Classic and Contemporary Poetry
IN REMEMBRANCE (VIOLET CLARKE - DIED MARCH 21, 1909), by SAROJINI NAIDU Poem Explanation Poet's Biography First Line: With eager knowledge of our ancient lore Last Line: Of your sweet wind-blown and love-garnered leaves. Subject(s): Memory | ||||||||
WITH eager knowledge of our ancient lore, And prescient love of all our ancient race, You came to us, with gentle hands that bore Bright gifts of genius, youth, and subtle grace. Our shrines, our sacred streams, our sumptuous art, Old hills that scale the sky's unageing dome, Recalled some long-lost rapture to your heart, Some far-off memory of your spirit's home. We said: "She comes, an exquisite, strange flower From the rich gardens of a northern king" ... But lo! our souls perceived you in that hour The very rose whereof our poets sing. Who sped your beauty's seed across the sea, Bidding you burgeon in that alien clime? And what prophetic wind of destiny Restored you to us in your flowering time For a brief season to delight and bless Our hearts with delicate splendour and perfume, Till Death usurped your vivid loveliness In wanton envy of its radiant bloom? O frail, miraculous flower, tho' you are dead, The deathless fragrance of your spirit cleaves To the dear wreath whereon our tears are shed, Of your sweet wind-blown and love-garnered Leaves. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MEMORY AS A HEARING AID by TONY HOAGLAND THE SAME QUESTION by JOHN HOLLANDER FORGET HOW TO REMEMBER HOW TO FORGET by JOHN HOLLANDER ON THAT SIDE by LAWRENCE JOSEPH MEMORY OF A PORCH by DONALD JUSTICE BEYOND THE HUNTING WOODS by DONALD JUSTICE A CHALLENGE TO FATE by SAROJINI NAIDU |
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