Classic and Contemporary Poetry
CHANGES, by EDWARD ROBERT BULWER-LYTTON Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Whom first we love, you know, we seldom wed Last Line: These thoughts and me. In heaven we shall know all! Alternate Author Name(s): Meredith, Owen; Lytton, 1st Earl Of; Lytton, Robert Subject(s): Change; Life; Time; Women | ||||||||
WHOM first we love, you know, we seldom wed. Time rules us all. And Life, indeed, is not The thing we planned it out ere hope was dead. And then, we women cannot choose our lot. Much must be borne which it is hard to bear: Much given away which it were sweet to keep. God help us all! who need, indeed, His care. And yet, I know, the Shepherd loves His sheep. My little boy begins to babble now Upon my knee his earliest infant prayer. He has his father's eager eyes, I know. And, they say too, his mother's sunny hair. But when he sleeps and smiles upon my knee, And I can feel his light breath come and go, I think of one (Heaven help and pity me!) Who loved me, and whom I loved, long ago. Who might have been ... ah, what I dare not think! We all are changed. God judges for us best. God help us do our duty, and not shrink, And trust in heaven humbly for the rest. But blame us women not, if some appear Too cold at times; and some too gay and light. Some griefs gnaw deep. Some woes are hard to bear. Who knows the Past? and who can judge us right? Ah, were we judged by what we might have been, And not by what we are, too apt to fall! My little child -- he sleeps and smiles between These thoughts and me. In heaven we shall know all! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ARISTOTLE TO PHYLLIS by JOHN HOLLANDER A WOMAN'S DELUSION by SUSAN HOWE JULIA TUTWILER STATE PRISON FOR WOMEN by ANDREW HUDGINS THE WOMEN ON CYTHAERON by ROBINSON JEFFERS TOMORROW by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD LADIES FOR DINNER, SAIPAN by KENNETH KOCH GOODBYE TO TOLERANCE by DENISE LEVERTOV THE LAST WISH by EDWARD ROBERT BULWER-LYTTON THE WANDERER: 2. IN FRANCE: AUX ITALIENS by EDWARD ROBERT BULWER-LYTTON THE WANDERER: 2. IN FRANCE: THE CHESSBOARD by EDWARD ROBERT BULWER-LYTTON |
|