Classic and Contemporary Poetry
POSSESSION, by ELLA WHEELER WILCOX Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: That which we had we still possess Last Line: For what was ours we still possess. Alternate Author Name(s): Wilson, Robert, Mrs. Subject(s): Fate; Fates (mythology); Life; Property; Soul; Destiny; Possessions | ||||||||
That which we had we still possess, Though leaves may drop and stars may fall; No circumstance can make it less, Or take it from us, all in all. That which is lost we did not own; We only held it for a day -- A leaf by careless breezes blown: No fate could take our own away. I hold it as a changeless law From which no soul can sway or swerve, We have that in us which will draw Whate'er we need or most deserve. Even as the magnet to the steel Our souls are to our best desires; The Fates have hearts and they can feel -- They know what each true life requires. We think we lose when we most gain; We call joys ended ere begun; When stars fade out do skies complain, Or glory in the rising sun? No fate could rob us of our own -- No circumstance can make it less; What time removes was but a loan, For what was ours we still possess. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ODE; CHAMBER AND SOUL by JOHN FREDERICK NIMS FAREWELL TO FARGO: SELLING THE HOUSE by KAREN SWENSON GETTING AND SPENDING by LINDA GREGERSON |
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