must, Was talked of people long turned to dust. Of titles and honors and high estate, All forgotten or out of date; Of wonderful feasts in the long ago, Of pride that perished with nothing to show. "I loathe the present"--said Was, with a groan. "I live in pleasures that I have known." The Yet-to-be, in a gown of gauze, Looked over the head of musty Was, And gazed far off into misty space With a wrapt expression upon her face. "Such wonderful pleasures are coming to me, Such glory, such honor," said Yet-to-be. "No one dreamed, in the vast Has Been Of such successes as I shall win. The past, the present, why what are they? I live for the joy of a future day." Then practical Is, in a fresh print dress, Spoke up with a laugh, "I must confess I find to-day so pleasant," she said "I never look back, and seldom ahead. What ever has been, is a finished sum. What ever will be, why let it come. To-day is mine. And so you see I have the past and the yet-to-be; For to-day is the future of yesterday, And the past of to-morrow. I live while may, And I think the secret of pleasure is this, And this alone," said practical Is. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...PRIVILEGE OF BEING by ROBERT HASS SEAWATER STIFFENS CLOTH by JANE HIRSHFIELD SAYING YES TO LIVING by DAVID IGNATOW |
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