Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A CASTLE IN THE AIR, by ADELAIDE ANNE PROCTER


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A CASTLE IN THE AIR, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: I built myself a castle
Last Line: Only -- I looked beyond.
Alternate Author Name(s): Berwick, Mary
Subject(s): Castles; Dreams; Grief; Hope; Youth; Nightmares; Sorrow; Sadness; Optimism


I BUILT myself a castle,
So noble, grand, and fair;
I built myself a castle,
A castle -- in the air.

The fancies of my twilights
That fade in sober truth,
The longing of my sorrow,
And the vision of my youth;

The plans of joyful futures;
So dear they used to seem;
The prayer that rose unbidden,
Half prayer -- and half a dream;

The hopes that died unuttered
Within this heart of mine; --
For all these tender treasures
My castle was the shrine.

I looked at all the castles
That rise to grace the land,
But I never saw another
So stately or so grand.

And now you see it shattered,
My castle in the air;
It lies, a dreary ruin,
All desolate and bare.

I cannot build another,
I saw that one decay;
And strength and heart and courage
Died out the self-same day.

Yet still, beside that ruin,
With hopes as deep and fond,
I waited with an infinite longing,
Only -- I looked beyond.





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