When I was young, I said I'd never grow Too fond of life, that I would never keep A thing beyond its use ... but gaily throw It far away when I was done. No sleep To lose for loss of it. No tears to shed ... No sudden wrench of pain would I endure Nor suffer pangs of parting's grief. Instead By cool detachment I'd become secure. Ah yes ... when I was young. But now I'm old Enough to understand life's pattern clear And know that empty hands will strive to hold Fast-fading glory close, by keepsakes dear. Mementos that but speak to only one, Like this pressed flower that knew a summer's sun. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A NET TO SNARE THE MOONLIGHT by NICHOLAS VACHEL LINDSAY FROM THE IONIAN ISLANDS by RICHARD MONCKTON MILNES EPITAPH ON THE SECRETARY TO THE MUSES by JANE BARKER PSALM 30. EXALTABO TE DOMINE by OLD TESTAMENT BIBLE MAN MUST DO MORE FOR MAN by HARRY RANDOLPH BLYTHE HINC LACHRIMAE; OR THE AUTHOR TO AURORA: 9 by WILLIAM BOSWORTH THE WANDERER: 1. IN ITALY: THE CLOUD by EDWARD ROBERT BULWER-LYTTON |