ONCE I lived from day to day, Nor joy nor sorrow felt; Scarcely knew myself, so like Were all with whom I dwelt. But as this I realized, And 'gan o'er it to fret, Yawned my heart as if weary: Something may happen yet. Some one tapped lightly. "Enter, I called, almost dismayed. "What! Is it you, my old friend, Pain? Hast thou hither strayed?" "Yes, my child," softly stroking My cheeks the while he spake: "Tell me, for whom with longing So great doth thy heart ache?" "For my Muse, who once taught me To sing full many a song. Without a single visit For months I've waited long. "Now sit thee down beside me; Else shall I be alone. We two have talked together Oft while the pale moon shone." So sat he down beside me, Kissing me o'er and o'er; E'en as the first he gave me, I found my songs once more: "Let the Muse farther wander, If only thee I have!" A smile of secret meaning Rests on his lips so grave. "Take back that sentence hasty, For, lo! your Muse am I; Always have I been faithful." I kissed him tenderly. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TO FLUSH, MY DOG by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING THE SAILOR BOY by ALFRED TENNYSON BEAT! BEAT! DRUMS! by WALT WHITMAN A SWEET NOSEGAY: AUTHOR MAKETH HER WILL & TESTAMENT: A COMMUNICATION . by ISABELLA WHITNEY BATUSCHKA by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH |