|
|
|
|
Classic and Contemporary Poetry
IRELAND, 1924, by GEORGE WILLIAM RUSSELL Poem Explanation Poet's Biography First Line: This is your dream of yesterday Alternate Author Name(s): A. E. | |||
THIS is your dream of yesterday, The equilibrium of the storm. No, there was nothing cast away: The fiery cloud has taken form. You do not know yourself in this, But did you know your being true, And what was smoke from the abyss, And what celestial fire in you? Whatever things you loved were won, What was not loved is still denied. That Law whose writs forever run Will make no sacrifice to pride. The powers that cause the earth to quake Seem to run riderless and free Through nature, yet they never break The music of her chemistry. If to be vanquished is your part And all the fortunate stars withdraw, Through the red chaos of the heart Still breathes the music of the Law. It gives to you what is your own. If still you be of slavish mind You ne'er shall sit upon a throne And sway a sceptre unconfined. And if you be the slave of hate Within yourself you fall and fall Until the heart be desolate, And love is dead beyond recall. A nation is whate'er it loves. If love be dead it too must die. Go, give an offering of doves To win its immortality. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...FROLIC by GEORGE WILLIAM RUSSELL IMMORTALITY by GEORGE WILLIAM RUSSELL RECONCILIATION by GEORGE WILLIAM RUSSELL SACRIFICE by GEORGE WILLIAM RUSSELL THE GIFT by GEORGE WILLIAM RUSSELL A CALL by GEORGE WILLIAM RUSSELL A FAREWELL by GEORGE WILLIAM RUSSELL A HOLY HILL by GEORGE WILLIAM RUSSELL A LAST COUNSEL by GEORGE WILLIAM RUSSELL A LEADER by GEORGE WILLIAM RUSSELL |
| |