Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


MIDNIGHT by RACHEL ANNAND TAYLOR

First Line: STRANGE POWERS UNUSED LIKE POISON BURN IN ME
Last Line: "LET THEM GO BY. IT IS NOT WORTH THE PAIN."

STRANGE powers unused like poison burn in me:
Cruel quicksilver thro' my veins they creep.
What hour will bring mine infelicity
Some drowsy cup from the mild founts of sleep?
Tired sieges of high castles never taken,
Desires like great king-falcons never cast,
Beautiful quests all wearily forsaken,
Figure the fiery arras of the Past.
The pale Dreams walk on the horizons grey:
Like stars they tread the dawn with flaming feet:
Their eyes for evermore are turned away.
I heard their silver trumpets once entreat:—
Low sighed the caitiff Voice: "They sound in vain.
Let them go by. It is not worth the Pain."



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