Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

VILLANELLE by WILLIAM HENRY OGILVIE

First Line: LAST NIGHT IN MEMORY'S BOUGHS ASWING
LAST night in Memory's boughs aswing,
When none but I had heart to hear,
A wee brown mavis tried to sing.


But, ah! the wild notes would not ring
As once they rang-so loud and clear!
Last night in Memory's boughs aswing.


I saw the rowan- clusters cling,
And far away and yet so near
A wee brown mavis tried to sing.


Almost I found a long- lost Spring,
Almost the loves I held so dear,
Last night in Memory's boughs aswing.


For joys that had their blossoming
Beyond the grief of each grey year
A wee brown mavis tried to sing;


But the dew wrapped him, glistening,
And every dew- drop told a tear
Last night in Memory's boughs aswing,


While, throbbing heart and drooping wing,
And chill claws grasping at his bier,
A wee brown mavis tried to sing.


But I shall know when hailstorms sting,
And not forget when leaves are sere,
Last night in Memory's boughs aswing
A wee brown mavis tried to sing.




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