Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, COMPENSATION, by HELEN RAMSEY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

COMPENSATION, by                    
First Line: For every gain there seems to be a loss
Last Line: The greater the loss the greater the gain has been.
Subject(s): Loss


For every gain there seems to be a loss,
And all our joy is punctured with some grief;
Each crown of triumph has a heavy cross,
From greatest pain there always comes relief.
One for the care of others gives his time,
Sad slights the talent that was his by birth,
Another choosing his own path to climb
Finds loneliness all his judged gift is worth.
We cannot lose what we have never had,
Our very loss means we possession know,
And how much better to have once been glad
Than have felt neither happiness nor woe
Sometimes we forget when sorrow comes unforeseen
The greater the loss the greater the gain has been.





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