1 SAY not: Life is one joyous festival And a base soul and foolish mind betray -- Nor yet, Black misery is its end and all, Through courage flagging on an evil way. Laugh as in Spring the boughs that shake and thrill, Weep like the driven waves that shoreward stream, Taste every pleasure, suffer every ill, And say: 'Twas much, though but a shade and dream. 2 When the heaviness and void Of all tragic life we find, Then the stricken soul is cloyed Even with tender things and kind. But a mystic treasure's gleam Flaming for a little while Flashes forth as in a dream And the pallid lips may smile. And by hope is glorified All our ancient, dull distress, As a ragged hedgerow's side By a young flower's loveliness. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...CONTRA MORTEM: THE BEING by HAYDEN CARRUTH THEY ACCUSE ME OF NOT TALKING by HAYDEN CARRUTH IMAGINARY ANCESTORS: THE GIRAFFE WOMAN OF BURMA by MADELINE DEFREES POETRY by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON SURFACES AND MASKS; 1 by CLARENCE MAJOR DOMESDAY BOOK: GEORGE JOSLIN ON LA MENKEN by EDGAR LEE MASTERS |