Classic and Contemporary Poetry
A STORY, by ROSE TERRY COOKE Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: In a gleam of sunshine a gentian stood Last Line: The bee flew over the plain. Subject(s): Hearts; Kisses; Life; Love | ||||||||
In a gleam of sunshine a gentian stood, Dreaming her life away, While the leaves danced merrily through the wood, And rode on the wind for play. She stood in the light and looked at the sky, Till her leaves were as fair a blue; But she shut her heart from the butterfly And the coaxing drops of dew. Dreaming and sunning that autumn noon, She stayed the idlest bee That ever lingered to hear the tune Of the wind in a rustling tree. He had a golden cuirass on, And a surcoat black as night, And he wandered ever from shade to sun, Seeking his own delight. Now were the blossoms of Summer fled, And the bumble-bee felt the frost; He knew that the asters all lay dead, And the honey-vine cups were lost. So he poised and fluttered above the flower, And tried his tenderest arts, With whispers and kisses, a weary hour, Till he opened its heart of hearts. Not for love of the gentian blue, But for his own wild will; All he wanted was honey-dew, And there he drank his fill. No more dreaming in sun or shade! It never could close again! The gentian withered, alone, dismayed; The bee flew over the plain. | 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 |
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