Yesterday, all day dejection wrung my being, A wistful sadness stayed; One time I'd have the moments quickly fleeing, Then wished them long delayed. I wondered why the children romped so gladly Upon the village street; I chafed to hear the sparrows chirp so madly Above my window seat. I grieved to see the tireless world careering Upon its endless way; I yearned to halt the morrow's rapid nearing And live for just today. For youth, with rainbow happiness a-plenty Was slipping from my hold; Alas! the coming day would find me twenty, I'd be so old, so old. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...NAPOLEON AND THE BRITISH [OR ENGLISH] SAILOR [BOY] by THOMAS CAMPBELL WE WEAR THE MASK by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR KATIE LEE AND WILLIE GREY by JOSIE R. HUNT TO LUCY, COUNTESS OF BEDFORD, WITH MR. DONNE'S SATIRES by BEN JONSON ROUTE MARCH by CHARLES HAMILTON SORLEY EPITAPH by LASCELLES ABERCROMBIE |