THOU listenest to us with unlistening ear; Alike to thee our censure and our praise: Thou hearest voices that we may not hear; Thou livest only in thy yesterdays! We see thee move, erect and pale and brave; Soft words are thine, sweet deeds, and gracious will; Yet thou art dead as any in the grave -- Only thy presence lingers with us still. With others, joy and sorrow seem to slip Like light and shade, and laughter kills regret: But thou -- the fugitive tremor of thy lip Lays bare thy secret -- thou canst not forget! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE OTHER SIDE OF A MIRROR by MARY ELIZABETH COLERIDGE A GLEAM OF SUNSHINE by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW SONNET: 10. TO THE LADY MARGARET LEY by JOHN MILTON WHAT TOMAS AN BUILE SAID IN A PUB by JAMES STEPHENS THE NEW CRUSADE by KATHARINE LEE BATES THE BRIDE'S TRAGEDY by THOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES SONNET (2) by JOACHIM DU BELLAY |