Yes, you have prospered; and at twenty-five There is no doubting you are rich . . . in years; And if without youth's joy to be alive, There is no laughter . . . neither are there tears. You are not unaware of skies and stars . . . But skies are thin and far, and have not pressed Too heavily upon your heart; and scars Were never stabbed by stars upon your breast. You dwell in comfort in a house whose wall Is tapestried in fine ideals . . . heirlooms So old you dare not even dust at all: One grows accustomed soon to dusty rooms. The Lord has prospered you, and well you know it: He showers on you all your heart's desires . . . You are, thank God, no childish, restless poet To be consumed by unextinguished fires. You are no idle dreamer of tomorrow: You know today's no other than it seems: And God be praised, you know no lover's sorrow Nor the intolerable torture of his dreams. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...VICTORY by LAWRENCE ALMA-TADEMA GREEN AISLES by WILLIAM ROSE BENET THE ART OF BOOK-KEEPING by SAMUEL LAMAN BLANCHARD FAMILIARITY DANGEROUS by VINCENT BOURNE ON A SWEARING COXCOMB by ROBERT BURNS TAM SAMSON'S ELEGY by ROBERT BURNS |