Classic and Contemporary Poetry
CHANGE; A FRAGMENT, by LETITIA ELIZABETH LANDON Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: And this is what is left of youth Last Line: .... And this, this is life! Alternate Author Name(s): L. E. L.; Maclean, Letitia Subject(s): Change | ||||||||
AND this is what is left of youth! ... There were two boys, who were bred up together, Shared the same bed, and fed at the same board; Each tried the other's sport, from their first chace, Young hunters of the butterfly and bee, To when they follow'd the fleet hare, and tried The swiftness of the bird. They lay beside The silver trout stream, watching as the sun Played on the bubbles: shared each in the store Of either's garden: and together read Of him, the master of the desert isle, Till a low hut, a gun, and a canoe, Bounded their wishes. Or if ever came A thought of future days, 'twas but to say That they would share each other's lot, and do Wonders, no doubt. But this was vain: they parted With promises of long remembrance, words Whose kindness was the heart's, and those warm tears, Hidden like shame by the young eyes which shed them, But which are thought upon in after-years As what we would give worlds to shed once more. They met again, -- but different from themselves, At least what each remember'd of themselves: The one proud as a soldier of his rank, And of his many battles: and the other Proud of his Indian wealth, and of the skill And toil which gather'd it; each with a brow And heart alike darken'd by years and care. They met with cold words, and yet colder looks Each was changed in himself, and yet each thought The other only changed, himself the same. And coldness bred dislike, and rivalry Came like the pestilence o'er some sweet thoughts That linger'd yet, healthy and beautiful, Amid dark and unkindly ones. And they, Whose boyhood had not known one jarring word, Were strangers in their age: if their eyes met, 'Twas but to look contempt, and when they spoke, Their speech was wormwood! ... .... And this, this is life! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TWO WOMEN: OR A CCONVERSATION WITH SAHARA NILE by E. ETHELBERT MILLER THE SPACIOUS FIRMAMENT by JOHN ASHBERY WHEN THE WEATHER CHANGES TO WARM, THE BOYS DRIVE SHIRTLESS by MARY JO BANG AN ELEGY FOR THE PAST by MARVIN BELL TODAY'S NOT OPPOSITE DAY by CHARLES BERNSTEIN WHEN I WAS TWENTY-SIX by ROBERT BLY THE CHANGED WOMAN by LOUISE BOGAN SO IT'S TODAY by LAURE-ANNE BOSSELAAR CALYPSO WATCHING THE OCEAN by LETITIA ELIZABETH LANDON |
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