Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, PRAETERITA, by MARCUS S. C. RICKARDS


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

PRAETERITA, by                    
First Line: Soft airs that fan the face
Last Line: O'er brightness fled?
Subject(s): Earth; Faces; Hearts; Past; World


SOFT airs that fan the face
Fraught with the wealth of Space,
Lightly shed three-fold grace
O'er fevered sense --
Faint music, subtle smell,
Wafted wings, breathe a spell
Each from rare joys that dwell
In clime far hence.

So from the languid Past
Blows many a perfumed blast
Too exquisite to last,
All too divine:
Could ye but linger, Earth
Renewed in Heavenly birth
Would smile in tearless mirth
On hearts that pine!

Echoes as yet unspent
Of the tones softly blent,
That once to being lent
Virtue and charm!
Whiffs of the scent that clings
Round sweet half-faded things!
How your wild magic brings
Music and balm!

Forms in their train who come
Scarce lifeless, hardly dumb,
Calm, smiling, tearful some!
Be your wings furled!
How can ye flit and toy,
Thrill the lone heart with joy,
Yet while with hope ye buoy,
Turn from our world?

Each breeze-borne butterfly
Favours both earth and sky;
Wild shore-birds flashing by
Settle and spread:
Alas! must ye alone
On veering gale back flown
Leave us forlorn to moan
O'er brightness fled?





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net