Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, IDA STRAUS, by ALTER ABELSON


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

IDA STRAUS, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: We wonder at, we praise your life
Last Line: How small are we; how great are you!
Subject(s): Death; Jews; Love; Praise; Dead, The; Judaism


WE wonder at, we praise your life,
For crowning love with name of wife,
Whose love was young in sunset-time,
As in the blush of morning's prime.
We cry: "Oh, what a miracle she!"
And thus confess how small are we!
Can rose be otherwise than rose?
Can light be less than light? Can those
Who love be less than love? So you
To your angel spirit were but true.
They dreamt she died? O, can it be,
Since love alone's immortality,
And love doth live through such as she?
You live in death. 'Tis we are dead,
In life. For you to love were wed.
Your love was gold and ours dross.
The sea alone can sigh our loss
Of you. The morning stars alone
Can sing your fame to years unflown.
For all we say but tells anew
How small are we; how great are you!





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