TO L. A. I. AT Shiraz, in a sultan's garden, stood A tree whereon a curious apple grew, One side like honey, and one side like rue. Thus sweet and bitter is the life of man, The sultan said, for thus together grow Bitter and sweet, but wherefore none may know. Herewith together you have flower and thorn, Both rose and brier, for thus together grow Bitter and sweet, but wherefore none may know. II. Take them and keep them, Silvery thorn and flower, Plucked just at random In the rosy weather -- Snowdrops and pansies, Sprigs of wayside heather, And five-leaved wild-rose Dead within an hour. Take them and keep them: Who can tell? some day, dear, (Though they be withered, Flower and thorn and blossom,) Held for an instant Up against thy bosom, They might make December Seem to thee like May, dear! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE DAY OF THE DEAD SOLDIERS; MARY 30, 1869 by EMMA LAZARUS A MAN CHILD IS BORN (1809) by EDGAR LEE MASTERS SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: RICHARD BONE by EDGAR LEE MASTERS IS YOUR TOWN NINEVEH? by MARIANNE MOORE THE STORY OF THE ASHES AND THE FLAME by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON TO W.P.: 4 by GEORGE SANTAYANA |