Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, SONNET: 42, by EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SONNET: 42, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: What lips my lips have kissed, and where, and why
Last Line: A little while, that in me sings no more.
Alternate Author Name(s): Boyd, Nancy; Boissevain, Eugen, Mrs.
Variant Title(s): "what Lips My Lips Have Kissed, And Where, And Why"";
Subject(s): Aging; Love; Love - Loss Of


What lips my lips have kissed, and where, and why,
I have forgotten, and what arms have lain
Under my head till morning; but the rain
Is full of ghosts to-night, that tap and sigh
Upon the glass and listen for reply;
And in my heart there stirs a quiet pain,
For unremembered lads that not again
Will turn to me at midnight with a cry.

Thus in the winter stands the lonely tree,
Nor knows what birds have vanished one by one,
Yet knows its boughs more silent than before:
I cannot say what loves have come and gone;
I only know that summer sang in me
A little while, that in me sings no more.





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