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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


HOPE DEFERRED by EDMUND WILLIAM GOSSE

First Line: FAINT LINES OF GRAY ARE IN THAT HAIR
Last Line: ONE THRILL BEFORE THE NERVES DECAY.
Subject(s): HOPE; OPTIMISM;

FAINT lines of gray are in that hair
That was one year ago so fair,
So curl'd in gold, so wav'd with light,
And still the feathery hours flit by,
And we grow older, you and I,
And still I wait for your reply,
And all your answer still is flight.

You touch my hand a little while,
You pierce me with your flashing smile,
You dart away, away, away!
O for the skill to hold you fast,
O for the art to win at last
One sunset-hour ere life be past,
One thrill before the nerves decay.



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