WHEN with a serious musing I behold The grateful and obsequious marigold, How duly every morning she displays Her open breast, when Titan spreads his rays; How she observes him in his daily walk, Still bending towards him her small slender stalk; How when he down declines, she droops and mourns, Bedewed, as 'twere with tears, till he returns; And how she veils her flowers when he is gone, As if she scornèd to be lookèd on By an inferior eye; or did contemn To wait upon a meaner light than him. When this I meditate, methinks the flowers Have spirits far more generous than ours, And give us fair examples to despise The servile fawnings and idolatries, Wherewith we court these earthly things below, Which merit not the service we bestow.... | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SELLING HER ENGAGEMENT RING by KAREN SWENSON EARTH'S ANSWER, FR. SONGS OF EXPERIENCE by WILLIAM BLAKE THE STORY OF URIAH by RUDYARD KIPLING SONNET: 42 by EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY THE GARDEN by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON AN ARMY CORPS ON THE MARCH by WALT WHITMAN AN UNTIMELY THOUGHT by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH |