Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE SUN USED TO SHINE by PHILIP EDWARD THOMAS

Poem Explanation Poet Analysis

First Line: THE SUN USED TO SHINE WHILE WE TWO WALKED
Subject(s): ENVIRONMENT; FIELDS; FROST, ROBERT (1874-1963); HEREFORDSHIRE, ENGLAND; POETRY & POETS; WALKING; ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION; ECOLOGY; CONSERVATION; PASTURES; MEADOWS; LEAS;

The sun used to shine while we two walked
Slowly together, paused and started
Again, and sometimes mused, sometimes talked
As either pleased, and cheerfully parted
The Sun used to shine.
And the dead leaves, in the depth of woods,
Rustled like rotted raincoats: Nothing stood
In our way; a world of sound, woods and streams
And winterfalls, blue cornflowers and reams
Of lark song, and miles and miles of hay.
Now the sun shines and warms and lights,
Everything that is but me. I am night,
And cannot see the stars, or hear the winds
That scamper like joyous fauns behind
Day's glowing chariot. And creatures born of grief
Can offer nothing to the gods but this old thief:
Time, and my sorrow, and a gnawing sense
That I'm not who I was, and never henceforth can be.



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