Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


VARIATIONS: 12 by CONRAD AIKEN

Poet Analysis

First Line: WIND, WIND, WIND IN THE OLD TREES
Last Line: NONE SHALL HAVE MERCY, BUT ALL SHALL HAVE DEATH.
Subject(s): DEATH; WIND; DEAD, THE;

Wind, wind, wind in the old trees,
Whispering prophecies all night long . . .
What do the grey leaves sing to the wind,
What do they say in their whispered song?

We were all young once, and green like yourself,
We all loved beauty, the maiden of white.
But now we are old. O wind have mercy
And let us remember our youth this night!

The wind is persuasive, it turns through the trees
And sighs of a miracle under its breath . . .
Beauty the maiden will die with the dreamer,
None shall have mercy, but all shall have death.



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