Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE AWAKENING by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR

First Line: I DID NOT KNOW THAT LIFE COULD BE SO SWEET
Last Line: I HAD YOUR SMILE, THE LIBERTY I CRAVE.
I DID not know that life could be so sweet,
I did not know the hours could speed so fleet,
Till I knew you, and life was sweet again.
The days grew brief with love and lack of pain --

I was a slave a few short days ago,
The powers of Kings and Princes now I know;
I would not be again in bondage, save
I had your smile, the liberty I crave.



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