GIVE me no ideal beauty. I would take Rather the earthly sort that turns to flame— Burns in a passion half the body's claim, Glowing not only for the spirit's sake. Lo, I am bound to earth, and dare not break Out of her chains for a mere magic name, Even though it be Beauty, and the aim Of every hope that yearning life can wake. Thus am I made, and if my spirit die, Starved for the richness of its full desire, There will be left the gorgeousness of sense, Treasured not lightly... And at last to lie Free of all sorrow were good recompense For a lost glory and a dying fire. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SPRING NOTES FROM ROBIN HILL by HAYDEN CARRUTH LOVELIGHT by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON GOOD-BYE DOROTHY GAYLE: HOME TO FARGO by KAREN SWENSON ROAST LEVIATHAN by LOUIS UNTERMEYER THE WANDERER: A ROCOCO STUDY (FIRST VERSION) by WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS |