IN days gone by when you were here I little heeded what you said; I watched the skies above me clear, I listened to the thrush instead. To this same spot my feet are led By thoughts of you another year; The self-same pine tree rose o'erhead In days gone by when you were here. Their slender forms to-day they rear Aloft in the same beauty spread, But ah! The thrush's song I fear! — I little heeded what you said. And now, as starving man for bread, I'd spring to catch one word of cheer, Yet when with love my heart you fed I watched the skies above me clear! Once more on the same pine leaves, sere And fragrant 'neath the summer's tread, I lie and think with many a tear, "I listened to the thrush instead!" I listened to the thrush instead, Yet could I now one accent hear Of that loved voice forever fled! . . . I knew not that you were so dear In days gone by! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ABOVE HALF MOON by JAMES GALVIN INDEPENDENCE DAY, 1956, A FAIRY TALE by JAMES GALVIN SPRING DAY: NIGHT AND SLEEP by AMY LOWELL WINTER GARDEN THEATRE by EDGAR LEE MASTERS NOTHING WILL CURE THE SICK LION BUT TO EAT AN APE' by MARIANNE MOORE GETTING A PURCHASE by KAREN SWENSON |