Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE MISSED SUNSET, by JOHN LAWSON STODDARD


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE MISSED SUNSET, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: At dusk in my spacious garden
Last Line: Had vanished the sunset glow.
Subject(s): Beauty; Evening; Grief; Life; Youth; Sunset; Twilight; Sorrow; Sadness


At dusk in my spacious garden
I wandered to and fro,
And heeded not above me
The light on the Alpine snow;

For the day had been filled with sorrow,
With strenuous toil and care,
And I dreaded the coming morrow,
And wished myself elsewhere.

Meantime in the street below me
Two youths, in passing by,
Had paused to inspect my garden,
Their backs to the sunset sky.

"How beautiful life must be there!"
Said one to his wistful mate;
"No sorrow, or care, or labor
Can enter that gilded gate."

I sadly smiled, and murmured:
"Poor lad, if you only knew!
The secret of true contentment
Escapes both me and you;

"You envy me my villa
And what you deem my wealth;
I envy you your freedom,
Your youth and rugged health."

Alas for human folly!
When shall we understand
That coveting joys we have not
Means loss of the joy at hand?

For while I sighed in my garden,
And they in the street below,
Unseen, from the snow-clad mountains
Had vanished the sunset glow.





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