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PIANO, by             Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Softly, in the dusk, a woman is singing to me
Last Line: Down in the flood of remembrance, I weep like a child for the past.
Alternate Author Name(s): Lawrence, D. H.
Subject(s): Children; Memory; Music & Musicians; Musical Instruments; Nostalgia; Pianos; Singing & Singers; Time; Childhood; Songs


Softly, in the dusk, a woman is singing to me;
Taking me back down the vista of years, till I see
A child sitting under the piano, in the boom of the tingling strings
And pressing the small, poised feet of a mother who smiles
as she sings.

In spite of myself, the insidious mastery of song
Betrays me back, till the heart of me weeps to belong
To the old Sunday evenings at home, with winter outside
And hymns in the cozy parlor, the tinkling piano our guide.

So now it is vain for the singer to burst into clamor
With the great black piano appassionato. The glamour
Of childish days is upon me, my manhood is cast
Down in the flood of remembrance, I weep like a child for the past.






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