What shall assuage the unforgotten pain And teach the unforgetful to forget? D. G. ROSSETTI. I TIRE of phantoms that my heart distrain, That claim their own, and will not let me rest, That mock me with old laughter, long-hushed jest, And of the love I promised once are fain. Shall I not seek some opiate for pain, And drug the ceaseless ache within my breast -- Bid Memory "Hence!" as an unwelcome guest, And smite the joyous chords of Life again? Nay! Then must I forbid the dead to speak, And do the holy past unholy wrong -- Disown its claim -- refuse to pay its debt -- All Heaven would look with scorn on one so weak! I choose, instead, to suffer and be strong -- Give me no Lethe! I will not forget. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TO A LITTLE INVISIBLE BEING WHO IS EXPECTED SOON TO BECOME VISIBLE by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD JUNE (1) by WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT THE HOUSE OF LIFE: 98. HE AND I by DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI THE TROOPS by SIEGFRIED SASSOON THE TENT ON THE BEACH: 8. THE CABLE HYMN by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER |