Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, HOPE DEFERRED, by THOMAS OSBORNE DAVIS



Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

HOPE DEFERRED, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Tis long since we were forced to part, at least it seems so to my grief
Last Line: How long you're coming -- I am dying -- will you not come soon?
Subject(s): Absence; Hope; Separation; Isolation; Optimism


I.

'TIS long since we were forced to part, at least it seems so to my grief,
For sorrow wearies us like time, but ah! it brings not time's relief;
As in our days of tenderness, before me still she seems to glide;
And, though my arms are wide as then, yet she will not abide.
The day-light and the star-light shine, as if her eyes were in their light,
And, whispering in the panting breeze, her love-songs come at lonely night;
While, far away with those less dear, she tries to hide her grief in vain,
For, kind to all while true to me, it pains her to give pain.

II.

I know she never spoke her love, she never breathed a single vow,
And yet I'm sure she loved me then, and still doats on me now;
For when we met, her eyes grew glad, and heavy when I left her side,
And oft she said she'd be most happy as a poor man's bride;
I toiled to win a pleasant home, and make it ready by the spring;
The spring is past -- what season now my girl unto our home will bring?
I'm sick and weary, very weary -- watching, morning, night, and noon;
How long you're coming -- I am dying -- will you not come soon?





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...



Home: PoetryExplorer.net