Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE GIFTS by ISABEL ECCLESTONE MACKAY

First Line: I GIVE YOU LIFE, O CHILD, A GARDEN FAIR
Last Line: YOU MAY PASS OUT AND, SMILING, CLOSE THE GATE!
Subject(s): GIFTS & GIVING;

I GIVE you Life, O child, a garden fair;
I give you Love, a rose that blossoms there—
I give a day to pluck it and to wear!

I give you Death, O child—a boon more great—
That, when your Rose has withered and 'tis late,
You may pass out and, smiling, close the gate!



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