Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SONG OF THE HIGHEST TOWER by ARTHUR RIMBAUD

Poem Explanation Poet Analysis

First Line: IDLE YOUTH / BY ALL AVAILED
Last Line: WHEN HEARTS ENTWINE!
Subject(s): MEMORY; OLD AGE;
Idle youth
By all availed,
Through delicacy
My life has failed.
Ah! for the time
When hearts entwine.

I told myself: leave,
Let them see you no more:
Nor with the promise
Of higher reward.
Let none impede
Your austere retreat.

I have had patience
Unto forgetting;
Dread and torment
To the heavens are fled,
And thirstings vile
My veins defile.

So does the prairie
Given no heed
Flourish, and blossom
With darnel and weed
To the insensate tone
Of filthy-mouthed drone.

Ah! thousand widowhoods
Of poor soul bereft
Of all but the image
Of Our Lady blessed!
Is it this way
To the Virgin one prays?

Idle youth
By all availed,
Through delicacy
My life has failed.
Ah! for the time
When hearts entwine!



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