Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, MY OLD PALETTE, by CHRISTOPHER PEARSE CRANCH


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

MY OLD PALETTE, by             Poem Explanation         Poet's Biography
First Line: Many a year has fled away
Last Line: My deed by my intent.
Subject(s): Love


Many a year has fled away
Since this old palette was new,
As may be seen by the spots of green
And yellow and red and blue.

Many a picture was painted from this,
While many were only dreamed;
And shadow and light like the black and white
Across my life have streamed.

Accept, my friend, this plain old board
All plastered and imbrowned,
Where the pleasure and strife of a painter's life
Have left a mosaic ground.

The color that went to the picture's soul
Has left but its body behind;
Yet strive to trace on its cloudy face
Some gleam of the artist's mind.

And think of the friend upon whose thumb
This brown old tablet hung,
And the baffled aim, where visions came
Unpainted and unsung.

Mine be the records all obscure
Upon the surface blent;
Be yours the love that seeks to prove
My deed by my intent.






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