Classic and Contemporary Poetry
DIRGE, by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH Poem Explanation Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Let us keep him warm Last Line: Slumbers young desire. Subject(s): Desire; Transience; Impermanence | ||||||||
LET us keep him warm, Stir the dying fire: Upon his tired arm Slumbers young Desire. Soon, ah, very soon We too shall not know Either sun or moon, Either grass or snow. Others in our place Come to laugh and weep, Win or lose the race, And to fall asleep. Let us keep him warm, Stir the dying fire: Upon his tired arm Slumbers young Desire. What does all avail-- Love, or power, or gold? Life is like a tale Ended ere 't is told. Much is left unsaid, Much is said in vain-- Shall the broken thread Be taken up again? Let us keep him warm, Stir the dying fire: Upon his tired arm Slumbers young Desire. Kisses one or two On his eyelids set, That, when all is through, He may not forget. He has far to go-- Is it East or West? Whither? Who may know! Let him take his rest. Wind, and snow, and sleet-- So the long night dies. Draw the winding-sheet, Cover up his eyes. Let us keep him warm, Stir the dying fire: Upon his tired arm Slumbers young Desire. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...FROM THE SPANISH by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON CHAMBER MUSIC: 17 by JAMES JOYCE SOUTHERN GOTHIC by DONALD JUSTICE THE BEACH IN AUGUST by WELDON KEES THE MAN SPLITTING WOOD IN THE DAYBREAK by GALWAY KINNELL THE SEEKONK WOODS by GALWAY KINNELL AFTER THE RAIN by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH AN ALPINE PICTURE by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH AN ODE ON THE UNVEILING OF THE SHAW MEMORIA BOSTON COMMON, MAY 31, 1897 by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH |
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