Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE CONTRAST; THE STORMY SIDE, by LEVI BISHOP


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE CONTRAST; THE STORMY SIDE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Now years have passed away, all years of toil
Last Line: Divorce a vinculo with alimony.
Subject(s): Life; Love; Pain; Time; Suffering; Misery


Now years have passed away, all years of toil
And struggle -- pain, and death perhaps, and woe;
All years of sadness, sorrow and turmoil;
The buoyant heart is crushed, or nearly so:
The hopeful, joyful spring-time of affection,
Is all forgot, o'erwhelmed in deep dejection.

How many bitter, burning tears have worn
Deep in the soul, the ruts no time can heal!
Its very vital strings are wrung and torn
As by a tempest: Future woe or weal
Are recklessly defied, for black despair
Has left his footprints deep imbedded there.

Where now those gay, those happy, charming hours,
When friends their lively gratulations gave?
When pleasures came as come the summer showers?
Have they all sunk to an untimely grave?
How could such love become so lifeless -- cold?
And was it truly love? or glitter -- gold?

How many praised the "eligible match,"
And sent their costly "presents" for the name;
While others sneered and envied such a "catch,"
And "set their caps" for like or better game;
Assisted by those social pests -- match-makers --
Detested matrimonial undertakers.

"Has it escaped so soon! Do people know it!
The very thought is crushing to the pride!
We had our 'spat,' but labored not to show it;
Did we not 'coo,' and 'love,' and 'dear' beside?"
'Twas all in vain; the world has read it all;
Nor thin, transparent forms could hide the fall.

"And what a life since rose that nuptial morn!
And what a hell our 'happy' home has been!
O, would to Heaven we never had been born,
Or that each other we had never seen!
Or would to Heaven that you or I had died,
Before deceitful tongue your heart belied!"

"Enough; we part! To meet again? No, never!
Who can endure this living desolation!
The proudest hopes are blasted, and forever!
Escape there is none but in separation!
These ill-assorted matches well suffice,
For those eternal torments yet to rise."

"Seek not to reconcile; 'tis all too late!
O that our friends as one had never seen us!
I fancied that I loved -- but how I hate!
I brave the worst -- put worlds on worlds between us!
Like disappointed love what can distress!
Oh! blot away that passionate caress!"

At last a full exposure -- suit begun;
The double story must be told on paper --
To some a scandal, but to others fun,
Then dredge for gossip with a double scraper:
Details disgusting, but which all may see;
"O, let it end, and hasten the decree!"

But what decree? Each thinks the case is clear:
Perhaps the balance may the court perplex:
Where'er it falls the blow will be severe;
Then must it fall according to the sex?
Yes, let it fall, like gad on Balaam's pony --
Divorce a vinculo with Alimony.





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