THAT year? Yes, doubtless I remember still, -- Though why take count of every wind that blows! 'T was plain, men said, that Fortune used me ill That year, -- the self-same year I met with Rose. Crops failed; wealth took a flight; house, treasure, land, Slipped from my hold -- thus plenty comes and goes. One friend I had, but he too loosed his hand (Or was it I?) the year I met with Rose. There was a war, I think; some rumor, too, Of famine, pestilence, fire, deluge, snows; Things went awry. My rivals, straight in view, Throve, spite of all; but I, -- I met with Rose. That year my white-faced Alma pined and died: Some trouble vexed her quiet heart, -- who knows? Not I, who scarcely missed her from my side, Or aught else gone, the year I met with Rose. Was there no more? Yes, that year life began: All life before a dream, false joys, light woes, -- All after-life compressed within the span Of that one year, -- the year I met with Rose! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...OZYMANDIAS REVISITED by MORRIS GILBERT BISHOP SOLILOQUY OF THE SPANISH CLOISTER by ROBERT BROWNING SOTTO VOCE; TO EDWARD THOMAS by WALTER JOHN DE LA MARE NEED OF LOVING by STRICKLAND GILLILAN THE WANDERING JEW by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON TO CHILDREN: 4. THE FAIRY REALM by WILLIAM ROSE BENET OUT OF THE SILENCE OF MY DREAMS by WILLIAM STANLEY BRAITHWAITE |