Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A FORGOTTEN TUNE, by PAUL VERLAINE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A FORGOTTEN TUNE, by             Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: A frail hand hovering sets the keys astir
Last Line: Beyond the window where the garden blows?
Subject(s): Longing; Music & Musicians


A FRAIL hand hovering sets the keys astir
Wan-faced in the vague twilit rose and gray,
While like the wafture of light wings in air
A doting melody begins to sway,
Falters uncertain as with fear astray
In this room rife with all the sweet of Her.

And what is this suave to-and-fro that goes
Like fondling hands of my poor being fain?
What would you, wavering song? What longing flows
In the soft babble of your shy refrain,
Now wafted out in the wide air to wane
Beyond the window where the garden blows?





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