Classic and Contemporary Poetry
LAST AND BEST, by ALICE CARY Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Sometimes, when rude, cold shadows run Last Line: Beyond the lark's wings, and the sun. Subject(s): Love | ||||||||
SOMETIMES, when rude, cold shadows run Across whatever light I see; When all the work that I have done, Or can do, seems but vanity; I strive, nor vainly strive, to get Some little heart's ease from the day When all the weariness and fret Shall vanish from my life away; For I, with grandeur clothed upon, Shall lie in state and take my rest, And all my household, strangers grown, Shall hold me for an honored guest. But ere that day when all is set In order, very still and grand, And while my feet are lingering yet Along this troubled border-land, What things will be the first to fade, And down to utter darkness sink? The treasures that my hands have laid Where moth and rust corrupt, I think. And Love will be the last to wait And light my gloom with gracious gleams; For Love lies nearer heaven's glad gate, Than all imagination dreams. Aye, when my soul its mask shall drop, The twain to be no more at one, Love, with its prayers, shall bear me up Beyond the lark's wings, and the sun. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE INVENTION OF LOVE by MATTHEA HARVEY TWO VIEWS OF BUSON by ROBERT HASS A LOVE FOR FOUR VOICES: HOMAGE TO FRANZ JOSEPH HAYDN by ANTHONY HECHT AN OFFERING FOR PATRICIA by ANTHONY HECHT LATE AFTERNOON: THE ONSLAUGHT OF LOVE by ANTHONY HECHT A SWEETENING ALL AROUND ME AS IT FALLS by JANE HIRSHFIELD A SPINSTER'S STINT by ALICE CARY |
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