Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


DESOLATION by THEOPHILE GAUTIER

Poem Explanation

First Line: IN THE FOREST BLEAK AND LONELY
Last Line: COME AND SING ABOVE MY TOMB!
Subject(s): BIRDS; DEATH; DESOLATION; GRAVES; DEAD, THE; TOMBS; TOMBSTONES;

In the forest bleak and lonely
Nothing by the winds is stirred
But one withered leaflet only,
And beside it pipes a bird.

Everything is dead or dying
In my heart, save love alone;
There it sings, but Autumn's sighing
Drowns the music of each tone.

Winter comes—the leaflet falleth,
Love, too, dies amid the gloom;
Little Bird! when spring-time calleth,
Come and sing above my tomb!



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