Classic and Contemporary Poetry
HUSBAND AND WIFE, by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Oh kiss me once before I go Last Line: "I would have kissed him now." Alternate Author Name(s): Alleyne, Ellen; Rossetti, Christina Subject(s): Absence; Kisses; Life; Love; Marriage; Separation; Isolation; Weddings; Husbands; Wives | ||||||||
"Oh kiss me once before I go, "To make amends for sorrow; "Oh kiss me once before we part "Who shall not meet tomorrow. "And I was wrong to urge your will, "And wrong to mar your life; "But kiss me once before we part, "Because you are my wife." She turned her head and tossed her head And puckered up her brow: "I never kissed you yet," said she, "And I'll not kiss you now. "Tho' I'm your wife by might and right "And forsworn marriage vow, "I never loved you yet," said she, "And I don't love you now." So he went sailing on the sea, And she sat crossed and dumb While he went sailing on the sea Where the storm winds come. He'd been away a month and day Counting from morn to morn: And many buds had turned to leaves And many lambs were born And many buds had turned to flowers For Spring was in a glow, When she was laid upon her bed As white and cold as snow. "Oh let me kiss my baby once, "Once before I die; "And bring it sometimes to my grave "To teach it where I lie. "And tell my husband when he comes "Safe home from sea, "To love the baby that I leave "If ever he loved me: "And tell him, not for might or right "Or forsworn marriage vow "But for the helpless baby's sake, "I would have kissed him now." | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A BLESSING FOR A WEDDING by JANE HIRSHFIELD A SUITE FOR MARRIAGE by DAVID IGNATOW ADVICE TO HER SON ON MARRIAGE by MARY BARBER THE RABBI'S SON-IN-LAW by SABINE BARING-GOULD KISSING AGAIN by DORIANNE LAUX A TIME PAST by DENISE LEVERTOV IT IS FINISHED' by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI ITALIA, IO TI SALUTO!' by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI THE HEART KNOWETH ITS OWN BITTERNESS' (2) by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI |
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