Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ONLY (2), by ANONYMOUS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ONLY (2), by                    
First Line: And this is the end of it all! It rounds the year's completeness
Last Line: Ah me! But I think in this life of ours the bitter outweighs the sweet
Subject(s): Farewell;love; Parting


AND this is the end of it all! it rounds the year's completeness;
Only a walk to the stile, through fields afoam with sweetness;
Only the sunset light, purple and red on the river,
And a lingering, low good-night, that means good-by forever.

So be it! and God be with you! It had been perhaps more kind,
Had you sooner (pardon the word) been sure of knowing your mind.
We can bear so much in youth -- who cares for a swift, sharp pain?
And the two-edged sword of truth cuts deep, but it leaves no stain.

I shall just go back to my work -- my little household cares,
That never make any show. By time, perhaps in my prayers,
I may think of you! For the rest, on this way we've trodden together
My foot shall fall as lightly as if my heart were a feather,

And not a woman's heart, strong to have and to keep,
Patient when children cry, soft to lull them to sleep,
Hiding its secrets close, glad when another's hand
Finds for itself a gem where hers found only sand.

Good-by! The year has been bright. As oft as the blossoms come,
The peach with its waxen pink, the waving snow of the plum,
I shall think how I used to watch, so happy to see you pass,
I could almost kiss the print of your foot on the dewy grass.

I am not ashamed of my love! Yet I would not have yours now,
Though you laid it down at my feet; I could not stoop so low.
A love is but half a love that contents itself with less
Than love's utmost faith and truth and unwavering tenderness.

Only this walk to the stile; this parting word by the river,
That flows so quiet and cold, ebbing and flowing forever.
"Good-by!" Let me wait to hear the last, last sound of his feet!
Ah me! but I think in this life of ours the bitter outweighs the sweet.





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