IF we had sought adventurously, the stars, Or snared some wandering angel with a song, Or healed men's hearts of fear, the world of wars, Death of its sting, and love of half its wrong; If we had lifted an imperious name Beyond the narrow bounds of mortal mood, Fanning with the quick impulse of our fame, The crawling moments of the multitude:— @3Then@1 were there cause for pride—@3then@1 might we dare To claim some bright, extravagant reward Beyond the reach of Time.—Alas! our boast Is only that one day was wholly fair, When beechen leaves cast patterns on green sward, —One day in Spring. All other days are lost. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: MRS. KESSLER by EDGAR LEE MASTERS SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: WASHINGTON MCNEELY by EDGAR LEE MASTERS CAESAR'S LOST TRANSPORT SHIPS by ROBERT FROST FRAGMENT by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON ON HUNTINGDON'S 'MIRANDA' by SIDNEY LANIER A DAY IN BED by KATHERINE MANSFIELD TO A MAN WORKING HIS WAY THROUGH THE CROWD by MARIANNE MOORE |