LOVE not so sorely the bright flowers Though in gardens they Gleam so shallow-gay, Steal the breath of winds, the touch of the sun, Kiss the finger-tips of rain. They are not as the trees Riding a storm, And they shake not, sing not As willows shake and sing. Nor bleed with slow pain As yews with bloody rain. —Yet in a garden, see The drooping fuchsia bleed Her virgin life away alway; The wallflower fire Another slowly burning Troy; And ruddy-lipped nasturtiums hide Venus asleep beside her wingless boy. And look! an orange Dragon Above the bearded wall. Broad nose, pig's eyes and flaring smile— The sunflower like a German kinglet Guarding his kingdom small, Half-drunk at noon and lusting for Wenches for summer festival. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SONNET TO GEORGE SAND: 1. A RECOGNITION by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING SONG FOR THE LUDDITES by GEORGE GORDON BYRON BEYOND THE POTOMAC by PAUL HAMILTON HAYNE THE DEAR PRESIDENT by JOHN JAMES PIATT THE WORMS AT HEAVEN'S GATE by WALLACE STEVENS AUTHOR TO HIS CHILD by FRANCES AIRTH PLAYFORD; A DESCRIPTIVE FRAGMENT by BERNARD BARTON FRAGMENTS INTENDED FOR DEATH'S JEST-BOOK: SLEEPER'S COUNTENANCE by THOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES |