CAN you gather the sparks of the fire that is dead? Can you catch the sweet notes of the song that is fled? Can you follow the flight of the bird that has sped? And can you give gladness to me? You may kindle new flames on the hearth that is chill; The lute with new melody haply may thrill; You may cage a new songster to sing, an you will; But you cannot give gladness to me. The spirit's that's cold can be warmed ne'er again; The heart that is broken can sing no sweet strain; The youth that is fled comes not back; it is vain: You cannot give gladness to me. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ELEGY FOR AN ENEMY by STEPHEN VINCENT BENET LOVE IN TWILIGHT by STEPHEN VINCENT BENET PUSSY-WILLOW TIME by ROBERT FROST REVIEW by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON THE MOTHER by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON THE REWARD by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON IRELAND; WRITTEN FOR THE ART AUTOGRAPH DURING IRISH FAMINE by SIDNEY LANIER |