Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, MEMORY: 1, by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

MEMORY: 1, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: I nursed it in my bosom while it lived
Last Line: Grows old in which I grieve.
Alternate Author Name(s): Alleyne, Ellen; Rossetti, Christina
Subject(s): Memory


I NURSED it in my bosom while it lived,
I hid it in my heart when it was dead.
In joy I sat alone; even so I grieved
Alone, and nothing said.

I shut the door to face the naked truth,
I stood alone -- I faced the truth alone,
Stripped bare of self-regard or forms or ruth
Till first and last were shown.

I took the perfect balances and weighed;
No shaking of my hand disturbed the poise;
Weighed, found it wanting: not a word I said,
But silent made my choice.

None know the choice I made; I make it still.
None know the choice I made and broke my heart,
Breaking mine idol: I have braced my will
Once, chosen for once my part.

I broke it at a blow, I laid it cold,
Crushed in my deep heart where it used to live.
My heart dies inch by inch; the time grows old,
Grows old in which I grieve.





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